Share This Article
Welcome to my list of the Best 2D-Platformers on the Nintendo Switch! But, before continuing, I need to make sure the following is clear:
I only included games I actually played during the 8 years of owning my Nintendo Switch console. Meaning, games like Celeste will not be on the list, despite how adored it still is to this day. However, I played a lot of them, and some might come as a surprise!
Also, I tried to include games that didn’t branch much from the 2D Platformer genre, I was looking for games that fit the following criteria:
- Side-scrolling (or occasionally vertical) two-dimensional movement;
- A primary focus on platforming mechanics—running, jumping, climbing, avoiding hazards;
- Platforming as the main gameplay loop, not a secondary mechanic;
Based on these, Puzzle Platformers such as Unravel 2, or Metroidvanias like Metroid Dread will not be on this list.
So, with this information laid out, let’s jump on the Best 2D-Platformers I’ve played fully on the Nintendo Switch.
Youtube Video:
10. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (2017 Remake)
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a 2D Platformer and a remake of Wonder Boy III, released all the way back in 1989. You control a cursed knight that will gradually gain the ability to transform into different animals with different skills.
These will be crucial in his adventure to alter his fate. While the existing platform is not the most challenging, it’s still a great game for fans of the genre to try out.
This was one of the few games I bought in early 2018 during Spring, and I remember being hooked for days. And, after replaying it again for this list, I can still confirm that it’s still one of the most beautiful games on the system with its fantastic hand-drawn graphics.
9. Mighty Gunvolt Burst (2017)
As mentioned previously, I bought a few games during the Spring Sale of 2018, and Mighty Gunvolt Burst was one of them too. I had played the original game on the Nintendo 3DS and was surprised to see a retro inspired version that closely resembled the original MegaMan games.
It has everything you’d want in a platformer, tight jumps that require some skill to land safely, plenty of hazards and enemies to avoid, unique levels, and several boss fights to further test your skills. If you’re a fan of retro Mega Mangames, then you really need to try this one.
8. MegaMan 11 (2018)
And while we’re on topic, MegaMan 11 is a fantastic experience. Capcom did an impressive job on trying to modernize a series that was stale for decades, with its Double Gear system.
With these systems, you can either boost your attacks, making it easier to dispatch your enemies, or slow down time to dodge deadly attacks.
Other than this, everything you’d expect from a MegaMan game is present, from having a Boss Level Select Screen, to Power Ups, Energy tanks, and everything else that makes this series so iconic. The issue I have with this game is that it was released is 2018 and there’s no news about MegaMan 12 on the horizon.
7. Iron Meat
Iron Meat was one of my highlights of 2024, and it still amazes me how much polish this Contra-Style game has.
From its grotesque horror like pixel art, to its precise shooting and tight platforming, there’s no key mechanic in Iron Meat that feels off.
It’s a game worth playing, whether solo or with a friend in co-op. While it’s true that the game is a bit short, the unlockables and Hard Mode offer enough incentive to keep playing and mastering it, even after the credits roll.
6. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
From this point forward, I had a really hard time with the ranking but, I had to include Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe in the 7th spot.
I was never a big fan of Super Mario growing up, and only became a true fan with games like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario World Deluxe.
Having loved both, I decided that I needed to play Super Mario Bros U. and, to my surprise, it was an amazing experience. It had refined the Super Mario platform mechanics up to that point.
This game is fun while playing by yourself, but if you can grab a couple more friends you’re your enjoyment, and rage, will rise exponentially.
The only thing keeping it from reaching higher on this list is a feature that the latest Super Mario Bros titles have, which I’ll mention later on.
5. Sonic Mania
Sonic the Hedgehog has been one of my favorite franchises ever since I got my hands on Sonic Jam for the Sega Saturn.
And, I consider Sonic Mania to be one of the best 2D Sonic games ever made, right after Sonic 3. It masterfully captures the Genesis era with great level design, a nostalgic soundtrack, and the so beloved and polished Momentum-based platforming that we’ve been missing from previous Sonic titles, like Forces.
However, as a long-time fan, it always felt like something was missing. While I love the throwback to previous stages, I’ve played those to death already. For that reason, I’d love to see a Sonic Mania with all brand-new stages instead, since those were the ones I got more enjoyment out of.
But, looking at Sega’s plans for our favorite Hedgehog, this dream of mine seems far off.
4. Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection
This might come as a surprise, but, Mega Man Zero/ZX collection is one of the best 2D Platform collections you can get on the Nintendo Switch. Although, this is one of the rare cases where I’m being a bit biased, since I have loved Zero since The GBA era.
I had played everything single game in this collection before, apart from ZX, and still had a bast replaying them again. Everything feels as good as I remember, from the wall-jumping, to the dashing, the tight platforming, and the memorable boss fights.
Since I hadn’t played ZX before, I was surprised to find out that both games are full-blown Metroidvanias. They represent a gray area in my definition of 2D Platformer, but I’ll let them slide, since the other 4 games in this collection are some of the best Mega Man games you can play.
3. Steam World Dig 2
I loved SteamWorld Dig on the 3DS and was ecstatic to find out a sequel was planned and that it would be released on the Nintendo Switch.
When looking at SteamWorld Dig 2 you wouldn’t call it a traditional 2D-Platformer since it gives a lot of focus to its digging mechanic, exploring its seemingly connected areas akin to a MetroidVania.
However, the platforming in this game is too good to not include on this list. There are some platform challenges that will test your skills and make sure you know how to utilize each tool correctly, such as the grappling hook and the jetpack, which extends and evolves its already tight platform.
And to top it off, it features a great story wrapped in mystery that gets better the deeper you dig. Giving it, this already great game a depth (pun intended) that other games on this list do not have.
It’s also one of the few games that remember, giving me a jump scare that I’ll never forget.
2. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
After New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe, I had no idea what else Nintendo could do with this franchise. But then comes Super Mario Bros. Wonder and revitalizes my love for 2D Platformers again.
The introduction of the Wonder Flowers makes this game unpredictable on the first playthrough. You never know what will happen when interact with one, from warping pipes to moving ground, to even changing the physics of the game and opening up new paths. Luckily, Mario controls as good as ever, which helps a lot when dealing with this unpredictability.
The other aspect that makes this game a stand-out for me is the charm it has. Mario and its friends got a major glow up, making sure that every move they make exudes character, Something that was gravely missing in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
It’s definitely the best first party 2D Platformer on the Nintendo Switch, but it wasn’t enough to take my number one stop. Which has been my most favorite platformer ever since 2014.
1. Shovel Knight
I think it’s fitting for a game like Shovel Knight to take the number 1 spot. When I think about 2D platformers, I immediately think of 2 games, Super Mario Bros and Megaman 2. If you combine these, you get the love letter to the NES-era of platformers that is Shovel Knight.
Also, apart from being a great platformer, it’s also a great game with a lot of content to unravel, with different campaigns to play and different characters. No matter the character you choose, most of their kit will revolve around platforming through the game, from Shovel’s Knight shovel, to Plague Night’s Scythe, and Plague Knight’s Bombs.
I bought this game Day one on the Nintendo 3DS after an amazing direct all the way back in 2015, and it was a blast seeing all the updates this game got, making it, in my opinion, the best indie game platformer out there, and the best 2D Platformer I’ve personally played on the Nintendo Switch.
Thank you!
Thank you for reading until the end! I tried to clearly show what are the best Nintendo Switch 2D Platformers from my own experience, and I think I did a good job ranking them, even if there are some odd picks in the middle.
For more content like this, consider subscribing to my newsletter!