Platformers - ranked by preference

Release Date: November 21, 1990 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Super Mario World introduced the world to a caped Mario that could fly longer distances than that lame raccoon Mario could. It also introduced the world to a loveable green dinosaur named Yoshi. The game also let players explore a beautifully designed world with many levels having multiple exits, allowing the player to branch away from the normal path to discover hidden levels and shortcuts. Everything was just so wonderfully done. I think that this may be as close to 2D platforming perfection that you can get.

Release Date: October 23, 1988 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Super Mario Bros. 3 took what was great about the original Super Mario Bros. and improved on every single aspect of it to create an absolute masterpiece of a game. Spanning eight worlds that are all completely different from each other, and loaded with new enemies and power-ups, Super Mario Bros. 3 was a giant, wonderful game. The only real flaw with the original NES version is the lack of a save system. With a game this big, a save system would be nice. But, with two warp whistles easily obtained within minutes of starting a game, it's not too hard to continue where you left off even without anything saving your progress. Aside from that one, single flaw, Super Mario Bros. 3 may be the closest thing to a "perfect" game on the NES.

Release Date: August 8, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Mossmouth
Developer: Derek Yu
Genre: Platformer

If you've never played Spelunky, but like 2D platformers, you NEED to play this game. The randomized levels mean that every playthrough is a different experience and the game just has a charm to it where you'll keep telling yourself "just one more time" when you die...and one more time turns into ten or twenty more times. There are plenty of secrets to discover as you play as well, increasing the replay value even further. It's not only a great game, but I'll argue that it's the best 2D platformer that I've played since Super Mario World. Yes, it really is that good. If you haven't played it yet, go out of your way to do so. You won't regret it.

Release Date: December 24, 1988 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Mega Man 2 is often considered to be the best game in the Mega Man series. It's hard to argue that. The levels are all designed brilliantly, the bosses are all unique and fun to battle against, and the soundtrack may be the best in the series. It really is the total package in terms of Mega Man games. Later games in the series added new abilities and features, but even in its basic form, Mega Man 2 is still heads and shoulders above any other game in the franchise. It really is that good.

Release Date: October 23, 2000 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Platformer

I thought that Spyro 2 was a slight step back from the original Spyro...Year of the Dragon is a giant leap forward. With new playable characters added in with the same wonderful style of level design and sense of humor, Year of the Dragon is, by far, the best Spyro game ever released and one of the best 3D platformers of all time. I still play this game every now and then when I feel like gliding around and breathing fire on things. This is the pinnacle of the Spyro the Dragon series. Insomniac Games left the franchise on a very, very high note.

Release Date: October 1988 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Most of you know the story - the real Super Mario Bros. 2 never made it to North America until Super Mario All-Stars was released on the SNES. It was deemed too difficult to be released on North American shores, and thus, Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic, a quality game in its own right, was modified with Mario characters inserted in and released as the Super Mario sequel out here. All that said, this is was my favorite game in the Super Mario Bros. franchise for the vast majority of my life and a game that I have to have beaten at least 40-50 times since I was a wee lad. I know every inch of this game by heart...And it's still a game that I enjoy when I play. It's the black sheep of the Super Mario franchise, but being a black sheep myself, that may be what I like most about it.

Release Date: June 23, 2006 (EU)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Platformer

After not playing LocoRoco for 7 or so years, I couldn't remember much about it other than that it was weird, had a unique control scheme, and was good. After playing it again to refresh my memory for this list, I forgot how good it was. Most games when I go back and play to refresh my memory, I only play for ten to fifteen minutes so the memories come back to me. LocoRoco had me hooked for hours all over again. If you get a PSP, this should be one of your first purchases. I would love to see a new game in this franchise come to the Vita...and hopefully in the near future.

