All Platformer Games with Pre-Orders (2023)

Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night is a gothic side-scrolling action RPG produced and written by former Castlevania series producer Koji Igarashi. It is co-developed by ArtPlay, DICO and WayForward Technologies, and published by 505 Games. The game was successfully crowded on Kickstarter back in 2015, but had to be delayed until this year to raise the quality level.

The protagonist of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist’s curse which causes her body to slowly crystallize. To save humanity and end her curse, she has to battle her way through a demon-infested castle and defeat their summoner.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Pre-Order Bonuses →

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is a Wonder Boy-inspired side-scrolling action-adventure game developed by Game Atelier and published by FDG Entertainment, with the retail release of PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions handled by Sega.

Players step into the shoes of the titular Monster Boy, who can transform into six different creatures – each with their own unique abilities – and set out to explore the game’s colorful world, find powerful equipment, and battle huge bosses in 15 hours of adventure.

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Pre-Order Bonuses →

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a collection of three fully remastered games following the titular purple dragon Spyro – namely Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Besides the modernized visuals and mechanics, the game also features a remastered score and voice acting redone by Tom Kenny.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is developed by Toys For Bob and will be out on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy Pre-Order Bonuses →

Mega Man 11 is an action platformer developed by Capcom in celebration of the series’ 30th anniversary. The game is said to blend classic side-scrolling gameplay with new features and a fresh new look, featuring 2.5D visual style and utilizing 3D polygonal characters and environments rather than pixel art.

Players once more step into the shoes of Mega Man, and set out to defeat Dr. Wily’s eight Robot Masters, steal their abilities, and save the day. Classic moves such as chargeable Mega Buster and slide make a return, and the game introduces two brand new ones. The Speed Gear allows Mega Man to slow down time to dodge enemy attacks, whereas the Power Gear boosts the power of Mega Man’s weapons.

Mega Man 11 Pre-Order Bonuses →

Runner3 is the latest entry in the BIT.TRIP rhythm platformer series from Choice Provisions (previously Gaijin Games). The game continues the adventures of protagonist CommanderVideo while expanding on the familiar gameplay. New features include branching paths that lead to different areas and new playable characters, vehicle sequences, an item shop, as well as additional Hero Quests and Retro Challenges.

Like the previous installment Runner2, the upcoming game features the voice acting talents of Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario and dozens of other popular Nintendo characters.

Runner3 Pre-Order Bonuses →

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero is a Kickstarter-funded 2.5D platformer developed by WayForward Technologies. In it players take control of Shantae, the titular half-genie, and embark on a quest to save the Scuttle Town and Genie Realm from the forces of evil.

As the game is already out on all current platforms, this post is concerned specifically with the upcoming physical Ultimate Edition from XSEED, which contains every single DLC released thus far, including the new Friends Mode and Costume Mode. Furthermore, there are limited Day One bonuses to be had, as outlined after the jump.

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition Pre-Order Bonuses →

Kirby Star Allies is an upcoming 2D platformer developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for their Switch console. It will be the first game of the series to be published on the Switch.

This newest Kirby title brings back classic gameplay along with some new mechanics. Kirby’s returning copy abilities include Sword, Fire, Water, Bomb, Broom, and many more – and they now may be imbued with elements such as fire or electricity in order to solve puzzles or unleash powerful attacks. Up to three enemies can be recruited as helpers by hitting them with hearts. These can be controlled by the CPU or up to 3 other players with the horizontal Joy-Con controller configuration, or 8 Joy-Con with 4 Joy-Con Grips.

Kirby: Star Allies Pre-Order Bonuses →

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is an action-adventure platformer developed by Lizardcube and published by DotEmu. It is a HD remake of the 1989 title Wonder Boy III, and features a re-orchestrated soundtrack and new hand-drawn visuals (with a toggle to switch to the original sprite-based graphics, should the player prefer them).

