Platformers

Jet Grind Radio is a seminal action-adventure platformer that blends high-speed inline skating with urban graffiti artistry. Players take control of teenage street gangs navigating a futuristic, heavily policed Tokyo-to while tagging rival territory and avoiding relentless police forces. The game is renowned for its distinctive cel-shaded visual style and an eclectic, high-energy soundtrack featuring J-pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Its pioneering use of analog stick-based trick inputs set a new standard for extreme sports and arcade-action games upon its original console release.

✦ Best for fans of retro arcade action and incredible cel-shaded art.

Pocky & Rocky with Becky is a classic-style scrolling shooter and platform adventure released for the Game Boy Advance. Players choose between three distinct heroines—Pocky, Rocky, or the newly introduced Becky—each equipped with unique attacks and abilities to battle waves of mythical Japanese monsters and spirits. Developed by Altron, this installment brings the beloved shrine maiden franchise to a handheld format, featuring cooperative-style character-switching mechanics and vibrant sprite-based graphics. Despite its charming presentation and traditional arcade roots, the game faced severe criticism upon release for its frustrating difficulty spikes, sluggish controls, and underwhelming reception from reviewers.

✦ Best for series completionists seeking a retro gba scrolling shooter.

Pocky & Rocky is a classic top-down scrolling shooter that follows the adventures of a young Shinto shrine maiden named Pocky and her companion, a tanuki named Rocky. Together, they must battle hordes of mystical monsters and mythical spirits inspired by Japanese folklore to save the day. Known for its charming pixel art, challenging difficulty, and cooperative gameplay, the game offers an engaging arcade experience. Players can utilize melee attacks, projectile cards, and special bombs to clear the screen of enemies across various mystical stages.

✦ Best for retro gamers and co-op fans seeking a challenging 16-bit shooter.

Set during the events of Jak II, Daxter stars Jak's furry sidekick as he embarks on his own solo adventure in Haven City. Armed with a bug-zapper and a can of insect-removing spray, Daxter takes on pest control jobs to earn money and search for clues to rescue his imprisoned friend. Developed by Ready At Dawn, the game combines fast-paced platforming, inventive combat, and the series' signature humor. Players navigate sprawling environments, unlock new abilities, and even partake in dream sequences parodying classic blockbuster movies.

✦ Best for fans of 3d platformers seeking action and comedy.

Jak and Daxter return in an action-packed platforming adventure that takes them beyond the boundaries of their known world. Facing a severe eco shortage, the duo boards an airship and ventures to the edge of the planet, encountering strange new enemies, ancient mysteries, and sky-high conflicts. Experience high-flying aerial dogfights, inventive gun-staff combat, and classic platforming exploration. Players can switch seamlessly between Jak's agile ground maneuvers and intense vehicular combat in the skies, uncovering a rich story that bridges classic gameplay with fresh mechanics.

✦ Best for fans of classic 3d platformers wanting engaging aerial combat.

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is a cooperative action-adventure platformer that invites players to explore the rich history of Disney characters and forgotten worlds. Armed with a magical paintbrush and thinner, players can creatively shape their environment, solving puzzles and battling enemies through paint or erasure. Set in the vibrant and unstable world of Wasteland, the game features full drop-in, drop-out co-op where the second player takes control of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. With his powerful remote control and ability to fly, Oswald works alongside Mickey to navigate challenges, uncover hidden secrets, and restore harmony to the cartoon realm.

✦ Best for disney fans and co-op gamers wanting a cooperative adventure.

Disney Epic Mickey is an action-adventure platforming game for the Nintendo Wii that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. Pulled into a dark, alternative world called Cartoon Wasteland created by Yen Sid, Mickey must wield a magical brush to paint or thin out his surroundings. Players navigate through decaying lands inspired by early Disney cartoons and theme parks, interacting with forgotten characters like Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The choices made throughout the adventure dictate Mickey's path, altering the world around him and defining his legacy as a true hero.

✦ Best for disney fans and platformer players wanting a creative adventure.

Front Mission: Gun Hazard is a side-scrolling action platformer set in the acclaimed Front Mission science fiction universe. Players pilot customizable mechs known as Wanzers through intense military missions, upgrading weaponry and equipment to overcome increasingly difficult obstacles and enemy forces. Developed by Omiya Soft and Solid and published by Square, the game blends mech combat mechanics with traditional platforming action. Released in 1996 for the Super Famicom, it offers a distinct narrative-driven campaign focusing on political intrigue and mech warfare without multiplayer elements.

✦ Best for retro fans seeking customizable sci-fi mech action.

Gradius ReBirth is a classic side-scrolling shoot 'em up developed by M2 and published by Konami. Released as part of the WiiWare service, it serves as a nostalgic homage to the legendary Gradius franchise, featuring iconic gameplay mechanics, power-up management, and relentless waves of alien adversaries. Players pilot the Vic Viper through treacherous stages filled with obstacles and massive boss encounters, utilizing the signature customizable power-up gauge. With an evocative chiptune soundtrack and challenging difficulty, the game captures the essence of the arcade era while introducing remixed stages and tracks from across the series' history.

✦ Best for retro arcade fans seeking a faithful, challenging side-scrolling sci-fi shooter.

LocoRoco Midnight Carnival is a vibrant platform-puzzle game developed by SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Players tilt the environment to guide their cheerful, bouncy LocoRoco creatures through whimsical levels filled with hazards, hidden secrets, and catchy musical tunes. The gameplay emphasizes momentum, precise timing, and exploration as you collect pick-ups and navigate tricky obstacles under a spooky carnival theme. Building upon the core mechanics of the franchise, this installment introduces the 'Buil-Buil' mechanic, allowing players to launch their LocoRoco through the air in explosive bursts of speed. With its charming art style, comedic sound design, and challenging puzzle-platforming elements, it delivers a uniquely joyful and addictive experience designed specifically for single-player portable gaming.

✦ Best for fans of whimsical, music-driven physics platformers.

LocoRoco 2 is a charming platform-puzzle adventure developed by SCE Japan Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. Players tilt the world using the shoulder buttons to guide the cheerful, gelatinous LocoRoco through whimsical environments filled with catchy music, hidden secrets, and mischievous MuiMui creatures.

✦ Best for platformer fans and casual players seeking a musical adventure.

Conker's Pocket Tales follows the cheeky squirrel Conker as he embarks on a whimsical quest across colorful worlds, solving puzzles and battling quirky enemies. The game blends platforming action with light‑hearted humor, delivering a nostalgic experience for fans of classic adventure titles. Originally released in 1999, the title offers single‑player gameplay that emphasizes exploration, item collection, and clever level design. Its vibrant visuals and catchy soundtrack make it an enjoyable journey for players of all ages.

✦ Best for retro platformer fans