Release Date: March 4, 2001 (NA)
Publisher: Rare
Developer: Rare
Genre: Platformer

When it comes to 3D platformers, I haven't played too many that I like more than this M-rated game starring a drunken squirrel trying to find his way back home after a long night at the bar. The characters and story are enough for me to have a special place in my heart for this game, but when you toss in all of the solid platforming that Rare had perfected with its Banjo-Kazooie franchise, you've got an absolutely fantastic game that can hold its own against the best 3D platformers ever made.

Release Date: December 25, 1997 (JP)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Whoopee Camp
Genre: Platformer

If a game has a sense of humor, I'm probably going to like it. If it's designed well, controls well, and looks gorgeous...well, that's a bonus. Tomba! is such a good platformer...It has loads of personality, just about every level is a treat to traverse, and the character you control (Tomba, like the title suggests) has pink hair....PINK HAIR!! If that doesn't scream quality platformer, I don't know what does. But seriously, this is a fantastic game. The price for a physical copy is kind of steep but well worth the cash if you've got it...If you don't, you can always pick it up on PSN for cheap and make those evil pigs pay on your Vita or Playstation 3.

Release Date: August 5, 1995 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Super Mario World introduced Yoshi and shortly afterward, the world fell in love with Mario's equestrian-like dinosaur sidekick. So, it was only natural that he'd star in a platformer of his own eventually...And five years after his debut, his game hit store shelves. Yoshi's Island has an amazing art direction with beautiful, unique-looking graphics, making it look like you're playing in a living, breathing storybook. But graphics aren't everything. Yoshi's Island boasts solid platforming action along with a bunch of new tricks and abilities to separate it from every other Mario game that had come before it. Unfortunately, since it came out at the end of the SNES life-cycle, many people missed out...But if you get an opportunity to play this game, do it. It's absolutely amazing.

Release Date: September 1990 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

I LOVE Little Nemo. My parents got me it for my birthday shortly after it came out and it quickly became one of my favorite games on the system. With great, solid platforming action mixed with the ability to feed critters candy in order to "ride" them to previously unreachable areas, it was hard for me not to love this game. The level designs are pretty fantastic, too. The only real gripe I've ever had with the game is how drastically the game changes once you reach Nightmare Land...And even then, it's not done poorly, it's just not quite as fun as the previous seven levels in the game were.

Release Date: September 28, 1990 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Mega Man 2 was great. Mega Man 3 doesn't quite capture the magic of 2, but it's dang close. With a few new features, like the addition of Mega Man's trusty robo-mutt sidekick Rush, a new rival in Proto Man, and the ability for Mega Man to slide around is a way to fit in small spaces and dodge enemy attacks. Heck, even the robot bosses from Mega Man 2 make an appearance in Wily's Castle, letting you try out your nifty new weapons on some old foes. The new additions and surprises are nice and all, and the game is fantastic, but the overall level design in Mega Man 2 was a tad better in my opinion, giving it the nod over 3, even with all the new bells and whistles added in.

Release Date: September 13, 1985 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Mario Bros. was a success in Arcades, but rather than stick with a similar formula for the sequel, Shigeru Miyamoto instead created a game that was absolutely massive for its time, with scrolling levels, power ups, and various enemy types and secrets to discover. He created such a solid game, in fact, that Super Mario Bros. is still just as fun to play today as it was in 1985...And few games have had such an effect on such a wide audience...My friend's mother knew where the hidden 1-up was in level 1-1, where the warp pipes were in level 1-2, etc. It was the greatest game ever made when it was released, and while it may or may not be number one any more, it can still more than hold its own in a debate over what the greatest game ever made is.

Release Date: December 17, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

When I first played Mega Man X after getting it for Christmas as a wee lad, I wasn't sure if I liked it. This wasn't quite the Mega Man I was fond of. The more I played, however, the more I found myself absolutely hooked. This is like the original Mega Man formula on steroids....Larger levels, more abilities, secrets to find like hidden items and mini bosses...It was amazing. The only Mega Man game that I've ever played more than this one is Mega Man 2...And there's a reason I've played this so much - it's that good.

