Best games
Best Platformer games of 2004
The 12 best Platformer games released in 2004, ranked from 2,698 critic and player ratings.
The best Platformer game of 2004 is Metroid: Zero Mission, with a critic score of 95/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2004.
- 12 games are listed on this page, carrying 2,698 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 12
01
Metroid: Zero Mission
The full story of Samus Aran's first mission finally unfolds... The first Metroid game just scratched the surface of the cataclysmic events on planet Zebes, and at long last the rest of the tale has come to light. Experience the first of Samus's legendary adventures through all-new cut-scenes and action sequences as the bounty hunter races through the deeps toward her showdown with the leader of the Space Pirates. But will the end of Mother Brain really mean the end of the story...? Completion of the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid game. Zero Mission also allow players to unlock the Metroid Fusion picture gallery by linking between Zero Mission and Fusion cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
95
/100
02
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
An exploration-driven 3D metroidvania/first-person shooter hybrid and sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) in which Samus lands on Aether, an intricate planet torn into light and dark versions of itself, to help its remaining inhabitants defend against the invaders from its dark incarnation by traversing both the light and dark worlds, acquiring new power-ups and braving oppressive environments.
92
/100
03
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
A 3D platform video game and the third installment in the Ratchet & Clank series. The gameplay is similar to previous games in the series but introduces new features such as a new control system and more levels in the upgrade system for weapons. It follows Ratchet and Clank's adventure through a fictional universe to defeat a robotic villain, Dr. Nefarious, who intends to destroy all organic life. Characters such as Dr. Nefarious and Sasha, a Cazar starship captain who helps Ratchet throughout the game, are introduced, and a number of characters return from the original Ratchet & Clank.
91
/100
Metroid: Zero Mission
The full story of Samus Aran's first mission finally unfolds... The first Metroid game just scratched the surface of the cataclysmic events on planet Zebes, and at long last the rest of the tale has come to light. Experience the first of Samus's legendary adventures through all-new cut-scenes and action sequences as the bounty hunter races through the deeps toward her showdown with the leader of the Space Pirates. But will the end of Mother Brain really mean the end of the story...? Completion of the game unlocks an emulated version of the original Metroid game. Zero Mission also allow players to unlock the Metroid Fusion picture gallery by linking between Zero Mission and Fusion cartridges via the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable.
95
/100
02
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
An exploration-driven 3D metroidvania/first-person shooter hybrid and sequel to Metroid Prime (2002) in which Samus lands on Aether, an intricate planet torn into light and dark versions of itself, to help its remaining inhabitants defend against the invaders from its dark incarnation by traversing both the light and dark worlds, acquiring new power-ups and braving oppressive environments.
92
/100
03
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
A 3D platform video game and the third installment in the Ratchet & Clank series. The gameplay is similar to previous games in the series but introduces new features such as a new control system and more levels in the upgrade system for weapons. It follows Ratchet and Clank's adventure through a fictional universe to defeat a robotic villain, Dr. Nefarious, who intends to destroy all organic life. Characters such as Dr. Nefarious and Sasha, a Cazar starship captain who helps Ratchet throughout the game, are introduced, and a number of characters return from the original Ratchet & Clank.
91
/100
04
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a stealth-action platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and released for PlayStation 2 in 2004. Players control Sly Cooper and his gang as they attempt to dismantle the Klaww Gang and recover the scattered parts of Clockwerk. The game expands on its predecessor with open-ended mission structures, multiple playable characters, and improved stealth mechanics. The story takes place two years after Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. In the first game, Sly was becoming a professional thief, but in Band of Thieves, he is a professional thief, so he retains all of the moves from the first game. He also earns new moves and gains different items to assist him in his dark craft. Players might start a level as Sly, and then after completing a particular task, players switch to Bentley, and Murray, respectively.
88
/100
05
Super Mario 64 DS
Super Mario 64, the classic 3D platformer for the Nintendo 64, arrives on the Nintendo DS with all-new features that take advantage of the portable system's dual screens, touch screen, and wireless multiplayer capability. Like the original game, Super Mario 64 DS challenges you to find all the power stars hidden throughout the royal castle in the effort to free Peach imprisoned inside the castle. This time, you can play as Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Yoshi, each of whom has unique abilities. Overcome the challenges on your own or battle up to three of your friends in the multiplayer modes.
85
/100
06
Jak 3
Jak 3 is a platform game developed by Naughty Dog for Sony's PlayStation 2 console. The game is the sequel to Jak II, and third in the series. The game features new weapons and devices, new playable areas, and a storyline that picks up after the events of the previous games. As in the other games in the series, the player takes on the dual role of recurring protagonists Jak and Daxter.
84
/100
07
Cave Story
A side-scrolling platformer in which a robot traverses a strange world that has been thrown into disorder due to its violent history and a doctor that is attempting to exploit the inhabitants to aid him in his own pursuit for power.
83
/100
08
Gish
Gish isn't your average hero. In fact, he's not your average anything...you see, Gish is a ball of tar. A Sunday stroll with his lady friend, Brea, goes awry when a shadowy figure emerges from an open manhole and pulls Brea below ground. Following Brea's calls for help, Gish suddenly finds himself in the subterranean sewers of Dross, a long forgotten city filled with twisting corridors, evil traps, and some of the most demented creatures imaginable. With his gelatinous structure as his only means of defense, Gish must follow the echoing cries of his damsel in distress deep within the earth below. What freakish creatures dwell in this subterranean land? Who is Brea's captor? And just how far down does the rabbit hole go? Life isn't easy when you're a 12 pound ball of tar...
