This has got to be Super Mario 64. To really understand and appreciate this you just had to be here as a kid when this launched.

Remeber up until that point we had only really seen 2d platformer games…. Think of the 2d side scrolling Mario games we all know and love. Then Mario 64 arrived as the launch title for the incredible Nintendo 64 console and nothing was ever the same again.

This game has full 3d graphics which allowed you to go anywhere, it also ushered in the use of a joystick on the controller for easier control of your character on a 3d environment! It truely was groundbreaking.

Now all the groundbreaking technical feats aside it was and still is one of the best Super Mario games ever… and to this day I would love to see it get a modern day remake!

I Remeber vividly seeing it in demo mode on a kiosk stand at my local currys electronics store or it might have been comet, but there was a section where Mario jumped into Liquid Metal and the he was a Liquid Metal Mario character running around… my jaw hit the floor and one of the many times through my gaming journey I said to myself “graphics will never get better than this!”. That’s one of the joys of growing up alongside the gaming world is I got to enjoy all these incredible moments as they were happening and i still do to this day! Also i still enjoy super Mario 74 to this day and it got a re-release on switch but I have recently just got my hands on it for the N64 which I can’t wait to check out on the original hardware when I get the time!

A truely legendary game and one you just must play!

Sturmer 7/22/2024, 11:33:20 AM

Prince of Persia (1989)

Rich · 2024-07-12T17:51:50.634Z

It's been a while since we did a best-in-genre list bounty, but we've covered RPGs, shooters, and strategy games, and now it's time for one of gaming's classic genres: platform games. Platformers are defined by movement - jumping between platforms, climbing walls, and zooming around levels, perhaps while collecting rings with appealing 'plink' noises as you go. In contrast to action-adventures, they tend to be more abstract than naturalistic so as to hit you with wackier terrain. We're accepting both classic 2D side-scrollers and more modern 3D platforming games for this one. Simply tell us what you think is the best platformer ever made and why - we're allowing submissions of any length, but will reject answers that don't make a decent case, so more detail is better!...

For the best platformer game of all time, I nominate Prince of Persia (1989). This granddaddy of soulslike, roguelike, and many other "likes" has been making gamers' lives miserable - in a good way - for decades.

I've had this wonderful game on my playlist for 35 years and still haven't finished it. Beyond my personal trauma, it had a massive impact and inspired countless other games and TV shows. It used innovative technology like VHS rotoscoping to achieve realistic character animations. In 2024, Ubisoft released the latest remake, "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown."

Check this great video, where you can see rotoscoping in action, as well as some level design process footage:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZW_eExHpTZI?feature=oembed

JB

Josh B 7/19/2024, 8:29:19 PM

I see a couple of other Mario games nominated here but for me the game changer was Super Mario 64

This was one of the defining games of the N64 era and helped redefine and shape the modern day platformer as we know it today.

Brilliant gameplay and excellent, memorable level design in 3D changed the Mario franchise from its 2D side scrolling roots and helped continue it's ascendency to one of the most iconic characters ever made.

The game has withstood the test of time, too. I happily go back to playing this on my N64 emulator on my laptop and it remains an addictive experience.

M

Marcus 7/17/2024, 12:52:04 PM

I consider the best platform game of all time to be Super Mario Galaxy. For the following reasons:

The gameplay and visuals - The graphics were ahead of their time and still hold up to this day.
The Story - From exploring the galaxy to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser, to learning
Rosalina’s backstory. The entire adventure fills you with excitement, happiness, and sadness.
The Music - Mahito Yokota and Koji Konda kill it with the score. With both epic orchestral arrangements, and simple and fun pieces, that will stay in your head rent-free even if you can’t remember where in the game the music was played.

The game was so well received that it was given a rerelease on the Nintendo Switch along with Super Mario 64, and Super Mario Sunshine (as part of the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection).

mar1gold 7/16/2024, 1:22:49 PM

for this i have to say Cuphead!

The art style is so fun and you can tell a lot of love went into the game. Also the soundtrack is AMAZING!

