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Welcome to Retro Video Gamer => Retro News & Chat => Topic started by: Bobinator on October 14, 2012, 03:10:58 AM

Title: Best platformers?
Post by: Bobinator on October 14, 2012, 03:10:58 AM
[align=center:l4hjqdjt]So, hey, platformers. They're pretty great. Great enough I'd consider them my favorite genre, really! So many good games, in so many styles! So, what are your favorites?

Super Mario World 2 - Yoshi's Island

! Video not found (//http)

Honestly, I'd call this probably one of my top 10 games. Once you get past that tiny 'Baby Mario' thing, you'll find probably one of the best platformers there is. It controls well, the crayon-esque art style is an interesting look, and the level design is top notch. It never gets too frustrating, while still introducing new elements the further in you go.

Pac-Man World

Pac-Man World (PSX) - Pirate Levels (//http)

As for 3D platformers, I'm not sure if I'd quite call this the BEST, but I still found it very enjoyable. It's a lot more like Crash Bandicoot with more open level design than a Pac-Man game, but that's OK. The platforming's pretty enjoyable, and it's a good looking game for the hardware.

I might put up more, later, but let me hear yours, first![/align:l4hjqdjt]
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: tomwaits on October 14, 2012, 16:31:21 PM
I'm not a big fan of platformers... For 2D, the Sonic and Rayman games are ok. For 3D, the Mario Galaxy games are ok.

But, I definitely prefer cross-genre hybrids. I like puzzle-platformers. (Lemmings, Braid, Closure, etc) I like arcade-platformers. (Bubble Bobble, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Strider, etc) I like adventure-platformers. (Metroid, Castlevania, Flashback, etc) Most of these don't fit the pure platformer definition though...
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Vyothric on October 14, 2012, 16:58:40 PM
Best? careful there, this isn't retrogamer  :P

Some of my favourite platformers would be:

Banjo-Kazooie (N64)
Commander Keen 5 (PC)
Donkey Kong Country (SNES)
Earthworm Jim (Mega CD)
Jazz Jackrabbit (PC)
Super Mario 64 (N64)
Super Mario World (SNES)
The Terminator (Mega CD)
Wolfchild (Mega CD)

Among many others. But not Yoshi's Island. I actually got it recently and I'm quite far into it, but just find it a bit annoying. Baby Mario crying is enough to ruin it for me - makes me want to switch it off everytime I hear it. Not liking it anywhere near as much as SMW 1.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Bobinator on October 14, 2012, 18:22:56 PM
Quote from: "tomwaits"I'm not a big fan of platformers... For 2D, the Sonic and Rayman games are ok. For 3D, the Mario Galaxy games are ok.

But, I definitely prefer cross-genre hybrids. I like puzzle-platformers. (Lemmings, Braid, Closure, etc) I like arcade-platformers. (Bubble Bobble, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Strider, etc) I like adventure-platformers. (Metroid, Castlevania, Flashback, etc) Most of these don't fit the pure platformer definition though...

You know, I would say that Lemmings isn't actually a platformer, but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwpkCeG-Ir8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwpkCeG-Ir8)

This is, without any hyperbole, probably one of the best looking 2D games ever. Games like Rayman Origins look great, sure, but this? This is all pixel art.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Vyothric on October 14, 2012, 18:25:24 PM
I played that game last year. I liked it. Found it pretty difficult though.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on October 15, 2012, 09:40:54 AM
I could probably count the platformers I enjoy on both hands. I am not a fan of the genre at all.

That said I do enjoy all the Bubble Bobble games and I also love Snow Bros, Rodland and Wonderboy 3 on the Mega Drive.

I do get some enjoyment out of fast ones like Sonic or Zool but soon end up getting frustrated.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Bobinator on October 15, 2012, 13:35:16 PM
Bah, Zool can sit in the trash can of history with Awesome Possum and Bubsy the Bobcat for all I care. :P See, if you play a lot of those Sonic clones that came out for the Amiga, you'll notice something: They make you run around and collect things before the exit opens. Which, as you probably know, isn't something that you actually do in Sonic, with the exception of 3D Blast.

