The collectathon genre of games has seen a resurgence in recent years due to the pleasure of platforming enthusiasts.While it could be argued that the golden era of the collectathon genre came during the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 era, that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some excellent collectathon titles in recent years.

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The genre typically features a colorful cast of characters in some unique worlds as they collect a wide array of different items for one reason or another. Some titles treat collection as an achievement in itself; others may reward you with the true ending for snatching all the collectibles. Here are the best collectathons ever made.

Updated on September 27th, 2024 by Asad Mubeen: It takes time for modern releases to establish themselves as classics, even as the collectathon genre continues to thrive in the indie space. By now, however, it's become clear that games like Psychonauts 2 and Alice: Madness Returns will continue to linger in our hearts long after we're done collecting all the objects. For this reason, we decided to revisit this list and make it a little more comprehensive.

13 Yooka-Laylee

Yooka-Laylee

Platformer 4.5/5 Released April 11, 2017 Developer(s) Playtonic Games Publisher(s) Team17 Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Powered by Expand Collapse

A game that was inspired by the classic Banjo-Kazooie franchise, Yooka-Laylee did a lot to revive interest in collectathon games for the modern generation. If you grew up with games like Banjo-Kazooie, you will feel right at home playing this 2017 title.

While there is plenty to collect in the game, you'll find yourself mostly focused on tracking down pagies. The pagies expand the various worlds that you can explore, opening new opportunities for item collecting. Yooka-Laylee isn't the most original 3D platformer, but it's a good modern callback to the collectathons so many of us grew up with.

12 Yoshi’s Story

There are plenty of collectathon games where the collecting simply counts towards completion or unlocks new power-ups. In Yoshi’s Story, collecting all the fruit you can find is integral to progressing through the game. Despite this seemingly strict requirement, Yoshi's Story is a cute and relaxing collectathon.

You choose your preferred color of Yoshi and must move between stages, collecting fruit in order to end each level. While the game is quite linear, there are plenty of stages to choose from, and many secrets to find within each level.

11 Banjo-Tooie

Banjo-Tooie

Action-Adventure Platformer Released November 20, 2000 Developer(s) Rare Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) Nintendo 64, Xbox 360 Powered by Expand Collapse

Banjo-Tooie did its best, but didn’t quite live up to the reputation of the original in the eyes of many gamers. Luckily, a worse Banjo-Kazooie is still a great game (unless it's about building cars). The sequel did a great job of creating a whole new series of worlds to explore, and with even more things to collect inside each one.

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While there are lots of things to collect, the most important things are the jiggies, which are essentially little puzzle pieces that must be collected to progress through the game. The shifted focus to more puzzle-solving over exploration may have been the cause of the slight dip in quality.

10 Snake Pass

Snake Pass

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You might be surprised to see Snake Pass here, but if you can get past the steep learning curve, it's a truly unique game. The concept came about purely by accident: while learning to use Unreal Engine, one of the developers decided an isolated rope looked like a snake and might make for an interesting protagonist.

Ostensibly a platformer, Snake Pass is actually a puzzle game. You're tasked with solving puzzles and collecting various keystones in order to complete levels. While the puzzles can sometimes be frustrating and drag down the replay value, the control scheme is satisfying once you master it.

9 Super Mario 64

Super Mario 64

3D Platformer Released September 26, 1996 Developer(s) Nintendo Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) N64 Powered by Expand Collapse

There are a lot of things that could be said about Super Mario 64, but with the game being re-released on the Nintendo Switch’s Nintendo 64 online service, it’s safe to say it’s a game that is always in demand. While it may be a relatively simple collectathon, Mario 64 excels in every genre it falls into.

You make your way through different paintings in Peach’s castle to enter the levels, where you collect coins and power stars. These stars act as keys to allow you to progress further into the castle and eventually take down Bowser. Super Mario 64 is one of the most revolutionary games ever made; from the analog controls to the hub world, this game influenced all 3D platformers to come.

8 SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle For Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated

SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated

3D Platformer Released January 21, 2020 Developer(s) Purple Lamp Publisher(s) THQ Nordic Platform(s) PS4, PC, Switch, Xbox One Powered by Expand Collapse

The success of the SpongeBob SquarePants television series practically ensured that it would receive plenty of video games, but few expected a licensed game to be of such high quality. With its varied levels and faithful adaptation of the source material, Battle For Bikini Bottom inspired such adoration that it was eventually remastered.

Throughout the game, you'll collect spatulas, lost socks, and even a few pairs of golden underpants. Collectibles come with their own unique rewards for each, so it’s worth going out of your way to collect them all. The remaster also adds a multiplayer horde mode.

7 A Hat In Time

A Hat in Time

3D Platformer Released October 5, 2017 Developer(s) Gears for Breakfast Publisher(s) Humble Bundle Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch Powered by Expand Collapse

If you like collectathons with cute characters and challenging gameplay, it’s hard to do better than the 2017 title A Hat In Time. The base game and DLC give you access to six sprawling worlds brimming with items to collect.

Chief among these collectibles are the timepieces, which allow you to progress through the game once you have enough of them. While the collection aspect may be smaller when compared to other games, the strength of the platforming, as well as the game's replayability make this title essential if you're looking for a modern collectathon.

6 Psychonauts 2

Psychonauts 2

Platformer 4.5/5 Released August 25, 2021 Developer(s) Double Fine Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Platform(s) PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Linux, macOS Powered by Expand Collapse

The original Psychonauts was not a big commercial success, but it captured the hearts of many with its lighthearted platforming, humor, and matter-of-fact portrayal of trauma. It took 15 years, a crowdfunding campaign, and publishers changing hands, but Double Fine finally delivered a sequel.

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Psychonauts 2 is a polished version of its predecessor. Not much has changed in the gameplay design; it doesn't need to. You freely roam the world and collect items to strengthen your abilities. The game is heavier on the story than most collectathons, and just as well: its mental health message is profound.

5 Alice: Madness Returns

Alice: Madness Returns

Hack and Slash Released June 14, 2011 Developer(s) Spicy Horse Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Platform(s) PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Powered by Expand Collapse

The original Alice will always be the focal point of American McGee's legacy, but its sequel is arguably the better game. Alice: Madness Returns continues the story of the titular heroine after she leaves Rutledge Asylum. Her dark past continues to haunt her, and the hypnotic therapy sessions at her new orphanage do little to help.

You collect teeth and rose petals for upgrades, as well as bottles and trinkets to unlock Alice's repressed memories. Madness Returns is award-worthy for its visuals alone. The imaginative recreations of Wonderland in Alice's mind, and the portrayal of Victorian London in its post-industrial squalor make for striking images. The cathartic story and brilliant soundtrack are standouts as well.

4 Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie

3D Platformer 7.0/10 Released June 28, 1998 Developer(s) Rare Publisher(s) Nintendo Platform(s) N64, Xbox 360 Powered by Expand Collapse

Between Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, most fans seem to gravitate toward the original for the superior experience. The iconic opening level draws you in, motivating you to explore every nook and cranny; some would call Banjo-Kazooie an infinitely replayable game.

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While there are plenty of collectibles to choose from, the main item you're tasked with finding is the jiggies, which are required for progressing through the game. Banjo-Kazooie's excellent level design, charming aesthetic and cheerful world make it one of Rare's greatest triumphs.