Highlights

• Super Mario 64 revolutionized 3D gaming and paved the way for future 3D platformers.
• Luigi's Mansion 3 is a great choice for beginners with its lighthearted story and simple mechanics.
• Yooka-Laylee strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge, perfect for newcomers to the genre.

Super Mario 64 changed video games forever. Although it wasn't the first 3D platforming adventure, it served as a pioneer for 3D gaming, paving the way for decades of fantastic 3D platformers.

Of course, like any other genre of games, 3D platformers contain some more accessible titles to newcomers alongside some brutally difficult ones. If you love this genre of gaming and want to discover some new titles but don't want them to be too difficult, here are some great picks.

Updated February 3, 2024, by Branden Lizardi: Platformers are one of the oldest genres of video games. And even today, that genre continues to thrive. New titles based on hopping and jumping from spot to spot release every day. While some are challenging, many of them are fantastic options for casual gamers or those new to gaming. To keep pace, we have updated this list to include some of the latest and most captivating platformers available.

21 Luigi's Mansion 3

Luigi's Mansion 3 might not be a 3D platformer in the traditional sense. However, it maintains many of the mechanics, quirks, and nuances found in the genre. In his third outing, Luigi must once again rescue Mario and his friends, but this time, he does so in the Last Resort hotel. This looming and spectral hotel offers a bounty of creative areas for Luigi and his slimy counterpart, Gooigi, to vacuum up spooky, cartoony ghosts and solve brain-busting puzzles.

This game is great for beginners to 3D platformers because it features an engaging and lighthearted story, simple mechanics that evolve the more you play as Luigi and Gooigi, and plenty of things to collect along the way. There might not be traditional running and jumping in the game as many other platformers have; however, the sheer level of explorable game world creativity makes it feel like a 3D platformer at times.

20 Mail Mole

Mail Mole is a super charming and unique 3D platforming with a twist: Molty the mail mole moves around the various stages throughout Carrotland by digging. This game doesn't feature the standard movement found in other 3D platformers, but you instead perform quick dashes underground followed by jumping out of the earth, rinse, and repeat.

Molty must take on a bevy of stages in a cozy hub world, one replete with tons of NPCs and hidden secrets, and even a shop to spend carrots (currency) on to buy hats and outfits. Mail Mole is a great 3D platforming jumping-off point since its overall mechanics aren't all that complex. Sure, it takes a minute to get used to the alternative movements. But once you get to grips with it, burrowing and platforming through the stages while collecting food-themed goodies makes for a thrilling and engaging time.

19 Jusant

One of the beauties of platforming games is how casual they can be. You don't need to know complicated plotlines to enjoy hopping from ledge to ledge. But that doesn't mean a platformer can't have an engaging narrative, either. That's exactly what Jusant looks to achieve.

Jusant follows a young boy as he climbs up a massive tower, uncovering secrets along the way. The gameplay blends atmosphere, narrative, puzzles, and platforming in an almost medatative way, making for a fantastic experience for anyone new to the genre, or gaming as a whole.

18 Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 likely needs no introduction, as it was the forerunner to most 3D platforming games. This Nintendo 64 outing took the portly plumber all across the Mushroom Kingdom but in full 3D this time. While the game may look quite archaic by modern gaming standards, it was revolutionary back in the late 90s.

If, for some reason, you have missed out on this gem of a game, you should be sure to remedy that right away. This might be the best game for newcomers to the 3D platforming foray. Even over two decades later, the platforming and movement in this game are top-notch. Getting used to the finicky camera isn't ideal, but every other part of this game, including the stellar level design, wraps you up nicely in 3D platforming goodness.

Fortunately, it's on the Nintendo Switch Online N64 Library, making that one of the easiest ways to play it for yourself.

17 Yooka-Laylee

Yooka-Laylee is a wonderful 3D platformer that was brought to us by Playtonic Games, a team made up of many of the original creators and developers of Banjo-Kazooie. While that bird and bear duo game could easily be mentioned here, Yooka-Laylee better fits the bill for those new to the 3D platforming genre.

Yooka-Laylee, of course, stars Yooka and Laylee, a lizard and bat duo who must platform their way through myriad colorful stages to foil the plans of the evil Capital B. While not an outright perfect platforming game, Yooka-Laylee finds the sweet spot between accessibility and challenge level. One of the best reasons for this is because the game introduces tonics, a system of options that allow you to tailor the game to your liking once you have unlocked a good number of them through simply playing the game.

16 Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Kirby And The Forgotten Land is one of the younger entries on this list, but it absolutely deserves to be mentioned since it's charming, fun, and provides a lengthy experience. Kirby and the Forgotten Land gives players larger explorable areas full of secrets and hidden goodies. Kirby is the star here and is tasked with exploring various biomes, rescuing Waddle Dees, and collecting new powers along the way.

Kirby and the Forgotten Land is great for beginners since it's not a very challenging platforming game overall. You are always given the necessary tools to explore stages, find secret Waddle Dees, and defeat the various bosses, including Meta Knight. The game even has a hub area known as Waddle Dee Town that can be built up over the course of the lengthy adventure. On top of that, you can build power upgrades, play mini-games, and browse the fantastic soundtrack.