If we're talking good Sonic-style games, though...

Jazz Jackrabbit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7xI4fKbllo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7xI4fKbllo)
Still Sonic with guns, still awesome, still go play it.

Rocket Knight Adventures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IubgO2bbYak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IubgO2bbYak)
So what happens when you mix Contra 3 with Sonic? Well, you get something like this, and since it's 90's Konami we're discussing here, you get something incredible. You play as an opposum equipped with a sword and a rocket back, which you can use to blast through the air, off of walls, and through enemies. The rocket mechanic is neat, but where this game really shines is the level design. Much like Contra 3, you're constantly being rushed through new situations, and there's a lot of really great boss fights. The music, typical of Konami, is excellent.

Aero the Acrobat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZat-1H5xM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPZat-1H5xM)
OK, I'm going to admit, this game isn't nearly as original as Rocket Knight Adventures when it comes to the whole 'mascot platformer' thing, but I still found this enjoyable. It doesn't really go as fast as Sonic, which may or may not be a good thing for you. One word of warning: This game can get pretty difficult, so if you ever find yourself getting frustrated, you might want to try its easier sequel instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSfrgQN8xSk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSfrgQN8xSk)

Let me just go ahead and say that this game has probably some of the best art you'll find on the SNES.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Shadowrunner on October 15, 2012, 15:31:23 PM
I got my start in gaming with 2600 games but I think the first game that really hooked me was the original SMB on the NES. After that and through the rest of the 8 and 16 bit years platformers were definitely my favorite genre. Now that I'm older I just don't have the patience for this style of game and I prefer the hybrid platformers like Tom said. I love stuff like Trine, Shadow Complex and Castlevania. Of the old platformers though Sonic is my favorite for sure.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Minerals on October 15, 2012, 17:09:58 PM
My personal faves over the years would be:

Sonic 2 - Megadrive
Magic Pockets - ST
Super Mario World - Snes
Rayman - Jaguar
Sonic Adventure - Dreamcast
Soinc Adventure 2 - Dreamcast
Super Mario 64 - N64
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Katzkatz on October 15, 2012, 21:22:24 PM
My favourites are

Arcade platformers :-

Bubble Bobble(loved that on the Spectrum)
Rainbow Islands(great on the Amiga)
Parasol Stars
Harlequin


Arcade/adventure platformers:-

Myth
Gods
First Samurai
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Vyothric on October 15, 2012, 21:24:04 PM
Quote from: "Bobinator"Aero the Acrobat

I played Aero the Acrobat 2 last year. Quite liked it. Had some really good music too.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Mire Mare on October 15, 2012, 23:06:30 PM
Impossible Mission on the c64 and the subsequent remake on the DS. Along similar lines, Soulless also on c64. It takes some of the IM gameplay and is for me one of the best c64 games.

I really enjoyed SMW back in the 90s but I didn't enjoy revisiting it for some reason.

I still like a play on Manic Miner and JSW but for nostalgia more than believing they're the best, or two of, platformers.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Bobinator on October 18, 2012, 14:16:29 PM
Quote from: "Mire Mare"Impossible Mission on the c64 and the subsequent remake on the DS. Along similar lines, Soulless also on c64. It takes some of the IM gameplay and is for me one of the best c64 games.

I really enjoyed SMW back in the 90s but I didn't enjoy revisiting it for some reason.

I still like a play on Manic Miner and JSW but for nostalgia more than believing they're the best, or two of, platformers.

How is Impossible Mission 2025? That's one game I never hear anybody talk about, like everybody just kind of quietly pretended it never existed. It didn't LOOK that bad for a reboot/sequel, although I never played it myself.