80
/100
09
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is a video game and sequel to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It picks up where The Sands of Time left off, adding new features, specifically, options in combat. The Prince now has the ability to wield two weapons at a time as well as the ability to steal his enemies' weapons and throw them. The Prince's repertoire of combat moves has been expanded into varying strings that allow players to attack enemies with more complexity than was possible in the previous game. Warrior Within has a darker tone than its predecessor adding in the ability for the Prince to dispatch his enemies with various finishing moves. In addition to the rewind, slow-down, and speed-up powers from The Sands of Time, the Prince also has a new sand power: a circular "wave" of sand that knocks down all surrounding enemies as well as damaging them.
80
/100
10
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for PC and Mac, and features similar action-adventure and platforming gameplay. The player controls both Harry as well as his friends Ron and Hermione, while casting spells, solving puzzles and fighting enemies. When not engaged in a specific mission, the castle of Hogwarts can be freely explored. Scattered all around Hogwarts, usually in hidden areas, are Every Flavour Beans, Pumpkin Pasties and Cauldron Cakes, which function as a sort of currency. They can be traded for Collectors Cards, passwords for portraits that lead to more secret areas, and power-ups.
68
/100
11
Half-Life: Source
67
/100
12
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
Sly 2: Band of Thieves
Sly 2: Band of Thieves is a stealth-action platformer developed by Sucker Punch Productions and released for PlayStation 2 in 2004. Players control Sly Cooper and his gang as they attempt to dismantle the Klaww Gang and recover the scattered parts of Clockwerk. The game expands on its predecessor with open-ended mission structures, multiple playable characters, and improved stealth mechanics. The story takes place two years after Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus. In the first game, Sly was becoming a professional thief, but in Band of Thieves, he is a professional thief, so he retains all of the moves from the first game. He also earns new moves and gains different items to assist him in his dark craft. Players might start a level as Sly, and then after completing a particular task, players switch to Bentley, and Murray, respectively.
88
/100
05
Super Mario 64 DS
Super Mario 64, the classic 3D platformer for the Nintendo 64, arrives on the Nintendo DS with all-new features that take advantage of the portable system's dual screens, touch screen, and wireless multiplayer capability. Like the original game, Super Mario 64 DS challenges you to find all the power stars hidden throughout the royal castle in the effort to free Peach imprisoned inside the castle. This time, you can play as Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Yoshi, each of whom has unique abilities. Overcome the challenges on your own or battle up to three of your friends in the multiplayer modes.
85
/100
06
Jak 3
Jak 3 is a platform game developed by Naughty Dog for Sony's PlayStation 2 console. The game is the sequel to Jak II, and third in the series. The game features new weapons and devices, new playable areas, and a storyline that picks up after the events of the previous games. As in the other games in the series, the player takes on the dual role of recurring protagonists Jak and Daxter.
84
/100
07
Cave Story
A side-scrolling platformer in which a robot traverses a strange world that has been thrown into disorder due to its violent history and a doctor that is attempting to exploit the inhabitants to aid him in his own pursuit for power.
83
/100
08
Gish
Gish isn't your average hero. In fact, he's not your average anything...you see, Gish is a ball of tar. A Sunday stroll with his lady friend, Brea, goes awry when a shadowy figure emerges from an open manhole and pulls Brea below ground. Following Brea's calls for help, Gish suddenly finds himself in the subterranean sewers of Dross, a long forgotten city filled with twisting corridors, evil traps, and some of the most demented creatures imaginable. With his gelatinous structure as his only means of defense, Gish must follow the echoing cries of his damsel in distress deep within the earth below. What freakish creatures dwell in this subterranean land? Who is Brea's captor? And just how far down does the rabbit hole go? Life isn't easy when you're a 12 pound ball of tar...
80
/100
09
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within is a video game and sequel to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It picks up where The Sands of Time left off, adding new features, specifically, options in combat. The Prince now has the ability to wield two weapons at a time as well as the ability to steal his enemies' weapons and throw them. The Prince's repertoire of combat moves has been expanded into varying strings that allow players to attack enemies with more complexity than was possible in the previous game. Warrior Within has a darker tone than its predecessor adding in the ability for the Prince to dispatch his enemies with various finishing moves. In addition to the rewind, slow-down, and speed-up powers from The Sands of Time, the Prince also has a new sand power: a circular "wave" of sand that knocks down all surrounding enemies as well as damaging them.
80
/100
10
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for PC and Mac, and features similar action-adventure and platforming gameplay. The player controls both Harry as well as his friends Ron and Hermione, while casting spells, solving puzzles and fighting enemies. When not engaged in a specific mission, the castle of Hogwarts can be freely explored. Scattered all around Hogwarts, usually in hidden areas, are Every Flavour Beans, Pumpkin Pasties and Cauldron Cakes, which function as a sort of currency. They can be traded for Collectors Cards, passwords for portraits that lead to more secret areas, and power-ups.
68
/100
11
Half-Life: Source
67
/100
12
Shrek 2: The Game
63
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Platformer game of 2004?
Metroid: Zero Mission currently tops the ranking with a score of 95/100 across 288 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.