Best 2D Platformer

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Best 1 Kirby Super Star Ultra
Kirby Super Star Ultra

Kirby Super Star Ultra is a remastered version of the beloved Kirby Super Star, offering a collection of six distinct games within one package. The enhanced visuals, improved controls, and added cont...

9.5 Brilliant
2 Super Mario World
Super Mario World

Super Mario World, released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, is widely considered one of the greatest 2D platformers ever made. Featuring vibrant graphics, innovative level design, and the...

9.5 Brilliant
3 Sonic Mania
Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania is a masterful return to the classic 2D Sonic formula, blending familiar zones with entirely new ones like the Chemical Plant Zone and the Heartlands. The pixel art is stunning, perfectly...

9.4 Excellent
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4 Kirby's Adventure
Kirby's Adventure

Kirby's Adventure, released on the NES, revolutionized the Kirby series with its vibrant graphics and innovative copy ability. Kirby can inhale enemies and gain their powers, leading to diverse gamepl...

9.2 Excellent
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5 Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. is a landmark title that revitalized the video game industry after the 1983 crash. Its simple yet addictive gameplay, iconic characters, and memorable music established many of the c...

9.1 Excellent
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6 Kirby: Planet Robobot
Kirby: Planet Robobot
From $39.99 USD (original retail)

Kirby: Planet Robobot introduces unique robotic suits that grant Kirby new abilities and transformations, significantly altering gameplay. The game's level design is intricate and visually stunning, w...

9.0 Excellent
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7 Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. 3
From Nintendo Switch Online subscription required for digital access

Super Mario Bros. 3 is widely considered the best 2D Mario game, building upon the foundation of its predecessors with a wealth of new power-ups, inventive level design, and a sprawling world map. The...

9.0 Excellent
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8 Kirby's Dream Land 3
Kirby's Dream Land 3
Free Plan Available From Nintendo Switch Online subscription required

Kirby's Dream Land 3, a Game Boy title, stands out for its charming aesthetic and unique gameplay mechanics. The game features a dream-like world with a distinctive art style and introduces the abilit...

8.8 Very Good
9 Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest is a landmark title in the 2D platformer genre, known for its stunning pre-rendered graphics and challenging level design. Players control Donkey Kong and Did...

8.8 Very Good
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10 Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe

Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe is a remastered version of the Wii title, bringing enhanced visuals and new content to the already enjoyable experience. The game features a vibrant world, charming...

8.7 Very Good
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11 Kirby's Epic Yarn
Kirby's Epic Yarn

Kirby's Epic Yarn presents a unique visual style, with Kirby and the world rendered entirely in yarn. The game emphasizes puzzle-solving and exploration, with Kirby transforming his yarn form to overc...

8.6 Very Good
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12 Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 2, released on the Sega Genesis, is a defining title in the platformer genre, known for its blistering speed and iconic gameplay. Players control Sonic and Tails as they race throug...

8.5 Very Good
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13 Kirby and the Crystal Shards
Kirby and the Crystal Shards

Kirby and the Crystal Shards, a Game Boy Advance title, offers a more challenging experience than many other Kirby games. The game features a darker tone and introduces Crystal Shards, which grant Kir...

8.4 Very Good
14 Kirby's Dream Land 2
Kirby's Dream Land 2

Kirby's Dream Land 2, a Game Boy sequel, expands upon the original with a larger world and more diverse enemies. The game introduces the ability to transform into various forms, adding depth to the ga...

8.3 Very Good
15 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a classic 2D platformer that brings back the traditional Mario gameplay with a modern twist. Players control Mario and his friends as they navigate a series of challe...

8.1 Very Good
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16 Earthworm Jim
Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim, released in 1994, was a quirky and humorous platformer with memorable characters and unique gameplay. Its side-scrolling action, cartoon graphics, and witty dialogue made it a standout...

7.9 Good
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17 Kirby's Star Allies
Kirby's Star Allies

Kirby Star Allies introduces the 'buddy system,' allowing Kirby to team up with various allies, each with unique abilities. The game features a colorful world and a lighthearted story. While the gamep...

7.8 Good
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18 Mega Man 2
Mega Man 2

Mega Man 2, released on the Nintendo Entertainment System, is a cornerstone of the action platformer genre. Players control Mega Man as he battles Dr. Wilys Robot Masters, acquiring their weapons to d...

7.7 Good
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19 Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a remastered collection of the first two Klonoa games. Players control Klonoa, a half-dream spirit, as he journeys through a whimsical world. The game features unique...

7.6 Good
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20 Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition

Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is the complete package of the acclaimed 2D platformer. It includes all previously released DLC and features stunning hand-drawn visuals, a catchy music-based soundt...

7.6 Good
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21 Kirby Mass Attack
Kirby Mass Attack

Kirby Mass Attack features a unique gameplay mechanic where players control a swarm of Kirbys to navigate levels and defeat enemies. The game's controls are simple and accessible, making it suitable f...

7.5 Good
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22 Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Super Mario Bros. Wonder is the most creative 2D Mario game in decades. It introduces the 'Wonder Flower' mechanic, which drastically changes the level in unpredictable and often hilarious ways. The g...

7.4 Good
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23 Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: China
Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: China

Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is a 2D side-scrolling platformer set in feudal China. While it offers a unique gameplay experience, it's a departure from the main series and lacks the depth and sc...

6.5 Fair
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24 Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: India
Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: India

Similar to Chronicles: China, Chronicles: India is a 2D platformer set in 19th-century India. It provides a brief, stylized experience but lacks the narrative complexity and expansive world of the mai...

6.3 Fair
25 Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: Russia
Assassin's Creed: Chronicles: Russia

Another entry in the Chronicles series, Russia follows a similar formula to its predecessors. It's a short, 2D platformer with stealth elements, but it doesn't offer a significant contribution to the...

6.1 Fair
26 Kirby's Rainbow Curse
Kirby's Rainbow Curse

Kirby's Rainbow Curse, a Wii U title, introduces a unique gameplay mechanic where Kirby is controlled by drawing rainbow ropes. While the visuals are charming and the concept is interesting, the gamep...

5.5 Average
27 Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I attempted to revive the classic 2D Sonic formula, but the execution was underwhelming. The gameplay felt generic, and the story was forgettable. While the visuals were...

4.2 Poor
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