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.
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.
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So, here's our list of best platformers on PS5, as determined by you.
15. 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.
14. 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.
13. 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.
12. 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.
11. 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.
10. 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.
9. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS5)
This is the debut game from developer Ember Lab, and it's a strong first effort. Kena: Bridge of Spirits gets top marks for its animation and visual flair, but it's also a very enjoyable action platformer. It puts us in mind of PS2 classics such as Jak & Daxter; you're traversing a sort-of open world environment, collecting things, solving puzzles, and engaging in simple yet surprisingly challenging combat. Those lovable Rot creatures and some tricky boss battles further cement this as a cult hit.
8. Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5)
With creator Media Molecule focusing its attention on PS4’s boundless sandbox Dreams, LittleBigPlanet’s whimsical weaved hero deserved his Super Mario 3D World moment. Sackboy: A Big Adventure doesn’t pull up any trees like its predecessors, but is instead a robust co-operative platformer with some memorable musical moments. With a cutesy DIY aesthetic and some surprisingly tight action, it excels in an area that Sony has often been accused of overlooking: fun for the whole family.
7. 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.
6. Horizon Call of the Mountain (PS5)
The headline PSVR2 launch title, Horizon Call of the Mountain is a completely new entry in Guerrilla’s imaginative post-apocalyptic universe. While the story can be difficult to follow, the gameplay – which revolves around high-rise platforming – is expertly executed, making you feel like an elite climber in an often hostile world. Beautiful, sprawling vistas and a genuinely jaw-dropping sense of scale combine for an action packed thrill ride that explores the rich potential of Sony’s new headset.
5. Moss (PS5)
Moss has always been a solid VR game with its engaging gameplay and cutesy lead character, and now it's available on the far superior PSVR2. This version is largely the same that you might've played on the original PSVR, but has been improved with far better controller tracking, crisper visuals, and enhanced lighting. If you're after a short but sweet adventure with some simple combat and puzzles, Moss is ideal, and its superior sequel is also on PSVR2 when you're done.
4. It Takes Two (PS5)
When you think of co-op games, one should spring to mind immediately: It Takes Two. This action adventure is from the makers of Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and A Way Out, and sees you and a partner take on the role of an estranged couple. Turned into dolls by their daughter's tears, you and a friend must go on a wildly imaginative, endlessly varied, adventure to return to normal. Constantly presenting you with new puzzles and ideas, each as good as the last, you'll never grow weary of this brilliant game, playable locally or online.
3. Moss: Book II (PS5)
An early star of virtual reality was Moss, and this follow-up builds on those solid foundations. Moss: Book II continues the adventures of Quill, who now has access to multiple weapons to fend off enemies. They also play into the game's puzzles, which are larger in scope and more complex than the first game. It all looks wonderful too — the environments and character animations are gorgeous, and your unique perspective lets you get a really good look at these cutesy levels. It's not a massive departure from what came before, but this five-hour adventure is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.
2. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (PS5)
Up until Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart released, Insomniac Games’ dynamic duo had been wilting in the wilderness a little bit. The PS4 reboot, Ratchet & Clank, was well-received – but it felt lightweight compared to classic series entries, like Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time. Fortunately, while Rift Apart doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, it does deliver the series’ first full-scale adventure in well over a generation. This is a game that feels great to play, thanks in part to stunning DualSense integration and some of the glitziest special effects this side of the galaxy. It’s a little more throwaway than many of the PS5’s other exclusives, but its thoroughly entertaining while it lasts, and the introduction of new characters like Rivet mean there’s a lot of life left in this series yet.
1. Astro's Playroom (PS5)
As far as pack-ins go, Astro’s Playroom is exemplary. Inspired by Team Asobi’s critically acclaimed PSVR platformer Astro Bot Rescue Mission – itself originally introduced in The Playroom VR – this short-form platformer serves as an introduction to the PS5, specifically the DualSense controller. As you explore cutesy character Astro’s vibrant world, you’ll physically feel it in your fingertips, from the sensation of rain falling on the hero’s hard, steel exterior to the slippery surfaces of ice. All of this, alone, would make it a truly memorable experience – but the game also doubles as a kind of history lesson, exploring many of the most famous moments from PlayStation’s past. Simply put, it’s an extraordinary four to five hour escapade, and one that every new PS5 owner must play.
