See the full ranking at our listing of the best PS4 plaformer games.
25. Super Meat Boy
This tough as nails platformer puts you in the life of a cube-sized creature trying to save his girlfriend, Bandage Girl. A product of a once simple flash game, help him reclaim her girlfriend from 300 hazardous obstacles led by Dr. Fetus. Guide him as he escapes terrifying razor blades, brutal traps and epic bosses.
Every level is increasingly difficult, making every encounter a nightmare for platformer amateurs. As for veterans, it’s a challenge worth taking. Its gameplay requires careful timing and patience.
It was lauded for its slick controls, accurate platforming designs, and fun replay value. And not to mention a story so moving, it’d scar you for life. It has a playscore of 8.18
24. LittleBigPlanet 3
The PlayStation 4 is never a stranger to platformers. During the early days of their consoles, there was LittleBigPlanet. A simple platformer-puzzle dedicated for players with immense creativity. It re-shaped PlayStation forever. Creating communities after communities of pure imagination.
This 3rd installment didn’t change that much in terms of gameplay. The sandbox environment feels the same, but the emphasis on creation takes it to a whole new degree. They also added new characters to the fray with their unique abilities.
Although a 4th installment feels like a long wait, this installment gained positive acclaim due to its heavy focus on the creative aspect. However, it was also negatively received for its technical woes. It has a playscore of 8.21
23. Unepic
Think of it as every nerd’s dream. Play as Daniel. A guy who just wants to live a normal life playing RPG games all day, all night. Apparently, a mysterious phenomenon transported him to a mysterious castle. No, it isn’t a hallucination. It’s real. He goes out in an epic adventure to stop this deluded fantasy.
Utilize the game’s Metroidvania style gameplay and create your own non-linear storyline. Use your set of melee and ranged weapons to survive a horrific gauntlet of enemies and dark magic.
Reviews of the game were mixed. Its fine points were its homage to the old school Metroidvania games, but it was panned for its slow-paced scenarios. It receives a playscore of 8.23
22. Shantae Risky Revenge - Director’s Cut
The hair-whipping, belly-dancing heroine from the popular Shantae franchise is a godsend for PlayStation 4 users. Their high-octane fun takes you to the shoes of the half-genie Shantae in her fun, if not, risky adventures. Guide her through haunted wastes, burning deserts, and more.
This award-winning platformer dazzles you with enhanced pixel graphics, beautiful artistic backdrop, and tons of magic abilities to take down Risky Boots and save Sequin Land.
Praised for its humor, creativity, and fun factor, the Shantae series was a staple of Wayforward’s success and it’s port to Sony’s latest platform makes it all better. It has a playscore of 8.24
21. Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime
A couch-party game filled with neon lights. Shoot through space in a frenzied co-op mode with you and your friends. Take control of a huge neon battleship and control it together. Lead your crew of adorable neon creatures to various parts of the ship and clear areas dominated by enemies.
Upgrade your battle stations and collect power-ups for maximum efficiency. According to their game, “Nobody gets left behind.”
Critics and gamers loved how the game’s simple controls make it a deep experience. It’s fun when you’re with your crew and it doesn’t necessarily take itself too seriously. What it needs is an online mode and then things will be better.
It has a playscore of 8.24
20. The Swapper
It’s rare when a platformer takes science fiction seriously. Developer Facepalm and Curve Studios’ manages to do it just fine.
After the events of a mysterious incident. Control a female scavenger as she explores a derelict space station filled with a dark mystery. This puzzle-platformer oozes with creative Metroidvania elements with a unique gameplay mechanic called “Swapping”. This enables the player to clone herself to various bodies scattered around its world.
Your mission is to find out the unfortunate fate of these researchers.
The game has its ups and downs. But most of the positive reviews stem from its engaging “Swapping” and challenging puzzle difficulties. It has a playscore of 8.24
19. Trine 2: Complete Story
A sequel that exceeds its original. This puzzle game from Frozenbyte is an open-ended masterpiece that challenges you to make your own choices. Choose from its variety of characters and tools and bask in its gorgeous detailed fantasy world. Follow three heroes as they make their way through a dangerous fairy tale word.
This complete story features an integrated Goblin Expansion and an unlockable Dwarven Caverns. It’s pretty much your definitive Trine 2 experience.
The game was praised for its beautiful graphics, smart side-scrolling design, and a fun adventure. It has a playscore of 8.30
18. Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight
Follow the Priestess Kaho as she dispels an evil curse in this adorable pixel-filled goodness. This beloved 2D Platformer charms us with their beautifully animated visuals and satisfying combat. Combo your way through its magical world and restore hope to its decayed land. Most gamers call it a chibi version of Dark Souls.
It’s the fourth Momodora entry and most players are calling it a hidden gem. It has everything a Metroidvania game has to offer including fun boss fights, amazing soundtrack, and a story to warm the heart.
It has a playscore of 8.30
17. Headlander
Adult Swim and Double Fine Productions manages to bring together two unlikely genres: Metroidvania and Bullet-hell. Set in a 70’s version of dystopian nightmare, use your head to tear down a horde of futuristic robots in sci-fi fashion. Be the last known human in the universe and fend off animatronic threats.
Decide the fate of humanity in its stylish side-scrolling fashion. Gamers are left astounded by the game’s sublime gameplay and explosive colors. It’s an unexpected take on the Metroidvania genre, and it works.
It has a playscore of 8.41
16. Tearaway Unfolded
Tarsier Studios and Media Molecule’s PlayStation 4 port of the PlayStation Vita wonder unfolds into the bigger screen. Take a step into a child-friendly storybook world filled with paper-filled goodness and more. Follow Iota or Atoi in their quest to deliver a message from a being called “The You”. Use environmental powers to guide these adorable messengers to their destination. Papercuts not included.
This edition comes in with improved motion control compared to the PS Vita. Players can use their Dualshock 4 to navigate around its world in unique and creative ways. If the artistic nature of the game doesn’t please you, then its playful gameplay should.
It has a playscore of 8.41
15. Sound Shapes
Think of it as Loco Roco meets Patapon. But not always. Sony’s adorable rhythm slash platformer from Queasy Games oozes with style. Guide a lowly blob in a musical adventure driven by beats. Every passing level is filled with the sound of pulsating notes and colorful art style. As difficult as the journey may be, time your movements right and reach the objective. You just have to listen to the music.
It was heavily praised for its creative possibilities. Players can create their own levels and share them with other people around the world. Some are fun, some are difficult while others are somewhat emotional. Its whole aesthetic is so pleasing, you’d want to create your own world too.
It has a playscore of 8.53
14. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
Lizardcube’s remastered version of the classic action-platformer takes you once again to the shoes of a cursed boy. Follow the game’s original character Hu-Man as he explores dangerous caverns and temples all in the hopes of finding a cure. Transform into various monsters to adapt to the field of battle and solve secrets.
A 1989 product of SEGA’s old system, this refined version embraces its old retro charm to the modern generation platform with sweet 2D visuals. Moving away from its classic pixel style graphics, the game also tweaks the physics and other major mishaps the original offered. Not to mention you can play as Hu-Girl! That’s a plus.
It has a playscore of 8.53
13. Fez
A side-scrolling adventure that puts you into the fabric of space and time. Take a grand adventure in absurd 2D and 3D worlds. Control your character as he traverses high towers and unknown glitches in a serene open-ended world filled with multi-dimensional possibilities.
After being randomly transported into another dimension, use your newly acquired abilities to control the world. Switch between 2D and 3D environments with a press of a button, and leap towards each level’s goal. Reach the end of the journey and find out the meaning of reality and perception.
From developer Polytron Corporation, it’s an intelligent game with a brilliant game design. Moving away from their handheld capabilities, it opens its doors to the PlayStation 4. It has a playscore of 8.53
12. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddyssey - New N’ Tasty
Follow Abe and his adventure to save his entire species from impending genocide. This ground-up remake of the popular 1997 game makes its way to modern generation platforms. New N’ Tasty delivers a smooth graphical overhaul to the life and times of the iconic Mudokons.
The game remains the same just like the original with the exception of the added difficulty setting. Help Abe as he collects Mudokons and escapes from RaptureFarms. Solve tons of puzzles in side-scrolling fashion and stop impending obstacles from blocking your path. The more Mudokons you get, the more chances you get the Good Ending! The lesser, well, you know what happens.
It has a playscore of 8.54
11. Unravel
Weave through the story of an adorable anthropomorphic yarn in his little adventure out in the open. In this platforming adventure from Coldwood Interactive, use Yarny’s physics-based movements to swing, climb, and grapple into various obstacles. Its puzzle elements, however, require patience and the resourcefulness of spinning your yarny body.
It was a very respected game due to its utilization of Sony’s PhyrEngine. Its alluring visuals, emotional story, beautiful soundtrack, and physics makes it one of 2016’s adorable platformers. It has a playscore of 8.57
10. Little Nightmares
Step inside the Maw, a grotesque world plagued with the disfigured horrors of men. Its haunting atmosphere draws you into its demented nature. Play as Six as she makes a daring escape into its twisted shackles in its side-scrolling platforming.
Little Nightmares is as horrifying as it is beautiful. Its tense cat-and-mouse scenarios create a sense of hair-raising tension. These moments are accompanied by the game’s eerie sound design. It was one of its stronger points.
The game, however, is short. But the adrenaline keeps pumping at every minute of the game. Can you help Six escape? It has a playscore of 8.61
9. Shantae: Half Genie Hero
Wayforward’s iconic game. Follow Shantae and her friends as she saves her town from mysterious dark magic. Use Shantae’s damage-dealing hair to whip enemies back and forth. Players can also transform her into different animals to solve the game’s puzzles. The game is so colorful it feels like you’re watching a cartoon.
This is the fourth game of the Shantae series but this is the first to ever showcase High Definition visuals and smooth gameplay designs. Enjoy its unique levels while listening to the game’s groovy tunes. Its DLC’s add new characters to the journey including Risky, Shantae’s rival.
it has a playscore of 8.67
8. N++
For the hardcore Sony users, everyone knows Metanet Software’s slick and stylish platformer. Jump, slide, roll, and run around its levels filled with dangerous obstacles and deadly traps. Powered by a sweet electronic soundtrack, frustrations couldn’t be more fun.
Use the power of momentum and speed to complete its over 4,000 hand-crafted levels. That’s a huge amount of content for a platformer with minimalistic nature and a silly name. It’s widely acclaimed for its difficulty, soundtrack, and precise controls.
It has a playscore of 8.70
7. Child Of Light
Welcome to the world of Lemuria. Unlike most platformers, Child of Light is a magical adventure mixed with turn-based RPG elements. Follow Princess Aurora and her friends to restore a decaying Kingdom caused by an Evil Queen.
This game is heavily inspired by classic Fairy Tales and Medieval Mythos. Lead your group of innocent friends by showing your heavenly powers while speaking in rhymes. Its sidescrolling journey leads you to underground caverns, frozen mountains, and fiery volcanic areas with beautiful hand-drawn backdrops.
To top it all off, it even has a gorgeous soundtrack. The game is pleasing at every glance, stopping you from the real world mess, and puts you into their captivating world.
It has a playscore of 8.71
6. INSIDE
LIMBO’s success inspired PlayDead to create another side-scrolling adventure with a resonating theme, control a young boy escaping from the clutches of an evil dystopian world. Escape from the deadly threats in its Orwellian-inspired city and solve puzzles. Use machines to control other humans, or press a button to control gravity.
Filled with rich monochromatic atmosphere and an ending that leaves players traumatized INSIDE manages to win the hearts of critics and gamers (probably by brainwashing). It won numerous awards including Best Indie Game, Game of the Year, and a whole lot more.
Rumor has it PlayDead’s making a new game. We can’t wait for that one! It has a playscore of 8.73
5. Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
Follow a Luchador named Juan and his adventures in the land of the living and the land of the dead. Save El Presidente’s Daughter from an evil sorcerer.
Master the art of punching and grappling opponents. Unleash your Luchador skills by creating consistent combos to smack and grab enemies to a pulp. Use the game’s unique ability to travel between the living and dead worlds. It’s a colorful platforming experience, and it speaks the beauty of Mexican Culture.
It has a playscore of 8.74
4. Rogue Legacy
Developer Cellar Door Games made an incredibly fun platformer that offers nostalgia to the days of old. This 2D Platformer offers a unique gameplay element: Its descendant system. As the player dies, the game randomly-generates a new character but with unique traits, for better or for worse. Sometimes it’s color blindness, dwarfism, and so much more.
The player's quest to find the main character’s ancient secret comes with a price of multiple heirs to carry the burden of the sword.
It has a rewarding progression system, fun boss battles, and is incredibly challenging. Keep going because your legacy doesn’t end there.
It has a playscore of 8.79
3. Rayman Legends
Rayman never disappoints when it comes to being so trippy. Ubisoft’s highest-rated platformer makes a return after the breakthrough success of Origins. Step inside painting after painting and dazzle in its colorful visuals.
Tons of surprises are still waiting in store for the players at each level. Engage in memorable boss battles and witness the creative use of platforming elements in a videogame ever. Timing is essential in this game and the difficulty remains a constant challenge for young and old players.
If anyone’s looking for some co-op fun, grab a friend and jump, leap, and roll in its psychedelic wonder. It has a playscore of 8.92
2. Ratchet & Clank
Two of PlayStation’s iconic characters take a leap of adventure to the PlayStation 4 with a re-imagined scale. This reboot by Insomniac Games to the original game offers new and exciting features to the classic duo. As usual, the platformer-adventure remains the same but the world feels livelier than ever. New weapons, enemies, and tie-in movie to expand the game’s lore.
The game was a widespread success. Critics praised the game’s fluid controls and fun experience even for new players. Players can dazzle in its colorful shooting mechanics similar to the previous installments.
It has a playscore of 8.99
1. Shovel Knight
Yacht Club Games’ universally acclaimed platformer. Return to the days of old and witness Retro-Gaming come back to life. Control a brave shovel-wielding knight as he digs deeper into the confines of an evil castle. Use his trusty shovel to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and defeat an Evil Enchantress. All in the name of love.
A record-breaking success. It’s the only Indie game to garner the respect of players and critics with its successful Kickstarter campaign. It’s out on almost every modern generation platform and by each release, they never disappoint.
The game also has two expansions namely Plague of Shadows and Specter of Torment. These additions add more adventure to this mastercrafted game.
It has a playscore of 8.99