Summary
Since his first appearance in the 1981 arcade gameDonkey Kong,Mariohas gone on to become one of the most recognizable characters in not just gaming but all media. Mario’s success stems from the incrediblelineup of games that he has featured inover the years, many of which have helped elevate the gaming industry to where it is today.
One of the plumber’s few downsides is that he only appears on Nintendo consoles, preventing millions of gamers from enjoying his many excellent adventures. Thankfully for PlayStation users, there are many greatgames likeMarioon the PS5they can enjoy to have a great time and elicit a lot of what makes everyone’s favorite Italian plumber such a joy to control.
Updated on June 06, 2025, by Usama Ali:Nintendo’s Mario franchise is one of the most successful in gaming history, especially the platformers, where Mario jumps through levels to rescue Princess Peach. Even though Mario has been a beloved gaming icon for decades, PlayStation gamers have often missed out on his adventures. Thankfully, many fantastic platformer games like Mario are available on PS5 and other Sony consoles that offer similar levels of fun and excitement. This list has now been updated with a few more classic platformers, with challenging missions, colorful worlds, and memorable characters that players will like if they’re Mario fans.
An action-packed platformer that pays homage to both the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of this genre, it’s easy to see whyThe Messengerdeserves all its plaudits and then some. The game’s tough-as-nails gameplay makes it perfect for fans of games likeNinja GaidenandMario.
The quirky writing ofThe Messengercoupled with its excellent presentation makes it a greatgame likeMarioon the PS4. It’s a love letter to the golden era of this genre that fans will find easy to get into and hard to tear themselves away from.
Crash Bandicootfans loved the recent turnaround of this marsupial. Not only did they get a remaster of the original trilogy that rivaled Nintendo’s mascot, but they were also treated toa brand new game in the seriesthat brings some unique ideas to the table.
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timefeatures an amazing level of presentation and fun levels that fans of this character love. It’s one of the bestgames likeMarioon the PS5players can check out if they want to enjoy an excellent platformer on this console.
An indie platformer that blew everyone’s minds when it launched,Fezshows the power of perspective and how it alters a game’s level design for the better. Featuring hallmarks of both the puzzle and platforming genre, it’s easy to see why so many players hailedFezas one of the bestgames likeMarioon the PS4.
It’s a shame that this title’s sequel was canceled since the developer hated how much this game was pirated. Players who have yet to check out this imaginative platformer are doing themselves a huge disservice.
Spelunkywas first released in 2008 on PC before arriving on a range of other consoles. The game is one of themost influential indie releases of all time, both for popularizingthe roguelike genreand for showing consumers how great indie games could be at a time when they were looked down upon for a perceived lack of quality compared to AAA titles.
Spelunky’s procedurally generated levels, along with its wide range of weapons and enemies, have given the game tremendous replayability and were instrumental in showing just how much value-for-money roguelike games could provide. Players who love the revolutionary nature ofMariogames will love Spelunky’s charming formula. The game’s sequel,Spelunky 2, is also well worth playing.
Psychonauts 2, the sequel to 2005’sPsychonauts, has been praised by critics as an even better game than its predecessor. This platform-adventure game continues the story of Razputin Aquato, a young boy with extraordinary psychic abilities. The game is set in the world of the Psychonauts, an international agency of psychic spies, where Raz is now a trainee.
Players go on a journey through the minds of various characters, each with their own unique and bizarre mental landscapes. These mental worlds are full of creative puzzles and challenges. As Raz explores people’s brains and battles their inner demons, he unlocks hidden memories and resolves their emotional baggage.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis the latest release on this list, having hit stores in June 2021. The game was released exclusively on the PlayStation 5 and features some of the most eye-catching visuals on the system thus far.
Rift Apartmaintains the series' unique blend of platforming andthird-person shooter gameplay, making it perfect for players seeking outgames likeMarioon the PS5with gameplay that involves guns. It also implements a few new features for good measure, such as Rift Tether, which lets players seamlessly warp between areas.Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apartis one of several games that were once PlayStation exclusives but have since been released on PC.
Although Sonic’s 3D games have divided opinion, the hedgehog’s early 2D games are still highly thought of and remain great fun to play today. So, a team comprised of notable fan game developers teamed up to releaseSonic Mania, which features several “remixed” levels from the classic games and a handful of new ones.
Granted,Sonic Manialacked the innovation of Sonic Team releases, but it succeeded in its aim of simply giving fans a modern take on the classicSonicexperience – something that many had been asking for, resulting in one ofthe most highly-praisedSonicgames of all time. It’s a perfect title for fans seeking outgames likeMarioon the PS5, given the history these two mascots share as rivals during the classic years of gaming.
LikeSpelunky,Super Meat Boyis one of the most influential indie releases of all time for its impact on indie gaming and for revitalizing the side-scrolling platformer genre.
Prior toSuper Meat Boy’s release in October 2010, platform games were struggling to justify their price tag compared to the ever-expanding open-world andadventure games.Super Meat Boy’s lower price tag gave Team Meat the freedom to offer a classic linear platforming experience without having to worry about justifying an inflated price.
Super Meat Boywas also influential for removing Game Over screens and letting players instantly restart upon dying – a common feature in platformers today.Mario’s Game Overs may have more impact but the moment-to-moment gameplay is pretty similar in both titles.
Shovel Knightwas initially released on PC in June 2014 before arriving on a plethora of other consoles. The game adopts an 8-bit graphical style reminiscent of classic NES platformers, such asMario’s classic games.
The crowdfunded indie game was a huge commercial success, which led to the release of multiple well-received DLCs. December 2019’sShovel Knight: Treasure Troveis the best way to playShovel Knighttoday, as the value-for-money package comes with the original game and four DLC packs.
It’s fair to say that theYooka-Layleefranchise didn’t get off to the best of starts. The original game had a ton of hype behind it andbroke records with its Kickstarter backing, though the final product failed to impress, exemplified by the PlayStation 4 version scoring just68 on Metacritic.
Many people thought that the lackluster reviews and fan response would mark the end of the franchise. However, a new game was released just a couple of years later with a significant change of direction.Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lairditched itsBanjo-Kazooieinfluences in favor of side-scrolling action similar toDonkey Kong CountryandSuper Mario Bros.and was a far more enjoyable experience.
