13 Melee games like Super Mario Bros. 2 that you should try

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We filtered the 33 games similar to Super Mario Bros. 2 down to the 13 that fit the “Melee” category. Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, Wake and Pinkman top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Super Mario Bros. 2.

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

The best melee games like Super Mario Bros. 2

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Super Mario Bros. 2. Each one has been evaluated across 7 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.

#1Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

iRank89

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeFantasy2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 481IGDB83· 6OC86· 32

Year 2017Dev Yacht Club GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

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Steam GOG PS

#2Wake

iRank27

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel Art

Steam👍 27%· 195

Year 2013Dev Boss BaddiePlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, melee combat and single-player focus.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Details →

Steam

#3Pinkman

iRank98

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DCasual

Steam👍 98%· 696

Year 2017Dev Viridino StudiosPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, while skipping fantasy world

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Steam

#4Disney's The Jungle Book

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2D

Steam👍 86%· 14IGDB70· 1

Year 1994Dev Eurocom Entertainment Software · Virgin Interactive Entertainment (Europe) Ltd.On PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat.

≠ Missing: fantasy world.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeFantasy2D

IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, melee combat and fantasy world.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

Details →

Nintendo

#6Kirby's Dream Land

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeFantasy2D

Year 1992Dev HAL Laboratory · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, melee combat and fantasy world.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DThird Person3D

Steam👍 94%· 25KIGDB75· 10

Year 2011Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PlayStation 3 · PC

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: visual third person and visual 3d, while skipping fantasy world

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleeFantasy2DCozy

Steam👍 83%· 1.1KRAWG👍 62%· 33MC52IGDB60· 1

Year 2010Dev AtariPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping visual pixel

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Steam Xbox PS

#9Ristar

iRank100

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtSci-Fi

Steam👍 100%· 11

Year 1995Dev Sega Enterprises, Ltd. · Tec ToyOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi, while skipping fantasy world

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtSci-Fi

Steam👍 94%· 3.5KMC89IGDB90· 1OC86· 14

Year 2023Dev Domesticated Ants · Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

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Steam GOG Epic

#11Sonic CD

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtSci-Fi

Steam👍 90%· 5.5KIGDB85· 1

Year 1993Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn PC

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping fantasy world

Details →

Steam

#12Duke Nukem

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMelee2DPixel ArtSci-Fi

Steam👍 88%· 137

Year 1991Dev Apogee SoftwareOn PC · Mac

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter and setting scifi, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloMeleePixel Art2DDark

Steam👍 87%· 9.3KIGDB72· 11OC74· 62

Year 2016Dev Do My Best Games · tinyBuildOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, shooter and deep simulation, while skipping fantasy world

Details →

Steam GOG PS

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