Astro Bot has captured the spotlight at the 2024 Game Awards, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for Astro and his crew. This little hero, crafted by Team Asobi, comes from a rich heritage of PlayStation platformers that span all the way back to the original PlayStation era. This legacy is filled with gems developed by both Sony and third-party developers.
If you’re eager to explore the evolution of PlayStation platformers from their inception to the present, the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog offer a fantastic trip down memory lane. Here’s a peek at some standout platformers available right now.*
A Hat in Time | 2017
The early 2000s were a golden era for "collectathon" 3D platformers, where players spent hours in expansive levels collecting various items. A Hat in Time is a heartfelt homage to those games, allowing players to guide Hat Kid on her mission to gather Time Pieces across a whimsical and lively cartoon universe. Along the journey, you’ll find Yarn Balls to craft hats with new abilities, defeat enemies to acquire Pons for upgrades, and uncover hidden Relics and Rift Tokens while unravelling the mystery of Mustache Girl.
Publisher: Humble Games | Developer: Gears for Breakfast
Ape Escape | 1999
Craving a bit of monkey mischief? Ape Escape brings chaos with a bunch of super-intelligent monkeys roving through different time periods, and it’s up to you to round them up. One of the pioneering series to fully utilize the DualShock controller’s dual-analog sticks, Ape Escape offers a unique blend of strategic movement and quirky gadgets to catch these clever apes. Pay close attention to their helmets—they give subtle hints about the monkeys’ mood!
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Celeste | 2018
The dash is a favorite move in platform games, but in Celeste, it’s elevated to a whole new level. This indie gem challenges you with large screens filled with tricky hazards, where you’ll harness ground dashes, mid-air dashes, wall-climbing dashes, and occasionally gain items that allow dashes in succession. With its fast-paced movement mechanics, Celeste isn’t just a mountain you climb, it’s one you conquer while discovering hidden secrets.
Publisher: Maddy Makes Games | Developer: Maddy Makes Games
Gravity Rush Remastered | 2016
For those who enjoy combining platforming with open-world exploration and rich world-building, Gravity Rush is your go-to game. Here, you follow Kat, an amnesia-stricken protagonist who wakes up in Hekseville in the midst of a catastrophic storm. With the help of her gravity-shifting abilities, she navigates the city’s breathtaking architecture, battles enigmatic creatures, and aids the locals while unraveling the mysteries that surround her.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy | 2001
From the vault of classics by Naughty Dog comes a standout platforming pair from the PS2 era. After a mishap on Misty Island leaves Daxter small and furry, Jak and Daxter embark on a quest to find the Dark Sage Gol Asheron, hoping to restore Daxter and, along the way, save the world. With vibrant animations, colorful landscapes, and load-time-efficient environments, this game retains its classic charm today.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Naughty Dog
Jumping Flash | 1995
Jumping Flash is a title that day-one PlayStation enthusiasts rave about endlessly as a showcase of the original PlayStation’s capabilities. This imaginative first-person platformer features Robbit, a mechanical rabbit that jumps incredibly high. Traverse through surreal worlds filled with strange foes, fantastic weapons, and a variety of floating platforms that let you reach extraordinary heights. Its uniqueness and fun factor remain unmatched even now.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Exact, Ultra
Rayman Legends | 2013
Who said you need limbs to star in a stellar platformer? In Rayman Legends, players find themselves guiding Rayman, Globox, Barbara, and the Goth Teensy through a journey to save the Glade of Dreams after a century-long nap has turned into their worst nightmare. The game stands out with its breathtaking hand-drawn HD graphics and supports up to four-player local co-op, making it a fun escapade for friends and family alike.
Publisher: Ubisoft | Developer: Ubisoft Montpellier
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | 2021
Ratchet and Clank, a staple pair in the PlayStation platforming scene, are back for more interdimensional action in Rift Apart. Taking advantage of the PS5’s power, this installment is the most graphically vivid and expansive adventure yet, with new gadgets like the Rift Tether enabling rapid traversal. Get ready for a shooting extravaganza, gadget-filled navigation, and the emergence of Rivet, Ratchet’s female counterpart from an alternate dimension.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Insomniac
Sackboy: A Big Adventure | 2020
Though he may be woven from thread, Sackboy stands as an enduring figure in fabric-based heroism. Tasked with saving his fellow Sackpeople and the realm of Craftworld from the evil grasp of Vex, Sackboy must tackle a slew of challenges armed with new skills. You’ll be gliding, rolling, and tackling enemies, collecting Dreamer Orbs along the way, and when the going gets tough, call on up to three buddies to join in via online or local co-op.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sumo Digital
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus | 2002
Sly Cooper is quite the agile and charming thief, with a legacy grounded in family heists and a highly-prized book of secrets, the Thievius Raccoonus. Your mission is to retrieve its pages from the clutches of the Fiendish Five. With its innovative blend of platforming and stealth, Sly Cooper cleverly sneaks through their hideouts using agility and sneak-thief skills to dodge guards and surmount traps to recover the stolen treasures.
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Developer: Sucker Punch
Craving even more captivating platformer action? Dive into our detailed feature exploring the cream of the crop in 3D platformers available on PlayStation.
*Note: The availability of games in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog can vary by region.