As for Manic Miner and such... I've never been big on the whole 'single screen platformer' thing that British computers had a million of. Call me spoiled by the likes of Super Mario World, but I figured they were all made by programmers that got a perverse delight out of watching you suffer. Jet Set Willy, for me, is like playing Donkey Kong, only the difficulty's been cranked up by 100, you never get any hammers, and you have no real idea where you're supposed to go.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on October 18, 2012, 14:32:23 PM
A little known fact is that Electrocop for the Atari Lynx was originally called Impossible Mission 3, the title was only changed just before release when Epyx felt that the game had become too far removed from the previous 2 games. Many of the gameplay elements are actually very similar like hacking the computers, avoiding the droids and going to multiple floors but there is no platforming in it at all. Still a highly impressive game for the machine though.

Skip to 3:50

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoSyyMFYvk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXoSyyMFYvk)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: onthinice on October 18, 2012, 14:44:54 PM
Bonk is might favorite with Pac Land right behind. I agree about Super Mario 2. It has enough changes to make it playable.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on October 18, 2012, 16:43:32 PM
Quote from: "onthinice"Bonk is might favorite with Pac Land right behind. I agree about Super Mario 2. It has enough changes to make it playable.

Only got Bonk for the TurboGrafx quite recently but I do think it's a really good game.

I am a big fan of Pac-Land, especially the arcade perfect Lynx version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAhAxcjkRAk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAhAxcjkRAk)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Bobinator on October 19, 2012, 00:04:20 AM
By the way, thread, I played Impossible Mission 2025 this morning.

This is just a speculative guess here, but the reason nobody talks about may or may not have to do with the fact that nobody knows what in the bloody hell you're supposed to be DOING.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Mire Mare on October 19, 2012, 01:06:19 AM
I got the Bonk games on the VC and have really enjoyed playing them.

Pac-Land is brilliant. It's utterly unoffensive and for me captures the look of the 80s cartoon very well indeed.  I only ever played it in the arcade and on the c64. On the c64 I could never get further than the first really long springboard jump over huge pool of water.  No matter how hard or fast I waggled, or pressed the button - can't remember which, I always landed in the water inches from landing safely.  It was great fun up until this point!

I don't think I'd heard Impossible Mission 2025 until this thread. It looks like it was released on machines I didn't have back in 94. IM2 wasn't as good as the original by a long way. It was overly complicated and lost the simplicity and flow of the gameplay that made the first game fun and gave it a unique feel and atmosphere.

I'll definitely have to check out Electrocop now.  I never had this game when I had a Lynx.  I may have to get another Lynx 2!
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on October 19, 2012, 14:22:49 PM
Here is the Amiga CD32 version of Impossible Mission 2025:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogs-lnZu_N4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogs-lnZu_N4)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on June 29, 2014, 23:52:56 PM
So, now that I have a Genesis I've discovered some games that are excellent.  One of them is this excellent platformer, Blades of Vengeance. 

[align=center:2bu8xi6f]Mega Drive Longplay [090] Blades Of Vengeance (//http)[/align:2bu8xi6f]
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on June 30, 2014, 00:14:42 AM
Hmmm, I wouldn't really call that a platformer its more of a hack and slash style arcade adventure like Rygar, Rastan and Legendary Axe.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on June 30, 2014, 00:18:26 AM
Isn't that a type of platformer? 
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Ben on June 30, 2014, 01:16:04 AM
I thought I'd throw out a couple of really underrated ones for the Megadrive/Genesis.  First up is the port of Toki, which I never played in the arcade: Toki Going Ape Spit (MD/Genesis) - Boss run (//http) and the other (and better game) is Monster World IV:  Wonder Boy in Monster World 4/IV (SEGA GENESIS) Part 1 (//http)

Both of those are really underrated MD games and worth a play, I think.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on June 30, 2014, 01:49:19 AM
Toki is very good.  I got that game recently.  :)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TL on June 30, 2014, 20:20:10 PM
[align=center:2l3xxxm4]As I said earlier, I am not a massive fan of platformers but always liked the Wonder Boy games, especially Wonder Boy 3 on the Mega Drive - superb game!