Release Date: September 1989 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Duck Tales....Wooo-ooo! In my opinion, Duck Tales is the best Disney game available in 8-bits and, quite honestly, one of, if not the, best Disney games ever made. The only real flaw that Duck Tales has is in how short it is - Someone can literally beat the game in 15-20 minutes without attempting a speed run. But everything else about the game - the music, level design, controls, everything...It's all so wonderful. I'd give this game a perfect score if not for the absurdly short gameplay...It's over in a duck blur. See what I did there?

Release Date: October 27, 2008 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Media Molecule
Genre: Platformer - 2D

LittleBigPlanet is such a great game...Not just because it's got a fun and different take on the 2D platformer formula, but because the replay value of the game is near infinite due to the fact that you can download player-made levels (many of which are really, really well made) at your leisure, or even create your own if your creative juices are flowing enough. On a side note, Sack Boy is easily my favorite new character of this generation of consoles.

Release Date: November 21, 1992 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team
Genre: Platformer

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the definition of a great sequel - bigger, better, improved visuals and sounds, and with familiar gameplay that is tweaked to be better than before. The addition of Tails introduced two-player gameplay to the series, which only added to the enjoyment level. The first Sonic the Hedgehog was good fun, but this sequel is great - some still consider it to be the best game in the series today. I don't necessarily agree with that, my personal favorite is Sonic CD, but this is a VERY close second in my eyes.

Release Date: April 19, 2005 (NA)
Publisher: Majesco
Developer: Double Fine Productions
Genre: Platformer

Psychonauts was one of those really good and charming titles that just plain got ignored on store shelves, like Klonoa and Beyond Good & Evil. While it's not without its faults, Psychonauts delivers a fantastic and memorable experience that creates, what could possibly be, my favorite 3D platformer that I've ever played. The characters, art style, and story are all charming and it's a cryin' shame that this game wasn't embraced by the general public in terms of sales. I want a sequel, dang it.

Release Date: November 30, 2010 (NA/EU)
Publisher: Team Meat
Developer: Team Meat
Genre: Platformer

Super Meat Boy is my kind of game - a tough-as-nails platformer where you can see your skills in the game improve the more you play. Areas that seem impossible are eventually beaten, and it makes you feel like you really accomplished something special. The fact that you'll constantly die (and you will) sounds frustrating, but with most levels only lasting around ten seconds and the fact that upon death, you instantly start back at the beginning of the level, the constant deaths don't feel nearly as tedious as they do in most games...You may die fifty times in a level before beating it, and then look at the clock and realize that despite the high number of deaths, you only spent about five minutes trying to beat that level before succeeding. This game had me hooked for quite a long time...It's very "well done"....Pun intended.

Release Date: February 15, 1987 (EU)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

If you're playing a game where you might turn into an eggplant with legs at some point, then you're probably playing a worthwhile game, in my opinion. Kid Icarus is an amazing game for the NES with a blend of vertical-scrolling platforming from the bottom of the level to the top, exploring maze-like side-scrolling levels, and scrolling shooters as you fire arrows at enemies - all while also battling bosses, avoiding wizards that can turn you into a purple fruit with legs, and shooting arrows at grim reapers that get waaaay too excited when they spot you. It's one of the more charming games that Nintendo released for the NES, and one well worth playing if you've got access to a copy.

Release Date: June 23, 1996 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

In the early days of 3D games, most developers were struggling with a way to make just a decent 3D platformer, let alone a great one...Of course, then Miyamoto tried his hand at it and hit a home run in his first attempt. Today, this game is still often in the discussion of greatest game ever made - or at the very least, greatest 3D platformer. I've never thought it was quite the best, but I did always believe that it deserved a comfy position somewhere near the top of the list.

