When I sat down to write a first draft of this article, I was worried that I was going to struggle to fill it. I really shouldn’t have worried because not only is this article absolutely crammed full of great platform games, but I also had to leave a load of edge cases on the cutting room floor.
There are some seriously incredible roguelike and roguelite platform games out there, and this article is going to dive into a variety of expressions of the formula, from 2D side-scrollers to 3D parkour adventures. That way, I think there’ll be something for everyone.
So get your feet firmly planted on the ground and get ready to jump into an extended list of platform games and side-scrollers, all of which bring a bit of proc-gen, a load of cool gadgets, gizmos and special abilities, and more than a few spike-filled pits just waiting to send you back to the beginning.
Spelunky | Mossmouth | 2013 | PC (Win), PlayStation, Switch, Xbox
The Spelunky games get top billing in this feature because, without them, the first game in particular, we wouldn’t be here right now, sharing this list of side-scrolling rogues. Despite showing their age a bit now, these are still excellent games, and I’d argue that the lack of a robust meta-progression system is the only thing that’s missing.
The first game went through a couple of iterations, and it was the game’s console release, back on the old Xbox 360 if memory serves, that really put Spelunky on the map. The upgraded graphics helped get people on board; however, it was the challenging platforming and sheer novelty of the roguelite systems that ensured its place in gaming history.
Up until Spelunky, nobody outside of a few hardcore enthusiasts was even thinking about how roguelike design might impact indie game development, but now roguish gameplay has become ubiquitous.
FWIW, Spelunky 2 is just as good; bigger and better in some ways, but less impactful in others. Still, I love it, even if the first game gets the nod here because of the influence it has had on the genre as a whole.
Dead Cells | Motion Twin, Evil Empire | Android, iOS, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
If not Spelunky, then there’s Dead Cells, a true masterpiece that has evolved beautifully over the course of its lifetime, under the guidance of two different studios, no less.
Dead Cells has defined a whole sub-niche of so-called roguevanias, where the core elements of roguelite platforming are fused with the metroidvania genre. That’s a lot of really interesting component parts, but thanks to the wonderful execution, it just works.
Not only is there a huge amount of depth via both paid-for and free content updates, but the spirit of Dead Cells continues to spread into new games, with Motion Twin partnering up with a number of other games to bring their indie darling to new worlds, including…
BlazBlue: Entropy Effect | 91 Act | Android, iOS, PC (Win)
The link will take you to an article about the recent collaboration that saw Dead Cells invade the world of Entropy Effect with a free DLC character and a new roguevania-inspired biome to work through.
Beyond this super-cool crossover of two great games, BlazBlue: Entropy Effect is a splendid side-scrolling beat ’em up with roguelite progression and a really neat gameplay twist that’ll keep you pushing on and developing your roster.
Simply put, you can combine the essence of your previous best efforts with your next character to create unique and exciting builds that slowly scale in power and take you further into the game. Excellent stuff, and it looks awesome, too.
The Best of the Rest
Katanaut | Void Maw | PC (Win)
A more recent release compared to most on this list, Katanaut is a sci-fi horror game that is just as much about combat flow as it is about platforming.
The action is violent and visceral, as you slash through hordes of cosmic horrors on a space station in the grip of a really gnarly Dead Space-inspired outbreak. It doesn’t take long before your actions paint the walls red, but you’ll need to evolve your game as you encounter increasingly challenging terrors.
Absolum | Dotemu | 2025 | PC (Win), PS5, Switch, Xbox
Hot off the press is Absolum, a brand new side-scrolling brawler from Dotemu and friends, which fused intense fisticuffs with a slightly more relaxed approach to roguelite progression.
The upgrades and evolving toolkit take a while to get going, but there are five characters to unlock, and each one plays very differently. The main highlight, for me at least, was the lush presentation and the engaging storytelling, which brought life to an already replayable beat ’em up filled with challenging bosses and stunning visuals.
The Rogue Prince of Persia | Evil Empire | 2025 | PC (Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
Evil Empire has finally stepped out of the shadow of Dead Cells with its own game: The Rogue Prince of Persia. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire!
To be fair to the developer, expectations were met, and they did a sterling job with a game set in a storied and expansive universe. Not only did it feel great to play, but it felt like a Prince of Persia game, and that meant everything to an old-timer like me, who fondly remembers the original games from yesteryear.
Skul: The Hero Slayer | Southpaw Games | 2020 | Android, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
This adorable yet brutal action roguelike is about a little skeleton soldier who must fight back against a bunch of pesky heroes. The secret sauce in Skul is in the name: you get new abilities depending on the head you’re wearing at any given moment.
Beyond this clever central mechanic, the platforming itself is razor sharp and highly playable. This really is a gameplay-first experience, and I’m not recommending it for the story or anything like that. Be prepared to skip a bunch of boring text boxes as you look to get back into one of the most engaging pixel-art platformers in the genre.
The Void Rains Upon Her Heart | Veyeral Games | EA | PC (Win)
It might look a little unpolished compared to some of the games on this ol listicle, but don’t be deceived, there is so much more to The Void Rains Upon Her Heart than first impressions will lead you to believe.
It’s not just a clever name; this is a side-scrolling shooter with real heart. It’s not just a blaster full of death and destruction, but rather the genre conventions are turned on their head to make a game about love and hope.