Master System Longplay [051] Wonder Boy (//http)

Wonderboy in monsterland - Atari st (//http)

Wonder Boy III : Monster Lair, megadrive (//http)[/align:2l3xxxm4]
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on June 30, 2014, 22:51:16 PM
These are indeed fun games to play.  I've only played the first Wonder Boy, though, so looks like I need to get the others.  :)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on August 31, 2014, 23:08:38 PM
Here is another fun (and somewhat crazy) platformer for the Genesis/MD.  The translated version of the original Japanese game is the best version to play.

[align=center:2ltpt74g]Dynamite Headdy Walkthrough (//http)[/align:2ltpt74g]
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: onthinice on August 31, 2014, 23:14:42 PM
Never played it but I like how colorful the game is and the demo moves fast.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on August 31, 2014, 23:22:52 PM
Quote from: "onthinice"Never played it but I like how colorful the game is and the demo moves fast.
You should check it out.  Definitely worth playing.  :)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: onthinice on August 31, 2014, 23:24:30 PM
Wonder if I can get it to work on my AtGames Sega Genesis with the multi-cart adaptor. Worth trying it out.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on August 31, 2014, 23:25:22 PM
Quote from: "onthinice"Wonder if I can get it to work on my AtGames Sega Genesis with the multi-cart adaptor. Worth trying it out.

Just be sure to get the translated version of the original.  The version that was exported has too many elements removed.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: onthinice on August 31, 2014, 23:31:50 PM
Ok and Thanks :)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on October 31, 2014, 02:12:38 AM
[align=center:31mcco8i]Game Sack - Six Great 8-bit Platformers (//http)[/align:31mcco8i]
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: zapiy on October 31, 2014, 13:14:00 PM
Great selection in that video, a fair few i have never seen let alone played.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: TrekMD on October 31, 2014, 13:15:59 PM
That is an older video of theirs but it was good and I figured not everyone would know all the games.  :)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: zapiy on October 31, 2014, 13:17:32 PM
Totally.. need to hunt for some of them.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Tachi on December 22, 2014, 17:27:42 PM
Really grew to dislike platformers after the newer consoles appeared and the only ones I can truly say I loved were on C64 (Turrican, Myth, Cyberdyne Warrior and Creatures) and Master System (Rastan and Wonder Boy).
These new fangled contraptions and their fancy graphics..PAH.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: guest5225 on December 23, 2014, 00:36:27 AM
Jazz Jackrabbit for sure!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCr4Uz_DWyM#ws (//http)
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: guest5473 on January 07, 2015, 22:54:46 PM
The Sonic the Hedgehog and Shinobi series.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: Console Compulsive on January 08, 2015, 19:27:03 PM
Seeing as I can't make my mind up on one individual I'm going to go with a top twenty of my favourite ones.

1) Chuckie Egg - Spectrum
2) Load Runner - Spectrum
3) Solomon's Key - Arcade
4) Psycho Fox - Master System
5) Contra - Arcade
6) Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - Megadrive
7) Flink - Mega CD
8) Cobra (Stallone's) - Spectrum
9) Ghosts and Goblins - Arcade
10) Earthworm Jim Special Edition - Mega CD
11) Jet Set Willy - Spectrum
12) Manic Miner - Spectrum
13) Burger Time - Intellivision
14) Frak! - BBC Micro
15) Brian Bloodaxe - C64
16) Rayman - PS1
17) Kangaroo - Atari 2600
18) Bonze Adventure - Arcade
19) Revenge of Shinobi - Megadrive
20) Bubble Bobble - Arcade

As usual there are so many others that I would have liked to add on but I'll save them for another list.
Title: Re: Best platformers?
Post by: zapiy on January 08, 2015, 22:53:57 PM
Some great choices guys.  :113: