10. Yooka-Laylee
The bright colours, simple character design and silly humour of Yooka-Laylee makes this throwback platformer a delightful little game, especially for younger players. As the titular chameleon and bat duo, players explore a variety of richly designed worlds to stop a nefarious villain – but the game really comes into its own with cooperative multiplayer and a host of minigames for up to four, making the game a good old fashioned bit of couch fun.
9. Crash Bandicoot 4
Amusingly subtitled “It’s About Time”, this highly anticipated return to form for the beloved bandicoot is easily one of the finest platformers on the Xbox One. With new gameplay features and mechanics including the ability to harness the power of Quantum Masks which can alter levels, overcome obstacles and more. Stunningly beautiful and packed with all the traits that make the games so celebrated, this entry in the Crash Bandicoot saga is a must-have.
8. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
This stunning platformer transports players into vast and strikingly beautiful environments on an emotional and engaging adventure. As you encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel Ori’s destiny, prepare to marvel as the game’s stunning visuals transport you to another world. This is quite simply one of the most beautiful games ever made and plays wonderfully from start to finish.
7. Sonic Colors: Ultimate
This interstellar adventure delivers all of the usual speedy Sonic mayhem as you blast through challenging worlds and manoeuver through, under and over hazardous obstacles. With truly stunning visuals packed with colour and character, and some of the most deceptively simple gameplay for young players to enjoy, Sonic Colors: Ultimate is an essential title for gamers of all ages.
6. Crash Bandicoot N-Sane Trilogy
Collecting the iconic first 3 games from the Crash Bandicoot series, The N-Sane Trilogy boasts over 100 levels of exciting platforming gameplay. Stunningly remastered with gorgeous visuals, Crash has never looked so pretty. The games, of course, speak for themselves – they are among the best games ever made, let alone just platformers. Spin, run and jump your way through the flawless trilogy and you will feel like a child again.
5. Shovel Knight
Though it may appear overly simplistic on the surface, Shovel Knight’s nostalgic charm and captivating gameplay make this one of the best platformers on the Xbox One console. Crowdfunded on Kickstarter, this passionate NES homage is addictive fun that bursts off the screen with a feeling that this has been made by a developer who truly loves the genre. Shovel Knight is totally worth digging out!
4. Spyro Reignited Trilogy
The Spyro: Reignited Trilogy collects the first three games in the beloved series, remastered to an incredible standard by a team that is clearly very passionate for the franchise. The wonderful, colourful and varied worlds on offer in this faithful recreation of the iconic trilogy feature evolving gameplay and charming humour, making for a wonderful set of adventures and a wonderfully nostalgic trip into the heyday of platform gaming. A real treat.
3. Unravel: Yarny Bundle
Easily one of the most adorable and beautifully animated worlds in platform gaming, the Unravel games takes you on a larger-than-life puzzle/platformer adventure as the loveable Yarny. Made entirely of yarn, you explore and use your body to create rope, forming bridges, pulling objects and swinging in your environment. The game’s simplistic approach and gorgeous visuals make this an absolute delight, with the Yarny Bundle combining both incredible games in the series.
2. Rayman Legends
The charming world of Rayman bursts off the screen in this stunning update, taking the franchise’s graphics to the next level thanks to a combination of 2D and 3D gameplay elements. With a wonderful story mode (featuring a brilliant 4-player co-op option) and excellent mini-games and player customisation, Rayman Legends lives up to its title and reminds us just why the series is so legendary.
1. It Takes Two
Playable only in either online or offline co-op like A Way Out, this meticulously crafted platformer is a stunning example of multiplayer gaming packed with intricate puzzles and a genuine sense of adventure and fun. This is a truly remarkable game that not only rewards but demands teamwork, creating an experience that is unparalleled in the cooperative platformer subgenre of gaming.