White Knuckle | Dark Machine Games | EA | PC (Win)
Another atypical platforming experience worth noting is White Knuckle. This one makes the list despite still being in Early Access, which tells you something about the high regard in which we hold the game here at Rogueliker Towers.
White Knuckle is a first-person platform roguelite about climbing out of your prison and avoiding all manner of dangers. The biggest threat is, of course, gravity. If you’re not careful, you’ll find yourself falling into an early grave, but at least you’ll learn from your mistakes and be ready for your next attempt to climb your way to freedom.
Downwell | Moppin | 2015 | Android, iOS, PC (Win), PS, Switch
Heading the other way is one of my all-time favourites. Downwell has been permanently installed on every phone I’ve owned since the game first came out. If I’ve ever got a minute or two to burn and I fancy a quick dive into the abyss, it never lets me down thanks to its impeccable low-fi visual-style and the thrilling gameplay it offers.
This superlative little vertical platformer has you descending deep into an underworld filled with strange creatures, all of which would quite like to kill you. However, you just happen to be wearing a pair of gun-boots, which you use to stomp and shoot your foes as you delve ever deeper underground.
Rogue Legacy 2 | Cellar Door Games | 2022 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
Another true staple of the sub-genre is Rogue Legacy 2, a genealogical roguelite, where you command an entire lineage of heroes.
After each failed run, you return as the next heir of your bloodline that has a completely randomised pool of both positive and negative traits. Using the gold that you’ve obtained, you can upgrade your empire, which unlocks new classes, permanent stat buffs, and new equipment. The gameplay loop is incredibly addictive, and it’s fun to trace back through your previous runs, almost like reviewing your own family tree.
The original Rogue Legacy was another worthy contender for the list, but we decided to give it to the sequel, as it adds 15 new classes, an engaging new relic system, and has a stylish new 2.5D look.
Astral Ascent | Hibernian Workshop | 2023 | PC (Win), PS, Switch
This action-packed platformer is full of zodiac-powered magic, slick gameplay, and challenging boss battles. Not only was Astral Ascent in really good shape at launch, but the follow-up DLC and content updates have turned this into an even more complete action-rogue.
I think the feel of the combat is probably my favourite thing about the game, and it’s really easy to get lost in the flow of battle. That, and I’m a sucker for sweet pixel art graphics, and Astral Ascent somehow manages to feel fresh thanks to the chosen colour palette and the overall design of the characters and world.
Noita | Nolla Games | 2020 | PC (Win)
If you’re after a stern and unflinching challenge, look no further than Noita, a game that demands much but gives even more. This side-scroller is all about using your magic powers to advance through a carefully realised proc-gen world, but the fact that every pixel is simulated is much more than just a gimmick.
The impressive fluid physics and your interactions with the environment make Noita one of the most immersive and memorable action-roguelikes out there, but the razor-sharp learning curve means that it’s not one for the faint-hearted.
Galak-Z | 17-Bit | 2015 | PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS, Switch
Another game that really makes you work for it is Galak-Z, to the extent that the PS4 version I played and fell in love with back in 2015 has since been updated and made more accessible since then, with a new arcade mode added.
What I enjoyed about the game was the regular switching between spaceship and space-mecha. These contrasting gameplay styles and the game’s old school control scheme make Galak-Z feel really unique, and I also really like the sassy, comic book art style and the overall presentation.
Neon Abyss | Vewoo Games | 2020 | PC (Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
With its newly released sequel still running and gunning its way through Early Access, we’ve offered the spotlight to the original Neon Abyss. This neon-drenched roguelite action-platformer delivers frantic close-quarters combat, where mastering your platforming skills is key to dodging the relentless projectiles filling the screen.
The game also has a creature-collecting mechanic, letting you discover eggs across runs and hatch them into unique Hatchmons. These adorable companions fight alongside you, attacking enemies and providing support, and you can even evolve them to boost stats like damage and HP.
Risk of Rain Returns | Hopoo Games | 2023 | PC (Win), Switch
The original impressed back in the day, but it was the transition into 3D in RoR2 that really put Risk of Rain on the map. Risk of Rain Returns is a polished-up remake of the original side-scroller, and I really enjoyed revisiting this reboot.
I think one of the things I like most about RoR is how well the formula flipped from 2D to 3D and now back again into 2D. The spirit that makes this chaotic action rogue feel so great to play is still at the core of things, and if you’ve got a couple of friends close to hand, there aren’t many better co-op experiences out there, in my opinion.
Fury Unleashed | Awesome Games Studio | 2017 | Android, PC (Lin, Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
This violent little platform game not only looks the part, with crisp and chunky cartoon graphics, but it also features a great selection of weapons to play around with – and therein lies the fun. Not only does Fury Unleashed deliver a polished experience, but it also includes local and online co-op, if you’ve got the friends for it.
I’ve spent most of my time playing this particular game on console, where the comic book-style art looks great on the big screen with its striking designs and panel structure. All told, I’ve really enjoyed my time with Fury Unleashed.
Dunjungle | Bruno Bombardi | 2025 | PC (Mac, Win), PS, Switch, Xbox
My final entry is the most recent release at the time of the first iteration of this article. Dunjungle dropped in late 2025, and it did so with one of the most playable roguelite gameplay loops of the year. There are a bunch of different ways that you can make a build work, and the combat is silky smooth, too.
Although Dunjungle has a lot of charm, it’s perhaps not as expansive as some of the other games on this. For me, though, the game’s more limited scope helps set it apart and give this pixelated platformer a clearer, more concise personality.
