The best platformers, according to hackers
11 platformers were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 3 earn the Hacker Approved badge.
Top picks
The three most recommended platformers with the badge. Each figure is 2 people. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Smooth, lifelike character animation
Influential 1989 side-scrolling platformer praised for smooth animation, atmosphere and nostalgia. Critics mainly find it very difficult and say one mechanic is annoying.
Shaped 3D platformers and camera design
A groundbreaking 3D platformer praised for smooth movement and its camera design, still fun to play today. Critics point to texture clipping and an imperfect camera.
Players recommend it and buy it again
Players recommend it for tight platforming, a good soundtrack, and a story they defend; one critic called its B-sides unfun.
All 11 platformers, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied 1 | Prince of Persia | 37 | 4 | 90% | 8 | — | Approved |
| Tied 1 | Super Mario 64 | 37 | 7 | 84% | 7 | — | Approved |
| 3 | Celeste | 19 | 3 | 86% | 8 | — | Approved |
| 4 | Flashback (1992 video game) | 8 | 1 | 89% | 6 | — | — |
| Tied 5 | Cave Story | 7 | 0 | 100% | 5 | — | — |
| Tied 5 | Super Mario Odyssey | 7 | 2 | 78% | 3 | — | — |
| 7 | Donkey Kong Bananza | 6 | 3 | 67% | 3 | — | — |
| Tied 8 | Inside by Playdead | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Tied 8 | Mega Man X | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Tied 8 | Super Mario World | 5 | 1 | 83% | 4 | — | — |
| Tied 8 | VVVVVV | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same platformer in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to platformers that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.