Platformers used to dominate the console market, and despite a few lean years they never really went away. Consequently, PS Plus has a huge selection of platforming games; from action platformers where reflexes are critical, to platformer-puzzle games where a little lateral thinking goes a long way. In order to help you choose the best platformers to play, here are the ten or so best platforming games on PS+ based on their Metacritic review score.
1. Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of the massive Celeste Mountain – 700+ screens of hardcore platforming challenges and devious secrets – in this super-tight, hand-crafted platformer from the creators of multiplayer classic TowerFall.
| Metacritic Score | 91 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Theme | Fantasy |
2. Ape Escape
A boisterous band of baboons carries out a daring zoo escape. It’s ape anarchy, and it’s up to you to stop the chimps before they make chumps out of the human race! Use both analog sticks to operate great gadgets, including a Tank, a Remote Control Car, a Stun Club, and a Time Net in your quest to hunt down over 200 apes!
3. Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy
Jak and Daxter are quite a comic duo! Jak’s the strong, silent type of hero, while Daxter’s the obnoxious comic nut! The adventure takes place across a massive piece of continuous coastline – you can explore freely, with no loading screens and no waiting time.
| Metacritic Score | 90 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 2 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2001 |
| Theme | Comedy, Fantasy |
4. Rayman Legends
The Glade of Dreams is in trouble once again! During a 100-year nap, the nightmares multiplied and spread, creating new monsters even more terrifying than before! These creatures are the stuff of legend… Dragons, giant toads, sea monsters, and even evil luchadores. With the help of Murfy, Rayman and Globox awake and must now help fight these nightmares and save the Teensies!
| Metacritic Score | 90 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Local Coop, Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Theme | Comedy, Fantasy |
5. Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition
Hollow Knight is a 2D action-adventure game with an emphasis on traditional 2D animation and skillful gameplay. Journey to Hallownest, a vast and ancient underground kingdom inhabited by a bizarre collection of insects and monsters. Players will forge their own path as they explore ruined cities, forests of fungus, temples of bone and other fantastic lands, all on their way to uncovering an ancient mystery.
| Metacritic Score | 90 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Theme | Fantasy |
6. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is an intergalactic adventure from Insomniac Games that showcases what’s possible for games designed around PS5’s SSD and DualSense wireless controller. Players seamlessly travel through different dimensions in mid-gameplay. The DualSense wireless controller brings combat to life, with haptic feedback and the adaptive triggers adding powerful sensations that increase immersion in combat.
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 5 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2021 |
| Theme | Fantasy, Sci-Fi |
7. Ratchet & Clank
Join Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, and new friends as they battle to save the Solana Galaxy from the evil Chairman Drek. With an hour of new cinematics (including footage from the film), Ratchet & Clank (PS4) takes a deeper look at the characters’ origin stories and modernizes the original gameplay.
| MetaCritic Score | 88 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 3 |
| Format | Stream |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Theme | Comedy, Sci-fi |
8. Dead Cells
Dead Cells puts you in control of a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what’s happening on a sprawling, ever-changing, and seemingly cursed Island. Tough but fair combat, responsive controls, challenging foes, permadeath, and of course, the emergency panic roll to get you out of trouble, make for a demanding, visceral, and cathartic action game.
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Theme | Fantasy |
9. Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
In this follow-up to the best-selling series, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time puts players into the role of both Ratchet and Clank as they attempt to reunite and save the universe. Along the way, both finally uncover the hidden truth behind their origins, and discover their ultimate destinies.
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 3 |
| Format | Stream |
| Release Year | 2009 |
| Theme | Comedy, Sci-Fi |
10. Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Bionic Commando Rearmed sees a return of the intense 2D side-scrolling, shooting, and grappling action from the much-loved 1988 Bionic Commando on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Bionic Commando Rearmed brings the amazing gameplay up to date with new visuals, new weapons, online rankings, a reworked musical score, and more.
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Game Modes | Local Coop: 2 Players, Local Competitive, Online Competitive, Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 3 |
| Format | Stream |
| Release Year | 2008 |
| Theme | Comedy, Sci-Fi, Superhero |
11. Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition
In a bizarre universe in which the oppressed are on the verge of oblivion, Dandara has awoken to reshape the world. The world of Salt hangs on the brink of collapse. The citizens, once free spirits, now stand oppressed and isolated. But not all is lost, for out of this aether of fear arises a heroine, a ray of hope. Her name is Dandara.
| MetaCritic Score | 86 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| Game Modes | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Theme | Fantasy |
12. The Sly Collection
Developed exclusively for the PS3, The Sly Collection features three PlayStation 2 action-packed classic hits (Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racconus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves, and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves) fully remastered in high definition.
| MetaCritic Score | 85 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Game Modes | Single Player, Local Competitive: 2 Players, Local Coop: 2 Players (Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves) |
| Platform | PlayStation 3 |
| Format | Stream |
| Release Year | 2010 |
13. Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is a challenging fast-paced platformer with a twist. You can warp Giana’s dream world to transform your abilities and surroundings. Use your skill, speed, brains, and powers to defeat the dangers that populate these twisted dreams!
| MetaCritic Score | 85 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| No. of Players | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Theme | Fantasy |
14. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee New ‘n’ Tasty!
Rescue your fellow meat factory slaves in this nostalgic, classic platformer with the latest immersive graphics and design. Trigger-happy hunting parties, carnivorous sacred beasts, ancient temple traps, and even a return to his former workplace await Abe on his journey to discover his people’s heritage.
| MetaCritic Score | 84 |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Extra |
| No. of Players | Single Player |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 |
| Format | Download |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Theme | Comedy, Fantasy |
Looking for more choices? You can view all PlayStation Plus platforming games at PS Plus Guide (where you can filter them by review score, gameplay modes, and more).
