10. Sly Cooper Series:
Developed by Sucker Punch and released on the PS2, Sly Cooper quickly made it’s mark on the gaming world. Sly brought something not seen in the platformer genre, stealth action. While all the core elements of a platform game were in tact, and done very well, sucker punch took it to the next level by adding in some very well done and interesting MGS style of stealth action, adding a fresh spin to the genre, and new level of challenge.
9. Crash Bandicoot Series
Released on the Playstation 1 as Sony’s answer to Mario 64, crash brought some new and interesting ideas to the platformer. It added perspective play to the mix, by having levels in which crash was chased by giant snowballs, polar bears, etc. Crash was Sony’s first major console exclusive, and for a long time was the face of playstation. Originally developed by Naughty Dog, its rights were later sold to Universal, from which it has never recovered. Despite now being mundane, generic, and a shell of its former self, Crash will still go down as a Platform great.
8. Ghost and Ghouls
Often said to be one of, if not THE harderst platformer ever. Super Ghost and Ghouls for the SNES is still one of the best platformers around. Fighting your way through tons of undead baddies as Arthur is a timeless romp that anyone from any gen can enjoy. It also spawned two PS2 sequels known as Maximo.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog
Released on the Sega Genesis as Sega’s older, cooler more hardcore Mario, Sonic quickly made a place for himself in video game history. While Mario was all about jumping, Sonic was all about speed. With a fresh soundtrack that is still highly recognized as one of the best in video games, Sonic the Hedgehog brought an entire new crowd to the platformer genre. Spawning several spinoffs, including a pinball game, as well as 4 cartoon series, and a very successful comic book series, it’s easy to see why Sonic is a gaming legend.
6. Sonic and Knuckles
While the original Sonic the Hedgehog brought a new crowd to the genre, Sonic and Knuckles brought the idea of a sequel to a whole new level. By utilizing a brand new technology, Sonic And Knuckles allowed gamers to plug in the original Sonic or Sonic 2 into the Sonic and Knuckles game disc and breath new life into those games. Couple that with the addition of a new character, and huge expansion on the storyline, Sonic and Knuckles introduced a new idea of expanding on a console game, something that had not been seen at that point.
5. Megaman X Series
Megaman X was the darker, meaner Megaman that was first introduced on the Super Nintendo. It took Megaman and platformers to a new level. It had some of the best graphics of the time, and introduced the idea of dual storylines later on with its sequels by adding in Zero as a playable character. Megaman Zero gave those who weren’t really into the original series a new twist, and brought a whole new set of fans in. Megaman X was to Megaman, what Sonic was to Mario, the older brothers version.
4. Megaman Series
Megaman, first released on the NES, was something never seen before in the platform genre. Rather than having Mega jump on his enemies, it gave him guns, a gun arm to be exact. Top that with the new feature of the genre, weapon stealing. By defeating a boss, Megaman was given the powers and able to use them against other bosses. Rereleased on the PSP as Megaman: Powered Up, Megaman has had quite the history, spawning tons of spinoffs and sequels. Megaman will soon be returning to his 8bit roots with the upcoming Megaman 9
3. Klonoa Series
Klonoa is quite the interesting game. Originally released on the PS1, and spawning a sequel and spinoffs across PS2 and Gameboy Advance, Klonoa has always been the odd man out in the genre. Though, it brought something not yet seen in the genre. Rather than arming him with a gunarm, or giving him the ability to run circles around the bad guys, Klonoa has the unique ability to use the enemies themselves as weapons. Armed with his hands and power ring, Klonoa fights his way through the mystical dreamlike worlds using the enemies as his main offense. Klonoa has always been the sleeper hit of platformers, but for those who have played it, it was quite the pleasant surprise.
2. Ratchet and Clank Series
Ratchet & Clank, Insomniacs hottest series. Originally released on the PS2, Ratchet quickly shot his way into the hearts of platform fans everywhere. Bringing in massive weapons and even bigger worlds, Ratchet has for years now been the best platformer on the market. With its most recent title, Tools of Destruction, Ratchet has pushed then limits, making the game like a playable Pixar game with its lush graphics and expansive destructible worlds. Coupled with its witty and hilarious tongue in cheek humor, Ratchet & Clank is easily the best Platformer of the last generation. And if Tools of Destruction is any indication, will continue to dominate the genre in this gen as well.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. Super Mario Bros.
