If you live for the adrenaline rush and want to challenge yourself on the weekend or away from your busy schedule, then platformer games for speedrunning can turn out to be a promising avenue.

These games take hours to go through the different levels and keep you hooked, and many gamers have picked up platformer games as their favorites in an ever-evolving gaming world.

Super Mario Odyssey

We look at the top 10 best platformer games you can try:

10. Super Meat Boy

Super Meat Boy has maintained its popularity since its launch in 2010. Along with its fun and thrill, the game has difficulties and needs learning quickly through various levels to progress. But Super Meat Boy is the perfect game for you if you like to take up challenges and learn in the process.

9. Sonic The Hedgehog 2

The character of Sonic is synonymous with lightning-fast speed and moment. And although the Sonic franchise has plenty of games to choose from, we recommend Sonic The Hedgehog 2 as the best of them all. If you are new to the game, you will find plenty of detailed guides to help you through the game until you turn pro and set a new world record. Interestingly, you can complete the entire game in 20 minutes.

Read also: The Games That Changed Us: Sonic the Hedgehog

8. Donkey Kong Country

Another such game that you can beat inside 30 minutes is Donkey Kong Country. However, it might take you a lot of time to master the game and discover new tricks. Optimizing the moments through various levels is fun and challenging at the same time in this game.

7. Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64 is a classic, and we recommend you not to miss out on it. The Super Mario 64 has engaged a large gaming community over the years. It offers you five different modes to explore as per your mood. You can choose to complete the game or beat it with no stars.

Read also: The Best Free Super Mario Games You Can Play Today

6. Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight is one of the most entertaining games in the platformer category. It is built retro-style and takes less than 50 minutes to finish. But you will need plenty of practice to ace it, and the internal speed running challenges in the game is helpful for the cause.

5. Celeste

Launched in 2018, Celeste has quickly become one of the most favorite games in the market. The game is not easy to play, as it has tough routes. But if you learn the fun mechanics and tight controls, a quick speed run will take only half an hour to complete.

4. Cuphead

Have you ever thought of speedrunning as a Cuphead? Yes, you heard it right. The Cuphead takes time to adjust and learn, but it is casual and fun to play through. The gameplay has several boss patterns to encounter through movement mechanics. The best players have a record of completing it in half an hour.

3. Mega Man X

Mega Man X will give you an adrenaline rush, with players racing against each other to see who beats the game in less time. It is a highly optimized game you can finish within half an hour.

Source: Steam

2. Only Up!

Only Up! is a new addition to this list after making the rounds in June of 2023. The short game already has a big speed running community and plenty of casuals are using it as an entry game into the platformer world.

1. Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is the best game in the speedrunning community. This version of the Super Mario franchise hit the market in 2019, and its fun traversal engages gamers. It offers six different levels, and you will be challenged to reduce your time.