The game follows a lone adventurer, who after being turned into a half-lizard by the Meka-Dragon, sets out to find a magical item with the power to remove the curse. To do that they have to explore a huge interconnected world, battle many fearsome dragons, and shapeshift into different half-animal forms with unique abilities.

As Wonder Boy was already released digitally for all current-gen platforms, this article is concerning specifically the upcoming physical release for PlayStation 4 and Switch from Nicalis. Unlike the limited PS4 release by Limited Run Games, Nicalis’ version is available for pre-order at all major retailers for $39.99.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap Pre-Order Bonuses →

The End is Nigh is a precision platformer developed by Edmund McMillen, the creator of The Binding of Isaac, in collaboration with Tyler Glaiel. You play as Ash, one of the few things that survived (sort of) the end of the world, and set out on a quest to make a friend. The game boasts over 600 levels, 12 chapters, 20 mini-games, and hidden extras.

At the time of writing, The End is Nigh has been out on Steam for over three months, and received a “Very Positive” rating from the users. This article is concerning the upcoming retail release for Nintendo Switch, and the accompanying pre-order incentives.

The End is Nigh Pre-Order Bonuses →

Sonic Forces is the latest installment in Sega’s most popular action platformer franchise. It combines three gamestyles: Classic Sonic, which is played in a side-scrolling 2D view; Modern Sonic with 3D levels similar to those in Sonic Colors or Sonic Generations; and, lastly, Hero Character stages played with a custom character. There also are Tag Team levels, where Sonic and the hero character work together.

When it comes to creating their own character, the player may pick one of the seven archetypes, each with its own special ability, and then further customize their avatar with costumes and accessories. In fact, some exclusives costumes are offered as a pre-order bonus – more on that after the jump.

Sonic Forces Pre-Order Bonuses →

Tiny Barbarian DX is a side-scrolling action platformer with retro-style graphics. It is developed by StarQuail Games and published for Nintendo Switch by Nicalis. As the game is already out on Steam since 2013, this article is regarding specifically the yet-unreleased Switch version.

In Tiny Barbarian DX, the player takes control of a sword-wielding barbarian and does battle against endless hordes of monsters and challenging bosses. The game is made up of episodes, each of which offers a self-contained adventure with new enemies and soundtrack. The game also offers a co-op mode for two players.

Tiny Barbarian DX Pre-Order Bonuses →

Cuphead is a run-and-gun action game developed by indie company StudioMDHR Entertainment. Its plot centers around the titular character, Cuphead, fighting increasingly difficult bosses to repay a debt to the devil. The game is notable for being drawn in the style of 1930s cartoons. It features a branching level design, and offers a local co-op, with the second player assuming the role of a similar cartoonish character, Mugman.

Cuphead is to be released digitally for Xbox One and Windows 10. As it is a part of Xbox Play Anywhere program, purchasing a single copy allows you to play on both platforms.

Cuphead Pre-Order Bonuses →

Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action platformer developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo for the latter’s 3DS handhelds. It is a remake of the 1991 Game Boy title Metroid II: Return of Samus, and follows the legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran on her mission to exterminate the parasitic Metroid species.

Additional content can be unlocked via new amiibo figures of Samus and Metroid which will be released by Nintendo alongside the game. The first unlocks an exclusive art gallery, while the second unlocks the “Fusion” difficulty mode, according to EuroGamer – a move which stirred up some controversy among the fans.

Metroid: Samus Returns Pre-Order Bonuses →

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is a collection of three remasters from the classic platformer series starring the titular bandicoot, Crash: Crash Bandicoot, Cortex Strikes Back, and Warped. It is developed by Vicarious Visions studio, which in addition to high-definition graphics and remastered audio, has enhanced the game with new features such as unified checkpoints, pause menus, automatic and manual saving, and, of course, PS4 trophies. Furthermore, Crash’s sister Coco Bandicoot is playable in all three games. While the title is PlayStation-exclusive at the time of writing, some sources speculate that it might come out on other platforms later.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Pre-Order Bonuses →

Cave Story is a metroidvania-style 2D action platformer originally developed by Daisuke Amaya for the PC back in 2004, and later ported to numerous other platforms by Nicalis. The game follows an amnesiac protagonist who wakes up in a cave and becomes embroiled in a conflict between its inhabitants and a mad Doctor trying to conquer the world.

