Summary
Nintendo fans have always been spoiled when it comes to platforming games. From the original Donkey Kong and Super Mario games to the 3D gems of Banjo-Kazooie and Conker’s Bad Fur Day, each game of the past carried the torch further for what success looks like within the genre.
TheNintendo Switchis no different. It offers a plethora of incredible titles ready for you to climb, run, and jump your way through. Each level acts as a playground for you to showcase your platforming skills, and there’s something undeniably charming about them, too. Whether you’re a fan of 3D platformers or a newcomer looking to dive into the genre, there are some wonderful games waiting for you on the Nintendo Switch.
Updated on June 25, 2025, by PJ Molloy:3D platformers may not be as common as they used to be, but there are still plenty of excellent ones out there if you know where to look. We’ve updated the list with some of the very best titles you might have missed.
In many ways, Super Kiwi 64 feels like the N64 collect-a-thon that never was. Take control of a tiny kiwi bird who must explore eight sandbox worlds in search of collectibles. you may fly, dash, and climb walls as you scan every nook and cranny.
The charming, low-poly visuals nail the style of the late ’90s, and the controls and camera couldn’t be better. It’s a short adventure, but there are many well-hidden secrets, time trials, and game-breaking cheat codes to keep you thoroughly entertained. You can even play the worlds in any order.
23Smushi Come Home
An Adorable, Stress-Free Adventure
Looking for something cozy? Smushi Come Home is a delightful adventure about a little mushroom who’s lost in the forest. You must explore semi-open areas, chat with the charming woodland creatures, and solve puzzles to help the tiny hero return home. You’ll even learn facts about real-life mushrooms.
Gameplay-wise, it’s similar to Breath of the Wild but with an emphasis on platforming. Like Link, you’re able to swim, glide, and climb as you adventure around the woods. Thankfully, there’s no danger or time limit in your way. Feel free to go at your own pace, relax, and take in the sights.
Initially exclusive to Xbox and PC, New Super Lucky’s Tale leaped onto Nintendo Switch in 2019, and it feels perfect on the hybrid console. During a battle against the evil sorcerer Jinx, a young fox named Lucky is sucked into a portal to another realm. From there, he must run, jump, and dig his way through a slew of linear levels to make it back home.
Everything from the gameplay to the aesthetics evokes a late ’90s vibe, similar to titles like Crash Bandicoot or Donkey Kong Country. For example, every stage is brimming with collectibles and bonus rooms. There are even rewards for fully completing each level.
Developed by the team behind Sonic Mania, Penny’s Big Breakaway is a colorful, momentum-based platformer that hearkens back to the GameCube era. Take control of a fugitive named Penny, who must evade an army of penguins after accidentally disrobing the Emperor. If that sounds like your type of humor, this game is right up your alley.
The gameplay revolves around the yo-yo mechanic, which can be used to attack, swing across gaps, and grab items. You can even ride it for an instant burst of speed, similar to Sonic’s spin dash. If you like classic 3D platformers, this one is definitely worth a shot.
Sonic X Shadow Generations isa must-play for any fans of the blue hedgehog. Not only does it remaster one of the best games in the series, but it also delivers a brand-new campaign starring Shadow. The plot follows the two hedgehogs as they travel through time to revisit past adventures and face off against old villains.
The game truly feels like a celebration of the series' history. The most iconic levels and bosses are back and better than ever, with exciting new twists to keep you engaged from start to finish. Plus, Shadow’s new Doom Powers are an absolute blast to use.
19Frogun Encore
A Cozy Love Letter To The Classics
If you want a multiplayer title, Frogun Encore is an excellent choice. In this PS1-inspired collect-a-thon, you and a buddy control adventurers Renata and Jake, who travel around the world in search of treasure while stopping a few evil deities along the way.
The main mechanic is the titular Frogun, which you can use to grab enemies and cling to walls, each of which feels very satisfying. Overall, it’s an incredibly cozy platformer with charming low-poly graphics, excellent level design, and superb co-op gameplay.
If you’re new to Soulslikes, Another Crab’s Treasure is an excellent way to start. Take control of Kril, a hermit crab who must survive a harsh ocean and its many violent creatures. The entire sea is yours to explore as you search for trash you can use as either a weapon or a protective shell.
The gameplay offers a nice mix of platforming, exploration, and sword-based combat. True to the Soulslike genre, the difficulty curve is steep. However, the comedic tone, colorful presentation, and intuitive tutorial system provide more than enough incentive to entice newcomers.
17Cavern Of Dreams
A Nostalgic Dream Come True
Those who love N64 collect-a-thons will feel right at home with Cavern of Dreams. The adventure follows a tiny dragon named Fynn, who explores a series of sandbox worlds in search of his lost siblings. Everything from the visuals to the level design feels like it could have launched right alongside Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong 64.
What makes Cavern of Dreams unique is its heavier focus on puzzles. Each world has a handful of clever brain teasers that require observation, exploration, or a tight grasp on Fynn’s moveset. The game doesn’t hold your hand, allowing you to figure out the answers at your own pace. Give it a try if you miss ’90s platformers.
Demon Turf takes you on a journey to become Queen of the Underworld. The demon Beebz is tired of how Hell is being run, so she sets out to take over the realm one section at a time. While the concept may sound intense, everything is presented in a comical, lighthearted tone.
As for the gameplay, the moveset feels similar to Super Mario 64, complete with a long jump, triple jump, wall jump, etc. Some unique features include a system that lets you place your own checkpoints and a charming art style that combines 2D sprites and 3D environments. It’s a nice mix of old and new mechanics, ensuring the adventure feels fresh yet comfortably familiar.
15Lunistice
Low-Poly Perfection
Arguably one of the mostunderrated games in the genre, Lunistice is a high-speed platformer reminiscent of the PS1 and Sega Saturn era. When Hana the Tanuki wakes up in a dreamlike realm, she must platform through a series of levels based on her memories. The more you play, the more you discover what this place is and why you’re here.
The gameplay blends fast-paced platforming with more precise, exploration-based collect-a-thon elements. The two styles complement each other shockingly well and are enhanced by a satisfying moveset similar to Mario’s Tanooki Suit. It’s a short game but well worth it if you like retro platformers.
