The best 2D platformers on PS5 and PS4

If you prefer to tackle life side-on, leap into this selection of diverse, dimensionally challenged platforming superstars.

Classic 2D platformer collections

Turn back the clock

These big-value compilations bring together some of gaming’s greatest 2D platforming franchises and sprinkle in a host of enhancements and extras.

Sonic Origins Plus

Take a spin with the blue blur by speeding through Sonic’s early history in this ring-filled collection of 16 legendary platformers.

  • Race across four remastered versions of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD, with new playable characters.
  • Play 12 classic Sonic Game Gear titles and enjoy a wealth of unlockable new bonus modes, stages and behind-the-scenes content.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Announce trailer

Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition

Revisit one of the original PlayStation console’s best-selling games, now with modern quality-of-life updates including multiple save slots, a rewind feature and an infinite lives option.

  • Play five different versions of Rayman, including the original PlayStation release of 1995, plus bonus levels and even the long-lost SNES prototype, offering a glimpse at how Rayman’s gameplay took shape.
  • Uncover the story behind Rayman’s creation in an interactive documentary featuring brand-new interviews with the original developers as well as concept art and design documents.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove

Dig, slash and bash your way across the beloved Shovel Knight saga with this five-game collection of 8-bit inspired fantasy platform action.

  • Experience the complete Shovel Knight saga across four thrilling solo campaigns. Play as Shovel Knight and three of his arch rivals: King Knight, Spectre Knight and Plague Knight.
  • Team up with friend in Shovel of Hope's co-op campaign or take on up to three rivals in Shovel Knight: Showdown.

Mega Man 30th Anniversary Bundle

Celebrate 30 years of the Blue Bomber with this 19-game bundle, featuring all 11 Mega Man releases and eight Mega Man X titles.

  • The all-new Challenge Mode remixes the classic games to test even the most experienced Mega Man players.
  • Discover the fascinating Museum Mode, packed with history and art collected from the franchise’s long history, and watch videos of the world’s best players.

2D action platformers

Leap into action

Keep your skills as sharp as your blade with these combat-driven 2D platforming gems.

God of War Sons of Sparta

Every legend has a beginning – before he was a God, before he was a father, Kratos was a young Spartan.

  • Experience an untold chapter in Kratos’ journey set during the harsh years of Spartan training alongside his brother Deimos.
  • Use a Spartan’s favoured weapon, the spear, to overcome a diverse cast of enemies, combat challenges and spectacular boss battles.
Recommended videos:
Reveal trailer
Combat tips

Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2

Experience a modern twist on the classic 2D sword-and-whip formula in this sequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's retro-inspired spin-off.

  • 8-bit visuals meet contemporary action, with a multi-scenario story supervised by Koji Igarashi (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night).
  • Instantly switch between multiple characters with different abilities, strengths and weaknesses, whether playing alone or in local two-player co-op.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Aeon Drive

In this frantically paced action platformer you’ll employ time and space-bending abilities to sprint across the cyberpunk city of Neo-Barcelona.

  • Use stranded space ranger Jackelyne’s Power Sword, Teleportation Dagger and time-bending abilities to speed through 100 danger-filled levels.
  • Compete with friends for global leaderboard supremacy, or team up with them in four-player co-op. 
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

The Messenger

Control a katana-wielding ninja hero as he ventures through a cursed world on his quest to defeat an invading demon army.

  • Gain the ability to transition seamlessly between 8-bit and 16-bit worlds, both with period-accurate sprites, animations and backgrounds.
  • Enjoy tight, modern controls as you journey through branching paths, battle bosses, upgrade your warrior and discover hidden levels.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
DLC trailer

2D exploration platformers

Platforms in every direction

Discover 2D platformers with vast, non-linear worlds that reward curiosity.

Blasphemous 2

The endless struggle against the almighty Miracle continues for The Penitent One, as he awakens in a new world full of nightmarish enemies.

  • Explore a grotesque, unforgiving world filled with unforgettable NPCs, twisted bosses and long-forgotten secrets.
  • Enjoy expanded combat options with three new weapons, each with special qualities that are essential for navigating the huge, non-linear world.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Release date trailer

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Explore a cursed, Persian-inspired world as Sargon, an agile and powerful Immortal gifted with abilities that can manipulate time and space.

  • Gather inventive Time Powers to expand your combat abilities and reach previously inaccessible areas of the world.
  • Battle the mythical creatures of Mount Qaf with Sargon’s twin blades and bow. Mix up attacks to fill your ability gauge and unleash Sargon’s wrath.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Gameplay trailer

Ultros

This psychedelic action-platformer provides a unique mix of fast-paced combat and contemplative gardening within the confines of a bizarre alien world.

  • Roam the strikingly surreal landscape of The Sarcophagus, battling cosmic lifeforms and learning from its inhabitants.
  • Utilise an innovative loop mechanic to revisit key moments of the story and unlock new areas, secrets and abilities for your skill tree.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Gameplay trailer

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Dive into this dark fantasy 2D side-scrolling action RPG where you, as the ‘Attuner’ Lilac, venture through the desolate Land of Fumes trying to save both humans and artificial life forms.

  • Explore a mesmerising yet grim world at your own pace and take on menacing enemies with the help of companions, finding your battle style using 30 different unique skills.
  • Venture out, get to know people, and help one another while unravelling the mysteries of this world, collecting and upgrading equipment, relics and items as you go.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Sega’s classic Shinobi series returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4.

