Largely powered by independent studios for the past few years, the platform genre has not necessarily been supplied with major titles in 2019. Luckily, Mario was on board and this year was still marked by good derivatives of the genre and even by a free platformer expansion in early 2018, Celeste — and we can never have enough Celeste in our lives.
Below, discover our (small) selection of the best platform games of 2019.
Super Mario Maker 2
Switch
Already very convincing on WiiU, the Super Mario Maker license has also made a successful debut on Nintendo Switch with a wheelbarrow loaded with content. To create even crazier levels, SMM2 also had the good idea of offering a hundred or so courses created especially for the occasion, as opportunities to give ideas to budding level-designers. Recently, the title has even received an update including Master Sword giving access to Link, a new playable character with new gameplay, totally changing the way to approach stage creation.
Katana Zero
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
If we had to sum up Katana Zero in a few words, we would say that it is a "side view" version of Hotline Miami, with a knife and a bullet time mode to better counter enemy assaults. Available on almost all current media, KZ also offers a scenario that is particularly well researched in a filthy and tortured cyberpunk universe. Short, but intense, the title developed by Askiisoft and published by Devolver delivers a good dose of adrenaline and we warmly recommend that you jump on it as soon as you get the chance.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the night
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Igavania's return to grace after a wildly successful Kickstarter project. Right up to the end, the title made us doubt its quality, due to sometimes dubious artistic choices. Finally, even if some passages are, let's not be afraid of words, quite ugly, Koji Igarashi's contract is totally fulfilled since he finally offers us an unofficial Castlevania Symphony of the Night 2, between the discovery of a labyrinthine map and the character's progression based on formidable gameplay mechanics.
My Friend Pedro
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
A delirious and uncomplicated acrobatic shooter, in which a banana encourages you to massacre tons of enemies while doing parkour, doesn't it tempt you? A bit short, but sold at a low price, My Friend Pedro is funny and incredibly enjoyable to take in hand. Killing your enemies in style throughout the levels while trying to improve your score is a pleasure that is renewed each time, too bad it ends a bit quickly. Nevertheless, it remains a memorable moment.
Celeste: DLC Chapter 9: Farewell
PC, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
This absolutely monumental platform game has been given a free expansion this year: a Chapter 9 that ranks right up there among this year's must-haves if you've signed up for Madeline's adventures. Pushing the cork a little further, this add-on is for the most seasoned among you. If you're persistent enough and die & retry doesn't scare you, prepare yourself for many hours of pure bliss in the universe created by Matt Thorson.