15 Psychonauts 2

About a decade and a half after the release of the original Psychonauts game, a sequel was finally made. This was an absolute delight to many fans of the original, who flocked to the sequel immediately. You'll play as Razputin Aquato, who works as a Psychonaut, a spy-like character that enters people's minds to help with their trauma and mental health.

With a great narrative, fantastic visual style, and fun and engaging platforming, Psychonauts 2 is like a love letter to the original. It expands on many of its mechanics while keeping it true to the original's gameplay and style. Whether you're a veteran platforming expert or a newcomer to the genre, you can't go wrong with Psychonauts 2.

14 De Blob 2

While the De Blob games never really broke headlines, they still manage to be one of the better examples of the fun and creative ways that a game can blend new and old concepts to create a fun and memorable experience. The world you live in is taken over by a militaristic antagonist with the intention of draining the entire world of color. Your job: return color and fight back by splatting yourself against everything you can.

You can change your own color, which changes the color of any object you touch, in turn. Using these mechanics, you solve various puzzles and save the day. Even more, the colors you choose and how prominent they become will determine which instruments are present in the fast and funky jazz soundtrack. The whole game is a dynamic and good-feeling experience that doesn't take a lot of gaming prowess to get the hang of.

You don't need an old-gen console to play it, either. The game was ported to Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4 in 2018.

13 Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

A mix between a platformer and a third-person shooter, Rift Apart is another entry in a long-beloved series. This game features mechanics that show off the technical capabilities of the PS5, something it's been widely praised for. You'll play as both Ratchet and his dimensional counterpart Rivet, with each exploring different worlds.

Like other titles in the series, Rift Apart excels at chaotic, hectic gameplay with tight platforming, unique mechanics, and interesting, developed characters. It might not be the easiest game on this list, but it's one that beginners and long-time platformer fans can enjoy.

12 Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

This game is unique in that it removes one of the main features of a platformer: jumping! In Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, you are confined to the ground, save for certain sections where you can fall down to a lower level. There's no jumping whatsoever, a stark departure from the parent Mario series, in which the titular character is known for jumping (Mario's original name was even Jumpman).

You'll take the role of Captain Toad or Toadette, navigating mini-isometric worlds. By solving puzzles and platforming challenges, you'll move around each world collecting treasure. The Switch version has two-player co-op, providing an absolute blast for you and another person. It's a great choice for parents to play with their kids, as it's easy enough for kids without being boring for adults.

11 Battle For Bikini Bottom — Rehydrated

This game is a reboot of the original 2003 title, and it brings all the same wacky SpongeBob charm with challenging but accessible platforming. Licensed video games don't always hit the mark, but the SpongeBob games often do, with Battle for Bikini Bottom often considered one of the best titles in the franchise.

It has all the hallmarks of a great platformer: collectibles, extra side challenges, and characters with different abilities. Rehydrated also includes some content that was cut from the original, as well as a multiplayer horde battle mode for an extra challenge.

10 Fall Guys

While many 3D platformers are limited to one or two players, Fall Guys is the exact opposite. In it, you'll face off against several dozen other people, each vying for the winner spot in all the battle royale goodness you could hope for. You and your opponents will battle it out in several rounds of obstacle courses and platforming challenges, with the best moving on and the rest being eliminated. Eventually, one person will be crowned the winner.

If you love platformers, you'll probably have a blast with Fall Guys. You'll have to traverse several different platforming challenges, all while navigating the frantic and hilarious challenge of beating the other players to the crown.

You don't need to be an expert in platforming games to get into this one, as it's widely accessible to the masses and completely free, with many non-gamers getting into it and having a blast.

9 Pumpkin Jack

Get yourself in the spooky Halloween mood any time of year with this fantastic indie title. Rather than taking on the role of the hero to finish off the big bad guy at the end, you'll play the role of the villain: Pumpkin Jack, an Ichabod Crane-like character sent by the Devil himself into a cursed world.

You'll need to master an armory of weapons, platforming challenges at dizzying heights, and challenging boss fights. This one's a bit scarier, so it's not necessarily for kids, but definitely accessible for beginners and challenging enough to be exciting to veterans, too.

8 Banjo-Kazooie

Another retro gaming classic, Banjo-Kazooie was the primary rival to Super Mario 64 in the 64 era. Following the titular bear and bird, you have to save your sister (and everyone else) from the local witch. How? By running around various environments and collecting puzzle pieces called "Jiggys," of course. It offered an open-world platforming experience with a tremendously unique art style and sound direction.

Banjo-Kazooie was a major player in the establishment of core platformer concepts. Collectathons, unlockable abilities, open-world platforming, and a cast of silly characters to give you random challenges; it had them all. It may not have invented them, but it's part of why we still see its influence today in games like A Hat In Time. Those new to gaming may want to give this a try, if only to get an idea of where gaming once was.

7 It Takes Two

If you're with a friend or family member and the two of you are looking for something to play together, It Takes Two is an absolutely great choice. This acclaimed platformer is a total gem, keeping the couch co-op fun alive in a world of increasingly online multiplayer gameplay.

In it, you and your partner will play as May and Cody, a married couple who have found themselves in a bit of a rough patch. Their daughter Rose accidentally turns them into dolls, and they'll have to work together to navigate a world in Honey I Shrunk The Kids-style scale. Along the way, Cody and May will rediscover their love for one another, all while overcoming challenging platforming obstacles. While the game is totally accessible to the average person, you'll need to make sure you can work together with your co-op partner, as this game revolves around the cooperation between two people.

6 Lil Gator Game

Whether you're young or just new to the platforming world, Lil Gator Game is a great way to get a taste of what the classics can inspire. It's an open-world RPG of sorts, where you can meet interesting characters, go on quests, craft and customize, and more, all at your leisure.

A self-described "no-pressure adventure game," Lil Gator game does away with health bars and high-skill circumstances. The overall game is designed more around exploration and adventure, making it a perfect choice for anyone wanting a stress-free, easy-to-approach game to break into the 3D platforming genre.

5 New Super Lucky's Tale

Released in 2019, New Super Lucky's Tale is an upgraded version of Super Lucky's Tale. You'll control Lucky Swiftail, a young fox on a journey to defeat the traitorous Jinx. One of Lucky's abilities is burrowing. In addition to the 3D levels, there are also traditional side-scrolling ones as well.

The levels in New Super Lucky's Tale are bright and welcoming, and the platforming is very enjoyable. The non-linear 3D areas are well-designed and easy for newcomers to navigate. The 3D levels are small enough to not overstay their welcome but are still big enough for a little exploration. It's a great, wholesome game, especially for kids.

4 A Hat In Time

It can't be described how underrated A Hat In Time is. This game is fantastic and absolutely engaging. Cute, well-designed, and just plain fun, A Hat in Time was originally released in 2017 and funded through Kickstarter. The story follows Hat Kid as she finds all the Time Pieces fallen from her ship. The game's unique factor is the hats. Hat Kid gains access to different hats as she finds yarn to stitch with. The main hat keeps an eye on the goal, another can shoot magic blasts, and so on.

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about A Hat in Time is that no world feels quite the same. Mafia Town is open-world, with buildings to jump around. Battle of the Birds features a parody of Murder on the Orient Express.

The game can also serve as an introduction to survival horror. Yes, one mission has Hat Kid carefully navigating a manor, hiding when necessary against a ghoulish villain with frightening music as she closes in. A Hat in Time is also elevated by the Time Rift sections, a number of which are basically easier versions of Super Mario Sunshine's secret levels.

With a welcoming art style, great bosses, and music, A Hat In Time brings back everything that made the classic platformers so fun. There are even two rounds of DLC that add full new worlds to the game, with the Nyakuza Metro having a particularly cool aesthetic. Longtime gamers will reminisce while playing, and newcomers will want to seek out other games like it.

3 Super Mario Odyssey

It should come as no surprise to see Super Mario Odyssey here. The game plays similarly to other Mario adventures, with one big difference: Cappy. Mario can possess other characters with his new hat buddy, granting the hero special abilities. Super Mario Odyssey returns to the Super Mario 64 format of having open-ended levels. This time, Bowser has kidnapped Peach and intends to marry her. Mario will have to journey across diverse kingdoms and battle dangerous bosses (including a dragon!) to save his princess.

Many will debate if Super Mario Odyssey is better than Super Mario 64, but one thing's certain: Odyssey is more suitable for newcomers to the genre. Whereas Super Mario 64 can be frustrating at times, Odyssey is an inviting romp all the way through. The game introduces Cappy's mechanic in the opening Cap Kingdom. Soon after, possessing characters with Cappy becomes second nature. Another advantage this game has is the sheer number of Power Moons to collect. Where SM64 had 120 Stars, Odyssey has almost a thousand.

The kingdoms are colorful, from the beautiful Lake Kingdom to the bustling Metro Kingdom. Nintendo's first-party games typically have a high level of quality. Super Mario Odyssey is a prime example, serving as an excellent gateway into the realm of 3D platforming.

2 Sackboy: A Big Adventure

The Little Big Planet series has always been absolutely fantastic, but it reached new heights with its spinoff title Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Whereas the original series is 2.5D, this newer title for the PS4 and PS5 is a fully 3-dimensional platformer. And it's an incredible one at that. It can't even be accurately summarized how cool this game is. It has the typical charm of the LBP series: levels made from objects in creative ways, an overwhelming number of customization options, a charming storyline, and much more.

In this title (especially on the PS5 version), the graphics are breathtaking — the textures on objects like carpet and burlap will absolutely blow you away. In typical LBP fashion, the creativity in the level design is almost unbelievable, but with these graphics, it's a whole other level. Plus, to make it all even better, Sackboy's adventure is totally accessible to any beginner. Kids will love it, but so will adults. It has a unique charm and is addictively fun to play.