I think nurturing games with such artistic flair is super important - it was super refreshing to see <3

I also enjoyed how difficult the gameplay is! I like a game that challenges the player and isn't accidentally condencending to them.

FirestormGamingTeam 7/14/2024, 2:45:00 PM

I present!

Shantae And The Pirates Curse!

It's a game that came out, went "viral" (or the version of viral at the time" and then kinda just disappeared from public view. Essentially she is a belly dancer who is a hero, this one is her third game and in this one, instead of battling Risky Boots, she actually has to work with him, to complete her journey.

So is a classic platform action, but it has a reverse type of play where unlocking abilities, unlock secrets in previously visited areas. But it's very tame and good fun. It's actually much like a game called Monster World and you could call it a type of "sequel" to that game.

It's on the 3DS. This makes it even more fun, but I'm always a fan of obscure games and odd games.

Makster 7/14/2024, 6:56:26 AM

https://www.youtube.com/embed/snaionoxjos?feature=oembed

Super Meat Boy (2010)

Scorned by a former console exclusivity on 360, I had to wait until it was on steam to play this. Initially I was going to submit a Mario game but I think Team Meat had perfected the platforming muscle memory gameplay of platformers. Short levels with wall jumps and dashes and letting you continue immediately after death allows for 5 minute sessions to turn into 30 minutes of controller gripping tension.

The highlight is at the end of the level and seeing all your previous attempts and seeing that last run make it through all the previous attempts. It's a really nice touch as it highlights that trial and error, and practice are evidence of success

S

SpiritW4tch 7/13/2024, 4:14:33 PM

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, is a very fun and engaging 2D platformer that I think deserves to be mentioned. It has a beautiful pixel art style and a very interesting story. The game is also a metroidvania so you can espect a lot to explore.

AirGaram 7/13/2024, 9:24:44 AM

A classic game that I've played multiple times but never finished because i soft locked myself using Big the Cat.

Playing through each characters stories was fun, but Big was a bit of a pain. Although i haven't finished it the game myself, my older brother already did, and i think i've played through his final battle, which was annoying to play against back then. Each of the character's stories were fun to experience.

Overall it's a really fun and amazing piece of work. I really, really wanted a remaster of this game.

Makster 7/14/2024, 6:34:33 AM

AirGaram

wasn't the DX version a really poor port?

AirGaram 7/14/2024, 7:06:32 AM

Makster

I don't really know, but the DX version was the one that i've mostly played on my PC and i haven't played the other versions. Though it was a bit glitchy i think

ThomasStaff7/15/2024, 12:56:10 PM

AirGaram

Sonic Adventure is probably my favourite platformer of all time, apart from maybe Sonic Mania. I think Adventure's open areas were a really fun playground for just controlling Sonic and running and jumping around, and the design of the actual levels was great, too. I'd love to see it and its almost-as-good sequel get remasters or remakes.

Philip 7/12/2024, 10:34:12 PM

Stumble Guys

Stumble Guys is a multiplayer 3D Platformer that is available on a range of devices - though I use it on my android phone.

The point of the game is to compete with other players on a variety of maps to either get to the finish line or survive elimination and not get knocked off your platform.

It can get pretty wild and frantic with up to 32 players on the one map and it is fun to see all the cool skins that everyone has for their characters.

Round 1 is over, 16 of 32 players qualified.

Some events have multiple rounds, where half of the players may qualify in the first round, half of those again qualify in the second round and one player goes on to win the final round.

The better you place the more xp you earn as well as stars that help you to unlock the current seasons prizes, which may be skins and emotes, etc.

The shop let's you purchase special skins

It is free to play, though there are premium purchases available for things like special skins, emotes, taunts and winning animations.

It is a super fun game, and if you've ever played Fall Guys, this game is it's successor.

Paul 7/12/2024, 10:09:10 PM

I was considering a classic Mario or Sonic game but I remembered a brilliant modern game that deserves a mention.

Rayman Legends: Definitive eddition

Legends is possibly the best modern platformer bit it is often overlooked.

