Summary
Who needs a third dimension? Nintendo’s legendary career started with 2D platformers back on NES and arcade cabinets, and the genre continues to thrive today. TheNintendo Switchlends itself perfectly to the pick-up-and-play nature of platform games, allowing you to run and jump as Mario, Sonic, and many other colorful heroes while traveling or on a lunch break.
The versatility of 2D platformers has led to many thrilling takes on the genre, including breathtaking art styles, fun new gameplay twists, and many homages to retro games. Whether you want an expansive triple-A experience or an innovative indie title, the Switch has your back with a diverse catalog of single-player and multiplayer side-scrollers.
Updated on July 07, 2025, by PJ Molloy:Many exciting new platformers have launched on Nintendo Switch throughout 2024, and we’ve updated the list to recap the very best ones, plus a spectacular hidden gem you may have missed from previous years.
Check outour review of Nevato learn more!
From the developers of Gris, Neva is a stunning adventure about a woman and her pet wolf who must survive a rapidly decaying world after experiencing a traumatic incident. What follows is a heart-wrenching depiction of the grieving process and the path toward healing.
The metaphor here is powerful, leading to many wholesome and emotional moments that will surely tug at the heartstrings. Despite the heavy themes, Neva is a surprisingly cozy game with a beautiful hand-drawn art style and a mesmerizing soundtrack to help you relax as you take in the profound story.
Check outour review of Antonblastto learn more!
Fans of Pizza Tower or Wario Land should absolutely try Antonblast at least once. It has the same high-speed gameplay, goofy sense of humor, and ’90s-inspired art style. Take control of the mighty Dynamite Anton, who’s out for revenge when Satan steals his stuff. Needless to say, the game is very silly.
Every aspect is designed to make you laugh or pump you up. The gameplay is action-packed, the humor is top-notch, and the difficulty level is just right. You won’t want to miss out on this one.
Freedom Planet
Inspired By The Sega Genesis
Freedom Planet is a wonderful homage to the Sega Genesis, featuring a nostalgic 16-bit art style and fast-paced Sonic-inspired gameplay. This epic sci-fi tale follows a dragon named Lilac, who must stop an alien invasion from destroying her planet.
Despite being a short game, Freedom Planet tells a fascinating, in-depth story with fully voice-acted cutscenes to keep you immersed. Plus, the gameplay is a perfect modernization of the classic Sonic formula, sporting new twists and quality-of-life updates for an extra layer of polish.
Inspired by the Wario Land series, Pizza Tower is ahigh-speed indie platformerwith an art style based on ’90s cartoons. You control Chef Peppino Spaghetti as he tries to stop a sentient pizza pie from blowing up his restaurant. If that kind of silly humor appeals to you, you’ll find plenty of it during the adventure.
As a score-attack game, Pizza Tower is all about running fast and racking up combos by pummeling enemies and grabbing as many collectibles as possible. Challenging, hilarious, and charming beyond belief, Pizza Tower is an indie gem all platforming fans should try.
Looking for something cozy? Promenade is a relaxing 2D collect-a-thon that combines the exploration of Banjo-Kazooie with a moveset reminiscent of Klonoa. You play as a boy and his octopus buddy as they explore sandbox worlds rich with secrets, collectibles, puzzles, and bosses.
Similar to Klonoa, you can throw the octopus to capture enemies, which you can then carry around, throw at other foes, or bounce off of like a trampoline. The adventure is not too difficult, making itperfect for newcomersor those looking to unwind after a stressful day.
Grapple Dog
Swing From A Grappling Hook As An Adorable Puppy
If you want something momentum-based, Grapple Dog is the way to go. Take control of a puppy named Pablo, who can swing through levels with a grappling hook. Each stage features a nice blend of exploration-based collect-a-thon elements and fast-paced momentum segments where you swing over obstacles.
In addition to tight level design and smooth controls, Grapple Dog stands out thanks to its quirky humor and charming characters. You can even pet the dog if you complete a level 100 percent. What more could you ask for?
Gravity Circuit
The Best Mega Man-Inspired Platformer
If you miss the Mega Man series, Gravity Circuit provides similar gameplay with new twists. After nearly losing his life in a war against the Virus Army, Kai returns to the battlefield to find that his friends have joined the other side. To save the world, he must take them out one by one.
Gravity Circuit has the same non-linear level structure and action-packed platforming as Mega Man. The close-combat attacks, Kai’s grappling hook, and equipable abilities give the game a unique identity. It’s a short adventure but well worth it for an epic blast from the past.
Check outour review of Pepper Grinderto learn more!
Pepper Grinder is all about drilling. In addition to traditional platforming, you can dig through tunnels to find secrets, navigate around obstacles, and solve puzzles. But that’s not all your drill can do. It’s also a weapon, a grappling hook, and a means of dashing into the air.
Digging is fast-paced yet surprisingly easy to control, making each patch of dirt a joy to explore. Plus, you get to fight an army of evil pirate narwhals. What more could you ask for in a game?
Check out ourreview of Mario vs. Donkey Kongto learn more!
Initially launched for Game Boy Advance, Mario vs. Donkey Kong revives the classic side-scroller with new levels and a co-op mode. Based on the arcade game Donkey Kong, you must guide the famous plumber through a series of puzzles to bring a key to a door and reach the Mini Mario toy on the other side.
While paying homage to the duo’s arcade debut, the platforming has been updated with smoother controls and an expanded moveset. The brain-teasers never feel too challenging, but you can grab a friend to play as Toad for a slightly more difficult multiplayer mode.
In Hollow Knight, you explore the eerie ruins of the fallen kingdom Hallownest. With a nail as your only weapon, you run and jump through an open world to find secrets, unlock abilities, discover lore details, and take on tough bosses.
The stunning hand-drawn art style evokes the feeling of stepping into a Gothic illustration, perfectly complementing the game’s macabre tone. With plenty of memorable locations and a chilling mystery to solve, Hollow Knight is theperfect Metroidvania to immerse yourself infor hours.
