10. Ratchet & Clank (PS4)

This reimagining of the very first game in the series was made to accompany the movie, but ended up totally eclipsing it. Blending a familiar adventure with some new weapons and gadgets, Ratchet & Clank is both nostalgic and fresh. It's a visual treat, with exquisite animation and fun shooting/platforming gameplay. This is one gorgeous adventure that both fans and newcomers will adore.

9. Sonic Mania (PS4)

After years of divisive 3D games, SEGA partnered with indie developers — and true fans of Sonic — to revert back to the hedgehog's glory days. Sonic Mania is a combination of classic zones and brand new ones, celebrating his 2D era in one of his strongest outings ever. The classic gameplay is back and better than before with the drop dash ability, and there's multiplayer and Blue Spheres stages to enjoy too. A seriously well-rounded game that old school Sonic fans will adore.

8. Celeste (PS4)

From the makers of TowerFall Ascension, Celeste is a pure platformer that provides a stern challenge. Using a straightforward set of moves, it does a lot with very little, but it's not just gameplay where it impresses. Madeline's climb up Celeste Mountain is both literal and metaphorical as she struggles to overcome her inner demons. Wonderfully pairing a touching story with rock solid platforming, this is one indie adventure that'll stay with you.

7. Shovel Knight (PS4)

A retro style platformer, Shovel Knight exceeds the genre's usual expectations with its imaginative characters and cool story moments. It's a colourful, rock solid adventure, and is now enormous thanks to multiple free updates. These have brought co-op play, a VS mode, and new playable heroes with their own campaigns, making Shovel Knight an easy recommendation if you're looking for an old school adventure with modern sensibilities.

6. Cuphead (PS4)

PS4 fans had to wait a little longer to play Cuphead, but it was worth it. This is a side-scrolling platformer/shooter with one major trump card: its unbelievably good presentation. The game looks like an animated cartoon from the 1930s, and it's incredibly effective. Combined with rock hard boss fights and a superlative soundtrack, Cuphead is a challenge you won't mind enduring thanks to all that style.

5. Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition (PS4)

At first glance it's easy to pin down Hollow Knight as just another 2D metroidvania that boasts a steep challenge, but it's much more than that. There's a fantastic sense of wonder to Hollow Knight — everything that you see and do in this meticulously crafted title is brilliantly contextualised, resulting in an adventure that oozes charm, character, and memorable moments.

4. Inside (PS4)

Inside is 2D platforming perfection, but it’s the ending that we all remember it for. After two or so hours of impressive puzzle-solving and hints that something isn’t quite right, the game goes off the rails with a 20-minute sequence that is perhaps one of the most memorable of the PS4 generation. An incredible game that has cemented Playdead’s position among the gaming greats.

3. Rayman Legends (PS4)

Originally planned as a Wii U exclusive, the death knell to Nintendo’s ill-fated home console proved positive news for PlayStation fans when it went multiplatform. Building upon the stunning UbiArt Engine of its predecessor, Rayman Legends is a sublime side-scroller from start-to-finish. While not all of the touchscreen gimmicks translate optimally to the DualShock 4, you’ll be hard pushed to find a better platformer than this on PS4.

2. Castlevania Requiem (PS4)

With two brilliant retro games in one bundle, the gameplay in Castlevania Requiem is excellent. As a starting point to the 1792 Dracula X story-line, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is a fantastic 1993 example of the traditional NES Castlevania's arcade, platforming template, which shouldn't be missed. However, Castlevania Requiem disappoints with a lack of extras like developer interviews, or an art museum. It's contentious that Castlevania Requiem is based on the Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles' version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, because it alters the original PSone's voice acting and script, although pleasingly the PSP version enables you to unlock a playable version of Maria Renard. The PS4 Trophy list deserves special mention for giving extra incentive to explore both games more thoroughly. The simplest way to recommend Castlevania Requiem is by acknowledging that it includes one of PSone's best ever games, in 1997's frightfully superb Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

1. Astro Bot Rescue Mission (PS4)

Team Asobi has refined the potential teased in The Playroom VR with the staggering Astro Bot Rescue Mission, a virtual reality platformer spread across 20 fantasy levels. By building its stages around you in 360-degrees and stereoscopic 3D, the title manages a level of immersion impossible on a standard display, all the while delivering best in class gameplay and some of the most charming art you’ll find on the PS4 full-stop. A sensationally strong effort, and by far one of the best games on PSVR.


So, there we are — the best platformers on PS4, as chosen by the Push Square community. What do you think? Is the order about right, or would you alter a few things? It's down to you to make changes, so if you think something's amiss, use the search bar at the top of this article to leave your ratings on any PS4 platformers. Alternatively, you can navigate to any game's page and use the star to rate them. If you can't find a game to rate it, let us know, and we'll get it added to our PlayStation Games Database. All that said, tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Best PS4 Games