10 Best Platforming Games on PlayStation Plus (April 2024)

Developers today are pushing platforming games to the limits. And rightly so, thanks to 3D technology that allows out-of-the-box maneuvers around obstacles and acrobatic traversal across multiple platforms. Sure, some 2D platforms are still a blast to play. However, 3D platformers are the new kid on the block who doesn't need much to prove themselves. While PlayStation Plus offers hundreds of games, here are the best platforming games available on PlayStation Plus worth checking out.

10. Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

Metroidvania games are quickly gaining speed, with Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition, the few recent games, leading the charge. It's the perfect game for gamers who thrive on adventure and like to challenge themselves. Playing as the Knight, an insectoid warrior out to slay his enemies, you'll unravel a fallen kingdom crawling with a supernatural disease. You don't have a structure set in stone, with the game allowing you room to pave your own path. Stunning art style, check. Fantastic level designs, check. Fun yet daunting challenges, check. What's not to love?

9. Rayman Legends

Rayman Legends is the fifth iteration of the Rayman platformer franchise. It follows Rayman, of course, Globox, and the Teensies on their adventures, navigating a mysterious tent packed with captivating paintings which transport them into a series of mythical worlds. With over 120 levels to beat, you'll have your hands full, consistently uncovering new and surprising ideas throughout your playthrough. You also maintain a steady pace, always on the move, collecting collectibles, and getting to the end of excellent-level designs.

8. Sonic Frontiers

A wormhole sends the worlds of Sonic Frontiers colliding with one another. Who better to collect all the missing Chaos Emeralds in a ticking time bomb world than Sonic? With his high-speed superpowers, the blue hedgehog sets off, discovering hidden mysteries of an ancient civilization and exploring the Starfall Islands. Environments vary from biome to biome, as a myriad of enemies challenge you to battle. With an open world setting at your feet and Sonic's signature high-speed abilities, covering every inch of the beautiful and lush Open Zone biomes should be no problem at all.

7. Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank reimagines the feline Lombax and his robotic sidekick's wild adventures in a fresh and deeper storyline, complete with more boss battles, stunning visuals, and over-the-top action. While some of the PS2's original gameplay elements have been transposed here, you'll explore several new planets, flight sequences, and gameplay. Plus, the visuals are built from the ground up. As a result, Ratchet & Clank is perfect for both veterans and newcomers craving for a compelling adventure across the universe.

6. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Alternatively, you may be better off checking out Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, which follows your favorite marsupials' return to mischief. Neo Cortex and N.Tropy pick up the mad evil scientist roles and take you on an all-out assault on the entire multiverse. Meanwhile, Crash and Coco reunite the four Quantum Masks and bend the rules of reality to save the day. While you get nostalgic references, you still enjoy a fresh experience you can't help playing over and over again.

5. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

With a literal “Sackboy” to control over hand-crafted level designs, what's not to love? You'd imagine a sack waving awkwardly across platforms. However, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is pretty fluid and responsive. You often grab, punch, and roll your way to the next level. Moreover, you unlock new fancy gear like a blaster that spice up the gameplay further. With each level varying in appearance and content, you're constantly in awe of the next creative idea about to catch you by surprise. But for all the ideas Sackboy: A Big Adventure manages to craft, they don’t come close to It Takes Two's ingenuity.

4. It Takes Two

In It Takes Two, a couple whose marriage is on the rocks embark on a wild adventure. They've just been transformed into mini-dolls and must navigate challenging levels together. While Cody nails moving platforms in place, May hops on to safety. Part of its charm is, of course, ordinary stuff like clocks and pianos that are now multiple times the size of your character. The usual way of getting across stages doesn't work here. Instead, you're forced to think outside the box and, somewhere in your thought process, factor in teamwork.

3. Oddworld: New ‘n' Tasty

Oddworld: New' n' Tasty is simply the original Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (1997) reimagined for a contemporary audience. Don't worry. Much of the original's core concept remains intact. A similar story and gameplay roll on, perfect for veterans looking to relive childhood fun. However, the graphics received a significant overhaul, as is to be expected. More so, the gameplay adds considerable new content and mechanics that are sure to engage any gamer with a knack for platforming.

2. The Messenger

If you enjoy Ninja Gaiden, you'll love The Messenger. Both games follow a ninja on the treacherous journey ahead of them. At the start, though, The Messenger starts off slow, gradually picking up pace and winding up in a grand finale. For starters, the gameplay seamlessly transitions from 8-bit to 16-bit style. To accompany it, characters and overall gameplay evolve, too.

1. The Pedestrian

The Pedestrian is perfect for gamers who like clever and imaginative puzzles. While its world is portrayed in 3D, platforming takes place on 2D planes. You'll use road signs and blueprints to connect points A and B. If it sounds weird, don't worry. The transition from simple to complex is done well enough not to feel lost. From climbing ladders to connecting electrical circuits in a building, The Pedestrian never stops building on its concepts and pushing you to thin through the more complex puzzles along with it.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Are there other platforming games on PlayStation Plus that you think are the best? Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!