Let me start this by expressing my profound love for the platformer genre. I grew up with the likes ofMarioandMega Man, and accordingly grew to love jumping on Goombas and pew-pewing robot masters.
It took a good amount of time and practice to hone my craft. But you know what’s even more wild? Platformers with no jump button! After all, usually not jumping means falling off an edge into a bottomless pit.
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I can never get enough of Super Mario World, and you’re able to’t either.
But not in these inventive adventures. There are several puzzle platformers, some frenetic, arcade-frenzied platformers, and even some creative Metroidvanias in the mix.
So, put your expectations aside, and let’s cover some fantastic platformers with no jump button!
Plague Knight’s Apprentice
The way thatSplodeygets around the jump button is with explosive concoctions to propel yourself forwards. This honestly only reminds me of one other experience, the Plague Knight DLC inShovel Knight: Treasure Trove.
That said, this GameMaker adventure is a bit more retro and low-key than that adventure, but no less inventive.
Once you get the hang of thrusting your hero forward with the force of explosions, you’ll also be able to hurl them to destroy hazards in your path, as well as benefit from secondary items like parachutes.
It’s a cute little adventure with stellar music, but there’s plenty better on this list!
Eye On the Prize
Normally, when someone steals from a witch, they find themselves walloped by a big old curse or thrown into a pot for cooking. But that isn’t howWitcheyeplays out.
For some reason, when a shady knight steals from the witchy protagonist, she transforms into a floating eyeball and gives chase. Which is all sorts of weird, though points for originality.
Witcheyealmost plays out like a pinball machine with you bouncing off edges, stopping in midair, and doing your best to ruin the day of the many bosses.
The game doesn’t really need a jump button thanks to this design, and it has some wonderfully cartoony art design and a bumping soundtrack. Not bad for an old crone!
8Super Magbot
Push and Pull
PC, Nintendo Switch
Platformer
Release Date
July 01, 2025
Anybody who’s been in an elementary school science class has played around with magnets. But if we had magnets like those inSuper Magbot, we’d probably be teaching the class.
You’ll master positive red and negative blue polarities to push and pull yourself through this colorful 16-bit adventure.
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These games are pure platforming greatness that will kick your ass.
While my long-honed platforming instincts might hesitate to lose a jump button for magnets,Super Magbotpulls it off pretty well.
When all else fails, you’re able to collect Star Fragments to unlock additional challenges, just for those who love to suffer.
7Snake Pass
Slither to Victory
PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Secret Mode
June 05, 2025
I can still remember when they announcedSnake Passas a sort of second coming to the era that gave us titles likeBanjo-KazooieandDonkey Kong 64. Heck, it even featured the musical talents of David Wise!
And while it didn’t tickle the fancy of gamers as much, this was a clever way to platform without a jump button.
You’ll learn to coil, climb, and stretch your way to victory. Just so long as you’re not the impatient sort, you’ll probably have a fun time with this unique adventure.
6ATOMIK: RunGunJumpGun
Neon Suffering
PC, mobile, Nintendo Switch
Good Shepherd Entertainment
Puzzle Platformer
August 16, 2025
Don’t let the name fool you. Even though the game is calledATOMIK: RunGunJumpGun, there’s no jumping in the game.
You’re constantly moving forward, propel yourself vertically by shooting at floors, and can even aim forward to shatter threats in your path. There’s just one catch — take any damage, and you have to replay the level from the very beginning!
I can still feel my hands start to sweat just remembering my time with the game. It’s an intense puzzle platformer, and one that’s very demanding. But it’s also incredibly well-made and fun.
If you’re up for the challenge, this is one heck of a platformer with no jump button.
Fleshy Nightmare
I’ve talked aboutCARRIONbefore, and normally think of it as more of a Metroidvania. But I’ve also said repeatedly that all Metroidvanias have platforming in them, which is why I’m including it on this list.
Who needs a jump button when you can crawl around, hanging from the walls and ceilings?
The only thing you’ll need inCARRIONis cover, otherwise, the humans might grow wise to your schemes and light you up with a flamethrower.
This is a delightfully twisted platformer experience, but we have some truly great examples below!
4Yoku’s Island Express
Pinball Wizard
Metroidvania, Pinball
July 10, 2025
Yoku’s Island Expressis such a unique adventure.
Even to this day, there hasn’t been anything else quite like this pinball-styled Metroidvania experience.
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Forget double jumps and dashes, we have something new for you to try.
As such, you don’t need a jump button. You just need to use flippers to bounce your little hero around these expansive and colorful biomes.
Like other examples of the genre, you’ll gain new abilities to help you progress and help people out with sidequests.
3Bomb Chicken
July 16, 2025
Since we were already talking about one unique adventure, how about another?Bomb Chickenis like what would happen if you married KFC andBomberman.
The story is utterly insane, and it features fantastic SNES-style graphics. In lieu of jumping, you control a chicken that can lay bombs instead of eggs.
Lay a stack to get height, kick your bombs at threats, and navigate this increasingly more challenging and absurd world.
Truly, this is one of my favorite puzzle platformers. But we still have two more adventures that just edged it out for the gold trophy.
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Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
I wasn’t originally sold on the idea ofCaptain Toad: Treasure Tracker. I’m normally more of a fan of traditional platformers, so this cutesy puzzle platformer didn’t speak to me.
Then I actually tried the game and quickly fell in love with this utterly charming little adventure.
The little guy may not be an action hero, but he manages by looking at every perspective. It’s fun twisting and turning the diorama stages to find hidden goodies and navigate traps.
If that wasn’t enough, they somehow fit in challenging boss battles against an array of quirky foes.
A tremendous adventure, but we saved the best for last!
Gravity-Defying
PC, Vita, 3DS, Nintendo Switch, PS4
Terry Cavanagh
June 05, 2025
At first glance,VVVVVVdoesn’t necessarily look like anything special. It’s minimalistic and looks like a classic game. But this puzzle platformer is one of the best games I’ve played.
This is a game where, instead of jumping, you’re able to press a button to shift your gravity. It’s not as easy as it sounds, though, since the world is littered with dangerous traps everywhere.
What’s great is that you’re able to explore at your own pace, and the only thing that holds you back is your own ability.
And trust me, you’ll need all your skills to get through some of the challenges before you.
You’ll uncover all sorts of great lore as you play, and will bask in the catchy chiptune soundtrack. A truly outstanding game where jumping just isn’t required.
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