Best Platformers PS5 1

What are the best platformers on PS5? Platformers have been part of the fabric of video games since the medium's infancy, with many of gaming's most famous faces originating from this genre. These games are primarily concerned with testing your ability to traverse tricky environments, but within that definition is a huge variety of experiences, and that includes on PS5.

Of course, platformers can generally be split into 2D and 3D variants. While the former is less common these days, side-scrolling platformers do still come around every now and then. You have games like Cyber Shadow that purposefully apes the stylings of yesteryear, and then there are 2D platformers that push to provide something new, like The Pedestrian.

YouTube Video
Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube150k
Watch on YouTube

3D platformers are what you'll predominantly find on PS5, though, and there are some very strong examples. Every PS5 owner has access to Astro's Playroom, for instance, but titles like Solar Ash and Sackboy: A Big Adventure provide the console with a diverse range of platforming goodness. One of PlayStation's most enduring platformer franchises is also present and correct on PS5 with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

There's a great mix of scale and scope within the genre, so we could do with a hand getting them all in order. The games on this list are ranked based on your votes and ratings, meaning that you are directly influencing the shape of this article. If you want to have your say, you can search for your favourite PS5 platformers using the box below, or simply rate any of the titles you find on this page. Over time, this list will evolve so that it always represents your views on the best platformers on PS5.

A game will need at least 15 ratings before it makes its way onto this page. If your personal favourite platformer is missing, it could be that it just hasn’t been rated enough times yet.

So, here's our list of best platformers on PS5, as determined by you.

20. Pumpkin Jack: New-Gen Edition (PS5)

Heavily inspired by classic PlayStation properties like MediEvil and Jak & Daxter, Pumpkin Jack is a delightfully old-school style action platformer. Featuring colourful environments, responsive controls, and simple combat, it's the kind of lighthearted fun that's all too rare these days. Playing as the titular Jack, you traverse through Halloween-themed locations, engaging with spooky baddies and solving some straightforward puzzles. It all comes together to deliver a solid experience that harkens back to a simpler time, and we mean that as a positive thing.

19. Sonic Frontiers (PS5)

With Sonic Frontiers, SEGA decided to play with the traditional formula of the hedgehog's 3D outings, and the result is one of his strongest adventures in a long time. While certainly not without its flaws, this open world spin on the speedy character is refreshing, giving him ample room to run and plenty of opportunities to engage in bite-size platforming challenges. Most importantly, Sonic feels nimble and fun to control — most of the time, anyway. There's definitely some rough edges here, but it's ultimately an enjoyable game that fans of the franchise will adore.

18. Pac-Man World Re-Pac (PS5)

Pac-Man World Re-Pac is a modern remake of the classic PS1 platformer. Placing Namco's iconic character into a three-dimensional adventure, the game is packed with charm thanks to its simple but satisfying platforming and some inventive bosses. If you're looking for a platformer with old school design and contemporary visuals, this should serve you nicely.

17. Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series (PS5)

Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series is a remaster that brings together two cult classic platformers under one banner. These colourful games look better than ever here, presenting the simple but enjoyable side-scrolling adventures in 4K on PS5. With some quality-of-life improvements and adjustable difficulty, this collection is a highly accessible set of games that players of all ages will enjoy.

16. The Pedestrian (PS5)

There are a zillion platformers out there, but how many take place across various warning and traffic signs? Probably just one — namely The Pedestrian. This is a 2D puzzle platformer that tasks you with reaching the "exit" of each sign, which then connects to another in a 3D environment. That little man who appears on all sorts of signage and iconography we see every day needs your help to reach his goal, and you'll go through all kinds of inventive puzzles to do so. It's not particularly long, but while it lasts, this is an inventive and unique indie title worth checking out.

15. Cyber Shadow (PS5)

Do you have a fondness for side-scrolling action games that kick your arse? Cyber Shadow fulfils that role with gusto. Playing as a cyborg ninja, it's up to you to rescue the rest of your clan and fight back against a metallic menace. It's a pretty challenging game, but it does afford you new powers and abilities at a good pace to deal with all those blasted bots. Despite one or two small issues holding it back from true greatness, this is a fun, no-nonsense title with excellent pixel art visuals to boot.

14. Solar Ash (PS5)

Solar Ash is the follow-up to Heart Machine's first game, Hyper Light Drifter, and it's a pretty big departure on all fronts. Unlike its predecessor, this title is fully 3D and has a much larger emphasis on traversal and fluid motion. While you do engage in some combat, it's fleeting and purposely straightforward, again keeping you moving as you tackle each area and their huge bosses. The result is a stylish, slick platformer that feels wonderful to play. It might lack a touch of variety in places, but it's ultimately fun just flitting about in its surreal setting.

13. Fall Guys (PS5)

What if there was a platformer in which up to 60 players compete in chaotic obstacle courses simultaneously? Turns out this madcap idea is genius, because Fall Guys is a cracking online multiplayer madhouse. Playing as a jellybean-shaped clutz, you're up against numerous others through a series of randomly chosen stages, featuring all kinds of platforming challenges. By process of elimination, the winner will be the last one standing, and success earns you lots of excellent costumes and bragging rights. Whether you play solo or team up with friends, this is a hilarious title for all ages, and the best bit? It's free-to-play.

12. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (PS5)

The force is strong with this one. While there have been several instalments in the past, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is the culmination of TT Games' previous efforts. Encompassing all nine mainline movies, this is a huge platformer adventure featuring all the most iconic sequences you remember from the big screen. When you're not progressing the story, it turns into a sandbox, letting you explore myriad locations from the films and play as one of hundreds of characters. Its gameplay is also more modern than the older LEGO Star Wars titles, sharpening up shooting and making combat more exciting. There's so much to see and do here that Star Wars fans need not play anything else for a while.

11. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time (PS5)

Crash Bandicoot is one of PlayStation’s most iconic platforming heroes, and now that he’s double-jumped onto PS5, there’s no excuse for skipping Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time. This sequel stays true to the series’ origins, but it’s bursting with brand new ideas and jaw-dropping set-piece moments. Running at a flawless 60 frames-per-second in sparkling 4K resolution — and cutting those load times to almost nothing — this release is at its absolute best on Sony’s next-gen console.