Greetings, I am attempting to make a master list of worthwhile platformers and would like to enlist the assistance of others to make suggestions of games and discuss the categories that I came up with. Thanks, retr0spective
The following is a preliminary list subject to change based upon our discussions. HOP AND BOP (Image: Pizza Boy by Acne Play) Gameplay focuses on jumping on top of enemies. Classic examples include Super Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog. 1-Bit Ninja (SD) Review Awesome Land (U) Thread Black Tie Adventure (SD) Thread Bounce On (SD) Thread Bounce On 2 (U) Thread Giana Sisters (SD) Review Kid Vector (U) Thread Kung Fu Rabbit (U) Thread Lars (U) Thread Little Acorns (U) Review Miss Claire Garden (SD) Thread Paper Monsters (U) Review Pizza Boy (SD) Review Pizza vs. Skeletons (U) Review Polyroll (U) Thread Rat on the Run (U) Thread Sonic CD (U) Review Sonic the Hedgehog (SD) Thread Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SD) Review Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (SD+HD) Review Soosiz (SD+HD) Review Stardash (U) Review Super World Adventures (SD) Thread Ultra Dario (U) Thread Wawa Land (SD+HD) Thread RUN AND GUN (Image: Star Marine: Infinite Ammo by Glitchsoft) Gameplay focuses on shooting enemies. Classic examples include Contra and Gunstar Heroes. Another Shot (SD) Thread Apocalypse Max (U) Review Arcade Jumper (U) Review Bit-1 (SD) Thread Clash Force (U) Thread Commander Cool (U) Thread Gun Runner (U) Thread Gunman Clive (U) Review Gunstar Heroes (SD) Article INC (U) Review Project 83113 (U) Review Random Heroes (U) Review Scorched Monster (U) Thread Star Marine (SD) Thread METROIDVANIA (Image: Swordigo by Touch Foo) Gameplay focuses on open-world exploration and/or adventure. Classic examples include Castlevania and Metroid. Akane the Kunoichi Astronot Avenger Beyond Dead Blade of Betrayal Bubble Pig Castle of Magic Commander Pixman Dark Incursion Demon Hunter Earthworm Jim Elemental Rage Emberwind Fancy Pants Adventures Frogatto Grokion Illusia Incoboto J-Werewolf Kale in Dinoland League of Evil 1&2 Lumi Manos: The Hands of Fate Maxplosion Megaman 2&X Meganoid Megatroid Nyx Quest Prince of Persia Retro Robot Wants Kitty RobotRiot Run, Jump, Kill Shantae: Risky's Revenge Swordigo Terra Noctis The Adventures of Timmy Waking Mars PHYSICS PUZZLER (Image: Wimp: Who Stole My Pants? by Flexile Studio) Gameplay can include object physics puzzles and/or character based ability challenges. Classic examples include Penguin Land and The Lost Vikings. Alien Hominid Amazing Brok Archibald's Adventures Babylonian Twins Bean's Quest Bring Me Sandwiches Cavorite 1&2 Chop Chop Caveman Clay's Reverie Cordy CreaVures Goose Cogs Gravbot Grim Hook Champ Inertia Escape Velocity Jazz: Trump's Journey Kami Retro Karoshi Lad Lost Winds 1&2 Mike & Milkbox Miner Disturbance Nihilumbra Niko Ninja Boy Nom Nation Thread One Tap Hero Pixiline and the Jungle Treasure Qwak Rinth Island Rolando 1&2 Storm in a Teacup Super Lemonade Factory They Need to be Fed (1-2) Unstoppable Jake Wimp: Who Stole My Pants ARENA BATTLE (Image: Super Crate Box by Vlambeer) Gameplay focuses on fighting within a closed environment. Classic examples include Donkey Kong and Bubble Bobble. Autoboy Blast Soccer Bloo Kid Bubble Bobble Double Chrono & Cash Muffin Knight Oh Hi! Octopi! Rod Land Spell Sword Super Crate Box RUNNER (Image: Mikey Shorts by BeaverTap Games) Gameplay focuses on speed/auto running and obstacle avoidance. Examples include Canabalt and Mirror's Edge. Bitless Canabalt Cheeseman Choco Run Don't Run with a Plasma Sword Frenzy Pop (SD+HD) Review Hook Worlds IX-Runner Kid Tripp Mega Run Mikey Hooks Mikey Shorts Mirror's Edge Mos Speedrun Pix'n Love Rush Rayman Jungle Run Robot Unicorn Attack Super Quick Hook Wind-up Knight Please let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas on these categories and suggested titles. I will add links to articles, reviews, and discussions as time permits.
I forgot to add Physics Puzzle Platformer to the list (object movement, catapulting, and multiple characters mechanics included) and found this nice article on platform game classifications on Wikipedia that I would like to take a closer look at: http://bit.ly/UQ0X8H
An updated Category list based on the referenced article: Hop and Bop Gameplay focus is jumping on enemies. Classic examples include Super Mario Brothers and Sonic the Hedgehog Run and Gun Gameplay focus is shooting enemies. Classic examples include Contra and Gunstar Heroes. Metroidvania Gameplay focuses on expansive open-world exploration and adventure. Classic examples include Castlevania and Metroid. Physics Puzzle Gameplay can include object physics puzzles and/or character based ability challenges. Classic examples include Penguin Land and The Lost Vikings. Arena Battle Gameplay focuses on fighting within a closed environment. Classic examples include Donkey Kong and Bubble Bobble. Auto-Runner A modern category born from the practice of speed running through classic platform games. Examples include Canabalt and Mirror's Edge. Please let me know your thoughts and game suggestions.
What about non-autorunning speedrun platformers. In other words, platformers in which the main goal is to get from a to be as quickly as possible. For example, 1000 Heroz (err...forgot the name, it's by RedLynx...more of a racing game on foot, actually), Mos Speedrun, etc. One category which I believe should be included is Adventure Platformers, especially when you consider their popularity. Those games which straddle the line between an adventure/rpg and a platformer. Swordigo, Swords & Sorcery, etc.
Excellent suggestion with the former - I changed the category to Runner instead of Auto-Runner. Concerning the latter, the adventures such as Swordigo fit into the Metroidvania category. Unfortunately the beautiful Sword & Sworcery is a point and click adventure rather than a platformer.
I'm trying now to figure out where Kung Fu Rabbit and Run, Jump, Kill! would fit in. I may have to create a separate Hack & Slash category. Any suggestions? Also, do you know of anything similar?
You're welcome. I love platformers ... and making lists. I will add specifications and links when I reach a stopping point on the progress of the list. If there is anything you would like to add please let me know.
i love buying games from lists, so links to app-shopper or store will be just fine... getting the new ipod next month, so i'm probably going to catch 'em all ps: you may want to add "rod land" to the arena list
i'm missing (or probably overlooking): bring me sandwiches apocalypse max chop chop caveman kung fu rabbit ninja boy run roo run ...
though not so sure about "run roo run" anymore... sorry, can't remember if he also jumps on platforms... probably its just a runner/jumper
I was a little hesitant myself. It is mostly an auto-puzzler, I'd say in a similar vein to Burger Cat. Perhaps it is best to remove it.