When most people think about the best platformers, their minds immediately turn to the best Switch games. While the Xbox Series X is certainly home to some of the best FPS, open-world, and co-op games, it also has a strong library of platformers. These range from kid-friendly adventures where the challenge and tone are light, to more demanding tests of your precision and even providing some deep storylines. In fact, between the 2D and 3D offerings, you’re spoiled for choice on Xbox for amazing platformers if you know where to look. If you would rather jump right into the action with your next favorite platformer, here are our picks for the best ones you can play on Xbox Series X.
If you are a Game Pass subscriber, make sure to check if any are currently on the service to save some cash!
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Psychonauts 2
89%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Double Fine Productions
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
August24, 2021
Coming from the brilliant minds at DoubleFine,Psychonauts 2 is a 3D platformer that ties every part of its design with its themes of mental health. You play as a Psychonaut named Raz with the ability to enter people’s minds which serve as the game’s various levels. This leads to some of the most creative and unexpected level designs you will find in a game, ranging from a world filled with teeth to a giant bowling alley. You start out with some basic platforming moves but will get new powers and attacks as you beat levels and find collectibles. Speaking of collectibles, there are a ton but not in the annoying sense. Like the world and its characters, even the items you find in Psychonauts 2 are full of charm and heart.
Psychonauts 2 // Official First Trailer
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Celeste
87%
Platforms
Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Extremely OK Games
Publisher
Maddy Makes Games
Release
January25, 2018
For a while, every other indie game coming out was adopting an 8 or 16-bit art style. Some used it to try and cash in on nostalgia for the early console generations, but a game like Celeste stands on its own two feet as an outstanding game. Mechanically, you’d be hard-pressed to find a 2D platformer as tight as this. You have a few basic moves, like jumping, dashing, and clinging to walls, but are forced to push them to the limit to overcome devious obstacles. The game throws new environmental elements at you at every turn, and extra challenges to collect all the strawberries and complete the B-side levels. Wrap it all up in a touching personal story and you have a modern classic.
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Sonic Mania
84%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Headcannon, PagodaWest Games, Christian Whitehead, Sega Games
Publisher
Sega Games
Release
August15, 2017
There are more Sonic games now than ever but the one we keep going back to is Sonic Mania. This is the first time a 2D Sonic has felt as good as the old Genesis games since the move to 3D. Running, rolling, jumping, and bouncing through the multi-layered levels is fast and thrilling without any frustrating moments of colliding with something you couldn’t see coming. You will get a nice blend of old and new stages here, as well as some of the best boss fights in the series. If you ever had any love for those old Sonic games, Sonic Mania was made specifically for you.
Sonic Mania interview - Sega lets independent developers take the reigns
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
81%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
October02, 2020
Reviving a franchise after decades is always a risk, but even more so when it isn’t the original developers. A new Crash game sounded like it could never work, but Crash 4 proved us all wrong. Not only is there still plenty of life left in this particular style of linear 3D platformer, but it also has a ton of new tricks up its sleeve that set it apart from anything else. Just like the original games, however, Crash 4 is brutal. Do not expect to beat this game without hitting a few walls, let alone go for the full 100% completion. If you’re ready to take on that level of struggle and overcome it, Crash 4 will reward your efforts.
Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time – Gameplay Launch Trailer
A Hat in Time
84%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Gears for Breakfast
Publisher
Gears for Breakfast, Humble Games
Release
October05, 2017
We will never say never, but there’s no point in expecting any Mario games on an Xbox any time soon. That’s totally fine because we at least have A Hat in Time. This is a 3D Mario game in all but name. You will explore gorgeous hub worlds that are built like playgrounds to use all your platforming tools to find secrets, fight enemies, and gather collectibles. This is an indie game, though, so it isn’t on the same scale as something like a Mario Odyssey.That said, it masters the movement and never feels overwhelming even if you want to do and see everything it has to offer.
A Hat in Time Gameplay (PC HD)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove
85%
Platforms
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Linux, Nintendo 3DS, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Wii U, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie
Developer
Yacht Club Games
Publisher
Yacht Club Games, Nintendo
Release
December09, 2019
The Kickstarter game that just keeps giving, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight package all wrapped up into one game. Taking heavy inspiration from the best NES games like Mega Man, Ducktales,andCastlevania,Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is so much more than just an homage. The world, music, characters, and mechanics all feel at home and intentional rather than just being there to tickle your nostalgia. The base game is a brilliant action platformer on its own, but the added campaigns and DLC add up to almost two additional games’ worth of content. Of all the games on this list, you can feel the love the developers poured into this game the most.
Shovel Knight: Specter Of Torment - Trailer
It Takes Two
89%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Hazelight Studios
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
March25, 2021
Most people will sing the praises of It Takes Two for being one of the best co-op games, which is true. However, we don’t want to sell the game short for just how great of a platformer it is. You will always have your basic movement and jump options available, but a ton of the new temporary abilities you get across the game all add new layers to your traversal. The fact that you typically also need to coordinate with your partner to be effective makes clearing a tricky section even more rewarding than having just done it alone. The only possible downside to It Takes Two is right there in the name — you need two people to play it. If you don’t have a partner ready to go, there’s no single-player option whatsoever.
It Takes Two Official Reveal Trailer
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Smite 2 roles, explained
Smite 2 sticks to most of what made the first Smite so successful, including all of the basic gameplay mechanics and design philosophies the popular MOBA is best known for. However, this sequel has changed the way roles work, doing away with the original's class-based design in favor of a loose and flexible system that allows you to use any god in any role if you build and play them correctly. While there are still gods best suited for certain roles, the creativity this extra freedom allows can be very rewarding for new and returning players alike. Here's what you need to know about each role in Smite 2.
