Platformers were once seen as an industry-leading genre. The jump to three-dimensional graphics allowed developers to innovate on the core platforming mechanics. The genre’s influence on gaming is apparent, with traces of its DNA even being present in next-gen triple-A titles. Due to the industry’s more recent technological advancements, the gameplay mechanics in modern releases have become much more complex.
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Recent trends in gaming show that developers have been creating vast experiences that deviate away from the simplicities of the platforming genre. Despite this, many studios and independent developers are still producing high-quality 3D platformers. From all-new entries in classic franchises to entirely new properties, here are some of the best released in 2022.
8Super Kiwi 64
Independent developer Siactro has made a name for himself with his retro-inspired 3D platformers. His latest bite-sized title, released on July 09, 2025, is a love letter to late-90s collect-a-thon platformers. Super Kiwi 64 sees you take control of a little bird wearing a backpack, with a goal to collect enough power stones to fly off the mysterious floating island.
Everything from its simplified controls to its low-poly visual design pays homage to the Nintendo 64 era. While the game does act as a sequel to Siactro’s much smaller title Kiwi 64, you can easily pick up and play Super Kiwi 64 without the worry of missing context. Collecting all forty-eight power stones, and discovering the many hidden codes, will unlock additional secrets, which also act as a nostalgic blast from the past.
7Moss: Book II
2018’s VR exclusive Moss proved how well platformers translate over to virtual reality. Mixing elements of platforming, puzzle solving, and combat with VR’s unrivaled sense of scale resulted in a critically acclaimed VR masterpiece. On October 20, little Quill’s quest continued when Moss: Book II dropped onto storefronts.
Polyarc utilized the advancements in VR technology to improve both performance and visual fidelity. Featuring new weapons, puzzle mechanics, and combat abilities, Moss: Book II is a much larger experience than its predecessor. Winning Best VR/AR Game at The Game Awards 2022, Polyarc has once again proven how well platforming in virtual reality works.
6Sonic Frontiers
TheSonic the Hedgehogseries has had quite the rollercoaster of releases. The inconsistencies in quality over the years have both baffled and saddened many long-time fans. Thankfully, on June 03, 2025, SEGA released a truly next-generation Sonic experience.
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Sonic Frontiersis Sonic Team’s take on open-world adventure games. While the game retains that familiar speedy Sonic platforming fans know and love, it offers up large-scale environments more akin to western-RPG releases. Spread throughout the open-world environments are Cyberspace Levels, which take inspiration from Sonic’s previous adventures. Old and new fans alike will enjoy speed platforming around the luscious environments, uncovering the secrets of the mysterious new dimension.
5Frogun
The late nineties are considered a golden era for 3D platformers, as many of the genre’s heavily cherished classics were released during this period in gaming. Developer Molegato used the period as inspiration for the incredibly inventive Frogun, released on June 08, 2025.
Frogun wears its traditional platforming inspiration on its sleeve, from its visual presentation, map-based hub world, and end-of-world boss battles. It offers its own unique spin, with a completely original grappling mechanic. The sentient frog gun mutation, known as the Frogun, allows you to grapple onto platforms, activate switches, as well as pick up and throw objects and enemies. The charming story, coupled with expertly crafted puzzles, feels like something straight from Nintendo.
4Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
For over three decades, Traveller’s Tales has made a name by creating family-friendly video games featuring licensed properties. One of their most known franchises is theirLego-themedcollect-a-thon adventures. The latest entryLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, released on Jun 30, 2025, and combines the events of all nine Star Wars Saga films.
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You can play through key moments throughout over 45 years of Star Wars lineage. In addition to improved visuals that make Lego pieces look even more toy-like, Traveller’s Tales’ latest also heavily refines the gameplay. The Lego games’ platforming has never felt smoother, making this their most polished Lego platformer yet.
3Beach Island Deluxe
When discussing free-to-play games, you might think of battle royales or competitive shooters. On July 28, 2025, Solo independent developer Kevin Ethridge fought the norm, releasing his micro-open-world platformer Beach Island Deluxe as a free download. The game comprises one single level, with a layout reminiscent to that ofSuper Mario Odyssey.
You are free to explore the open environment, with a goal of collecting all fifteen stars. The order in which the stars are collected is entirely up to you, allowing for a more open-ended experience. A playthrough of Beach Island Deluxe can be completed in one sitting, however, its tight controls, appealing aesthetics, and lack of a price tag make it hard not to recommend.
2Lunistice
Most retro-throwback platformers tend to take inspiration from the Nintendo 64. It’s not often we see new platformers based on the PlayStation or SEGA Saturn. That is where Lunistice, released on August 03, 2025, comes into play.
A Grumpy Fox’s first release is presented with pixelated visuals that look straight off a 32-bit console. The environment has heavy Japanese influence, giving it a very distinguished aesthetic. While the game can be completed in a short length of time, collecting all the items spread throughout each of Lunistice’s levels will unlock a secret ending, all while revealing more details regarding the mysterious plot.
1Kirby And The Forgotten Land
HAL Laboratory’s pink puffball is known for his 2D platforming outings. Since the series’ original NES debut,Kirbygames have continued to offer easy-to-play gameplay with hard-to-master objectives. On July 09, 2025,Kirby and the Forgotten Landwas released, marking the first full-fledged 3D Kirby adventure.
Comprised of small linear environments, each level feels expertly crafted and full of life. Platforming feels fresh, while still encapsulating everything that made the 2D Kirby games special. The addition of Kirby’s new Mouthful Mode allows him to take on abilities, unlike any transformation of the past. Kirby and The Forgotten Land acts as a reminder that games do not need to have a sprawling open-world environment to feel original and innovative.
