With so many platformers releasing as of late, it’s hard to gauge which are the ones to keep an eye on. Now that the juggernaut, Hollow Knight Silksong – which we called a masterpiece in our review – is finally in the rear view mirror, developers can more comfortably release new IP platformers into the saturated market. At least until the DLC arrives.
As we look forward to an incredibly exciting year in gaming – including 35 exciting games we’re eagerly waiting for here at Gamer Social Club – platforming genre fans should be eating very good in 2026. The age-old gameplay design of moving mostly from left, to right will never tire. It is the way that many of us were initiated with gaming and for good reason. Platformers are fun, accessible and somehow to continue to offer unique gameplay innovations 41 years after Super Mario Bros.
Here are six platformers that you should keep your eyes on this year.
Reanimal
- Developer: Tarsier Studios
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Release Date: February 13 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC (Steam)
The creators of the original Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares 2 are back with a brand-new horror platforming adventure this year. Heavily inspired by the first two Little Nightmares games, Reanimal is a co-operative platformer with players handling a brother and sister duet on their hellish journey to rescue missing friends.
If you caught glimpse of a trailer, it would be easy to think that this is just another Little Nightmares game. Though, given the lukewarm reception to Little Nightmares 3, Reanimal looks to the bleak and grim nature of its inspiration to recapture the quality of its origins.
If you prefer to play games alone fear not (though a held hand may be advised for this one), as despite being a dual character game, it is entirely playable single player too. If you want to check it out now, there is a demo available now on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
Replaced
- Developer: Sad Cat Studios
- Publisher: Thunderful Publishing
- Release Date: March 12 2026
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, PC (Steam)
Replaced was revealed to the world years ago, it has been so long in development that it was originally scheduled to be an Xbox One title, though now it is launching on the Xbox Series X/S.
Sad Cat Studios’ pixel art cyberpunk action adventure oozes style. If CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk was adapted to be a darker pixelated game, it would look something like this. With gameplay that features Limbo-like platforming, enemy ass kicking and even train riding, Replaced has every card to be a 2.5D romp.
There is a potentially gripping story in Replaced too. Playing as AI, R.E.A.C.H., we are tasked with uncovering the dark and mysterious secrets of the rogue Phoenix Corporation. The alt-1980s post-nuclear America location is one I cannot wait to explore.
Replaced will also be in Xbox Game Pass when it launches in March.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake
- Developer: Ubisoft
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC – with more expected
Replaced isn’t the only game in this list with a turbulent development. Price of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake once had a release date of January 2021. Five years since then, the game still hasn’t arrived and a release date is yet to be announced. In a recent Ubisoft earnings report, the company stated the game would arrive during Q4 2025-26, therefore the game should arrive imminently. Alas, a release date currently remains TBC.
The remake of 2003 classic, The Sands of Time is an eagerly anticipated platformer which should be loaded with time-bending, sword slashing quality. As one of the first games I played on the PlayStation 2, the time rewinding and wall running mechanics were groundbreaking for their time. How Ubisoft will have engineered this for modern audiences remains to be seen as the game has re-entered development many times.
However, the series is on an incredible high at the moment. My personal 2024 Game of the Year, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was an incredibly well made Metroidvania that had some of the best character movement of this generation. Meanwhile, Rogue Price of Persia gives a slightly different take on the classic formula, adding a roguelike run-based style to the mix.
The Sands of Time has excellent foundations, in 2026 we will find out whether Ubisoft have left the sand timer pouring long enough to make this a great, once again.
Darwin’s Paradox!
- Developer: ZDT Studio
- Publisher: Konami
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)
There aren’t many games where we get to play as an octopus, but it begs the question, why not?! Eight legs to wrap around some poor enemy’s face, or the ability to spit ink and create a slippery floor, imagine the possibilities!
ZDT Studios’ breakout title, Darwin’s Paradox! is one we’ve been watching closely at Gamer Social Club as it shapes up to be a very exciting 2.5D adventure. As Darwin the blue and orange octopus, we will be torn from our beautiful salty ocean and taken through a terrifying industrial complex full of secrets, danger and fun.
In our article where we shared gameplay for Darwin’s Pardox, we said the adventure looks ‘almost Pixar-like’ with its cutesy design. Though, don’t be fooled by that as Darwin will need to escape fishmongers, seafood processing machines and more on his perilous journey.
We don’t have a release date yet, but this should certainly be on your radar.
Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
- Developer: Nintendo
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Release Date: Spring 2026
- Platforms: Switch 2
It would be nigh on impossible to complete a platforming list without a Nintendo title. Switch 2 hit its platforming stride with GSC Game of Year nominee, Donkey Kong Bananza – which we scored a rare 10/10 in our review. But with no mainline Mario title on the horizon thus far, attention turns to his lovable green dino companion, Yoshi to carry the mantle for the meantime.
The 2.5D follow up to 2019’s Switch title, Yoshi’s Crafted World sees the return of the long-tongued, often hungry dinosaur with Yoshi and the Mysterious Book. In the game, Yoshi will help the Mysterious Book understand the contents of their pages with classic Yoshi mechanics like hovering, ground pounding and grabbing with your tongue all returning.
Par for the course for Nintendo games, it is likely we will see a Nintendo Direct in the run-up to launch revealing much more about the game.
The Eternal Life of Goldman
- Developer: Weappy Studio
- Publisher: THQ Nordic
- Release Date: 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC
If you’re into the more challenging kind of platformer, The Eternal Life of Goldman is the one of these six to be keeping tabs on. At last weeks New Game+ showcase, the latest gameplay trailer for the hand-drawn title debuted and it seems this will be quite a challenging 2D adventure. The developers have confirmed previously that this is their intention, whether or not we’re looking at Cuphead levels of insanity will be apparent when the demo arrives as part of Steam Next Fest in February.
Old man protagonist, Goldman’s story will take us on an archipelago hunt to kill the evil unknown entity, known only as ‘The Deity’. Locations include volcanoes, caverns and wonderful mansion-like buildings on the islands. The art design is wonderful and the game has a rain forest of colour, much like the greatest in its genre.
The Eternal Life of Goldman has been in the oven for some time and I can’t wait to get hands on next month.
And with that, that’s six platformers that you should have on your 2026 radar. If we see new Sonic and Mario games this year too, this could be one of the best platforming years ever.
What platformers are you excited for this year? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below or join the friendly and active Gamer Social Club Discord to chat about all your favourite platformers.
