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10 Best Platforming Games on iOS & Android (January 2026)

Platforming combat scene with characters using a bow and swinging across a desert fortress

Searching for the best platforming games on Android and iOS? There are hundreds out there, but only a few are truly worth your time. Some games bring tight controls and fast action, others mix in story, puzzles, or creative designs that really stick with you. Playing platformers on mobile today feels just as exciting as gaming on a console.

What Makes a Great Platformer on Mobile?

Not every game with jumping and running feels good to play. A great mobile platformer needs smooth movement, clear goals, and levels that actually challenge you without feeling unfair. Good touch controls matter a lot, especially when timing and quick reactions are key. Some games focus more on puzzles, others are all about combat or speed, but the best ones bring all of it together in a way that just works.

List of 10 Best Platformers to Play on iOS & Android

Every game on this list has something special. Some are fast and tough, others are slow and creative. If you enjoy jumping across platforms, fighting enemies, or solving tricky paths, there’s a game here for you.

10. Leo’s Fortune

A hunt for stolen gold across hand-crafted worlds

Leo's Fortune - Launch Trailer

Leo’s Fortune is a side-scrolling adventure where you guide a small fluffy creature named Leo through hand-crafted environments. His goal is to recover his stolen gold scattered across forests, deserts, and snowy peaks. Each stage is built with puzzles that introduce new traps such as collapsing bridges, spinning gears, and sudden slopes. There are sections where you must float over traps, bounce between moving platforms, or use slopes to gain momentum.

Leo’s main ability is to inflate like a balloon, which helps him reach higher ground or glide through tricky gaps. He can also slide under barriers to move forward. Collecting gold pieces scattered across the levels gives a sense of progress. With its balance of action and puzzle-solving, Leo’s Fortune secures a spot on our best platformer mobile games list.

9. Swordigo

One of the most popular mobile platformers of all time

Swordigo Gameplay Trailer (Google Play, Android)

Swordigo is a classic action platformer where you explore dungeons, battle monsters, and collect useful items. The game moves at a steady pace as you travel across connected areas filled with hidden paths and locked gates. You gain experience by defeating enemies and level up to grow stronger. The sword is your main weapon, and you can switch to magic for ranged attacks. There are traps to avoid, ledges to reach, and chests to find.

You move from one region to another through towns, caves, and open fields. The map expands as you unlock new skills that open blocked routes. Magic spells help during combat and also solve puzzles in unique ways. Boss fights challenge what you’ve learned so far and reward skillful play. And the upgrades give a reason to explore every section again.

8. Limbo

A journey through a mysterious monochrome world

Limbo runs on simple mechanics that stay consistent throughout. You move through levels filled with traps, gaps, and strange machines. The structure is straightforward – reach the next point while solving small environmental puzzles. The game gives no hints, so progress depends on noticing small details. Gravity, weight, and timing play a big role here. You must watch how items react to your actions and use that to your advantage.

In this game, each area has a clear design that helps you understand what must be done through trial and error. You use objects like boxes, ropes, and switches to progress through levels. Physics works naturally, so every object reacts in predictable ways. The challenge grows gradually with new traps that combine old tricks in new ways. This gradual rise in difficulty makes Limbo easy to grasp yet rewarding to finish.

7. Geometry Dash

A rhythm-based platformer packed with pulse-pounding jumps and beats

Official Geometry Dash Trailer

Geometry Dash gives you control of a small cube that jumps across sharp obstacles in sync with electronic music. Players must reach the end of each stage without touching anything deadly. The game runs automatically, so you only tap to jump or flip through the air. Every tap matters, and the level design trains your reflexes quickly. The cube interacts with jump pads and gravity switches that change direction or speed in an instant.

What makes Geometry Dash special is its pattern-based challenge. The player learns through repetition and gradually builds muscle memory. Spikes, portals, and jump pads appear in quick succession to form short but complex sequences. Precision and patience matter here, since every mistake sends you back to the start. Moreover, there are multiple modes that change how you play. Lastly, there’s also a level editor where players can create their own stages and share them.

6. Downwell

A vertical shooter set deep inside endless wells

Downwell - Launch Trailer [iOS and PC]

Downwell takes place in a deep well where everything heads straight down. Unlike most platformers that move sideways, this one goes vertically. You control a small character equipped with Gunboots that fire bullets downward while falling through narrow tunnels filled with creatures and blocks. Every section of the well has platforms, hidden passages, and enemies waiting below. You use Gunboots to destroy enemies or slow your descent for better control. The deeper you fall, the tougher it gets, but the quick pace makes it exciting to see how far you can go.

