A selection of interesting pixel platformers: the best of the best

In a world where modern projects increasingly rely on realism and complex mechanics, Cuphead has emerged as a breath of fresh air. This vintage platformer instantly captured the hearts of millions, taking users back to the era of classic cartoons. A visual style inspired by 1930s animation, unique hand-drawn graphics and genuine difficulty – an unforgettable adventure for anyone who was thirsty for something new and original.

Why is Cuphead a cult retro platformer?

Cuphead is a true art form, enclosed in a video game form. Each level and character is carefully drawn by hand, which gives the project a unique individuality. Like old cartoons, Cuphead evokes a sense of nostalgia. Fighting bosses, the player finds himself in a bright world filled with a frantic rhythm and incredible challenges. The concept has become an integral part of modern culture: it is discussed, it is copied, it is used as a reference. This is a return to the roots, when every victory required skill and concentration, and losses were an important part of the gameplay.

Cuphead characters – who are they?

The scenario is filled with colorful characters, each of whom brings their own special atmosphere to the process:

1. Cuphea is the main character and the face of the game. He likes to take risks and often gets into trouble because of his thirst for adventure. Cuphead has the ability to shoot magic charges from his fingers and dodge enemy attacks. His optimism and fearlessness make him a strong ally and a reliable hero.
2. Mugman is Cuphead’s loyal brother and his partner in adventures. In co-op mode, the player can take control of Mugman to help Cuphead. Unlike his brother, Mugman is more cautious and prudent, but this does not prevent him from actively fighting enemies. He also uses magical attacks and has a similar fighting style to Cuphead, but his character brings more humor and comedy to the story.
3. King Dice is the Devil’s main assistant and the main antagonist of the game. He runs the casino and acts as a mediator between the heroes and their debts to the Devil. King Dice is extremely cunning and deceitful. His abilities include manipulating various dice and cards, making him a formidable opponent in the final levels of the game.
4. The Devil is the main villain of Cuphead. He owns the casino and makes contracts with the characters, promising them wealth in exchange for their souls. When Cuphead and Mugman lose to him, they begin a great adventure to regain their freedom. The Devil has many forms and attacks, which makes the final battle with him especially challenging and exciting.
5. Elder Kettle is an elder who acts as a mentor to Cuphead and Mugman. He teaches the brothers the basics of management and combat skills at the beginning of the game. Kettle has wisdom and experience that helps the heroes cope with their tasks. He also provides players with useful advice and reminds them to be careful. Cala
6. Maria is one of the most memorable bosses. She is a mermaid inspired by classic cartoon characters who attacks Cuphead and Mugman in a sea location. She can turn into stone, summon electric eels, and use a variety of magical attacks. Cala Maria is a symbol of the difficulty and epicness that sets Cuphead apart from other platformers.
7. Baroness Von Bon Bon is the ruler of the Candy Kingdom. Her battle takes place against the backdrop of a huge candy castle, and she uses various sweets in battle that attack the player. She is incredibly emotional and easily upset, which makes the fight with her very chaotic and unpredictable.
8. Grim Matchstick is a fire-breathing dragon who lives in the clouds. His attacks include shooting fireballs and summoning small fire creatures. Grim is a reference to the classic dragons from old cartoons, and his fight is one of the most difficult in the game, requiring the player to react quickly and move precisely.

The History of Cuphead — From Idea to Cultural Phenomenon

The creation of Cuphead began with the dream of two brothers, Chad and Jared Moldenauer. They wanted to create a project that would look and feel like a classic 1930s cartoon. To realize this dream, the developers decided to take radical measures: they mortgaged their houses to get enough funds for work. This desire for perfection paid off — hand-drawn graphics became the hallmark of the concept, attracting both gamers and animation lovers. Each character and background was created by hand, frame by frame, which became a real challenge for a small team.