  • Play as the legendary Shinobi Joe Musashi, wielding a vast ninja arsenal including the great Katana Oborozuki, Kunai, Ninjutsu arts and Ninpo to vanquish your foes.
  • Unleash limitless combos and uncover new paths through more than a dozen unique and visually striking stages, from military bases to a scorching desert, each full of challenging platforming puzzles and hidden secrets.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Explore an ancient kingdom of insects haunted by silk and song in Team Cherry’s long-awaited follow up to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight.

  • Battle foes and solve mysteries as the lethal hunter Hornet, discovering new powers as you ascend on a deadly pilgrimage to an unfamiliar land’s peak.
  • Wield a whole new suite of lethal moves and master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps and mechanisms as you dance between foes in deadly, beautiful combat. 
Recommended video:
Release trailer

Challenging 2D platformers

Jump to the challenge

After something that will test your reflexes and patience? Look no further than these taxing treats.

Celeste

Help Madeline face her inner demons on a perilous, narrative-led journey to the top of Celeste Mountain.

  • Scale a massive and beautifully realised mountain as you face over 700+ screens of inventive, skill-testing platforming.
  • Find motivation in a cast of colourful and charming characters during your ascent, as Madeline slowly uncovers the mountain’s mysteries.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection

The classic arcade series comes back to life with beautiful, storybook-inspired visuals and characteristically punishing action.

  • Brave knight Arthur returns to save the princess from the monsters of the Demon Realm, armed with new weapons, magic and skills.
  • Improve your chances of survival with a local co-op partner and four difficulty options, from the approachable Page setting to the hardcore Legend mode.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Rogue Legacy 2

The sequel to the treasured genealogical rogue-lite adds 15 new character classes, a new art style and a revamped traits system.

  • Choose a new heir each time you fail to defeat the ever-changing Kingdom - the more debilitating their traits, the greater the potential reward.
  • Collect permanent heirloom abilites that open up more of the world and find Relics that can fundamentally change every run.
Recommended video:
Announcement trailer

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

From the makers of Blasphemous, Ragebound unites the lore and 2D gameplay of the Ninja Gaiden series from its classic era with the depth and intensity of the modern entries, all presented in meticulously crafted pixel art.

  • When the barrier between the human and the demon worlds shatters, unleashing a terrifying army upon the Hayabusa Village, the young ninja Kenji Mozu must rise to the challenge with the series stalwart Ryu Hayabusa overseas.
  • Ragebound features the pick-up-and-play action of the classic titles, while introducing new layers of depth and mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to truly master, inviting players to challenge the limit of their skills.
Recommended videos:
Announcement trailer
Launch trailer

Spelunky 2

The sequel to Derek Yu’s award-winning roguelike platformer ventures to the Moon for more unpredictable, hazardous and secret-filled adventures.

  • Descend into the depths with up to three companions, working together to survive the many traps and enemies preventing your escape.
  • Use a variety of rideable mounts, weapons and gadgets to create your own path through destructible environments. 
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Gameplay trailer

Dead Cells

The celebrated 'RogueVania' brings together the best elements of non-linear exploration, fluid combat and rogue-lite replayability.

  • Discover over 150 weapons and skills, and locate permanent abilities that enable access to new paths.
  • Non-linear progression means you can choose a different route to suit your build and playstyle on every run.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Return to Castlevania DLC trailer

2D puzzle platformers

Use your head and your feet

Puzzle platformers provide a unique combination of dexterity-testing navigation with cunning cerebral challenges.

Hoa

Embark on a magical journey in this soothing, charming puzzle-platformer that boasts gorgeous hand-painted art and an inspiring orchestral soundtrack.

  • Embark on a gentle and imaginative storybook adventure where you will solve puzzles and soak up the ambience of the natural world.
  • Step inside a living, breathing painting full of multiple, meticulously crafted scenes of stunning hand-rendered art.
Recommended video:
Launch trailer

Bionic Bay

Use a unique teleportation instrument to escape an ancient biomechanical world filled with imaginative technology, deadly traps and hidden secrets in this challenging pixel-art puzzler.

  • Bionic Bay uses an innovative swap mechanic and a realistic physics system, offering a new way of interacting with the environment. Shift gravity and swap positions with adversaries and objects alike – but be careful not to destroy yourself in the process.
  • Get lost in vast sci-fi landscapes presented in gritty high-density pixel art and enjoy suspenseful sound design that makes each biome distinct.
Recommended videos:
Launch trailer
Ambience trailer

Planet of Lana

Embark on a life-changing journey across a luscious planet in this charming and cinematic off-earth odyssey.

  • Explore a breathtaking, painterly world and discover the truth behind a robot invasion that stretches across time and space.
  • Work with your tiny companion to solve puzzles and escape the clutches of a faceless mechanical army.
Recommended video:
Announce trailer

Inside

This dark, narrative-driven platformer wordlessly tells an original and captivating tale of a boy on the run.

  • Combines intense and uncompromising action with taxing environmental puzzles.
  • An award-winning indie adventure with an oppressive atmosphere, moody soundtrack and unforgettable storyline.
Recommended video:
Reveal trailer

PlayStation 5 accessories

PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player for PS5® console

Feel the power of PlayStation® in the palm of your hand1. Enjoy your favourite 2D platformers installed on your PS5 console anywhere around the house, with all supported DualSense Wireless Controller features intact, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

1. PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player can stream compatible games installed on your PS5 console. PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player requires broadband internet Wi-Fi with at least 5Mbps for use. For a better play experience, a high-speed connection of at least 15Mbps is recommended. The quality and connectivity of your play experience may vary depending on your network environment. A PS5 console and account for PlayStation Network is required. The PS5 console must be connected to a broadband internet connection, powered on fully or in Rest Mode, and it must be paired with your PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player.