Platinum Gameshas built a reputation for delivering some of the most stylish, fast-paced action games in the industry. Known for their deep combat mechanics, over-the-top sequences and unmistakable spectacle, the studio has created some of the wildest action titles in gaming. Their games demand precise button control, rewarding players who master the game mechanics with some of the most fun combat systems ever designed. You could be slicing through a cyborg and dodging bullets in slow motion to command police force cyber-dogs. Platinum knows how to make gameplay feel powerful and fluid.
Team Ninja and PlatinumGames Team Up For Ninja Gaiden 4
It’s been quite a while, but one of the gaming greats of previous generations returns with Ninja Gaiden 4, which sees a dynamic duo at its core.
This list ranks the bestPlatinumGamestitles based on gameplay, design and sheer fun factor. Each entry highlights what makes it stand out, from the mechanics to its entertainment value. Platinum has always pushed the boundaries of modern action games and these seven games prove why they remain one of the most iconic studios in the industry. Their signature fast-paced gameplay and creative combat systems set them apart from their competition. Whether delivering fast gunplay, crazy hack-and-slash mechanics or innovative character control, Platinum Games consistently delivers unique experiences that keep players coming back for more. No matter the genre, they excel at making the fighting exciting, responsive and fluid, cementing their place as one of the best action game developers in the development business.
Black, White and Red All Over
MadWorldis a one-of-a-kind brawler drenched in stylized ultraviolence. Released for the original Wii, it embraced a monochrome aesthetic splashed with red, turning the entire game into a brutal, living comic book. Players control Jack Cayman, a chainsaw-wielding anti-hero trapped in a twisted game show where creative kills are the key to survival.
Combat rewards players for using the environment in outrageous ways. Impale enemies on spikes, toss them into trash compactors or combine objects for absurdly-brutal finishers. The over-the-top execution moves, funny announcers and non-stop action make MadWorld a standout in Platinum’s lineup. Though its simplicity and short campaign hold it back from reaching higher on this list, its style and sheer fun ensure its place among Platinum’s best. This was Platinum Games first dive into the action genre, after all.
Gears of War Meets a Jetpack
Vanquish enhanced third-person shooters by filling them with crazy speed and style. Most cover shooters encourage patience and opportunity, but Vanquish urges players to slide, dodge and slow time while unleashing a barrage of bullets. The result? A game that feels like an action movie on drugs.
With its fluid movement system and bullet-time mechanics, Vanquish feels like pure adrenaline at times. Boosting across the battlefield while gunning down enemies never gets old. The explosive set pieces, responsive combat and thrill of chaining kills at high speed make this one of the most exciting shooters ever made. While the campaignisshort, it remains a wild ride that rewards skilled players with lightning-fast reflexes.
5The Wonderful 101
101 Power Rangers
The Wonderful 101: Remastered
The Wonderful 101 takes superhero action to an entirely new level, letting players control a massive group of 101 heroes at once. Instead of playing as a single character, players command an entire team, morphing them into different weapons like swords or fists to fight off over-the-top alien invaders.
Review: The Wonderful 101: Remastered
The Wonderful 101: Remastered is a charming title with a ton of unique mechanics that make it almost intimidating to approach.
Beneath its cartoonish visuals lies a surprisingly deep combat system. Managing a growing team, executing precision combos and reacting to enemy patterns require both strategy and fast reflexes. The game can be overwhelming at first, but those who stick with it will find a one-of-a-kind experience that blends chaotic energy with satisfying, team-focused action. It’s one of Platinum Games’ most underrated gems, delivering the kind of colorful, energetic gameplay that only they could create. The creator even decided toput himself amongst the Wonderful 101!
4Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Cutting Edge (Literally)
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Metal Gear Rising takes the stealth action world of Metal Gear and turns it into a high-speed, blade-cutting action game inthis experimental spinoff. “Fan favorite” Raiden, now a cybernetic ninja, shines in this game, slicing through enemies with surgical precision in a way only Platinum Games could pull off.
The standout mechanic is that you can cut through nearly anything and create a deeply satisfying experience. Combat is tight, responsive and fun in a grotesque sort of way, with boss battles that are as intense as the music that riffs throughout them. For fans of high-speed action and absurdly unique and cool swordplay, Metal Gear Rising is a must-play. Its lightning-fast combat and absurdly over-the-top story cement it as one of Platinum Games' greatest achievements.
3Bayonetta 2
This Witch Never Gets Old
Bayonetta 2
Bayonetta 2 is a masterclass in character action games. With buttery-smooth combat at 60 frames-per-second, over-the-top set pieces and a stylish witchy protagonist, it refines everything great about the first game while cranking the insanity up a notch.
The core mechanic, Witch Time, which is dodging at the perfect moment slows down time, remains one of the most satisfying abilities in gaming. Every encounter feels like a perfectly-choreographed dance of chaos, and the game never stops throwing massive, awe-inspiring battles at the player. Bayonetta 2 is peak Platinum Games (despitemany believing it to be Nintendo made), proving the studio’s mastery of stylish, over-the-top action. Its polished mechanics, fluid movement and spectacle make it one of the best action games ever created.
2Astral Chain
This Cyber Detective Needs Backup
Astral Chain
Astral Chain blends detective work with high-speed combat, putting players in control of not just one but two characters at once with a literal chain attached. As a cyberpunk police officer, players wield “Legion” companions to fight interdimensional threats, creating a unique blend of strategy and action.
Review: Astral Chain
Aside from the lackluster co-op and slow start, Astral Chain is one of those rare games where it’s difficult to say anything bad about it.
The dual-character combat system adds an extra layer of depth, offering complex and satisfying fights unlike anything else in Platinum Games catalog. Managing multiple units in battle feels fluid, rewarding mastery of both offense and defense. Beyond combat, its cyberpunk world and engaging investigation mechanics add extra depth, making Astral Chain a standout among Platinum’s offerings. Its innovative mechanics and tight action solidify its place among the studio’s best games (and widely consideredone of the best Switch games). Also, you can pet dogs.
1Nier: Automata
Hack, Slash, Spirals of Death and Existential Crisis
NieR: Automata
Nier: Automata blends Platinum’s signature action combat with Yoko Taro’s signature storytelling, creating one of the most-compelling games of its generation. Players step into the roles of 2B and 9S (andtheir Pod companions), battling and scouting androids locked in a seemingly endless war, with fluid combat that feels responsive and rewarding.
Beyond its satisfying combat, the game incorporates bullet-hell segments similar to old games like Ikaruga, RPG mechanics and multiple playthroughs that completely redefine the experience. The story explores identity and existentialism, elevating it beyond traditional action games. With roller-coaster gameplay, a hauntingly beautiful narrative, and moments that challenge players emotionally and intellectually, Nier: Automata is Platinum Games at its absolute best.
10 Best BioWare Games, Ranked
From blighted fantasy lands to galaxies far, far away, we’re bringing you the best games in BioWare’s library!