Release Date: August 5, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Platformer

I first discovered Rocket Knight Adventures about ten years after it initially released. I found a copy in a thrift store for dirt cheap and when I got home and tried it, I instantly fell in love. The opossum with a sword and a jetpack that battled evil pigs immediately became one of my favorite video game characters and the awesome gameplay just added to the enjoyment. I always felt like this game was underappreciated, but with the recent remake of Rocket Knight Adventures on modern consoles, maybe it was more appreciated than I ever knew.

Release Date: October 31, 1998 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog
Genre: Platformer

I was never the biggest fan of the Crash Bandicoot games, but Crash Bandicoot: Warped got me hooked. The varied levels and how many of them play differently from each other prevents any feeling of repetition set in, and tends to create one of those experiences where you've been playing for hours before you realize that you only meant to play for 30 minutes. In my opinion, this is by far the best game in the Crash Bandicoot series. If you're into 3D platformers, this is one of the best in the genre.

Release Date: March 23, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratories
Genre: Platformer

Kirby's Adventure was such a good game that I'm fairly confident that I lost a friend due to the gluttonous, pink cream puff. I was a dumb kid in awe at this game, so when my friend stopped over, I refused to peel myself away from the adventure that Kirby had found himself in, and thus, didn't really hang out with him at all that day. I never really hung out with him again, actually...And I blame Hal Laboratories for creating such an addicting and fun platformer. Yes, I blame video games.

Release Date: March 2, 2006 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

I like the first Mega Man, but compared to the two games that followed it in the series, it kind of fell short. In Mega Man Powered Up, the original Mega Man gets a face-lift with enough fancy features to make any fan of the blue robot feel like they're in heaven. Ever want to play through the game as Cut Man or Guts Man? Now you can. Ever wish the original had 8 bosses instead of 6? With the inclusion of Time Man and Oil Man, you've got your wish. Want to just play the original with enhanced graphics, but no other bells and whistles attached. Capcom has you covered there as well. It's easily one of my favorite games in the franchise...I just wish that Mega Man II had gotten a similar treatment.

Release Date: November 18, 2012 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

I've been waiting for the New Super Mario Bros. series of platformers to deliver an experience like the 2D Mario games that I grew up with. New Super Mario Bros. U doesn't quite reach that level, but it comes closer than any other game in the series before it...Well, in my opinion at least. The previous games in the "New" franchise had me getting bored a few levels in. This game kept me wanting to keep playing...Something I haven't experienced from a 2D Mario game since Super Mario World. The game isn't perfect, mind you, and it still doesn't live up to the quality of the NES and SNES Mario games, but it's the best game in the "New" series by far, in my opinion.

Release Date: January 11, 2010
Publisher: Terry Cavanagh
Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Genre: Platformer

VVVVVV is a very unique game that is so, so good. It's a platformer that involves manipulating gravity rather than jumping - bouncing between the floors and the ceilings is your only way around obstacles (usually deadly spikes) in your path. That alone is fun, but VVVVVV doesn't fit the traditional "level-by-level" mold of platformers. Instead of beating levels, the game is an open world for you to explore, similar to a Metroid title. The soundtrack is also pretty awesome. The end result is a game that looks very basic with gameplay that is anything but basic. I'm ashamed that it took me this long to play it. If you haven't played it yet, you should be ashamed, too.

Release Date: April 30, 1999 (NA)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Super Mario Bros. Deluxe is an enhanced version of the original Super Mario Bros., in handheld form. It has various new features and the like, including a nice save feature, to keep even veteran Super Mario Bros. players coming back for more. Also new is an interesting change in camera, as the camera is zoomed in, making stuff above and below Mario out of view at times. The zoomed-in camera in itself isn't a major change, but it can feel like it is when you play. The best part of this game is that once you obtain 300,000 points, you unlock the Lost Levels, basically making this two great platformers in one portable package.

Release Date: November 1, 2007 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

Super Mario Galaxy, for a time when it first was released, was the highest-rated game ever, surpassing Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's grasp on that title. Eventually, enough reviews came in where it settled in at a few spots below number one, but the fact remains; critics loved this game. I don't blame 'em. I've always preferred 2D Mario games to their 3D brethren, but Super Mario Galaxy did have me hooked for quite a while. I don't think it's as great as the hype made it out to be, but I definitely think that it's in the Wii's top 5 game available for the system, hands down.

