1. Oddmar (Free)
2. Dan The Man (Free)
3. Super Cat Tales 2 (Free)
4. Super Mario Run (Free)
5. Dadish (Free)
6. Nameless Cat (Free)
7. Blackmoor 2: The Traitor King (Free)
8. Grimvalor (Free)
9. Dead Cells ($9.99)
10. Dandara ($3.99)

Platformer games are those games whose main objective is for the player to move from one point to another point. In doing so, the user will have to face many obstacles. These obstacles can be a part of the game’s environment, such as drops and falls, uneven terrain which requires you to pull off acrobatic moves, or they can be enemies that you need to fight directly, such as game bosses. The Legend of Zelda and Donkey Kong are some examples from the golden era of platform games.

In this article, we list the ten best platformers for you to play on your Android device in 2023.

1. Oddmar (Free)

Oddmar is a game that frequently ranks with titles like The Banner Saga, Gorogoa, and other similar niche titles that offer amazingly stunning visual aesthetic in addition to an incredibly entertaining gaming experience. The narrative that underpins all three of these games—as well as similar games—is another common thread. Oddmar appears and sounds like a straightforward, unassuming game, and in many ways it is. However, the narrative of Oddmar and the obvious effort put forward by Mobge Ltd, the game’s developer, elevate the title above that of merely another platformer.

The game’s plot centers on Oddmar, a Viking warrior who has been given the enormous responsibility of bringing his entire community back after it mysteriously vanishes. Oddmar, who is typically a selfish oaf, is now saddled with enormous duty and must battle every monster in his path to restoring order to his hamlet. Additionally, by doing this, he will get entry into Valhalla, a magnificent hall in Norse mythology that is set aside for the best warriors. This is the game’s ultimate goal, and in order to assist Oddmar in finding his spot in Valhalla, the player must battle a variety of enemies.

Critics from all over the world have praised the game’s aesthetics, with many describing it as one of the best-looking platformers to ever be released on mobile. This has been said, and it is understandable why. In Oddmar, every single visual component appears to have a specific function, yet at the same time, the visuals are evenly spaced out and the screen doesn’t appear to be overly crowded. The game’s narrative is especially highlighted by the excellently done cut sequences and sound acting. It’s really easy to use the controls. To run and jump, move your finger to the left side of the screen and up from there. You can initiate an attack sequence by tapping the screen to the right; however, Oddmar will launch his catastrophic shield bash if you swipe down while in midair. Given how well the game is made, don’t be shocked if you spend a good few hours immersed in Oddmar’s universe each time you play. The controls seem just as fluid on a controller as they do on the screen.

With over one million downloads, Oddmar is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

2. Dan The Man (Free)

Released by Halfbrick Studios, next on our list of the best Android platformers for 2023 is Dan The Man. A 2D platformer, Dan The Man is a classic beat-em-up game in which you must complete various levels across a variety of worlds with different characteristics. The game involves completing various platforming challenges including fighting sequences where the player is met with a large number of foes that they must defeat in order to move forward. Each world has a boss fight at the end of it. In special rounds, however, the user is faced with waves of enemies – a total of 3 – that they must defeat in order to move on.

The game also features a variety of characters, including the titular Dan, Josie, Barry Steakfries, and others. While Dan and Josie have no special powers, Barry has a shotgun attack with lower damage output. The game also features many different game modes for you to explore, including Survival Mode, Multiplayer Mode, and Adventure Mode. The survival mode is similar to the bonus level modes. In it, the player must survive through endless waves of enemies, and the only way the player loses is if they die, quit, or run out of time. The enemy waves get stronger each round. You can choose the difficulty between three different modes – easy, normal, and hard. These affect how quickly the waves of enemies will get stronger.

Similar to the Survival mode, you must battle endless hordes of enemies in Multiplayer mode too, except you will be competing against other players to see who gets the highest score. There are several other game modes for you to try out, making Dan The Man an amazing game that you will never be bored of.

With over fifty million downloads, Dan The Man is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

3. Super Cat Tales 2 (Free)

Super Cat Tales 2 is the successor to Super Cat Tales by Neutronized. It is a 2D platformer in which you must play the role of Alex the Cat and save Cat Land from a mysterious army of tin soldiers. The game has a multitude of worlds and levels for you to play through.

In total, there are seven worlds with nine levels each, and there are three designated level types in the game. These level types include Main levels, Village levels, and Secret levels. The main levels are marked with numbers on the map, and these levels are the ones where you will have to face enemies and other hazardous creatures. The levels which are marked “8” in each world, which means the final level, also feature bosses who you must fight and win against in order to move on to the next world.

Village levels are usually the fifth level in each world and are marked by a house icon. These levels generally contain no adversaries; instead, you will meet many NPCs with whom you will need to converse. The Secret levels can be found anywhere in the world. They are marked with a “?” sign at the start of the level but aren’t marked on the map. These levels feature specific challenges that you need to complete in order to attain bells.

The game features retro, pixelated graphics as well as a corresponding soundtrack. There are many different levels for you to complete and several cats for you to unlock and play as. The gameplay is simple and easy to use, making Super Cat Tales 2 a really fun platformer to play on your Android device.

