For a colorful, inventive 2D Mario adventure, start with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. For tougher precision platforming, try Celeste; for exploration and combat, choose Hollow Knight. This guide uses “2024” as a retrospective frame: most of its recommendations arrived on Switch earlier, while a separate section highlights notable 2024 releases.
How to choose a Switch platformer
Platformers on Switch range from short, carefully designed stages to expansive worlds built around exploration. Consider whether you want 2D or 3D play, puzzle-solving or action, and a demanding precision challenge or a more varied adventure. Multiplayer features are title-specific, so check them rather than assuming a platformer supports co-op.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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The Oregon Trail Nintendo Switch | $39.82 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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DOG MAN: Mission Impawsible - Nintendo Switch | $23.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Nintendo Switch | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - US Version | $53.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Cuphead - Nintendo Switch | $31.97 | Buy on Amazon |
Best established 2D platformers on Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder — best all-around 2D Mario pick
Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a strong starting point for bright, inventive stage-based platforming. Its Wonder Flowers can transform familiar levels and objects in surprising ways. Nintendo Life also highlights badges, local co-op, and online features. It released for Switch on 20 October 2023 in North America and the UK/EU, so it is a recommendation for 2024 rather than a 2024 release. Nintendo’s overview and Nintendo Life’s 2D platformer guide describe its features and release date.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze — action and island stages
This is a distinct choice if you want action-focused platforming built around the Kong cast and an island setting. You can play the story as the original Kongs or choose Funky Kong in Funky Mode. The Switch version released on 4 May 2018 in North America and the UK/EU. Nintendo describes the modes; Nintendo Life lists the Switch release date.
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#1 Best Overall
- True to the Original
- Striking Art Direction and Score
- Respectful Representation
- Officially Licensed & Supported
- Deluxe Edition Content: Full game, Cowboys & Critters DLC, 3 art cards, Reversible coversheet
Celeste — precision platforming with a personal story
Celeste suits players drawn to precise movement and a character-centered journey. Nintendo describes Madeline’s climb up Celeste Mountain and identifies the game as coming from the creators of TowerFall. The available descriptions support calling it precision-oriented, but do not establish a numerical difficulty rating. Nintendo’s overview.
Hollow Knight — exploration-led action-adventure
Choose Hollow Knight if you want to explore an interconnected world rather than move through a straightforward sequence of platforming stages. Its caverns, cities, and wastes combine combat, enemies, and mysteries, making it an action-adventure as much as a platformer. Nintendo’s description.
Rank #2
- 50 Exciting Levels: Explore iconic locations from the Dog Man universe, including the City Hall, Giant Marshmallow Factory, and the Police Station. Each location offers platforming and puzzle-solving challenges.
- Teamwork: Switch between Dog Man and his Supa Buddies, each with their own special abilities, to overcome obstacles and defeat bosses. o Dog Man: Digs underground and glides through the air. o Li’l Petey: Hacks gadgets and fits into small spaces. o 80-HD: Pushes heavy objects and jumps long distances.
- Fun Gadgets: Unlock new gadgets and abilities as you progress, like a grappling hook, rocket boots and power gloves to navigate through the levels. Puzzles and Bosses: Use your brain to solve puzzles and defeat unique bosses. Each boss fight requires clever use of your team’s abilities.
- Humor and Action: Enjoy funny dialogue, amusing interactions, and non-stop action that keeps you engaged in Dog Man’s world. Rewards and Collectibles: Revisit levels with new gadgets to find secret areas, and rescue the missing Comic Club members.
- Art Style: Great animations inspired by the books, with comic-style sound effects that add a fun, cartoonish touch to the action.
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition — colorful, varied action
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition is a colorful alternative centered on running, jumping, and fighting through themed worlds. It is a useful pick if you want lively action-platforming rather than an exploration-first adventure. Nintendo’s overview.
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove — retro-styled adventures
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove offers retro-styled action-adventure gameplay. Nintendo calls it the complete edition of the series, making it a natural choice for players who want a classic-inspired presentation. Nintendo’s overview.
Rank #3
- PLAY AS ICONIC CHARACTERS: Step into the hooves of Rudolph and Clarice and the boots of Hermey and Yukon Cornelius – each with their own unique charm and abilities, making every moment of the adventure a holly jolly delight!
- JOYFUL CO-OP FUN: Grab a friend, play in local co-op as you shout out with glee as you experience this cheerful holiday adventure together.
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY & FULL OF HOLIDAY SPIRIT: With fun challenges, interactive storytelling, and a soundtrack with iconic Christmas favorites, this game is perfect for festive players of all ages.
- Get ready for the ultimate Christmas quest—guide Rudolph, spread holiday cheer, and light up the season with festive fun for the whole family!
Mario vs. Donkey Kong — puzzles between the jumps
For a puzzle-platforming variation, Mario vs. Donkey Kong pairs running and jumping with level-based problems. Nintendo’s 2024 article says the game has over 130 levels; that is Nintendo’s stated count for this game, not a statistic about the series as a whole. Nintendo’s overview.
Notable platforming releases from 2024
If you specifically want games highlighted as 2024 releases, these picks differ in style. The descriptions below reflect Nintendo Life’s editorial assessments, not objective measurements.
Rank #4
- Enjoy two Mario adventures solo or with friends
- In Super Mario 3D World, choose a character each with distinct playstyles as you dash and climb through dozens of colorful courses, collecting Green Stars and power-ups along the way
- Cooperate (and compete) with friends locally or online to reach each stage’s goal. A crown is awarded to the highest-scoring player, making for a friendly frenzy
- In addition to added multiplayer options, the Nintendo Switch version of the Super Mario 3D World game has been improved with faster character speeds and more
- Explore a seamless feline world in Lake Lapcat, complete objectives to collect Cat Shines, and defeat a giant Bowser in the new Bowser’s Fury adventure
- Bakeru: a linear 3D platformer.
- Pizza Tower: a creative platformer with a high skill ceiling, in Nintendo Life’s assessment.
- Neva: a visually striking platforming experience with a touching story, in Nintendo Life’s assessment.
These titles appear in Nintendo Life’s year-end guide, published 27 December 2024: Best Nintendo Switch Games of 2024.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick picks by play style
| What you want | Try | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Inventive 2D Mario stages | Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Wonder Flowers alter expected level behavior; local co-op and online features are noted by Nintendo Life. |
| Precision-focused platforming | Celeste | A mountain-climbing journey with precision-oriented play. |
| World exploration and combat | Hollow Knight | An interconnected world of caverns, cities, and wastes. |
| Action with the Kong cast | Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze | Funky Mode offers an alternative way through the story. |
| Puzzles mixed with platforming | Mario vs. Donkey Kong | Nintendo states it has over 130 levels. |
| A 2024 3D platforming option | Bakeru | Nintendo Life describes it as linear and 3D. |
Physical or digital: what to check before buying
Nintendo Life’s guide includes both physical and digital formats, but stock, prices, seller quality, regional availability, and retailer terms can change. Before ordering a physical copy, check that the edition and region match your console and needs, confirm who is selling it, and verify current availability. The available information does not establish current stock or pricing for any recommendation.
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Best Value
- Experience the classic run and gun action with a pal in 2-player local co-op
- Includes the “Delicious Last Course” expansion filled with new bosses and brand-new character Ms. Chalice
- Includes exclusive “Cuphead Funnies” comic collector cards & vintage-inspired “Cuphead Club Membership”, and a hand-drawn reversible coversheet
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