Release Date: May 1, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Trapdoor
Developer: Polytron Corp.
Genre: Platformer

FEZ is one of those well-known indie games that everyone seems to love and I just didn't feel like playing it anyway. But, I'm on a bit of a Steam kick right now, trying to play much of my bloated library, and I gave FEZ a chance...and I can see why people like it so much. I don't think that it's as great as some folks made it out to be, but it's still very good and one of the better indie-developed games that I've ever played.

Release Date: June 27, 2013 (NA)
Publisher: Terry Cavanagh
Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Genre: Platformer

This game really surprised me. The design is simple and so is the gameplay, but the game is amazing. The two boss fights are very nicely done, and all of the platforming in between is difficult, but not so difficult that you won't be able to overcome it after a few attempts. It's just so good. If you own an Ouya, or plan on getting one, this should be one of the first games that you download.

Release Date: November 21, 1995 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Rare
Genre: Platformer

Donkey Kong Country 2 saw big, ol' DK tossed out in favor of some girlish charm in the form of Dixie. The result was, quite possibly, the best game in the Donkey Kong Country series. The fantastic levels were both beautiful to look at and well-designed, often requiring teamwork between the Diddy and Dixie to obtain the secrets found in each stage. The music was just as good, maybe better than the music found in the first game, as well. Just about every aspect of the original DK Country was improved here in some fashion or another. Donkey Kong Country was a very good game, Diddy's Kong Quest was a great game.

Release Date: August 3, 1989 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Ghouls 'n Ghosts is a well done, but difficult platformer. With the inability to change directions in mid-air, you need to be positive that the jump your making is the right move to do. Likewise, with some of the tricky enemies you encounter (mainly the gargoyles) you need to be as precise as possible with your attacks or you'll find yourself down to your drawers in a hurry. That said, those that stick around long enough to master this game are rewarded with beautiful levels, interesting design, and fun bosses to encounter. Plus, the perverted women out there can live their dream of playing through a game controlling a man in nothing but his underwear. Don't lie to yourself, ladies, you know you want to.

Release Date: October 17, 1994 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team
Genre: Platformer

If Sonic & Knuckles was just the Sonic & Knuckles game, you might find it a little lower on this list...But the beauty of Sonic & Knuckles is that it allows you to play the first three Sonic games all over again...But this time with Knuckles. Since Knuckles plays differently than Sonic, players were met with a whole new way to experience the Sonic games that they loved. That innovation alone makes it one of the best games on the Genesis. The fact that the Sonic & Knuckles game itself is pretty good as well - that's just a bonus.

Release Date: April 1, 1994 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: West One
Genre: Platformer

Every Monster World game was also a Wonder Boy game...up until Monster World IV. Instead of Wonder Boy, you control a female protagonist named Arsha. Along with the change in playable characters, Monster World IV is more platformer and less adventure game. All changes seem to be for the better, though, as this is the best in the Monster World series. This was only released in Japan until 2012 when it was released both on the Playstation Network for PS3 (which is still available) and the Wii's Virtual Console (no longer available), so if you're curious, give it a shot. It's well worth the money.

Release Date: December 27, 2001 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

It had been a long wait, but at the end of 2001, the wait was over - a new Ghosts 'N Goblins game had arrived in the form of Maximo: Ghosts to Glory...And it was 3D, to boot. Maximo was a very solid platformer that never really seemed to get the attention it deserved. The game was never really a big hit sales-wise, despite solid reviews, which brings a tear to my eye because it really was an enjoyable experience to play it. Solid controls, solid platforming and combat, and bits of humor tossed it make it a game well worth playing. Plus, for all the perverted lady folk, the crumbling armor returns, so you may see the protagonist prancing around in his boxers if you so desire.