With over one million downloads, Super Cat Tales 2 is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

4. Super Mario Run (Free)

Next on our list of the best Android platformers for 2023 is Super Mario Run, part of the beloved Super Mario franchise. The game is a 2D platformer in which Mario runs forward consistently, and in order to avoid obstacles that may cause him to falter, you must tap on the screen to jump. Timing your jumps in the game is the key to winning it since you can pull off impressive stunts mid-air and make your way through impossible obstacles. There are various game modes for you to play through, the main one being the World Tour.

In the World Tour mode, you must run through twenty-four different obstacle courses in order to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s hold. After all the courses are finished, you will find Princess Peach captured in Bowser’s castle, and it is up to you to free her. After freeing the princess, you will gain access to a special nine-course world known as World Star. The next game mode is called Remix 10. These are mini-courses designed to be finished quickly and played one after the other. The conditions of the track change after every course. In Remix 10, the objective is to find Daisy, who is lost somewhere in one of the tracks of Remix 10.

The next mode is called Toad Rally, and in it, you must compete against other players to see who has the most stylish moves. Each move will earn you a certain number of points, and the objective of this game mode is to have the highest number of points at the end, which will win you the match. The final mode is called Kingdom Builder, and in it, you can collect coins and Toads in order to combine buildings and decorations of different kinds to build your own kingdom.

Super Mario Run has many playable characters including Luigi, Yoshi, etc. The graphics are bright and colorful, taking you back to the days of the original Mario games.

With over one hundred million downloads, Super Mario Run is rated 3.9 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

5. Dadish (Free)

Dadish is a cute, minimalistic platformer about a radish who is also a dad. Unfortunately, Dadish has lost his baby radishes, and must now go on a quest to find them. Created by Thomas K Young, Dadish features forty different levels for you to complete. In the game you will find enemies who all share a common feature- they’re all fast food!

Over the forty levels, you must fight four different bosses who will try their best to keep you from passing through, but like a brave and loving father, you must beat all your fast food foes and find your forty baby radishes and bring them back home. The game, as mentioned, is pretty minimalistic in all senses. The graphics aren’t too bright and jumpy, but are cute and inviting, making Dadish a great game to play when you want to chill.

The game has unlockable secrets, and collectible stars to make the experience more enjoyable. On top of this, the game’s soundtrack complements the overall aesthetic of the game really well. Dadish features great dialogue, and a really cool game design, with each level being different in its set of challenges along with the way the levels look. While some feature grassy plains, others are set in icy mountains or underground chambers full of dangers.

With over one million downloads, Dadish is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

6. Nameless Cat (Free)

Continuing our list is Nameless Cat, a release by Kotoba Games. In Nameless Cat, as the name may suggest, you take on the role of a cat who doesn’t know where it has come from or where it must go. It is simply put in the hostile atmosphere of the game and the only way out is to keep moving forward. The game features a beautiful narrative in which the cat finds out its origins, and figures out where it must go, and who it must go back to. This is done by communicating with other animals in the game who allow the cat to figure out its origins. The dialogues featured in the game really help move the plot forward, while still keeping the game’s sense of mystery intact.

In terms of gameplay, Nameless Cat uses the features of a platformer game really well. The game has three different chapters and over forty levels. There are also several boss fights you must engage in, in order to continue on your quest. The game also features custom skins for you to collect and wear during the game.

The game’s graphics, as well as its soundtrack pair well with the story. Bleak and cold, the environment of the game reflects exactly the sentiments of the cat itself, making the game an experience for all your senses.

With over one million downloads, Nameless Cat is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

7. Blackmoor 2: The Traitor King (Free)

Blackmoor 2: The Traitor King, which was published by Four Fats Limited, formerly Mooff Games, is the next game on our list. Blackmoor 2 is the follow-up to the first Blackmoor, as its name implies, and it continues the latter’s narrative. In Blackmoor 2, the user assumes the role of a ragged warrior wearing clothing that makes him look like he was plucked out of a Greek or Roman historical drama. With little more than a sword and a cape, the player must battle their way past numerous foes in the game’s several levels by using simple controls and a little bit of strategy.

There are several distinct game modes. As previously noted, the story mode carries on the story of the first Blackmoor, and you get to control thirteen different characters throughout it. As you play the game, slicing through a plethora of foes, including monsters, ghouls, and other dungeon-crawling critters, the plot will continually reappear in the background. The story mode never leaves you with the impression that the plot was included only for the sake of it, and the game’s unexpected turns and twists are reminiscent of classic hack-and-slash titles like The Legend of Zelda.

It is up to you to judge whether Blackmoor 2 is as enjoyable to play or interesting as Zelda, but the gameplay and plot will undoubtedly make you desire a bygone age of gaming.

In addition to the story mode, Blackmoor 2 has a multiplayer option that supports up to 4 players and lets them hack and slash together. The multiplayer mode has real-time co-op and incredibly smooth action that will keep you captivated for hours on end. You can explore several different levels and battle a wide variety of monsters and other creatures. There are weaker foes including Gothmeg, Bollerk, Rowario, and bosses like Ned Betty, Bruticus, Sindara, and Elzar.

The game also offers a PvP option that lets you play against your friends instead of with them if that’s what you like to do. You can engage in online competition with friends or other players to determine who possesses superior combat and technical skills. By competing against the CPU in PvP encounters, you can also advance your combat abilities.

It’s interesting to note that Blackmoor 2 also features a sandbox element, allowing users to design their own dungeons with unique layouts and difficulties and share these levels with other players. In this way, even after finishing the story mode and becoming an expert in PvP against the CPU, Blackmoor 2 never runs out of levels for you to play.

Blackmoor 2’s character models are incredibly well-crafted. Since Blackmoor 2 is primarily a 2D side-scroller with sporadic 3D-like stages, the game’s graphics aren’t anything spectacular, but the way the game and its characters are constructed makes you like playing it immensely because of how straightforward yet well done they are. Every level feels like its own space because of the vivid colors and distinctive, intricate backgrounds, and the game never feels monotonous in terms of how it looks or functions.

With over one million downloads, Blackmoor 2 is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

8. Grimvalor (Free)

The 2018 release of Grimvalor, a hack-and-slash platformer by Direlight Games, achieves everything the genre is known for while doing it incredibly well. You develop your combat skills while trying to put an end to whatever evil is developing in the Vallaris kingdom in the game Grimvalor, which takes place there. Grimvalor has gloomy castles, dimly lit rooms, and a variety of strange creatures that lurk in the shadows and attempt to kill you.

The game’s controls are quite sleek and improve the gameplay. To avoid users from accidentally pushing the incorrect button, the various buttons are placed in the corners. All of the buttons react to orders instantly and without any lag time. The game heavily emphasizes honing your arsenal and picking up new skills. Only after the game is over do you encounter this. You also find new weapons to use and alter, and you can use items you find while traveling to further advance your weaponry. You should be mindful of Grimvalor’s soul bar in addition to the health bar because it is used for all of your character’s strong attacks. These two maneuvers, as well as Grimvalor’s combat in general, are exceedingly difficult.

Grimvalor emphasizes both offense and defense equally since if you allow stronger opponents or bosses to attack you, you will perish quickly. However, if you become familiar with your opponent’s movement patterns, it is simple to take advantage of them and severely harm your enemies. Strong fighting and amazing graphics make Grimvalor a great game to play for long spans of time or short spurts while offline.

With over one million downloads, Grimvalor is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

9. Dead Cells ($9.99)

Dead Cells was initially made available in 2018 by Motion Twin. In 2020, it was ported to Android. Dead Cells is not your usual platformer game; instead, it is influenced by Metroidvania games. In these games, you play as a mysterious, shapeless being that has taken control of a corpse in a dungeon and is now trying to escape.

Dead Cells has been compared to the Souls series in terms of its combat, so anyone considering playing the game should be informed that it is by no means simple to play.

One of the ways the game challenges you is the permadeath system, which causes the loss of all in-game currency upon death and effectively forces you to start over if your character dies, which it will do more than once. “Cells” are the main form of cash in the game. After being killed or defeated, enemies leave behind Cells that can be collected and used to pay for a range of power-ups, including health potions and other items. However, one must be careful to spend their Cells frequently because you lose them all when you die in the game. By fighting your way through the game’s dungeons, you can also collect a variety of weapons, skins, abilities, and other items.

The game’s combat is arguably where Dead Cells excels the most. In Dead Cells, death is an inevitable byproduct of jumping, sprinting, fighting, avoiding, and other combat maneuvers. There is no time for rest because it moves quickly and has a lot of momentum. Dead Cells is designed to have you move at breakneck speed while ignoring the reality that one false move could kill you and send you back to the beginning of the level, stripped of all your labor-intensively acquired Cells. Although you might play the game more cautiously and patiently by planning each action before pressing a button.

Because of the game’s large enemy population, variety of enemy assaults, and enemy movement patterns, progressing through the various Dead Cells levels never gets dull. While losing a life can be discouraging, it also gives you more drive to go back to the level and defeat your enemies.

With over five hundred thousand downloads, Dead Cells is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.

10. Dandara ($3.99)

The game Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition by Raw Fury is the last game in our list of the top Android platformers for 2023. The main character, Dandara, battles evil powers to defend the world of Salt in this 2D platformer. Despite having a rather straightforward plot, the game does a great job of incorporating original ideas into a tried-and-true genre.

Dandara’s movement is what you notice initially about it. The only way to move is to press and hold on the right side of the screen, which will cause a line to appear that indicates where Dandara will move. Gravity doesn’t seem to have any effect on you.

Since gravity doesn’t apply to you, you can move throughout the entire map and even walk on walls above you. You can fire at your adversaries by holding down the left side of your screen. Dandara is best played with a controller, which will provide you with both precision and agility, as the controls call for both accuracy and speed.

The game’s classic aesthetics, incredible sound design, massive bosses and battles, intricately designed, expansive map, and many areas to explore are all included.

With over one hundred thousand downloads, Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play Store.