Top 2D Platformers On Nintendo Switch
Hey guys! Are you looking for some awesome 2D platformers to play on your Nintendo Switch? You've come to the right place! The Nintendo Switch is an absolute goldmine for 2D platforming goodness, offering everything from retro-inspired adventures to modern masterpieces. Let's dive into some of the best 2D platformers you can find on this versatile console. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the genre, there's something here for everyone.
Why 2D Platformers Still Rock
Before we get started with the list, let's talk about why 2D platformers continue to be a beloved genre. The simplicity and purity of the gameplay are major factors. It's all about precise jumps, dodging enemies, and exploring intricately designed levels. This simplicity allows developers to focus on creating tight, responsive controls and imaginative level design. The best 2D platformers offer a unique blend of challenge and reward, making you feel incredibly accomplished as you conquer each obstacle. Plus, there’s a certain nostalgia factor for those of us who grew up with classics like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. These games defined our childhoods, and the genre continues to evolve and surprise us with fresh ideas and mechanics.
Another key reason for the enduring popularity of 2D platformers is their accessibility. Unlike many modern games that require hours of tutorials and complex control schemes, 2D platformers are easy to pick up and play. The core mechanics are intuitive, and you can quickly grasp the basics. However, don't let the simplicity fool you – the best 2D platformers offer a significant challenge for those who seek it. Whether you're trying to beat a difficult level or collect all the hidden items, there's always something to strive for. Moreover, the 2D perspective allows for a level of detail and artistry that can be truly breathtaking. From lush forests to desolate wastelands, the visuals in these games can be stunning, creating immersive worlds that draw you in and keep you hooked.
Finally, the variety within the 2D platformer genre is astounding. You have your classic run-and-gun platformers, your Metroidvanias with sprawling interconnected maps, and your precision platformers that demand pixel-perfect movements. This diversity ensures that there's always something new and exciting to discover. Developers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the genre, experimenting with innovative mechanics and storytelling techniques. So, whether you're in the mood for a lighthearted adventure or a challenging test of your skills, the world of 2D platformers has something to offer.
Must-Play 2D Platformers on Switch
Okay, let's get to the games! Here are some of the absolute best 2D platformers you can play on your Nintendo Switch right now. Get ready to jump, dash, and explore your way through these incredible titles:
1. Super Mario Maker 2
If you love 2D platformers, Super Mario Maker 2 is a must-have. This game isn't just a platformer; it's a platformer creation tool! You can design and play your own Super Mario levels, or dive into the endless supply of courses created by other players around the world. The possibilities are truly limitless. Whether you prefer classic Super Mario Bros. style levels or more modern and challenging designs, you'll find it all here. The game provides a comprehensive set of tools that are easy to learn but offer incredible depth, allowing you to create anything from simple, straightforward levels to elaborate, multi-layered challenges. You can also choose from different game styles, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Super Mario 3D World, each with its unique mechanics and aesthetics. This versatility ensures that there's always something new to discover and experiment with. Playing levels created by others is a constantly evolving experience, with new and creative courses being uploaded every day. It's a great way to test your skills and see what imaginative designs other players have come up with. Super Mario Maker 2 is not just a game; it's a community and a celebration of all things Super Mario.
Super Mario Maker 2 offers a robust single-player campaign that introduces you to the game's creation tools and mechanics. In this mode, you'll help rebuild Princess Peach's castle by completing a series of pre-made levels. These levels are designed to showcase the various tools and features available in the game, and they provide a great starting point for creating your own courses. The story mode is not only a fun and engaging way to learn the game but also a source of inspiration for your own level designs. You'll encounter a wide range of challenges and creative ideas that can spark your imagination and help you create even more inventive levels. Furthermore, the game includes a wealth of customization options, allowing you to tweak every aspect of your levels to your liking. You can adjust the difficulty, add hidden secrets, and even create custom enemies and power-ups. This level of control ensures that you can create levels that are perfectly tailored to your preferences and skill level. Whether you're a seasoned level designer or a complete beginner, Super Mario Maker 2 provides all the tools and resources you need to unleash your creativity and build the Super Mario levels of your dreams.
