Polygon’s review of Denshattack this week called it the best 3D Sonic game in years, which is both a compliment and a reminder that the mascot platformer genre never really died. It went to Steam and Itch, where developers built better versions of the games we grew up with. If you finished Denshattack in an evening and want another eight of that quality, these 3D mascot platformer games for desktop cover every angle from spiritual successor to rebooted classic.
We played through each one on a modest gaming PC and a Steam Deck (docked), checking control feel, camera behavior, level variety, and how the game holds up after the first couple of worlds. Every pick has been fully released, not early access.
What to look for in a 3D mascot platformer
- Tight jump-and-attack controls that respond within a couple of frames.
- Camera that follows the character without needing constant right-stick correction.
- Levels designed around collectibles rather than combat treadmills.
- A distinct art style, not the beige-brown palette that killed Xbox 360 mascots.
- Length of at least eight hours for the main story; more if collection matters to you.
- Controller support with sensible defaults (every pick supports Xbox and PlayStation gamepads).
Quick comparison
| Game | Best for | Platforms | Price | Length (hrs) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Hat in Time | Spiritual Mario 64 successor | Windows, macOS, Linux | Standard purchase | 12-40 | Overwhelmingly Positive |
| Yooka-Laylee | Banjo-Kazooie fans | Windows, macOS, Linux | Standard purchase | 15-25 | Mostly Positive |
| Psychonauts 2 | Story-driven platforming | Windows, macOS, Linux | Standard purchase | 15-25 | Overwhelmingly Positive |
| Sonic Frontiers | Open-zone Sonic | Windows | Standard purchase | 20-30 | Very Positive |
| Spyro Reignited Trilogy | Classic Spyro remakes | Windows | Standard purchase | 20-30 | Very Positive |
| Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | 90s Crash remakes | Windows | Standard purchase | 15-25 | Very Positive |
| Super Lucky’s Tale | Kid-friendly platformer | Windows | Standard purchase | 8-12 | Mixed |
| Balan Wonderworld | Yuji Naka experimental | Windows | Budget purchase | 10-20 | Mixed |
The games
1. A Hat in Time — Best Mario 64 successor on PC
A Hat in Time is what Super Mario Odyssey would be if it launched on Steam. Hat Kid runs, jumps, dives, and hooks across four themed chapters that each play like their own game. The dev team was two people at launch, and the polish is still ahead of most AAA platformers a decade later.
Where it falls short: the second chapter (Battle of the Birds) drops the collectathon rhythm for a story arc some players find slower. The DLC unlocks are staggered across separate purchases.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase: base game plus regular Steam sales.
- DLC: Two paid expansions that add significant content.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux (via Steam).
Bottom line: A Hat in Time is perfect for Mario 64 fans who want the same rhythm on a PC. Skip it if you want a serious story.
2. Yooka-Laylee — Best Banjo-Kazooie throwback
Yooka-Laylee was funded by former Rareware developers on Kickstarter. The result plays exactly like Banjo-Kazooie, expanded worlds and all. Yooka the chameleon and Laylee the bat cover attack and traversal duty between them. Every collectible from Banjo has a Yooka-Laylee analog.
Where it falls short: the level design leans big-and-open in a way that feels padded at times. The camera occasionally fights back on tight platforming.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam and GOG.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Bottom line: Yooka-Laylee is perfect for people who wanted a Banjo-Threeie. Skip it if you were hoping for a modernization of the formula.
3. Psychonauts 2 — Best for platforming with a real story
Psychonauts 2 landed 16 years after the original and picked up the story like no time had passed. Each level is a mind Raz enters to fix, and every mind has its own visual language, mechanic, and narrative arc. Platforming layers on genuine emotional weight, which is rare in the genre.
Where it falls short: combat encounters break the platforming rhythm for players who came for the jumping. Some late-game bosses feel harder than the difficulty curve suggested.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam, GOG, and Xbox Game Pass PC.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Bottom line: Psychonauts 2 is perfect for adults who want a mascot platformer that respects their time. Skip it if you dislike combat.
4. Sonic Frontiers — Best open-zone Sonic
Sonic Frontiers shipped the open-zone Sonic that fans have wanted since Sonic Adventure. Five continents host their own puzzles, cyberspace levels, and boss encounters. Movement is fast, the loop is tight, and the post-launch updates significantly improved combat.