Release Date: July 19, 2001 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Now Production
Genre: Platformer

Klonoa is a franchise that I really wish would get more attention than it gets. I have yet to play a bad game from the series, and Empire of Dreams may be the best of the bunch in my opinion. In Empire of Dreams, you travel through platforming levels that have to solve little puzzles in the form of finding keys to unlock doors in your way in order to advance. The option to go back and re-play levels in order to get 100% completion helps replay value, and quite frankly, many of the levels are fun enough where you may want to go back and replay them even after you achieve the 100% completion rate. I feel like this is an overlooked gem that deserves a whole lot more attention than it actually receives.

Release Date: November 4, 2002 (NA)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Insomniac Games
Genre: Platformer

Much like how I enjoyed the Spyro games over the Crash Bandicoot games on the original Playstation, I enjoy Ratchet & Clank more than Jak & Daxter on the Playstation 2. The humor and personality of the original three Spyro games carries over to Ratchet & Clank, really making it clear that the developers are one and the same. The game also has a lot of explosions, and quite frankly, explosions almost always make things better.

Release Date: June 29, 2000 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Smilebit
Genre: Platformer

Jet Grind Radio wasn't the first game to use cel-shaded graphics, but it was probably the most notable game to do so at the time. The art style fit well with the game itself, as you skated around a city, skitchin' down streets, grindin' rails, taggin' walls, runnin' from cops, and several other activities that I can use an apostrophe in the place of a 'g' for. It was fun playing the game itself, but it was just as fun just wandering around, doing the above mentioned activities without aiming for any particular goal.

Release Date: November 11, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Virgin Interactive
Genre: Platformer

Supposedly, developer David Perry put this game together in just 99 days...When a game is not just this entertaining but equally good in graphics and audio, being completed in 99 days is absolutely insane. Anyway, the Genesis version of Aladdin is different from the SNES version and probably better in just about every way. In my opinion, it's one of the last great Disney platformers and well worth checking out if you've got access to play it.

Release Date: March 22, 2001 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Platformer

Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil is the sequel to the largely ignored Klonoa: Door to Phantomile on the original Playstation. It's mostly an improvement in just about every way. The game contained a few minor, new gameplay elements and some beautiful, colorful graphics for the time that really made some of the levels come alive. It also took the Super Mario Bros. 3 approach of selecting the levels you wish to play on a world map. This may be the best "2.5 D" platformer that I've ever played...Even if I can probably count on one hand the number I've played.

Release Date: January 18, 1991 (JP)
Publisher: Hudson
Developer: Now Production
Genre: Platformer

I've spent much more time with the NES version of Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu, but that doesn't mean I enjoy the original any less. The TurboGrafx version is 16-bits, which obviously makes it look better than the 8-bit NES version, but it plays just as nice...Which is a good thing since I consider Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu to be one of my favorite platformers on the NES. Needless to say, it's up there on the TurboGrafx-16 as well.

Release Date: November 24, 1994 (EU)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Platformer

I remember my cousins coming over one New Year's Eve...they brought over this new Super NES game that had just come out called Donkey Kong Country. I remember popping it in and immediately being wowed by the graphics. I had never seen anything like it before. Then we began to play the game, and it was an absolute blast both when playing solo and when teaming up with someone else. Later games improved upon the formula found here, but the first DK Country is still a very solid platformer in its own right.

Release Date: December 11, 1997 (JP)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Platformer

Klonoa was a very solid platformer that was unfortunately overlooked by a lot of people...Which is a shame. Klonoa provided a unique platforming experience for fans of platformers, with an ability to pick up enemies and either throw them or use them to perform a double jump to reach normally out-of-reach areas. Door to Phantomile can cost a bit if you search for it online, but if you'd like a graphically updated version, it was released on the Wii a few years ago simply as "Klonoa." And, much like Door to Phantomile, the Wii remake was also overlooked by most consumers. It's a cryin' shame.

