Celeste is a truly exceptional indie game, celebrated for its challenging yet satisfying platforming and deeply moving story. What makes it special is how perfectly the gameplay and narrative work together, creating a unified and powerful experience.
Celeste is widely considered one of the greatest platforming games ever made. It has received incredible reviews, surpassing classics like Super Mario World, Banjo-Kazooie, and Donkey Kong Country.
Celeste isn’t the only great platformer out there. Keep reading to discover which other platformers have received even higher ratings from our reviewers.
We’ll be listing these games from lowest-rated to highest-rated, using average scores from GameRankings and OpenCritic.
7. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
A Work Of Art
Image Nintendo
It’s hard to think of a better console launch than Nintendo’s with the Super Nintendo and Super Mario World. The game is a fantastic step forward for the Super Mario series, really showcasing the improved power of the SNES.
Yoshi’s Island arrived and quickly surpassed Super Mario World. Super Mario World is still a great game, but Yoshi’s Island is simply exceptional.
Super Mario World 2, or Yoshi’s Island, builds on the fantastic platforming of the original Super Mario World. It’s remembered as a classic thanks to its delightful art style, fluid controls, and the introduction of Yoshi, who adds a lot of charm to the gameplay.
6. LittleBigPlanet
Little Guy, Big Dreams
Before the days of Super Mario Maker, there was LittleBigPlanet.
LittleBigPlanet truly shines as a showcase of creativity, both in designing your own levels and playing those made by other users. While the ability to create content is a huge draw, the game’s excellent controls and precise platforming are what make it all work so well.
Before online gaming and creating content were popular, LittleBigPlanet was a truly innovative platformer for the PlayStation 3. It offered a fresh and unique experience that made it one of the best games of its year.
5. Astro Bot
Waii!
PlayStation has really improved its games over time, but platformers haven’t quite gotten the same level of attention and development as other genres.
I always thought of Mario as the platforming king, and LittleBigPlanet tried to shake things up, but honestly, Astro Bot really changed the game for me last year. It’s easily become one of my all-time favorite platformers – it’s that good!
Astro Bot isn’t just a tribute to PlayStation – it’s like a playful, interactive theme park. The game is incredibly detailed, with every aspect of the gameplay and level design carefully considered. It’s clear the main goal is to bring joy and keep you smiling the whole time.
Play Astro Bot; you won’t regret it.
4. Super Mario 64
Let’s-A-Go!
I’m someone who very much resides in the camp that Super Mario 64 hasn’t aged well.
Okay, so the controls were seriously groundbreaking when this game first came out, but honestly, playing it now they feel a little stiff and weird. It’s way more enjoyable on the Switch though – much better than trying to play it on the original Nintendo 64!
Despite any flaws, when Mario 64 works, it’s truly special. From the very beginning, exploring the Castle Courtyard, hearing the memorable music on Bob-Omb Battlefield, and mastering the challenging platforming in each Bowser level, Mario 64 still offers some of the greatest experiences in the platforming genre.
3. Super Mario Galaxy
Out Of This World
After the huge hit of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine on the GameCube was a good sequel, though it didn’t quite have the same groundbreaking impact.
I remember a time when everyone was really worried about Mario! Nintendo had just released a console that wasn’t super powerful and relied a lot on motion controls, so we were all wondering if Mario’s best days were behind him. But honestly, those worries turned out to be totally unnecessary. Mario is still amazing!
Super Mario Galaxy recaptures the magic of Super Mario 64, and arguably surpasses it. Traveling between planets is just as exciting now as it was almost twenty years ago, and Mario remains a joy to control. This game truly lives up to the legacy of Super Mario 64, exceeding expectations in every way. It reassured fans that Mario was back and better than ever, and that it would be a long time before another game could match its quality.
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2
Better Than The Original
It turns out that Mario Galaxy would indeed be topped just a few years later.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 didn’t need to drastically change anything since the first game was already great. Instead, it focused on refining and perfecting what was already there, resulting in a polished and exceptional experience.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 isn’t just one of the best video games ever made – it’s a masterclass in game design. The game introduces a ton of fresh ideas – like new power-ups and the return of Yoshi – and amazingly, they all come together perfectly. It sets the standard for how games should be designed.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 demonstrates that sequels don’t always need to drastically change a successful game. It’s a perfect example of how to improve upon something already great by adding fresh ideas that complement the original, rather than reinventing it.
1. Super Mario Odyssey
Jump Up, Super Star!
When the Nintendo Switch first came out, it was a huge success thanks to the critically acclaimed game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which many consider to be one of the greatest games ever made. A few months later, Super Mario Odyssey arrived and quickly joined the ranks of all-time greats.
Odyssey is a truly joyful platforming game, offering an experience as groundbreaking and creative as Super Mario 64 was when it first came out. It’s a love letter to gaming, but it presents its clever ideas subtly and naturally.
The game doesn’t just repeat ideas; it constantly evolves, building on everything you’ve already experienced. It keeps introducing fresh concepts that go beyond what came before, all connected to the central mechanic of Cappy allowing Mario to transform into many different forms.
It results in a wonderful open-ended gameplay experience where the only limit is your imagination.
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2025-12-09 03:40