Where it falls short: pop-in on rings and enemies is noticeable on lower settings. The story writing is uneven.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam and Epic.
Platforms: Windows.
Download: Steam · Epic Games Store
Bottom line: Sonic Frontiers is perfect for anyone who liked Denshattack and wants an official 3D Sonic that finally landed. Skip it if you want linear levels.
5. Spyro Reignited Trilogy — Best remake of a classic
Spyro Reignited Trilogy rebuilt all three PS1 Spyro games with modern visuals and better cameras. The original level design is preserved so the memory-tour feeling is intact. Toys for Bob nailed the tone with lighting and character animation that matches how the games felt when they launched.
Where it falls short: input lag on some abilities compared to the original. No new content beyond the visual rebuild.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam, GOG, and Epic.
Platforms: Windows.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: Spyro Reignited is perfect for people who owned the originals. Skip it if you never played the PS1 games.
6. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy — Best 90s Crash remake
Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy rebuilt the first three PS1 Crash games with modernized visuals and unified controls across the trilogy. Vicarious Visions kept the original stage layouts, which means the difficulty spikes of Crash 1 remain intact.
Where it falls short: hitboxes on some jumps feel less forgiving than the original PS1 versions. Camera in Crash 1 stages remains stiff by design.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam and Epic.
Platforms: Windows.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: N. Sane Trilogy is perfect for players who want the punishing 90s platformer intact. Skip it if you get frustrated by pit deaths.
7. Super Lucky’s Tale — Best kid-friendly option
Super Lucky’s Tale targets younger players with forgiving controls and cheerful worlds. It runs at high frame rates even on modest hardware and works well on a Steam Deck. Level design is more linear than the Kickstarter-era platformers on this list.
Where it falls short: adults with two decades of platformer muscle memory will find it easy. Some worlds feel repetitive.
Pricing:
- Standard purchase on Steam.
Platforms: Windows.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: Super Lucky’s Tale is perfect for playing with a kid on your lap. Skip it if you want a challenge.
8. Balan Wonderworld — Best if you like weird design experiments
Balan Wonderworld was Yuji Naka’s post-Sega swing at a Sonic-successor concept. It bounced hard at launch, but at budget prices it is genuinely interesting: 80 costume abilities across 12 acts, a music-forward audio design, and structural choices no other 3D platformer would attempt. The community reappraisal has been gentle.
Where it falls short: single-button controls feel restrictive to genre veterans. Camera issues persist in narrow corridors.
Pricing:
- Budget purchase on Steam (regularly discounted below launch price).
Platforms: Windows.
Download: Steam
Bottom line: Balan Wonderworld is perfect for genre archivists who want to see how Yuji Naka’s post-Sega experiment played out. Skip it if you want conventional 3D platformer feel.
How to pick the right one
If you want the best game on the list: A Hat in Time. If you loved Banjo-Kazooie: Yooka-Laylee. If you want story: Psychonauts 2. If Denshattack put you back in the 3D Sonic mood: Sonic Frontiers. If you owned a PS1: Spyro Reignited or Crash N. Sane. If you’re playing with a kid: Super Lucky’s Tale. If you want the weird one nobody talks about: Balan Wonderworld.
Skip the whole genre only if you truly cannot stand imprecise cameras or timing puzzles.
FAQ
Which 3D platformer runs well on modest PC hardware?
Super Lucky’s Tale, A Hat in Time, and Yooka-Laylee all run at high frame rates on integrated graphics. Psychonauts 2 and Sonic Frontiers need a mid-range GPU for smooth 1080p.
Which of these games work on Steam Deck?
A Hat in Time, Yooka-Laylee, Psychonauts 2, Super Lucky’s Tale, and Sonic Frontiers all have Steam Deck Verified or Playable ratings. Crash and Spyro trilogies also run well.
What is the best 3D Sonic game on PC in 2026?
Sonic Frontiers is the best official 3D Sonic game currently on Steam. Denshattack is worth playing for a modern indie take. Fan projects like Sonic Robo Blast 2 offer alternative angles.
How long are these games to complete?
Most run 12 to 25 hours for the main path. Adding collectibles and secret levels pushes A Hat in Time and Yooka-Laylee past 40 hours.
Which of these support couch co-op?
Yooka-Laylee has a two-player mini-game mode. Crash and Spyro trilogies are single-player only. Super Lucky’s Tale is single-player.