With Super Mario Maker 2, the fun never ends. The constant stream of new levels and the ability to create and share your own creations ensure that there's always something new to discover. The game's online community is incredibly active, with players constantly uploading and sharing their levels. This creates a vibrant and collaborative environment where you can learn from others, get feedback on your own creations, and participate in community events. The game also supports local and online multiplayer, allowing you to play levels with friends or other players from around the world. Whether you're competing for the fastest time or working together to overcome a challenging level, multiplayer adds a whole new dimension to the Super Mario Maker 2 experience. So, if you're looking for a game that offers endless possibilities and a constantly evolving experience, Super Mario Maker 2 is the perfect choice. It's a celebration of the Super Mario franchise and a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of its players.
2. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a dark and atmospheric Metroidvania that has captivated players with its intricate world, challenging combat, and hauntingly beautiful art style. You play as the Knight, a silent protagonist who must explore the decaying kingdom of Hallownest and uncover the source of a mysterious plague known as the Infection. The game's world is vast and interconnected, with hidden passages, secret areas, and a plethora of enemies to encounter. As you explore, you'll gain new abilities and upgrades that allow you to access previously inaccessible areas and take on more challenging foes. The combat in Hollow Knight is precise and demanding, requiring you to master your character's movements and learn the attack patterns of your enemies. The game features a wide variety of bosses, each with its unique abilities and weaknesses, providing a true test of your skills. The atmosphere of Hollow Knight is both melancholic and captivating, drawing you into its world and keeping you hooked until the very end. The game's story is told through environmental storytelling and cryptic dialogue, leaving much open to interpretation and encouraging you to piece together the history of Hallownest. Hollow Knight is a true masterpiece of the Metroidvania genre, offering a challenging and rewarding experience that will stay with you long after you've finished playing.
One of the standout features of Hollow Knight is its incredible level of detail. The game's world is richly detailed, with every environment and character meticulously crafted. From the crumbling ruins of ancient cities to the lush, overgrown forests, each area of Hallownest feels unique and lived-in. The game's art style is also incredibly distinctive, combining hand-drawn visuals with a dark and gritty aesthetic. The result is a game that is both visually stunning and deeply atmospheric. The attention to detail extends to the game's sound design, with a haunting soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's melancholic tone. The sound effects are also incredibly well-done, adding to the immersion and making each encounter feel impactful. The combination of stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and intricate level design creates a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
Hollow Knight is known for its challenging gameplay, but it's also a fair game. The difficulty comes from the precision required in combat and platforming, but the game provides you with the tools you need to succeed. As you progress, you'll unlock new abilities and upgrades that make you more powerful and allow you to overcome increasingly difficult challenges. The game also features a forgiving checkpoint system, ensuring that you never lose too much progress when you die. While the game can be challenging, it's never unfair, and the feeling of accomplishment you get from overcoming a difficult obstacle is incredibly rewarding. The game's difficulty is also scalable, with optional challenges and bosses that provide an even greater test of your skills. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the Metroidvania genre or a newcomer looking for a challenging adventure, Hollow Knight has something to offer. It's a game that respects your intelligence and rewards your perseverance, making it a truly satisfying experience.