Release Date: February 15, 2012 (US)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: UBlart Montpellier
Genre: Platformer - 2D

This 2D platformer is absolutely beautiful to look at. But, like in life, beauty means nothing; it's what's inside that counts. Thankfully, Rayman Origins delivers in the gameplay department as well, offering Playstation Vita owners a very solid 2D platformer to enjoy at launch. As I type this, it's actually ranked the number one Playstation Vita game over at gamerankings.com. I still prefer Lumines: Electronic Symphony as far as launch titles go, but Rayman Origins is a very close second.

Release Date: December 17, 2012 (ALL)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

Street Fighter X Mega Man is an interesting crossover, replacing the various robot bosses in your standard Mega Man game with various fighters from the Street Fighter franchise. The result is actually quite good. I'd go as far as to say that the end result is amazing, honestly. The gameplay, though a bit more forgiving than your standard Mega Man title (E Tanks are everywhere), is just as fun as any other Mega Man game you've played. Many of the level designs are simply amazing...Two particular ones I enjoy are the C. Viper level with the "intruder" laser beams and Dhalsim's maze-like level. The soundtrack is also tremendous, mixing various Mega Man level themes with Street Fighter level themes. If you're a fan of both series, the soundtrack alone is a good reason to play. The game isn't without faults, though. The main one being a lack of a save system of any kind. Heck, I'd settle for a password system, but alas, there's nothing. The game is fun enough to play through in one sitting, but the fact that you HAVE to kinda stinks. That said, this is still a solid game and it's also free. Free is good, just like this game.

Release Date: September 10, 1998 (NA)
Publisher: Sony CEA
Developer: Insomniac
Genre: Platformer

In the days before Grand Theft Auto III made wandering around and doing nothing fun, Spyro the Dragon was a game that I have fond memories of just doing nothing in. I remember doing everything I needed to do...And then I would just wander around and explore the well-designed levels. But this game wasn't just about wandering around for me - the game itself is just fun. And as someone who enjoys hunting down and collecting things, rescuing all of the dragons was a blast to do. Year of the Dragon really perfected the Spyro formula, but the original game was a fantastic start to the franchise.

Release Date: 2012 (NA)
Publisher: stabyourself.net
Developer: stabyourself.net
Genre: Platformer

If Mari0 was simply a Mario clone with the gun from Portal tossed in as a gimmick, I wouldn't have scored this as high as I did. The thing that makes Mari0 so good is the extra stuff. The fact that you can create your own levels and share them with others is neat in itself...And the levels are created with portal uses in mind. That's not to say that the original Super Mario Bros. isn't fun with the portal gun - watching the Hammer Bros. kill themselves with their own hammers via portals or sending a Bullet Bill through a portal to kill a Goomba is good fun...But, Mari0 shines brightest with the user-created content. The best part? It's free. Head over to stabyourself.net/mari0/ to get yourself a copy.

Release Date: November 23, 1996 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Rare
Genre: Platformer

The original Donkey Kong Country wowed a lot of folks. Donkey Kong Country 2 wowed even more folks. Donkey Kong Country 3 probably wowed some people, but the wow-factor had already started to wear off. Donkey Kong Country 3 is a solid platformer, but through most of the game, you can't help but feel like you've already played this before. That's not necessarily a bad thing if you absolutely loved the first two games in the series, but for folks looking for something different, they may walk away from this game a little disappointed.

Release Date: February 2, 1994 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sonic Team
Genre: Platformer

Sonic 3 was bigger than Sonic 2, and had improved graphics and an awesome soundtrack...but for some reason, in the eyes of many, it just wasn't quite the caliber of Sonic 2. I fall into that camp. As good as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is, it didn't quite have the impact of Sonic 2 on me, despite introducing Knuckles to the series and pretty much paving the way for Sonic & Knuckles to come in and innovate with physical add-on content. So, while Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a very good game, I consider it to be just short or being great.