10 Best Platforming Games on Xbox Game Pass (2024)

When it comes to video games, some of the most fun and memorable moments come from platformer games. Remember dodging barrels in Donkey Kong, or zipping through the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario? Well, platformers are still packing a punch, bringing us heaps of fun on modern consoles like the Xbox. Let's dive in and see the ten best platforming games on Xbox Game Pass that are keeping the flag flying high for the genre.

10. Dead Cells

Dead Cells is the challenge of a hectic action platformer where you explore an ever-changing castle to defeat all its enemies and traps. It is essentially a game where you control the character who fights through levels with different weapons and skills. Combat is fast and sharp with rapid action, requiring players to time attacks, dodge, and remain alert for survival. Levels do regenerate with randomization and differ upon every play through. It is simple to jump, roll, and attack; therefore, the flow is smooth during the gameplay. Mostly, you have to defeat enemies and enter new areas with secrets on the way.

9. Have a Nice Death

Have a Nice Death is a fast-action platformer where players have to control Death, combating his way through different levels full of enemies and tough bosses. The game focuses on quick combat; hence a player needs to dodge attacks and strike back. Death uses various weapons and spells to defeat his enemies in different ways. Each level contains challenging new tasks, keeping gameplay fun and interesting. Here, the players can jump, dash, and move through each level smoothly, so the game feels rather fast and thrilling.

8. Jusant

Jusant is a distinct climbing game where players will climb this huge tower in a very realistic climbing manner. Gameplay is planning each move cautiously, all while managing stamina and getting through tricky paths. Moreover, the use of tools such as ropes to secure the player and swing across gaps introduces a strategy element. Meanwhile, intuitive controls allow players to feel absolutely in control of the situation while progressing. Crucially, timing plays a big role in this, and hence requires players to balance speed and caution on the way up.

7. Neon Abyss

Neon Abyss is an action platformer fast-paced and extremely challenging. Players will dive into dungeons randomly generated full of enemies and obstacles. The main objective of this game is to shoot, dodge, and jump through rooms and battle the different unique enemies wave after wave. Items acquired throughout the journey include extremely powerful items and weapons, and every single item drastically changes gameplay in unexpected ways. Combat is quick and requires good timing to stay alive. Every run is a unique experience since the layout changes with each run.

6. Planet of Lana

Planet of Lana is a side-scrolling platformer that focuses on cooperation and puzzle-solving. In this game, the player controls Lana with her companion Mui and has to navigate around and through obstacles. Lana, in the first place, can jump, climb, and explore the environment while Mui can reach areas Lana cannot. The players, in order to progress, will have to carefully combine the action of both characters, often creatively, to solve puzzles. This is a game of exploration and problem-solving for the final outcome: guiding Lana and Mui to unlock certain paths or discover new areas.

5. Terraria

Terraria is one of those games where the player explores an enormous 2D world, gathers resources, and builds things. You are given basic tools to dig, chop wood, and gather resources. Along the way, you will have different types of enemies; hence you need to fight to remain safe. When you discover more resources, you will be able to craft better tools and weapons. A player can go deep into the underground earth to get hidden treasures and face strong bosses. In short, the game revolves around exploring, building, and surviving in an ever-changing world.

4. Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition

Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition is a cozy game that sees players take on the role of Stella – a young spirit guide tasked with helping lost souls transition to the afterlife. You manage a boat, collect resources, cook food, and take care of the needs of spirits. It involves island exploration, collecting items, and doing small tasks for the spirits. There are some light platforming elements, but it is still focused on completing tasks and creating a comfortable environment.

3. INSIDE

The world of INSIDE is mysterious and full of puzzling challenges. Players are a young boy who moves through dangerous areas, avoiding traps and solving problems to advance. A game with basic mechanics — running, jumping, and moving objects. However, obstacles and enemies come in frequently, so one must think quickly and find ways to overcome every threat.

2. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is the collection of three platformer games where the player takes on the role of Crash. The player helps Crash jump over gaps, avoid obstacles, and smash crates to collect items. The game is more about timing and quick moves in getting through the tricky levels. In each level, there are different challenges, such as dodging traps and outsmarting the enemies. The objective is to get to the end of the level while collecting the maximum rewards.

1. Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition is one of the best platformers out there. A large underground world is available for exploration, full of enemies, secrets, and hidden paths. The game centers around precise movement-jumping, dodging, and attacking to stay alive. Combat is all about skill as players learn enemy patterns to survive. The world is connected like a giant maze, so players often return to areas and find new routes. The game becomes quite challenging as you progress, so exploring is both exciting and challenging.

So, what do you think about our list of the best platforming games on Xbox Game Pass? Are there other titles you believe deserve a mention? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here.