Boss fights and gameplay: a test of nerves

Boss battles are a test of endurance. Each boss fight in Cuphead is a unique test, requiring knowledge of patterns and reaction speed. There is no place for chance: every move and attack must be carefully calculated. The rune and gun format adds dynamics: users must not only attack, but also avoid numerous threats. Boss fights like the Devil, Captain Brinjbord, and more offer a variety of mechanics and force you to adapt to the enemy’s individual style.

Incredible Soundtrack: Sound that Brings You to Life

One of the most impressive aspects of Cuphead is its incredible soundtrack, composed by Christopher Maddigan. During the battle with each boss, rhythmic beats and energetic melodies accompany every step, pushing you forward.

Co-op mode – is it easier together?

Co-op in Cuphead is not only an opportunity to share the joy of victory, but also a test of friendship. In the game, two participants can take control of brothers Cuphead and Mugman and go through levels and boss fights together. But don’t think that it becomes easier in co-op! Often, the partner’s actions can lead to chaos on the screen, and instead of help, additional difficulties arise. This adds fun moments and unexpected turns, making the process even more exciting.

Challenges and rewards: why Cuphead’s difficulty is so appealing

The high difficulty is what makes Cuphead unique. Every mistake is punished instantly, and the player is forced to start the level from the very beginning. It reminds us of the golden age of retro games, when every victory really meant something. Using the PADS methodology, we can say that Cuphead constantly keeps the hero on the edge: the problem is difficult bosses, the agitation is the frustration of numerous failures, the solution is honing skills and learning patterns, and the reward is an indescribable feeling of triumph. Success here does not come for free, it requires effort, but this is what makes victories so sweet and memorable.

From retro to modern culture

Cuphead has become a phenomenon that combines the best of platformers of the past with modern technology. It has proven that work, passion and a unique approach can create a product that will not only become popular, but also influence the entire industry. Experience for yourself what it means to be a part of this amazing world and feel the atmosphere of cartoons of the last century, plunging into a sea of ​​crazy adventures and uncompromising battles.

Platformers continue to adapt to modern tastes, while remaining one of the most resilient and inventive genres. The fast-paced, precise controls, clear visual language, and the ability to build gameplay around a simple yet profound idea continue to attract both developers and audiences. Independent studios and renowned publishers are preparing a series of releases that enhance genre diversity and offer innovative gameplay mechanics. In this article, we will delve into the details of the platformers that are set to release on PC in 2025, highlighting the ones that deserve special attention and explaining why.

Trends and Approaches in Platform Games: What New Features Will Be Released in 2025

Modern platformers operate at the intersection of genres. Games combine elements of metroidvania, roguelike, puzzle, action-RPG and simulation. Authors experiment with level architecture, narrative presentation, integration of sound and physics. Developers move away from linearity, offer open worlds, reactive environment and original ways of navigation. There are more and more projects that use platformer mechanics not as a basis, but as an expressive means.

Aesthetics is another zone of creativity. Games in 2025 are turning to pixel art, pseudo-retro style, hand-drawn animation, stylization under the graphics of the 90s. Many use dark noir, minimalism, concept design based on AI or animation of animated films. At the same time, inside – high-precision gameplay, adjusted for milliseconds, and calculation for tactile responsiveness.

Which platformers will be released on PC in 2025: Top 10

The 2025 platformers are not just a genre line, but a diverse palette of ideas. Developers are shifting the focus from the classic “jump-trap-target” scheme to experimenting with form, mechanics, and narrative. Games are adapting the style of movies, music, physics, biomechanics, and even data structures. The selection includes ten projects that not only answer the question of which platformers will be released on PC in 2025, but also redefine the concept of direction as a form of interactive art:

