2018 was a decent year for the humble platformer, largely due to the efforts of indie developers, but 2019 looks like it will be a busier time for the genre. Publishers like Nintendo and Sony are stepping up to publish games like Yoshi’s Crafted World and Concrete genie, and some of the indies we’re getting, like Psychonauts 2, will be bigger in scope and ambition than what we saw in 2018. Here are the platformers that will have you jumping for joy in 2019…

　　Note: Only games with confirmed 2019 release dates are eligible for these lists. Stuff that’s only rumored or suspected to be coming out is relegated to the honorable mentions. Other entries on Wccftech's Most Anticipated of 2019 series: Strategy and Simulation, Action, Adventure

　　

Yoshi's Crafted World (Nintendo Switch, March 29)

2015’s Yoshi’s Woolly World was one of the most underrated games on the Wii U, and the upcoming Yoshi’s Crafted World looks to largely follow in that game’s fuzzy footsteps. A neat construction paper diorama look and a new mechanic that lets players flip the entire world to look for secrets should be just enough to make this one feel fresh. Yoshi’s Crafted World probably won’t test your twitch gaming skills, but it looks like a nice, relaxing time, and a great option for those with young kids.

　　

Psychonauts 2 (PC, Xbox One & PS4, 2019)

After nearly 15 years, Tim Schafer is finally delivering the oft-demanded sequel to his critically-acclaimed platformer Psychonauts. This crowdfunded sequel looks every bit as charming and unique as the original, and, hopefully, the platforming holds up too. Psychonauts 2 is perhaps the biggest project yet from one of indie gaming’s most creative and daring studios – even if the game isn’t perfect, it’s pretty much guaranteed to at least be interesting.

　　

Catherine: Full Body (PS4 & PS Vita, 2019) 

Catherine, Atlus’ inspired combination of puzzle-platformer, dating sim, and psychological thriller, was one of the most unique games of the past decade, and now it’s returning for a second go ‘round. In addition to 4K support, Catherine: Full Body adds a new love interest, additional “sexy” events, online play, and more. This one should occupy your after-dark hours for a while.

　　

Ori and the Will of the Wisps (PC & Xbox One, 2019)

Ori and the Blind Forest was a bit of a sleeper hit back in 2015, featuring absolutely gorgeous visuals and surprisingly tight action. Ori and the Will of the Wisps largely looks like more of the same, but that definitely isn’t a bad thing. The game’s new competitive time trial mode should also add a little extra depth for those hardcore speedrunning Ori fans out there.

　　

Concrete Genie (PS4, first half of 2019)

This is definitely one of the more interesting titles on Sony’s publishing slate. A 3D platformer, in which the player wields a magical paintbrush that can create living graffiti, Concrete Genie serves up a unique atmosphere and some solid puzzles. Having tested out the game at E3, I can also confirm just the act of creating elaborate street art masterpieces is a lot of fun. Don’t let this one pass you by.

　　

Honorable Mentions and Outside Possibilities

In addition to the games listed above, there are a few more indies worth mentioning, including the Castlevania successor Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and the thumb-spraining Super Meat Boy Forever. Also, while not strictly a platformer, Media Molecule’s Dreams will undoubtedly be used to create some good ones. Speaking of game editors, it’s also been heavily rumored that a new version of Super Mario Maker is on the way to the Switch this year.

　　Those are the games that will keep you hopping this year! Any promising platformers we missed? Round up your own list and share it in the comments!