So, that's your lot — the best platformers on PS5, as dictated by the Push Square community. Does the list align with your tastes, or are there some titles you feel are in the wrong spot — or maybe not represented at all? 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 PS5 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.
Comments (44)
It Takes Two. Obviously. Probably will be my favourite until Astro Bot: Rescue Mission 2 releases and is the best platformer ever made.
I think it's safe to say I like platformers I've completed the top 7 on this list and got the platinum trophy on 6 of them 😂
Astro's Playroom is so good, don't pass it off as a simple pack in game, it's much more than that (still very short though but what can you do)
I recently finished Crash 4 and holy moly the amount of times I died during my playthrough was insane. It's a lovely looking game but good Lord 100% it is just mentally and physically exhausting. That being said it was worth it though. As for Ratchet and Clank I recommend playing it on the hardest difficulty if you're finding it too easy.
@Ssimsim Have you played Unbound: World's Apart? Excellent 2D platformer. I highly recommend it if you haven't!
I like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart from far I watched from YouTube.
In contrary, I will definitely delete Astro Playroom from PS5 once I got PS5 machine.
That game was violating my gaming rules.
The platformer days have seen better days. Not a big amount, but there's quality here unlike horror, multiplayer and other genres.
I don't see Kena being a platformer. It's more like an action game for me.
@RevGaming yup multiplayers like rocket league , warzone , GTA online are just low budget quality .
I really hope Sony will add Sly Cooper and Jak to this list at some point during PS5’s existence.
Astro's Playroom at #1 is the correct choice.
@nomither6
Not sure if you're saying they're good or bad.
Rocket League is great imo, and a few others but they're like 2 or 3 from every 50 that release.
I predict the list will have to update to add Klonoa, once that comes out (unless re-releases are off the table)
It's weird that any game with color and a jump button is called a platformer. Call me crazy but platformers should be games where jumping skillfully is the main task. Ratchet is definitely not a platformer. It's a shooter. The platforming is generally optional and feels very meh. It Takes Two has a fair amount platforming but the focus is definitely mixed gameplay and there is so much assist on the jumps that they are almost impossible to miss. It's an Action Adventure game. Kena is an action game. The little platforming is often optional, more often focus on timed shooting rather than jumping, and it feels stiff as this article mentions. They are all good games but platforming is not the thing that makes them good nor is is the main activity.
@RBRTMNZ My thoughts exactly on Ratchet. It’s not a platformer. Ratchet is an action game.
If Ratchet is a platformer, then we’d probably have to consider Returnal and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order platformers, too.
@jgrangervikings1 Yes absolutely, both of those games have more frequent platforming elements and in the case of Returnal, the platforming is not only more common and essential to gameplay but also just better.
Just did a another playthru of Astro last week, still one of the best games on the PS5! We need a full game in the same vein ASAP!
@redd214 Just got my Ps5 and indeed, the only issue I have with it is that there’s not enough of it. This has been a lot of fun.
Astro’s Playroom is such a charming game full of nostalgia for all things PlayStation. It will always remind me of Christmas (when I bought my PS5) and imo is one of the best PS5 games available in any category.
Thank you for having Solar Ash on the list. That game deserves more love.
Astro for the win! I loved every minute of that game, just made me smile the whole time. The renders of the hardware and accessories filled me with such nostalgia.
I really didn’t like crash 4. It looks great but something felt off about it.
Astro’s playroom is still one of the best PS5 games I’ve played. So fun.