This post specifically concerns the Nintendo Switch release, which will be the enhanced Cave Story+ version already out on Steam, but with additional improvements. Besides its upgraded graphics, the $30 game offers seven play modes such as Wind Fortress and Boss Rush, more than twenty boss battles, fifteen levels, ten unique weapons, and four different endings.

Cave Story Pre-Order Bonuses →

Little Nightmares is a puzzle-platformer made by independent developer Tarsier Studios. The game follows Six, a little girl in an oversized yellow raincoat, who is trapped in a mysterious and gloomy prison called The Maw. Armed with nothing but her wits and a lighter, Six has to evade the Maw’s monstrous residents, and make her way to the outside world.

Published by Bandai Namco, Little Nightmares will be out on current-gen consoles and PC (via Steam and GOG.com).

Little Nightmares Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →

Yooka-Laylee is a 3D platformer developed by Playtonic Games and published by Team17. Successfully funded via Kickstarter, the game’s development team includes key personnel who worked on Banjo-Kazooie, which the upcoming Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor to.

The game follows the eponymous Yooka and Laylee, a buddy duo who embark on an adventure to thwart corporate creep Capital B’s plan to absorb all the world’s books and turn them into pure profit. The two characters have unlockable abilities, and gameplay can be further customized by equipping Play Tonics to enhance their stats or provide entertaining visual effects. Yooka-Laylee also offers a local co-op for two players, as well as online multiplayer with eight different minigames.

Yooka-Laylee Pre-Order Bonuses →

ReCore is an action-adventure game with some with puzzle and platform elements developed by Comcept and Armature Studio. The game’s protagonist is Joule Adams, one of the last remaining humans in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by mechanical enemies of all shapes. Joule is aided by her own robotic companions called Corebots, each of which has unique abilities to aid their fearless leader in her journey.

The game is a part of Microsoft’s new Xbox Play Anywhere initiative, which essentially means that you can play it on both Xbox One and Windows 10 (UWP) at no additional cost. Cross-save is also supported between the two platforms. According to the official website, ReCore promises more than 12 hours of gameplay at a price tag of $40.

ReCore Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →

Mighty No. 9 is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Inti Creates and Keiji Inafune’s Comcept. Touted as a spiritual successor to the Mega Man franchise, the game raised $3.8 million on Kickstarter and was developed with significant input from the Beckers (a pun on the protagonist’s name). According to the developers, they intend to bring the best elements of the classic 8- and 16-bit era titles to the modern gaming platforms.

PlayStation owners will be happy to learn that Mighty No. 9 features Cross-Buy across PS4, PS3 and PS Vita. The game is 3D-enabled on the 3DS, and supports Wii U’s GamePad. The system requirements for the PC version have also been announced, and can be found on the official website.

Mighty No. 9 Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →

LBP3 is an upcoming third installment in the core LittleBigPlanet series developed by a British studio Sumo Digital. The game includes three new playable characters – Swoop, Oddsock, and Toggle – each with their own unique powers; Sackboy himself also gains an ability to climb certain objects. In addition, there are new power ups such as the Pumpinator, which releases gusts of wind to move light items.

The Create Mode has also been greatly improved with the removal of the thermometer; HDD space is now the only limit. Furthermore, levels can be made more complex thanks to sixteen available layers, giving them more depth. Players of the previous titles will be happy to hear that LittleBigPlanet 3 is going to be backwards-compatible with the user-created levels from LBP and LBP2, rendering them at a higher resolution in the PS4 version of the game.

LittleBigPlanet 3 Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →