Top 15 best 2D platformers for Android

In Dead Cells you can play an action-packed, pixelated and colourful adventure filled with roguelite action every step of the way. It's a progressive exploration game where you can use skills, destroy enemies and try out so many things that it would be a pity not to play it.

The game is not your typical platformer, where you have to progress a certain way. Instead, you can play it however you want, pass and unlock levels in unique ways and customise the character however you like - all in 2D!

It even has some cool DLCs, so make sure to check it out. You can read our Dead Cells review in the meantime!

While it's not your typical platformer, it's a game that knows more about them than many others. Downwell has intense (and we mean INTENSE) action that just doesn't give you a break. It's a game that progressively moves downwards and sees you jumping left and right to shoot and land in the right place.

If you want something simple, yet action-packed and fairly simple in terms of graphics, this is a great choice. It has massive retro vibes, so it's a wise pick to bring back memories.

Make sure to check our Downwell review if you're interested in learning more about the game, or even read some of our beginner tips - they'll come in handy, trust me.

Shovel Pirate is a charming 2D Platformer where you play a little pirate with a shovel, obviously. This shovel allows you to whack enemies, dig up treasures, and knock back objects that come your way. It's a classic platformer that just has a fun theme and a lot of polish. The game itself has 15 levels, which give you a good amount of playtime in a joyous world. If you like 3D platformers and pirates, it's a good game to check out.

A beautiful 2D adventure cannot go wrong with cats, right? Cat Bird gives us even more reasons to support that, given that it is such a beautiful and detailed 2D platformer for Android. You play as a tiny white pixelated kitten, and your goal is to climb through the challenging levels, defeat the bosses and discover all the hidden secrets within the game.

It's a wholesome experience that comes packed with stunning levels and characters. You can read more in our Cat Bird review, but the takeaway is simple - this game has all the ingredients to make it a successful and stunning choice for Android 2D platformer enthusiasts.

Exoracer is a fast paced, 2D action platformer where you will find yourself racing quickly around levels, avoiding obstacles and trying to be first. You are often racing against three other players, trying to make quick snap decisions so that you don't get delayed. It's a game that has a strong "one more go" feel. There is also a level creation area, that allows you to create your own maps and take on the challenges you design yourself.

Want a game that never gets boring, no matter how many similar platforms you jump and kick on? Dan the Man is the one. Want a game that has "action" as its middle name? Dan the Man is the one. Want... one of the best 2D platformers of all time? Clearly Dan the Man is the game you're looking for.

This game has multiple modes where you can pick your favourite character and kick the living hell out of pixelated bosses and nasty villains. Not only that, but you've also got a bunch of skins and levels to unlock, and in the multiplayer mode you can team up with friends (or foes?) and tackle everything together. It's an epic game that is worth checking out at least, especially if you want a classic action game with a lot of jumping!

Read our Dan the Man review if you're curious to learn more about this retro creation.

Dadish 2 is the continuation of Dadish - which, as many of you know, is one of the best platformers for foodies. Why foodies, you may ask? That's because Dadish is a radish dad - yep, a radish. This pixelated Android platformer has challenging levels, a pretty captivating story and so much more that adds to the quality of the gameplay. There's really nothing more fulfilling than playing through a few levels and then yelling your success story after passing that one tough stage.

You should read our Dadish 2 review if you want to read our honest opinion after playing the game, or read some beginner tips to get you through the veggie bonanza.

One of the few Cookie Run titles that shook the meta (together with Cookie Run: Kingdom), Cookie Run: OvenBreak sees you controlling GingerBrave right through the kitchen, outside the oven (after all, it is an oven break - like a prison break) and exploring the vast and mysterious outer worlds. There are so many cookies to collect and tend to, many stages to ace and delicious characters to discover.

The game is an endless runner, so you have to pass the stages by collecting coins and eating jellies. It all sounds simple, but in fact, it's going to get difficult pretty quickly. Don't despair though, because we have some sweet Cookie Run: OvenBreak codes to help you out!

Retro platformers have nothing on Nameless Cat, this stunning retro-looking game sees you controlling a kitten through all manner of dangerous locations. The thing that makes Nameless Cat such a great game, though, is not only the playstyle (which is arguably tougher than average) - instead, it's the narrative that so blatantly makes you want to fast-forward through the levels and just read it all in one go.

If you want a tough Android 2D platform game, this one is a must-play. The relaxing music and immersive gameplay make it one of the few that will make you want to replay it right away. It's one of my personal favourites, and the colour scheme for the levels is oh so lovely!

An arguably weird pick, but it's a great one nonetheless. Dere Evil Exe is one of the games that want to break through the fourth wall so badly that it might get injured - what that means, in fact, is that this game falls onto the odd side more so than it might want to. It's beautiful, it's retro, it's a 2D platformer, but the genre is a tad mixed.

While it wants to give off a chilling vibe, it also wants to put a smile on your face and give you some of that blood-pumpin' action you love so much from the original Mario. Overall, it's a game that looks and feels great but comes with its own share of challenges. You can read our Dere Evil Exe review though because we're sharing more info about our experience playing it there.

A knight that loves apples is what Apple Knight is all about. You go about your knightly business, slaying monsters and eating apples, and generally have a good time. There's something about this game that puts a smile on my face - maybe it's the fact that you have a challenge neatly disguised as a casual game of collecting apples.

Apple Knight isn't for everyone though. If you love this niche, chances are you'll absolutely love it. Otherwise, the number of enemies charging at you unexpectedly can easily overwhelm you. So, what's the takeaway?

If you love a challenge and want an action-packed 2D platformer for Android, this is a great choice. Otherwise, you should try Cat Bird or Evan's Remains.

Nyan Cat is the ultimate internet celebrity. In Lost in Space you have the same fluffball, but with a ton of brand new looks and challenges ahead. You have an endless runner platformer, and your task is to collect candy and other sweet goods while avoiding danger. It's similar to Rayman Adventures or Cookie Run: OvenBreak, but with Nyan Cat.

While it's not a classical jumper with swords and gruesome monsters charging at you, it does offer the same experience (but with arguably more adorable visuals). It's a fine addition for everyone who loves memes as much as they love 2D platformers!

Cat Journey is a 2D cat-related platformer where you can find spells and weapons, while exploring around. There is a wide variety of different weapons to find and master, as well as potions that can grant you abilities to help you solve little puzzles. There are also lots of dangerous to avoid in each level, to keep things interesting.

A retro game that looks a lot like a mash of Downwell, old Gameboy Mario and a generic manga (or anime, whichever you prefer) - Mangavania is one of those games that managed to come up with something rather unique. When you think of 2D platformers you don't often picture this, but hey - here it is!

We were not exactly impressed with it (as we've also mentioned in our Mangavania review), but it doesn't change the fact that it does exactly what it advertises - it's a game where you jump from platform to platform, slashing through enemies, avoiding traps and discovering hidden secrets. In a way, it has some Castlevania vibes (maybe because of the title?).

An adorable game with a bunny as the main character is the best choice to finish off our list, don't you think? It's basically one of the quintessential games when you even mention the genre. Yeah, Bunny 2 looks great and has plenty of levels to keep any platformer enthusiast at arms' length.

There is even a little (love) story in the game that is subtly told through cutscenes and the narrative, but it doesn't overwhelm you. For every player that is looking to play a simple and easy-to-learn platformer, Yeah Bunny 2 is as good as it gets.