1. Hollow Realms. A new chapter in the spirit of Hollow Knight, but with an open world based on procedural generation. Each run creates unique routes and enemy combinations. The focus has shifted to rhythm, stealth attacks, and vertical movement. The developers have implemented parkour, chains, gravity control, and real-time weather changes.
2. Shadow Loop. A side-scrolling game with time loop elements. Levels restart every 45 seconds, and the player retains knowledge and resources. You need to memorize patterns, plan your route, and act quickly. The graphics are reminiscent of 1990s DOS games, and the soundtrack is a mix of chiptunes and synthwave.
3. Spirit Construct. A philosophical platformer with an isometric twist. The player controls a neuroform that changes the properties of levels, reflections, and shadows. Every move rewrites space, creating and destroying it, and providing support. The narrative is embedded in the architecture, read through walls, objects, and light.
4. Echo’s Thread. A minimalist title similar to Limbo and Inside. The levels are made up of light, fabric, and shadows. The mechanics are based on interacting with threads that connect objects. The gameplay offers solutions based on tension, center of mass displacement, and rhythm. The sound is synchronized with the movement and visuals.
5. Veins of Steel. An arcade platformer with elements of metroidvania. The action takes place in a biomechanical dungeon. The player collects implants, changes their body physics, and discovers new paths through transformations. Visually, it is a hybrid of HR Giger and the aesthetics of 16-bit systems.
6. Comet Slasher. A horizontal runner with a focus on speed. The mechanics are based on ultra-reaction: every pixel jump and turn affects the result. Support for custom levels, ranked races, and milliseconds competitions. The style is inspired by comics and punk aesthetics.
7. Glassborn. A project based on the Unreal 5 engine that uses ray tracing and destructible physics. Platforming takes place inside a crystal tower, where any movement breaks the path. Platforms are self-generated, but they lose stability upon re-contact. Special attention is given to light, reflections, and transparency.
8. Zefir Halls. A surreal platformer where the player controls the sound frequency. Levels are activated through timbre, rhythm, and frequency range. The game combines musical improvisation with jumping, where the tempo determines the outcome. The platforms resemble abstract installations.
9. Terminal Run. A retro-futuristic story about escaping through ruined digital worlds. The mechanics are based on changing the state of a file: the player “rewrites” levels through actions. Visually, the project is inspired by terminal graphics, ASCII art, and the aesthetics of early hacker films.
10. Ecliptica. A platformer with a two-level space: each level is duplicated in a reflected reality. The player switches between the layers by solving spatial puzzles. The camera shifts, rotates, and deviates depending on the context. The gameplay requires calculating movements in two coordinate systems.

A variety of approaches and niches

Projects from 2025 demonstrate a wealth of visual and mechanical solutions. Some rely on reaction skills and speed, such as Comet Slasher or Terminal Run. Others play on associations, rhythms, and even intuitive interaction, like Zefir Halls or Echo’s Thread. Games like Glassborn create platforming as a tactile experience, where every step affects the environment. Developers use aesthetics as a form of mechanics, sound as a resource, and light as a means of navigation. The approach has become not only technical, but also expressive.

The genre has ceased to be a niche form of entertainment. Today, it serves as a field for design experiments, sound forms, and narrative innovations. While the core remains the same, each title redefines the fundamentals in its own way. When asked about the platformers that will be released on PC in 2025, the answer encompasses a wide range, from minimalist meditations to high-speed techno-arcades.

Technologies and innovations

New concepts actively use RTX, animation through AI systems, procedural generation of sound and materials. Many offer their own level editors, support for Steam Workshop, modular scaling of complexity. Layers are no longer predefined – the player builds, destroys, re-flashes the environment. The introduction of physical calculations (for example, in Glassborn) creates variability, not scriptability. The emphasis is on reactive mechanics and adaptive architecture.

Conclusion

You already know which platformers will be released on PC in 2025. The list includes both established classics and bold, innovative projects that have the potential to revolutionize the genre. Each game offers a unique experience built around movement, but with different focuses on meaning, sound, and light. The platformer genre is not going away; it is exploring new forms and expanding the boundaries of gameplay.