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 titles that are particularly worth playing.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
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 for the titular 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 making your way through the lovingly designed levels.
These levels are so varied both in gameplay and artistry that boredom never sets in. The various new abilities that Mario and company can use to navigate creatively or clear cute foes out of the way help with this. Additionally, 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 take a seat in front of the screen at the same time.
Astro Bot
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 a dopamine rush 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 character 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, always perfectly tailored to the respective challenge. You never know what the creators have thought of 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 icing on the cake. If you have a PS5 at home, you can’t miss “Astro Bot.” Happiness is indeed purchasable.
Celeste
I died about 2,200 times before I finally saw the credits of the platformer “Celeste.” Am I just bad, and has my hand-eye coordination abandoned me? Quite possible. But the fact is: “Celeste” may look quite simple and charming with its retro pixel graphics. But even though it’s mainly about running and jumping here too, the game is primarily aimed at more experienced–and especially more patient–gamers.
The various levels are filled with all sorts of deadly obstacles, leaving little room for a safe landing. They quickly develop into long-chain passages where you must keep protagonist Madeline airborne through ultra-precise jumps for an extended period to avoid falling into the abyss. It goes from left to right, bottom to top, and back again, with sharp spikes lurking at every corner.
The high difficulty level isn’t just born from a possible sadistic streak 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
Super Mario clears enemies with fire flowers, star power, or a hearty jump on the head. Sonic, on the other hand, races past everyone so fast that they get dizzy, and Astro Bot can box by default or sizzle adversaries with jets from his feet. But the bard from “Wandersong”? He sings.
A core mechanic in this indie platformer is indeed 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, which you must quickly switch between, especially in tricky situations like some boss fights.
Besides, you also move by running and jumping through the lovingly designed world, as it is a platformer. It looks as if it has been cut out of paper. While it lacks 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 who will at least make you smile. With 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 mood and even opens up the meta-level. And unsurprisingly, the soundtrack is top-notch–which I happen to have on vinyl.