One of the reasons I'm thankful for being a 90s kid is being able to experience the 2D Platformer era at its prime. Despite all the emphasis on realism and 3D worlds (Obligatory anti-3D comment, but I still love current-gen gaming, though not as much as 16-bit era gaming) today, 2D platformers are, in my opinion, the most immersive genre, with their vivid worlds, colourful characters and catchy/funky/atmospheric music . And the challenge! Narrowly avoiding collision with a baddie when you're on your last bit of health or the sense of satisfaction you feel when you FINALLY figure out the enemy boss's pattern and exploit it are some of what makes 2D platformers so great.
It probably sounds like I'm being affected by nostalgia, but that's not the case, honestly. I was a Sega kid, and therefore never got to experience the NES/SNES era platformers, yet they make up most of my list. After listening to the Retronauts Mario podcast earlier and hearing them gush about the Bros. series , it's a pity that I didn't get to experience the impact that SMB had on gaming at the time. But then again, my *recent* playing of the Super Mario, Megaman and Donkey Kong Country games IS proof that my love for these games isn't nostalgia-tainted. These games are just timeless!
My Top Ten, in no particular order:
Mega Man 2
Having to strategically choose abilities to overcome certain obstacles was a blast, especially when it came to fighting bosses. The feeling when a boss loses a whole chunk of health because you have the right ability! Mega Man 2 was just a bigger and better version of 1.
Jazz Jackrabbit 2
There's nothing that particularly stands out about JJ2 IMO, but it's just brilliantly executed. And that's enough. It also felt so...wide and...free, though that might be just down to the resolution. And STAGE BUILDER.
Kirby Super Star
Probably the most satisfying platformer, but that's probably because it's more action orientated than most. So many abilities to choose from, and being a Sonic fan, I was
extremely impressed by the partner system, which seemed a hundred times better than the one in Sonic 3.
Puggsy
Platformers aren't usually what you would call calm and relaxing, but Puggsy is the exception to the rule. The physics system was GREAT, because it let you approach a situation in so many different ways. It's also pretty unconventional in the sense that it's not a platformer that revolves around action.
Dynamite Headdy
I didn't get to play Kirby till much later, so the head thing was really a breath of fresh air. This game has so much character it's amazing, and it's HILARIOUS.
Super Mario Bros. 3
I prefer it to Super Mario World because it feels more....intense and linear? I shouldn't be so unsure, but I just did not enjoy SMW as much as SMB3, and I played SMW straight after I finished 3.
Donkey Kong Country 2
I love DKC2 because it's extremely atmospheric. Platformers usually have a bright, upbeat nature, while this felt atmospheric. And I think that DKC2 absolutely NAILED the
*gimmick-per-level* formula of creating variety, and the more subtle difference between Diddy and Dixie made the partner system perfect.
Yoshi's Island
Amazing graphics, amazing bosses, amazing music, and refreshing gameplay overall.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Had the speed/platforming balance down perfectly, and sometimes I prefer it over Sonic 3 because of the linear gameplay. Introduced Tails, and had best final boss ever.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles
This platformer is absolutely EPIC in the true sense of the world, and no other platformer has replicated that sense of scale and adventure, IMO. The special stages were SO scary, and Knuckles was simply badass.
The colours! My list is pretty uncontroversial (Except for the lack of Super Mario World, but that's number eleven. Ghouls and Ghosts, Lion King, Castle of Illusion and Mickey Maniaare there too. OMG, and Ghostbusters and Castlevania and Alex Kidd....too many) , but I'm currently playing platformers that I missed first time round, including:
Pulseman (Genesis)
and
Umihara Kawase (SNES/PSX)
and
Ristar (Genesis)
And I plan to check out Bonk's Adventure. I'll post more images later.
But I'm hoping that in this 2D Platformer lovefest, some of the hidden gems will surface. What have you played? What do you like? What do you hate? Have any nice screens you would like to share? Any recommendations to make (Including indie platformers)? Any comments about the future of 2D platformers?
I just love 'em.
It probably sounds like I'm being affected by nostalgia, but that's not the case, honestly. I was a Sega kid, and therefore never got to experience the NES/SNES era platformers, yet they make up most of my list. After listening to the Retronauts Mario podcast earlier and hearing them gush about the Bros. series , it's a pity that I didn't get to experience the impact that SMB had on gaming at the time. But then again, my *recent* playing of the Super Mario, Megaman and Donkey Kong Country games IS proof that my love for these games isn't nostalgia-tainted. These games are just timeless!
My Top Ten, in no particular order:
Mega Man 2
Having to strategically choose abilities to overcome certain obstacles was a blast, especially when it came to fighting bosses. The feeling when a boss loses a whole chunk of health because you have the right ability! Mega Man 2 was just a bigger and better version of 1.
Jazz Jackrabbit 2
There's nothing that particularly stands out about JJ2 IMO, but it's just brilliantly executed. And that's enough. It also felt so...wide and...free, though that might be just down to the resolution. And STAGE BUILDER.
Kirby Super Star
Probably the most satisfying platformer, but that's probably because it's more action orientated than most. So many abilities to choose from, and being a Sonic fan, I was
extremely impressed by the partner system, which seemed a hundred times better than the one in Sonic 3.
Puggsy
Platformers aren't usually what you would call calm and relaxing, but Puggsy is the exception to the rule. The physics system was GREAT, because it let you approach a situation in so many different ways. It's also pretty unconventional in the sense that it's not a platformer that revolves around action.
Dynamite Headdy
I didn't get to play Kirby till much later, so the head thing was really a breath of fresh air. This game has so much character it's amazing, and it's HILARIOUS.
Super Mario Bros. 3
I prefer it to Super Mario World because it feels more....intense and linear? I shouldn't be so unsure, but I just did not enjoy SMW as much as SMB3, and I played SMW straight after I finished 3.
Donkey Kong Country 2
I love DKC2 because it's extremely atmospheric. Platformers usually have a bright, upbeat nature, while this felt atmospheric. And I think that DKC2 absolutely NAILED the
*gimmick-per-level* formula of creating variety, and the more subtle difference between Diddy and Dixie made the partner system perfect.
Yoshi's Island
Amazing graphics, amazing bosses, amazing music, and refreshing gameplay overall.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Had the speed/platforming balance down perfectly, and sometimes I prefer it over Sonic 3 because of the linear gameplay. Introduced Tails, and had best final boss ever.
Sonic 3 and Knuckles
This platformer is absolutely EPIC in the true sense of the world, and no other platformer has replicated that sense of scale and adventure, IMO. The special stages were SO scary, and Knuckles was simply badass.
The colours! My list is pretty uncontroversial (Except for the lack of Super Mario World, but that's number eleven. Ghouls and Ghosts, Lion King, Castle of Illusion and Mickey Maniaare there too. OMG, and Ghostbusters and Castlevania and Alex Kidd....too many) , but I'm currently playing platformers that I missed first time round, including:
Pulseman (Genesis)
and
Umihara Kawase (SNES/PSX)
and
Ristar (Genesis)
And I plan to check out Bonk's Adventure. I'll post more images later.
But I'm hoping that in this 2D Platformer lovefest, some of the hidden gems will surface. What have you played? What do you like? What do you hate? Have any nice screens you would like to share? Any recommendations to make (Including indie platformers)? Any comments about the future of 2D platformers?
I just love 'em.
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