2D platformers are among my all-time favorite games. Many offer basic controls and let you get on with business. The genre’s simplicity is one of its greatest strengths, but many developers complicate the formula, often to a detriment.
I’d take a platformer that’s easy to pick up and play any day over one that drowns players in complicated mechanics. If you’re like me and enjoy games where you don’t even need a single page of instructions, here’s a selection you’ll enjoy.
Before we dive in, I want to make the distinction that ‘easy to pick up and play’ is not the same as ‘easy.’ With this in mind, you may struggle with a few of these games, even if they’re not with the controls.
10 Rayman Legends
Where's My Sequel?
I adore Rayman and his 2D escapades just as much as his 3D ones. If you ask me, Rayman 1 & 2 are the pinnacle of his adventures, but Rayman Legends is easily the most accessible.
Rayman Legends is a hyper-polished 2D platformer featuring stunning backdrops and smart level design. Each world looks and feels completely different, and you’ll go everywhere, from lush forests to trippy kitchen scenes where every ingredient is alive.
Rayman controls like a dream, with immediately intuitive controls. The title also boasts a smooth difficulty curve, a far cry from the brick wall that is the PS1 original. Legends is the most welcoming entry to the franchise, and the music-based stages alone justify the cost of entry.
9 Broforce
For Action Movie Fans
Most platformers that offer any sort of combat typically want you to battle your opponents up and personal. Broforce is an exception to that rule, trading the good ol’ jump on the head for guns and grenades.
Broforce is like Contra in many ways, albeit less polished than those absurdly difficult classics. The game is full of over-the-top action, explosions, and run & gun platforming. It also offers countless nods to 80s and 90s action movies, which is one of the game’s biggest selling points.
If you’re a fan of old-school action flicks, there’s a lot to appreciate in Broforce, and the core gameplay is simple enough that you can figure out everything you need without a single tutorial.
8 Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Another Nintendo Classic
Mario is arguably the most iconic character in the platforming genre, regardless of the hardware. His games have set the standard in the 2D and 3D platformer genre, so it should be no surprise to see the plumber on the list.
Honestly, my pick for the best 2D Mario game will always be Super Mario World, but there are a few sections where it’s unclear how to progress. If you want a great modern take on 2D Mario, you can’t go wrong with Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
The title offers everything you’d expect from a Mario game, but it’s accessible to boot, with controls and mechanics that have held up over decades. Another fantastic addition to this Switch title is local co-op, so you can learn with a friend or take a beginner along for the ride.
7 Kaze and the Wild Masks
A Faithful Homage
Many titles that enter the space paying homage to other titles often become sub-par versions of their inspirations. Fortunately, Kaze and the Wild Masks is an exception to that rule.
Kaze and the Wild Masks is a gorgeous 2D platformer and makes the list thanks to its superb level design and smooth difficulty curve, which is firm but fair. The game doesn’t try to hide its similarities to the Donkey Kong game, which is fine as those titles are among Nintendo’s finest.
You’ll find more than a fair share of nods to DK, including well-hidden secrets that reward exploration. Some players may find the DK inspirations a little too direct, and the auto-scrolling stages can be annoying.
That said, I enjoyed my time with Kaze and the Wild Masks, and it’s mechanically straightforward.
6 N++
Move Over, Naruto
N++ is a precision platformer where you play as a ninja and must dodge everything from spike traps to lasers. It also only uses a single button beside the movement controls.
N++ is actually the third game in the ‘N’ series, although it contains everything in the previous entries, so you don’t need to seek them out. The title boasts a minimalist art style, which hides a deceptively tricky platformer.
You can only jump, but the movement is momentum-based, so your speed and accuracy are always tested. Later levels are brutal obstacle courses, and you must defeat multiple in a row to pass the course. N++ is a simple game but an addictive one, and it even offers an easy-to-use level creator.
5 Limbo
Between Heaven And Hell
Limbo is an unforgettable 2D adventure with a distinct black-and-white color scheme and an immersive soundscape.
Everything in the game is surrounded by mystery. The world twists and morphs as you progress, and you never know what’s coming up next. There’s also a creepy spider section, so beware if you’re not a fan of arachnids.
Limbo makes the list because the controls are extremely simple. You can walk, jump, grab, and that’s about it! There are plenty of inspired physics-based puzzles, and it’s a game I frequently revisit.
4 Inside
My Brain Hurts
Inside is the second masterpiece on the list by Playdead, the creators of Limbo.
If you weren’t a fan of the moody color scheme of Limbo, Inside has a splash of color, but the differences don’t stop there. Like its predecessor, Inside’s controls are very simple, to the point that there isn’t even a tutorial.
The fantasy setting is switched to a more contemporary one, but it’s still a trip from start to finish. Inside also has a heavy emphasis on mind control, which allows for some brain-bending puzzles.
Inside doesn’t overstay its welcome, is through and through a pick up and play game, and can be beaten in a few hours.
3 Sonic Mania
A Return To Form
Sonic is a legendary gaming protagonist, and while he has several 2D masterpieces under his belt, we can’t say the same about many of his 3D outings.
Sonic Mania was released in 2017 and was a triumphant return to the 2D space. Like the originals, the controls are intuitive and straightforward. Sonic can jump and spin dash, and that’s all the blue blur needs.
Mania shines with its level design, with plenty of nods to the classics. The title even has an excellent retro-inspired soundtrack, and the Encore DLC tosses a couple of lesser-known ‘Sonic’ characters into the mix.
2 Freedom Planet
More Than A Sonic Clone
Freedom Planet wears its ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ inspirations on its sleeve, but it’s far more than just a cheap clone.
The title is a superb, fast-paced 2D platformer with intricate levels and cutesy protagonists. The controls are satisfyingly simple, and there are several challenging boss fights to tackle.
Each character also has a distinct play style with unique abilities. The character design may be a little polarizing, but a brilliant platformer lies beneath. Unlike most games on the list, Freedom Planet also offers a surprisingly decent story with some oddly emotional moments crammed in alongside the comedy.
1 Shovel Knight
Fear The Gardening Tool
Shovel Knight is arguably the most challenging game on this list, but the slick, simple controls land it nicely in the ‘pick up and play’ category.
As the name implies, you’re a knight, and your weapon of choice is a shovel. You can strike enemies with your trusty garden tool, but you can even use it to pogo stick over hazards and beat enemies from above.
There are plenty of tricky jump sequences in Shovel Knight, but the bosses will likely humble you the most. Each adversary can feel insurmountable at first, but if you learn their attacks, you can conquer even the most intimidating foes. If you enjoy the base game, there are multiple campaigns to test your skills.