The graphics and animation are so smooth, sound and music are great, the gameplay is tight and the music levels were a stroke of genius.

Its also a great game to play with your kids as its easy to pick up.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/wUfKCBlEG4c?feature=oembed

Just take a look at this!

Social media links to follow

Horror and Cats 7/13/2024, 12:10:34 AM

Paul

Yeah that’s mine too lol. The perfect blend of “it’s cooperative… but you’re still competing” made for such fun couch co-op. That was the first game I ever downloaded free with Xbox Live Gold on my new XBox One back in the day.

mar1gold 7/16/2024, 1:18:12 PM

Paul

I love Rayman!

Nine 7/13/2024, 1:05:04 PM

what best platform game ? if you ask me, i will answers

" CRASH Bandicoot ( PS 1 ) "

This is my favorite classic platform game when the PS1 was viral in my area.

This game is really fun to play in your spare time, because the mechanics and graphics are cool at the time.

In fact, what surprised me was that this game has several tirlogies and other types too.

R

Remi 7/22/2024, 8:02:56 PM

Back to the basics. This was the first system in which we played our games on. The one as they say, started it all. This would be the start of the gaming career. Hours spent Mario Bros and the Duck Hunt.

Oh the adventures we would have.

Toretto 70 7/13/2024, 6:48:03 PM

https://www.youtube.com/embed/L1BmypAbs5I?feature=oembed

I will say Contra is the best game ever I play, because of the historical value it's very nostalgic. at that time when in the sunday morning we play together and take a turns play the game.

Makster 7/14/2024, 6:35:01 AM

Toretto 70

I'd say that's more of a shoot em up rather than a platformer although it does have platformer elements

Zeref_Vermilion 7/14/2024, 12:40:04 PM

of course super mario bros, maybe this is the first platform game that I played, after school I used to play it often even I played it with school friends and it was a very fun time, finally until now if I try to play it again I still remember some secret block locations that I can find, that's why I consider this game as the best platform game.

Makster 7/15/2024, 10:00:10 AM

Zeref_Vermilion

I feel it’s a lost art/ style of play when you only had a small amount of games and one controller so you had to take it turns. It really built up your patience to wait for your turn but also observation skills for hazards that might be missed by the player

GameofBeardz 7/15/2024, 1:53:58 AM

For me it is Little Nightmares. These games have it all, great platforming, Immersive environments, plot twists, horrific creatures, great storytelling and more! My only issue is that they aren't long enough!

If you love platforming and unsettling environnments and characters, these are the games for you!

AlexGra 7/15/2024, 12:44:23 PM

For me, the best platform game of all time has to be "Super Mario World." I remember spending countless hours as a kid, navigating through its colorful levels, discovering hidden secrets, and mastering tricky jumps. The game’s design is incredibly tight, with every level offering something new and challenging. Plus, the music is unforgettable, and the characters are iconic. It's not just nostalgia talking—it's a game that has truly stood the test of time, combining fun, creativity, and charm in a way that few other games have matched.

J

Josiah 7/16/2024, 6:01:30 PM

My thoughts are that Jurassic world evolution 2 is the best game I’ve played so far.

You can watch dinosaurs roam round freely and even make them fight,take care of them,create a natural habitat for them and just have fun.

One of my favourite things to do is to have a battle royal with all of the dinosaurs to see who wins.

Overall it might not be everyone’s favourite but it is mine.

Sinclair 7/18/2024, 3:10:43 PM

Tetris on Gameboy was my Perfect All-the-time Game!

I always remember playing tetris on my brother's gameboy, this game is full of nostalgia and until now I still play tetris online, for me this game is the best game of all time!

TheGreatestBanana12 7/22/2024, 5:58:08 PM

It has to be everyone's favourite purple dragon. Spyro!

Spyro has a great art style that makes the various worlds you visit make sense. Who can forget collecting every last gem in the levels to get that extra achievement. The game play wether you are charging, flying or breathing fire at enemies is fun to do.