July 12, 2025, 7:26 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Whether as a small robot or a trusty old plumber, platformers have players running and jumping through levels filled with creative obstacles. Here are four particularly successful examples.
Running and jumping, whether from left to right or front to back: Platformers are a game genre beloved across all age groups, having produced some of the greatest classics in video game history. It doesn’t matter if it’s a major mega-publisher or a tiny indie development team; many examples come from all corners of the industry and appeal to young and old, beginners and pros alike. That’s why we at TECHBOOK are presenting four platformer games that are particularly worth playing.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder – the Ultimate Platformer
No platformer list is complete without the most famous plumber in… human history? That might sound like a massive exaggeration, but let’s be honest: Entire generations of game and film fans around the world now know Super Mario, and a title like “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” is impressive proof that Mario and his friends are far from running out of steam.
Released in fall 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, this is the first classic 2-D adventure of the title hero since “New Super Mario Bros. U” in 2012. In the meantime, he was primarily in three-dimensional settings, so “Wonder” marks a return to his gaming roots—just as many first got to know him.
The wait was worth it. “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” achieves the rare feat of being nostalgic and contemporary at the same time. The traditional gameplay of side-scrolling running and jumping feels familiar from the first second—like seeing an old friend again. Or getting back on a bike after a long time. You haven’t forgotten how, and soon you’re confidently navigating through the lovingly designed levels.
Both gameplay-wise and artistically, they are so varied that boredom never sets in. The various new abilities Mario and Co. can use help navigate creatively or clear cute villains out of the way. Plus, there are plenty of alternative routes and other secrets to discover. Social gamers can also hop through the game worlds together—up to four players can sit in front of the screen at the same time.
Astro Bot – a Cute Platformer Game
When people are sad or otherwise down, there are many ways to cheer up: meeting friends, good food, beautiful music, a walk in the park, or good old sports. But you could also just play a round of “Astro Bot” and get dopamine shocks every few pixels.
Why? Because the Game of the Year 2024 is just so incredibly cute. You can’t help but open your heart to the adorable title hero and his friends. Hundreds of them scurry around the game, waiting to be rescued and brought to a central gathering point. Many of them are modeled after iconic characters from other well-known titles, which amounts to an immense number of Easter eggs.
But the platformer doesn’t just score points with its cheerful presentation; it’s also wonderfully entertaining to play. The levels are bursting with creativity and are downright unpredictable due to the overflowing imagination. There are plenty of abilities for the little robot, perfectly tailored to each challenge. You never know what the creators have thought up next. One thing is certain—it’s funny and a lot of fun.
The fact that the game makes extensive use of almost all the features of the DualSense controller is the cherry on top. If you have a PS5 at home, you can’t miss “Astro Bot.” Happiness is indeed purchasable.
Celeste – Retro Pixel Charm
I died about 2,200 times before I finally saw the credits of the platformer “Celeste.” Am I just bad, or has my hand-eye coordination abandoned me? Quite possible. But the fact is: “Celeste” may look simple and charming with its retro pixel graphics, but although it’s mainly about running and jumping, the game is aimed primarily at more experienced—and especially more patient—gamers.
The various levels are filled with all sorts of deadly obstacles, leaving little room for safe landings. They quickly develop into long sequences where you must keep protagonist Madeline airborne with ultra-precise jumps to avoid falling into the abyss. It goes from left to right, bottom to top, and back again, while sharp spikes lurk at every corner.
The high difficulty level isn’t just born from any sadistic tendencies of the creators; it also makes narrative sense. In “Celeste,” Madeline embarks on the arduous journey up the titular mountain. It not only presents her with its own obstacles but also confronts her with herself.
Madeline suffers mentally from fears, self-doubt, and depression, and is on a strenuous journey out of the inner void. This is extremely difficult for anyone, and the difficulty level reflects these struggles that one must face. In the end, at the summit, peace finally returns—and the mind is in balance.
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Wandersong – a Singing Bard
Super Mario clears enemies with fire flowers, star power, or a hearty jump on the head. Sonic, on the other hand, simply races past everyone so fast that they get dizzy, and Astro Bot can box or roast adversaries with jets from his feet. But the bard from “Wandersong”? He sings.
A core mechanic in this indie platformer is actually getting the cute protagonist to hit the right notes at the right time. This is done using a color wheel, where each color represents a specific pitch. Gradually, you unlock new ones, between which you must quickly switch, especially in tricky situations like a boss fight.
Besides that, you also run and jump through the lovingly crafted world, as it’s a platformer. It looks as if it was snipped out of paper. While it loses the impression of spatial depth, the developers easily make up for it with bright colors and quirky character designs.
Speaking of quirky: Not only do the many NPCs look rustic, but many of them also act that way. Throughout the adventure, you meet plenty of side characters that will at least make you smile. Despite all the humor and sweet appearance, it should not go unmentioned that “Wandersong” also tells an exciting and surprisingly well-written story, where the bard reaches the limits of his good cheer and even opens up the meta-level. And unsurprisingly, the soundtrack is top-notch—which I happen to have on vinyl.