Summary

  • 2D platformers offer a diverse range of experiences for every type of gamer, from casual to challenging.
  • Games like Inside prove 2D platformers can have gripping, mysterious stories without colorful visuals.
  • Titles like Super Mario World and Shovel Knight offer accessible, nostalgic experiences for beginners.

One of the very best and easiest to get into gaming genres is the platformer, specifically 2D platformers. This area of gaming has been around since the early days with the likes of Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. As the industry has evolv🐲ed over the decades, the market has become flooded with countless 2D platformers. There is sure to be an option for every type of gamer, whether you are looking for a casual experience or a punishing one.

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For those new to the 2D platforming scene, the harvest is ripe for the picking. With the combination of the likes of Nintendo and the renaissance of indie games, 2D platformers are easier to jump into than ever. The fol🍎lowing games are some of the best to pick up and play if you are new ཧto this beloved genre.

Updated December 25, 2024, by Branden Lizardi: With 2024 coming to a close, we have the good fortune of looking back and assessing what the best games of the year were, which ones were platformers, and which ones would be a good introduction to newcomers. With that in mind, we've updated this list to have the best selection of 2D platforming games for beginners.

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown

sargon fighting a boss in prince of persia the lost crown.
via Ubisoft

One of the oldest platformers of all time was the original Prince of Persia. With (at the time) stunning animati꧟ons and an interesting premise, it paved the way for 2D platformers for ages to come. And with The Lost Crown being a return to form, we can exper😼ience a similar magic in the modern age.

Blending stylized 3D graphics with the 2D gameplay format, it provides a nice blend of retro design and modern quality. While the combat might be a bit tough for some newcomers, it will provide a fantastically engaging experien༺ce for beginners looking for just the right amount of challenge.

Inside

A boy hides from a giant robot in a dark warehouse from Inside.

There's a common misconception that a casual, easy, or beginner friendly game has to be colorful, happy, and cheerful. That's not the case. Some folks are looking for more gripping and g꧋rim stories, and have avoided 2D platformers as a result. Inside is a beautiful example of how any genre can be a good fit for any gameplay format.

This shorter experience follows a young boy as he sneaks inside of a strange technological facility in the middle of nowhere. The deeper inside he gets, the more drastic the secrets he uncovers becomes. This game is a great blend of environmental storytelling, strong ambiance, and clever puzzles. It's easy to control and no꧙t very difficult, making it a fantastic introduction to 2D platforming that takes a mo﷽re mysterious tone.

Even though Inside uses 3D💧 graphics, you move along a 2D, side scrolling axis. While not an "official" term, this is often✤ refered to as a 2.5D game.

Kirby's Epic Yarn

yarn kirby in stage select area of kirby's epic yarn

Easily one of the most charming and wholesome 2D platformers is the Nintendo Wii exclusive Kirby's Epic Yarn. If the name alone doesn't give it away, this fresh outing in the voracious pink blob's long-running series is all 𒊎centered around yarn, knitting, and crafted items. Even if the gameplay didn't hold up (which it unequivocally does), the aesthetic alone will keep you glued to the screen during this positively enjoyable adventure.

What makes this title stand out from other Kirby games is that our puffy character can't actually use his inhaling ability due to the fact that he has been turned into yarn. This 2D sidescrolling platformer is fantastic for beginners to the genre since it gently guides you through new stages with Kirby's yarn moves unlocking at specific intervals. 🍃Plus, the game can easily and seamlessly be pla💝yed in local two-player co-op for added fun and whimsy.

Spelunky 1 And 2

Spelunky player character narrowly avoiding an explosion above them.

Released
October 21, 2008 ൲
Platform(s)
PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Xbox 360

A long-time indie king, the Spelunky games feature a charming blend of Super Mario Bros,ꦆ Tomb Raider, and randomly generated roguelike. In both games, you control an intrepid adventurer as you dive deeper and deepe🐠r underground. Armed with a whip and some good jumping skills, you need to fend off monsters, unearth treasure, and discover untold mysteries. Each run will be different from the last, providing near-endless entertainment.

The controls are simple, and the rules are clear: everything hurts you. The try-and-die nature of roguelikes means that failure is a normal part of the experience, too. So even the newest of gamers will be able to get the hang of Spelunky in no time. It alsoꦺ supports up to four players in co-op mode, allowing you or another experienced player to act as a helpful guide along the way.