The action never really stops. You jump, shoot, and land on enemies to refill your Gunboots’ ammo. Destroying enemies in a row gives bonus gems that let you buy new upgrades between stages. You choose upgrades that change how the Gunboots work or improve defense and health. Shops appear between sections, allowing you to spend gems and prepare for the next descent.

5. Super Mario Run

Short and punchy Mario runs that never get old

Super Mario Run Gameplay

Nintendo’s Super Mario Run is a mobile version of the legendary series that defined early platform games. Mario has been part of gaming history since the 80s, and this mobile release continues that legacy for new gamers. The game captures the essence of classic Mario titles, where players jump across blocks, stomp enemies, and collect coins. It’s familiar to anyone who grew up with Nintendo’s older consoles, but here it fits perfectly into short mobile sessions. The levels include the usual elements of pipes, moving platforms, and Goombas waiting to be squashed.

In this game, Mario moves forward automatically through various stages filled with pipes, gaps, and enemies. You tap the screen to make him jump, and holding the tap longer helps clear higher obstacles. Timing the jumps correctly lets Mario hit hidden blocks, land on enemies, and reach bonus coins. The goal in each level is to reach the flag at the end while collecting as many coins as possible.

4. Little Nightmares

Puzzle-driven adventure starring a small hero named Six

Little Nightmares — Mobile Launch Trailer

Continuing on our list of best platforming games on iOS and Android, we have Little Nightmares, a game that made a smooth shift from console to mobile without losing its depth. The mobile port works great and feels complete with touch adjustments that make movement simple. You play as Six, a small character exploring a massive structure filled with strange beings. You have to escape by moving through different sections filled with puzzles and platform elements.

The experience moves through exploration and light puzzle sections. You move objects, drag crates, climb furniture, and use shadows to stay out of sight. Some areas also include enemies that react to noise or motion. In addition, certain paths are blocked by switches or objects that must be pushed or dragged to open the way. Everything links together smoothly as you progress through this strange world.

3. Walk Master

A goofy and clever walking challenge with crazy animals

Walk Master - Gameplay Trailer

Walk Master brings something funny to the table with its ridiculous idea of animals walking on stilts. The whole concept feels silly in the best way possible, and that’s what makes it worth trying. You guide a range of animal characters through forests, icy roads, and bumpy paths while they balance on two thin sticks. The main goal is to move both stilts one at a time without falling face-first into the ground.

The gameplay uses a tap-to-move system where you control each stilt separately. It might sound easy to read, yet the pace slowly gets faster with uneven terrain and funny surprises along the way. You need a steady rhythm and focus to maintain balance while covering longer distances. This game proves that simple mechanics can turn into something strangely addictive and endlessly entertaining.

2. Dead Cells

Quick, brutal, and replayable mobile action platformer

Dead Cells - Animated Trailer

Dead Cells is one of the most popular platformers on Android and iOS, and for good reason. It gives players full control over a warrior moving through procedurally generated levels packed with enemies and traps. Every level is different, so the layout, enemies, and weapons change constantly. You pick up weapons like swords, bows, and shields, then combine them with abilities such as dodges or special attacks to build your own combat flow. The game uses quick movement and short battles that rely on precise hits instead of button mashing.

Between runs, you can unlock permanent upgrades that expand weapon choices or open paths that were blocked earlier. You move from one area to another, fighting enemies, collecting gear, and finding secret rooms that hold upgrades or shortcuts. Each weapon behaves differently, letting you switch your playstyle anytime. Occasionally, you’ll face powerful bosses that take more hits but drop better gear once defeated.

1. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Platforming masterpiece where agility and precision rule every step

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - Mobile Launch Trailer

Prince of Persia has been one of the most recognized names in gaming for decades. Known for its mix of parkour, puzzles, and sword combat, the series has always pushed platform gameplay to new levels. Now, this new chapter adds faster action and a wider range of movement. You play as Sargon, a warrior who can dash through mid-air, run along walls, and vault across traps with precision. Enemies appear in different forms, and battles flow between fast strikes and quick dodges.

Furthermore, combat plays a major role throughout the journey. The main character uses twin blades for quick attacks while combining acrobatic moves with swift counterstrikes. Additionally, there are ranged weapons and time powers that help solve puzzles or allow teleportation during fights. Enemies vary from simple guards to massive bosses with unique attack styles. Altogether, the gameplay feels tight and responsive.

Amar is a gaming aficionado and freelance content writer. As an experienced gaming content writer, he's always up-to-date with the latest gaming industry trends. When he's not busy crafting compelling gaming articles, you can find him dominating the virtual world as a seasoned gamer.

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