Ratchet and Kena are not platformers. They have a small amount of platforming elements and those elements are by far the least interesting part of the gameplay in each of those games.
kena and sackboy should be on ps plus extra. sackboy especially. its a sony game thats aging and didnt sell too well, a perfect candidate to join the catalog
@Ssimsim I'll use any platform (pardon) to recommend Kaze and the Wild Masks, a deeply challenging side-scroller with absolutely brilliant level design, and The Mummy Demastered, a Metroidvania that is WAY better than it has any right to be as a licensed game.
@RBRTMNZ I agree with you about Ratchet, but I will offer my own different perspective on Kena, a game I loved. I found the combat way too difficult on the normal setting to where I stopped enjoying the game or strove to always avoid combat if possible (but it really isn't possible). Once I lowered the difficulty level the game completely unlocked for me and I could take joy in the more interesting sections of environmental puzzle solving and exploration which, yes, involved a fair amount of platforming. I do agree that in the strict sense it is not a platformer, but for this gamer the platforming sections were far more interesting than the combat, perhaps because the world is so dang beautiful.
@Irae I have no idea why Sackboy hasn't landed on PS Plus yet. I'm so eager to play it and it's perpetually on sale, but for some reason I keep holding out for its arrival on my sub.
@nofriendo We definitely have different perspectives on Kena but I can see where you're coming from. I suppose my play style might impact my recollection of the game. I found the platforming and environmental puzzles to be frustrating. I didn't like how frequently I ran into invisible walls that prevented me from pulling off moves that seemed possible based on the physics and the movement often felt like it prioritized animation over graceful gameplay so it didn't always feel great. I did like the jump in the air to shoot flowers aspect but for the most part I almost treated the game like a souls game in that I played on hard and really only focused on the boss and horde battles. It was definitely a challenge at times (harder than Elden Ring in my opinion) but I kind of like getting my ass kicked for a while before I figure out how to beat a boss.
ASTRO IS A 10/10 GAME. PS5'S MARIO 64.
@Anti-matter What does Astro's Playroom "violating your gaming rules" even mean? Because you only play shovelware?
Either Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair or Kaze and the Wild Masks should have been listed here. A Hat In Time also could've been included. Pretty poor list honestly
I think the PS5 version of Marsupilami Hoobadventure is out everywhere, which is another excellent platformer. It plays a bit like the newer Donkey Kong Country games, and is pretty good, too.
@tabris95 I think the list is just for platformers that have a native PS5 version, which none of those have, even though you can play them on the PS5 through backwards compatibility.
@MasterVGuides Oh you're totally right. That makes way more sense.
Is Kena a platformer? I wouldn't call Lego Star Wars one. Astro's Playroom is the best one I've played on PS5 and I enjoyed Ratchet and Clank and its certainly very polished but I did enjoy playing Sonic Frontiers a bit more. Sackboy is another I've played and had fun with, though it's not one I ever felt compelled to carry on playing but if you get a friend it's better in coop
@Rob3008 oh he means because it references games which are rated for adults, that means he can't play it because he's a bit odd
No Spelunky 2?
@carlos82 Well of course everybody is entitled to have an opinion, but that is just silly, bordering on annoying
@Anti-Matter I'm curious what rule Astro is breaking. Dastardly robot.
If Sony don't do a full astro game they're bonkers. Only game I'd pay $70 for day 1
Astro bot hands down.
@sentiententity
Astro Playroom have some Easter eggs from other rated M Sony games and I really hate & against every single rated M stuffs even they are disguised as cute harmless creatures.
It just multiply my hatred and anger toward rated M stuffs in disguise in kids games.
I have zero tolerance with every inclusion of rated M things in kids games.
That's why I banned Astro Playroom and I will immediately delete that game from my PS5 machine when I have the machine.
That's my bold statement I hate rated M stuffs.
Good to see all the love for Astro's Playroom. Amazing game.
Really hope we get Astro Bot Rescue Mission 2 for PSVR2.
Need a ps5 upgrade for n Sane trilogy & spyro reignited would probably only be Xbox that got upgrades if they did do them though unfortunately
Slim pickings it seems. Some good games in there, but we could really use a big budget long-length 3D platformer from Sony.
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