Dadish

dadish in a colorful forest stage near his radish kid

Have you ever wanted to play a 2D platformer as a plump ra꧋dish who also just so happens to be a dad? The answer to that oddly specific question should absolutely be yes since Dadish, as well as its two follow-up games, needs to be experienced for fans of the genre. The first Dadish is easily the bestꦺ game to play for those who happen to be new to the genre.

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Dadish is a fairly bog standard 2D platformer where your ultimate goal is to hop, jump, and bounce on baddies to make it to the end of each stage to rescue one of your radish children. Sure, the game's design and overall mechanics are simple as you move from stage to stage on a world map. However, the game's surprisingly witty and humorous writing makes this one stand out from🌳 similar games of its ilk.

Sonic Mania

Sonic Mania Plus - Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles Posing On A Yellow Background

Released
🉐 August 15, 2017
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Sonic Mania, apart from being one of the best 2D Sonic games, is a literal treasure trove of nostalgia, charm, and enticing gameplay. If, for some reason, you missed out on the 90s era of Sonic games, then you owe it to yourself to try out the incredibly polished, fan-ins💫pired Sonic Mania. This game takes the blazing speeds of Sonic and fast-paced ring collecting with perfectly tuned levels, some of which are updated versions of their 90s-era counterparts.

Sonic Mania oozes style and substance, with the developers clearly understanding what ma☂kes Sonic fans enjoy the 2D version of his games, namely, the frantic and speedy nature of the gameplay. Beginners to the genre have a lot to en♌joy here since the game ramps up the difficulty as the stages progress.

Wunderling

wunderling character platforming through a colorful stage

If you haven't heard of the 2D platforming indie darling Wunderling, then worry not. You will find out why this game is perfect for fans of the genre and newcomers alike. Wunderling stars an adorable yellow creature who must navigate colorful puzzle-like stages. However, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the unique gameplay premise comes in the form of your character constantly movi🦩ng either left or right, with you, the player, having to navigate h🍒is movements through intricate levels.

While that premise may sound complicated on the surface, it actually makes for a smooth pl♏atforming experience, one that sort of acts as an auto-runner but with slower, more methodical movements. The game has a plethora of diverse stages with tonsꦗ of secrets, collectibles, and goofy moments.

Rayman Origins

rayman origins characters rayman and globox

Rayman Origins was originally released in 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, with other platforms the following year. While its sequel, Rayman Legends, seems to get more acclaim,🌄 Origins is easily the best Rayman game to hop into for beginners to the 2D platforming genre. Even a decade on, Rayman Origins provides thoughtful level design, a difficulty level that ramps up as you master your platforming skills, and some of the best visuals in the medium.

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Rayman Origins features some traditional platforming stages where you run and jump, find collectibles, and simply make it to the end of the stage. However, you can also play more challenging rhythm-based stages, which will really test your mettle once you get to grips with the game's mechanics. Either w🦩ay, Rayman Origins offers up a fantastically crafted 2D experience that newcomers will find quite welcoming.

Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair

An early level in Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is the 2D follow-up to the original Yooka-Laylee. The original game was a 3D platformer and provided a lot of nostalgic fun for fans of Banjo-Kazooie or Super Mario 64. Interestingly, developers Playtonic decided to mix up the for♏mula for their second outing with the titular duo. The Impossible Lair is a 2D platformer with some downright creative ꧅stages, puzzles, and an enjoyable overworld♕ area to explore.

While you might be scared off by the impossible lair moniker in the game's title, there's no need to worry. The majority of the game has you platforming acros🐼s a diverse array of stages while collecting butterflies. These butterflies essentially give you an extra hit from enemies or traps if you decide to take on the lair. Fortunately, and due to the punishing difficulty of the lair, Playtonic updated the game to make this final zone much easier to tackle with plenty of assists, and you can avoid it altogether if you want.

Celeste

Celeste: Madeline Looking Out Over A Cliff

Released
🥃 Janu♕ary 25, 2018
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Stadia, Steam

As deceptive as it may sound, Celeste makes for an amazing 2D platformer for those new to the genre. You play as 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:a young woman tr💞ekking to the top of a mountain in a soul-searching journey. With wonderfully designed levelsꦇ, a stunning pixel art style, and some excellent music, it hits all the right notes for an outstanding platformer.

While the game offers a long and challenging experience by default, it also has an impressive range of accessibility options to make it more approachable. It's a brilliant example of how accessibility options aren't just for those with disabilities; they can help curate a game's overall experience for people of any skill level. This ensures that yo﷽u enjoy the most of the game, even as a beginner.