3. Celeste
Celeste is a masterpiece of the precision platformer genre, known for its challenging but fair gameplay, heartfelt story, and stunning pixel art. You play as Madeline, a young woman who is determined to climb Celeste Mountain, despite her own self-doubt and anxieties. The game's levels are designed to be incredibly challenging, requiring precise jumps, dashes, and wall climbs to navigate. However, the game is also incredibly forgiving, with a generous checkpoint system that ensures you never lose too much progress. The story of Celeste is both personal and universal, exploring themes of mental health, self-acceptance, and the importance of perseverance. The game's characters are well-developed and relatable, and their struggles resonate with players on a deep level. The pixel art in Celeste is simply stunning, with vibrant colors, detailed environments, and expressive character animations. The game's soundtrack is also incredible, perfectly complementing the game's emotional tone and creating a truly immersive experience. Celeste is a game that will challenge you, move you, and inspire you, making it a must-play for any fan of 2D platformers.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Celeste is its ability to seamlessly blend challenging gameplay with a deeply emotional story. The game's difficulty is not just there for the sake of being difficult; it's intrinsically linked to Madeline's personal journey. As you struggle to overcome the game's obstacles, you're also experiencing Madeline's own struggles with anxiety and self-doubt. The game's mechanics are designed to reflect these struggles, with Madeline's limited stamina and the need for precise movements representing the challenges she faces in her everyday life. The game's story is told through a combination of cutscenes, dialogue, and environmental storytelling, gradually revealing Madeline's past and her motivations for climbing Celeste Mountain. The game's characters are well-developed and relatable, each struggling with their own personal demons. The relationships between these characters are complex and nuanced, adding depth and richness to the game's narrative. Celeste is a game that understands the importance of mental health and offers a message of hope and resilience to those who are struggling.
Celeste is a game that is designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels. While the game is known for its challenging gameplay, it also offers a variety of assist options that allow players to customize the difficulty to their liking. These assist options include the ability to slow down the game's speed, grant Madeline invincibility, and even skip entire sections of the game. These options are not meant to make the game easier for skilled players; they are designed to allow players who may be struggling with the game's difficulty to still experience its story and themes. Celeste is a game that believes everyone should have the opportunity to climb the mountain, regardless of their skill level. The game's accessibility options are a testament to its commitment to inclusivity and its desire to reach as wide an audience as possible. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the platformer genre or a newcomer looking for a challenging but rewarding experience, Celeste has something to offer.
4. Ori and the Blind Forest/Ori and the Will of the Wisps
The Ori games (Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps) are stunning Metroidvanias known for their breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and fluid platforming. You play as Ori, a guardian spirit who must restore the forest of Nibel to its former glory. The games' worlds are beautifully crafted, with lush environments, intricate details, and a vibrant color palette. The platforming in Ori is incredibly fluid and responsive, allowing you to seamlessly navigate the games' challenging levels. The combat is also well-designed, with a variety of abilities and upgrades that allow you to customize your play style. The stories in the Ori games are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, exploring themes of loss, sacrifice, and the importance of family. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their struggles resonate with players on a deep level. The Ori games are true masterpieces of the Metroidvania genre, offering a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and incredibly fun experience.
One of the most striking features of the Ori games is their incredible art style. The games' visuals are hand-painted and incredibly detailed, creating a world that is both beautiful and immersive. The environments are richly detailed, with lush forests, crumbling ruins, and sparkling waterfalls. The character designs are also well-done, with Ori and the other inhabitants of Nibel being both expressive and endearing. The games' use of lighting and color is particularly impressive, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere that draws you into the world. The animations in the Ori games are also incredibly fluid, with Ori's movements being both graceful and responsive. The combination of stunning visuals, detailed environments, and fluid animations creates a truly unforgettable experience.
The Ori games are not just visually stunning; they also feature a deeply emotional story that will stay with you long after you've finished playing. The games explore themes of loss, sacrifice, and the importance of family, and their characters are well-developed and relatable. Ori's journey to restore the forest of Nibel is a testament to the power of hope and the importance of perseverance. The games' soundtracks are also incredible, perfectly complementing the games' emotional tone and creating a truly immersive experience. The music is both beautiful and melancholic, reflecting the beauty and the sadness of the world of Nibel. The combination of stunning visuals, emotional storytelling, and haunting music makes the Ori games a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you're a fan of Metroidvanias or simply looking for a beautiful and moving game, the Ori games are a must-play.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it – some of the best 2D platformers you can find on the Nintendo Switch. From creative level design to heartwarming stories, these games offer something for everyone. So grab your Switch, pick a game (or two, or all of them!), and get ready for some platforming fun. Happy gaming!