When talking about 3D indie platformers and deciding what to play, fans may think that it always boils down to Nintendo. But ever since independent development shot up in the world, certain genres are not restricted to platformers or developers anymore.
One can find spiritual successors to almost every type of game these days. This naturally includes 3D platformers as well, because some of them have been incredible.
So we decided to list down some of the top 3D indie platformers that you should play right now.
Top 3D Indie Platformers of all time
A Hat in Time
For a long time, Nintendo was the only platform for the best platformers around. Seemingly monopolizing the genre with the amazing 3D Mario games. But in 2017, the tides were shifted when indie developers at Gears of Breakfast released A Hat in Time.
2017 was a time when indie video game developers were starting to get the much-needed recognition. A Hat in Time was the game that changed the landscape for 3D indie platformers, inspiring many games later. This makes it a game that you should play right now.
The game follows a basic platformer structure like Mario games. The main character, Hat Kid, is trying to get back to her world. The journey takes her through various open-ended worlds, collecting time pieces.
Blue Fire
If you like the Dark Souls series and miss the older 3D Legend of Zelda games, then Blue Fire is the perfect indie game for you. The game is a precision platformer that makes you traverse through various environments that have a bleak aesthetic.
Along with the platforming, there is also combat involved that makes it closer to the Zelda games. The style of action combat can be described as hack-n-slash, but it’s in no way mindless.
Blue Fire’s story takes place in a world named Penumbra. You, as the player, traverse through the void, which is a lost land, ripe with challenging puzzles to solve.
PsiloSybil
PsiloSybil, at first glance, may look like a game straight out of the PlayStation 1 era, and there’s a very good reason for that. If you have been a fan of the PlayStation classic, Crash Bandicoot platformer franchise, then you should play PsiloSybil right now.
This game might be the most challenging 3D indie platformer on this list. Gameplay involves the player navigating through some intricate floor puzzles with a static moving camera. The platforming is very straightforward and old school, which lends to the difficulty.
PsiloSybil is also one of the most visually psychedelic platformers you can play. The main character is a mushroom named Sybil, who is navigating her way through surreal level designs. Her goal is to free the mushroomkind by defeating the boar sorcerer.
Corn Kidz 64
Corn Kidz 64 is a title that feels like it’s straight out of the Nintendo 64 era, just like how PsiloSybil looks like it’s a PlayStation 1 game. So, if you really like the era when Nintendo revolutionized 3D platformers with Super Mario 64, then you are going to love Corn Kidz 64.
The title is a beautiful platformer created by the indie developers at BogoSoft. The plot of Corn Kidz 64 plays around with goofy and slapstick humor. This is something a lot of the platformers are good at, but this game especially excels at comedy.
Story beats in the game harken back to games such as Conker’s Bad Fur Day. But in some way, Corn Kidz 64 surpasses that game by leaving the crass humor behind.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
If you are a fan of the Jet Set Radio game series, then Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is for you. Jet Set Radio fans have been waiting for a sequel to the franchise for a long time. Indie Developers at Team Reptile finally gave them a worthy spiritual success that you should play.
This title wasn’t Team Reptile’s first foray into video game development. They had made a small and original indie fighting game called Lethal League Blaze. The art style of the game reminded fans of Jet Set Radio.
Fast forward to 2023, Team Reptile stuns everyone by dropping a game that looks like Jet Set Radio. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk sped up the usual platforming of the old SEGA titles and made arcade skating more fun and challenging.
Pseudoregalia
Pseudoregalia is another platformer that feels like it’s straight out of the PlayStation 1 days. The thing that separates it from the rest is that this game allows unrestricted movements. This results in a type of movement which so freeform that players mostly play it to style.
This results in a gameplay philosophy which is fundamentally very close to Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. But instead of the competitive nature of a skating game, Pseudoregalia players style out of love for the game.
Pseudoregalia was developed by a solo independent developer named rittzler. The game follows an anthropomorphic character named Sybil who is deep inside the realm of sleep.
The Big Catch: Tacklebox
The Big Catch: Tacklebox is a free 3D indie platformer that you definitely need to play right now. We have been talking about how many of these games are inspired by retro console games. The Big Catch: Tacklebox feels like the culmination of everything great about retro games.
The title is developed by the indie developers at Filet Group. it beautifully blends the style of Zelda games like Windwaker with platforming elements that are incredibly original.
The funny part is that this game is just a demo for an even bigger game that will be released soon. But don’t be turned off by that, because The Big Catch: Tacklebox has content enough to make you play it for weeks.