Solo
The Solo roster is comprised of characters designed for, well, the Solo lane. Because this is a 1v1 lane, your goal is to clear waves more quickly while also dealing as much damage to your opponent as possible. Because you need to equally be able to survive their incoming attacks, you'll generally want to focus on a Bruiser-style build, which consists of both offensive and defensive items. Counterbuilding is more important here than in nearly any other role, as you'll spend quite a lot of time engaged in a battle of attrition seeing who can force the other person out of the lane to score a few hits on a tower. Later in the game, you'll become a frontliner alongside the Support to help control the flow of teamfights.
Recommended god for newbies:
Chaac offers low cooldowns, solid lane clear, and a powerful area-of-effect ult that is easy to land and silences foes momentarily. He also has sustainability via an ability that self-heals.
Jungle
The Jungle role is among the hardest to master in Smite 2, as you'll spend your time rotating around the map and learning when you need to rush to the aid of your teammates. This is a job for those who enjoy playing as an assassin of sorts by ganking enemy players from each of the three lanes. However, it's not as easy as just being a killing machine because you'll also need to quickly and consistently farm jungle camps throughout the map while you plan to make those moves on out-of-position foes. If you aren't clearing camps (or have them stolen by the enemy Jungler), you'll fall behind in level and make things more difficult on your team. It can take quite some time to learn how to play Jungle effectively, but when you do, you can turn the tides of a match in mere moments.
Recommended god for newbies:
Thor offers an easy-to-hit stun and straightforward kit designed to deal huge damage. Additionally, his ultimate ability allows him to cover a lot of ground to catch unsuspecting opponents.
Middle
The Middle role is among the most important in a match of Conquest because the Middle lane is a central convergence spot for large team pushes. Your goal here is to clear your lane very quickly and keep your opponent pushed back to their tower as much as possible so that your team can use your lane as a way to cross back and forth to other lanes without much fear of repercussions. Winning the Middle lane can often be what leads your group to victory, as it will funnel both teams to the center of the map to engage in a large-scale battle that, if your team plays well, could result in a deicide (team wipe) for your foes. In the late-game, this is likely to give you a chance to take down their titan and wrap up the match.
Recommended god for newbies:
Kukulkan has excellent lane clearing capabilities, an attack that slows foes hit, and a very hard-hitting ultimate ability. His dash can also let him get in and out of engagements quickly.
Support
The Support role is exactly what it sounds like: supporting your team and setting them up for success. You'll begin matches in the Duo lane with your Carry, but as the match progresses and they're clearing the lane alone, you'll need to move around the map to assist others, too. Support gods tend to have abilities that lock enemies down or displace them so that your team can dish out massive damage. Depending on the god, though, you may also need to help via healing or bolstering your team with stat-boosting abilities. Your job as a Support isn't to earn the largest damage numbers at the end of a match, but you'll be every bit as important to your team's success as those who do.
Recommended god for newbies:
Khepri provides a lot of control opportunities via a stun and a grab, both of which are fairly easy to land. Plus, his ultimate ability can be used to save himself or another player from death.
Carry
The Carry role is designed to provide your team with a deadly damage dealer that can quite literally carry the team to victory in the late-game. Your goal is to begin in Duo lane with a Support and work diligently at scoring a few early kills while farming your lane. In most cases, you won't be majorly powerful in that early part of the match, but your damage will begin to ramp up rapidly after you've built 3-4 items, allowing you to spring into action in later teamfights and rapidly destroy your opponents. All of this damage will help you take down objectives quickly as well, making you a vital component of your team's strategy beginning around the 15-20 minute mark and beyond as they work hand-in-hand with you to shred through anything in your path.
Recommended god for newbies:
Cupid can provide support for himself and others via healing, has a dash for quick escapes, and can dish out solid auto-attack damage. His wide area-of-effect ultimate ability can even slow enemies down for big damage opportunities.
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Is Smite 2 cross-platform?
MOBA games tend to be some of the best PC games, but they tend not to work on consoles. However, much likeValorant and Path of Exile 2, Smite 2 is embracing the console space. Featuring a huge cast of legendary Gods and other legendary figures, this is one of the most approachable games in the genre. The first game is on our list of all cross-platform games, but can the same be said about its free-to-play sequel? Here's everything you need to know about Smite 2's cross-platform support.
Is Smite 2 cross-platform?
Even before Smite 2 left its early access period, we knew the good news that it supports full crossplay support on all platforms. Currently, that includes PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. While the first game was available on the Switch, it seems this sequel is a bit too big for that console, but there is a good chance it comes to the Switch 2 when that eventually releases.
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Xbox’s next Developer Direct will spotlight Doom: The Dark Ages and more
Xbox has confirmed that another Developer_Direct will take place later this month, offering use new looks at games like Doom: The Dark Ages, South of Midnight, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Plus, we'll see a "brand new game" from a mystery studio sometime during the showcase.
January 2025's Developer_Direct will take place on official Xbox social media channels at 10 a.m. PT on January 23. It's the latest iteration of a type of showcase that Xbox began in 2023, which is meant to give us a deeper look at upcoming Xbox games and the studios behind them. Hi-Fi Rushfamously shadow-dropped after the first Developer_Direct, and previous shows have also featured games like Indiana Jones and the Great Ciricle, Minecraft Legends, Forza Motorsport, Redfall, Avowed, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, Visions of Mana, and Ara: History Untold.
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