What is the best game similar to Popeye?

The closest game to Popeye is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, scoring 67/100 on our similarity scale. They share 4 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Popeye?

The three closest games to Popeye are: 1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (67/100, 4 shared attributes) 2. Super Mario World (67/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Donkey Kong Bananza (67/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Popeye's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 5 dimensions.

Is Super Mario World similar to Popeye?

Yes — Super Mario World scores 67/100 similarity to Popeye. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.

What Platformer games are similar to Popeye?

The best Platformer games similar to Popeye are Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Ghosts 'n Goblins. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Popeye attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

How is similarity to Popeye calculated?

We compare Popeye against every game in our catalog using 5 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Popeye experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

50 Games like Popeye that you should try

Games like Popeye · Find similar →

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Popeye is hard to replace: few games combine precision platforming and single-player focus in quite the same way. We compared Popeye against over 6,700 titles across 5 gameplay attributes and found 50 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Bananza lead the list, with Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island reaching a 67/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Popeye special.

iRank62/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to Popeye

50 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Popeye. Each one has been evaluated across 5 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's IslandClosest on genre

iRank100

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DFantasy

IGDB100· 1

Year 1995Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Released 13 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DFantasy

IGDB100· 1

Year 1990Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Released 8 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

Details →

Nintendo

#3Donkey Kong Bananza

iRank91

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DSkill TreeThird Person

IGDB90· 3OC91· 172

Year 2025Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 8 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, skill tree progression and visual third person, while skipping visual pixel

Released 43 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals54

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DFantasy

IGDB90· 1

Year 1985Dev CapcomOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with shooter, adventure storytelling and fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Released 3 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

Details →

Nintendo

#5Super Mario Maker 2

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB87· 12OC88· 120

Year 2019Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: visual pixel.

Released 37 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB86· 8

Year 2012Dev RedLynx · Microsoft StudiosOn PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, while skipping visual pixel

Released 30 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

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Xbox

#7Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2D

IGDB88· 12OC84· 138

Year 2018Dev Retro Studios · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.

≠ Missing: visual pixel.

Released 36 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DIsometricThird Person

IGDB87· 2

Year 2002Dev Dimps · THQ

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, visual isometric and visual third person, while skipping visual pixel

Where it drifts furthest from Popeye: visuals.

Released 20 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals42

Details →

#9Kirby: Planet Robobot

iRank83

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DRanged

IGDB82· 15OC84· 58

Year 2016Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling and ranged combat, while skipping visual pixel

Released 34 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals72

Details →

Nintendo

#10Trials FusionClosest on visuals

iRank73

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DPixel ArtOffline

Steam👍 67%· 2.5KIGDB79· 11OC79· 62

Year 2014Dev RedLynx · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with racing gameplay, sports simulation and offline

Released 32 years after Popeye.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode90

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

MultiplayerSolo2DPixel ArtCo-op

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, multiplayer gameplay and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: shooter, adventure storytelling and first-person shooting

Released 16 years after Popeye.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode63

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DCo-opSandbox World

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and fantasy world, while skipping visual pixel

Released 26 years after Popeye.

Genre100Visuals72Game mode71

Details →

#13Metal Slug 3

iRank82

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DPixel ArtCo-op

IGDB82· 6

Year 2000Dev SNK · D4 EnterpriseOn Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat

Released 18 years after Popeye.

Genre100Visuals100Game mode71

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DIsometric

IGDB79· 1

Year 2001Dev Dimps · THQOn Android

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Where it differs: brings visual isometric, while skipping visual pixel

Released 19 years after Popeye.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals51

Details →

#15New Super Mario Bros.

iRank95

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMultiplayer2DCo-opMelee

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping visual pixel

Released 24 years after Popeye.

Genre100Visuals72Game mode71

Details →

Nintendo

Complete list of Popeye alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Popeye, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Kirby Super Star Ultra

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Platformer

Sonic Colors

Platformer · Adventure

Gunstar Heroes

Platformer · Shooter

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Platformer

Kirby: Nightmare in Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Platformer

Donkey Kong Country Returns

Platformer

Kirby's Epic Yarn

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Platformer · Adventure

Super Mario Bros.

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. U

Platformer · Adventure

Donkey Kong Country

Platformer

Yoshi's Woolly World

Platformer

LittleBigPlanet 3

Platformer · Adventure

King Arthur's Gold

Platformer · Sandbox

Sonic Lost World

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Claw

Platformer

Sonic Rush

Platformer

Doodle Jump

Platformer · Survival

Super Mario Bros. 3

Platformer

Worms 2

Platformer · Shooter

Circus Charlie

Platformer

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

Platformer · Adventure

Balloon Fight

Platformer · Adventure

Trials Rising

Platformer · Racing

Mario Bros.

Platformer

Gumboy Tournament

Platformer · Racing

Kirby: Squeak Squad

Platformer · Adventure

Super Contra

Platformer · Shooter

Sonic Forces

Platformer · Adventure

Frogger

Platformer · Survival

Sonic & Knuckles

Platformer

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Platformer · Shooter

Explore games similar to Popeye by category

Rankings in the same genre

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Popeye?: The closest game to Popeye is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, scoring 67/100 on our similarity scale. They share 4 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Popeye?: The three closest games to Popeye are: 1. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (67/100, 4 shared attributes) 2. Super Mario World (67/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. Donkey Kong Bananza (67/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Popeye's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 50 candidates across 5 dimensions.
Is Super Mario World similar to Popeye?: Yes — Super Mario World scores 67/100 similarity to Popeye. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. There are some notable differences in pacing or mechanics.
What Platformer games are similar to Popeye?: The best Platformer games similar to Popeye are Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Bananza and Ghosts 'n Goblins. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Popeye attributes like precision platforming, single-player focus and multiplayer gameplay.
How is similarity to Popeye calculated?: We compare Popeye against every game in our catalog using 5 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Popeye experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.