Top 10 Platformer Games 2019

December 28, 2019 at 4:27am
By Jason Stettner

The Platformer is one of the most classic game types often having a solid stack of releases throughout the year whether that's in a 2D or 3D format. The genre has always remained fun while changing and adapting multiple times throughout the years. Here's a collection of the best of genre from this past year with a number of excellent hits being released throughout.

Keep in mind that I didn't include remasters in this listing and it is a ranked ordering. They may not all be top tier hits, but vary greatly in design while performing the core concept of platforming well. There are some that provide hardcore challenges, as well as lighter ones for every type of audience that might be looking at this type of gaming experience. With that, here are the Top 10 Platformer Games of 2019.

#10: Way of the Turtle

This is an Apple Arcade debuted title and it’s surprisingly well done. It’s a really interest platformer that features dynamic viewing as the world shifts, and a charming little story about two turtles trying to find one another. There are RPG elements to it, and some special abilities. It’s quite interesting.

#9: Melbits World

Originally just a phone controller game, this is a neat game based around assisting little critters to reach destinations and to handle deadly problems that come up along the way. It seems fun and easy, but it can be difficult as time is definitely not your friend in the slightest.

#8: Yoshi’s Crafted World

The latest Yoshi adventure is full of care, and craft featuring many lovely real feeling environments to move through. It’s like a children’s creation with each area being full of lively backdrops and shifting foregrounds. Yoshi is also here to hop and gulp your way through it.

#7: BurgerTime Party

Perhaps an odd choice to some, this is a great rendition of BurgerTime, it’s back to essentials and provides many ways to play with others. It’s sleeker, with some core changes but still has the spirit of the original. It offers many unique challenges as you attempt to take out bad food items while stacking burgers along various elevations of platforms.

#6: Damsel

This is a really fast platforming title where you’re hunting vampires while completing other objectives on the various levels. The narrative is told through a comic book style of presentation which is really interesting. You’re always under the clock, and that provides a good challenge. When it comes to platforming you’ll be blasting enemies and moving through varying levels of a map very quickly.

#5: My Friend Pedro

This a hard one to explain, it’s pure wild action that’s beyond perhaps even guessing what this provides. It’s a violent exploration into friendship as one man blasts anything in his way in order to please or well work with a sentient banana. Yep, it’s quite something.

#4: Trials Rising

A surprising addition, but yes, Trials Rising is definitely one hardcore bike game about precision and intense movement through various levels of elevation. It’s a racing platformer which is a very niche genre, and this one is excellent. I’d say this is a peak entry in the franchise and one awesome ride.

#3: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

A more hardcore gothic style title presenting a feeling similar to what one might call a Metroidvania inspired experience. There are vibrant scenes, intense animation combat and a sense of exploration as well making this a rather unique addition to this listing.

#2: Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

A gorgeous and charming puzzle based platformer with a focus on cooperative play. You can enjoy this by yourself as well, it’s just a really neat 2.5D title. It features stunning visuals, a neat twist on dreams and a wide selection of environments to move through. There’s a little bit of charm, and just a really great experience.

#1: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair

This to me, is a perfect example of what this genre is supposed to be. It’s not only excellent in terms of the levels you play, but how it innovates in such a saturated area of gaming. You get an open world area to move through to find new levels, and then what you do there can alter the level you’re playing on. Combine that with the charm of the two leads and you get one lovely time. It’s a really great game, but also one that does provide quite a challenge as the end dungeon is insanity.

Those are the top 10 platformer games of 2019 featuring a wide range of titles, perhaps some surprises as well. Hopefully a good variety, with a title or two that you might have missed and should take a gander at. Check out another selection of ten games below, or our awards hub to see what took home the top prizes from the site for this past year.

Read About the 10 Best Games of 2019
View our Game Awards 2019