Released on the NES as a bundle with the game Duck Hunt, Mario Bros instantly shot to video game history. Starring Mario, the hero from the classic arcade title Donkey Kong, Mario Bros not only jumpstarted gaming after an untimely mid-eighties death, but also created the genre we know and love today. Mario continues to raise the bar, most notably bringing the genre into 3D with Mario 64. It changed the genre as we know it, by changing from the 2D sidescrolling style, to the open ended 3D style. Mario has spawned over a dozen spinoffs and has helped create some equally popular series like Yoshi’s Island and Warioland. With its most recent smash hit Mario Galaxy on the Wii, Mario continues to dominate the genre and push the limits to the next level.
And there you have it, the top ten most influential platformers. Though it should be noted, there are some honorable mentions that just missed making the list.
Honorable Mentions
Jak & Daxter- Sony’s other platform hit. Jak has always been quite the great game, but never managed to reach the level of its rival Ratchet & Clank
Tail Concerto- One of the most overlooked games on PS1. Mostly scoffed for its kiddy look, Tail Concerto was one of the best platformers of that gen. It had great platforming, dark storyline, and OVA quality cutscenes, it was the great little game that no one played.
Megaman Legends- Yet another Megaman series. The first one to be fully in 3D, and a sandbox style game. Legends introduced us to yet another Megaman, and was one of the best games around. With its great mix of platforming action and RPG, Megaman Legends will go down as one of the best, but also shortest, Megaman series.
Developed by Sucker Punch and released on the PS2, Sly Cooper quickly made it’s mark on the gaming world. Sly brought something not seen in the platformer genre, stealth action. While all the core elements of a platform game were in tact, and done very well, sucker punch took it to the next level by adding in some very well done and interesting MGS style of stealth action, adding a fresh spin to the genre, and new level of challenge.
9. Crash Bandicoot Series
Released on the Playstation 1 as Sony’s answer to Mario 64, crash brought some new and interesting ideas to the platformer. It added perspective play to the mix, by having levels in which crash was chased by giant snowballs, polar bears, etc. Crash was Sony’s first major console exclusive, and for a long time was the face of playstation. Originally developed by Naughty Dog, its rights were later sold to Universal, from which it has never recovered. Despite now being mundane, generic, and a shell of its former self, Crash will still go down as a Platform great.
8. Ghost and Ghouls
Often said to be one of, if not THE harderst platformer ever. Super Ghost and Ghouls for the SNES is still one of the best platformers around. Fighting your way through tons of undead baddies as Arthur is a timeless romp that anyone from any gen can enjoy. It also spawned two PS2 sequels known as Maximo.
7. Sonic the Hedgehog
Released on the Sega Genesis as Sega’s older, cooler more hardcore Mario, Sonic quickly made a place for himself in video game history. While Mario was all about jumping, Sonic was all about speed. With a fresh soundtrack that is still highly recognized as one of the best in video games, Sonic the Hedgehog brought an entire new crowd to the platformer genre. Spawning several spinoffs, including a pinball game, as well as 4 cartoon series, and a very successful comic book series, it’s easy to see why Sonic is a gaming legend.
6. Sonic and Knuckles
While the original Sonic the Hedgehog brought a new crowd to the genre, Sonic and Knuckles brought the idea of a sequel to a whole new level. By utilizing a brand new technology, Sonic And Knuckles allowed gamers to plug in the original Sonic or Sonic 2 into the Sonic and Knuckles game disc and breath new life into those games. Couple that with the addition of a new character, and huge expansion on the storyline, Sonic and Knuckles introduced a new idea of expanding on a console game, something that had not been seen at that point.
5. Megaman X Series
Megaman X was the darker, meaner Megaman that was first introduced on the Super Nintendo. It took Megaman and platformers to a new level. It had some of the best graphics of the time, and introduced the idea of dual storylines later on with its sequels by adding in Zero as a playable character. Megaman Zero gave those who weren’t really into the original series a new twist, and brought a whole new set of fans in. Megaman X was to Megaman, what Sonic was to Mario, the older brothers version.
4. Megaman Series
Megaman, first released on the NES, was something never seen before in the platform genre. Rather than having Mega jump on his enemies, it gave him guns, a gun arm to be exact. Top that with the new feature of the genre, weapon stealing. By defeating a boss, Megaman was given the powers and able to use them against other bosses. Rereleased on the PSP as Megaman: Powered Up, Megaman has had quite the history, spawning tons of spinoffs and sequels. Megaman will soon be returning to his 8bit roots with the upcoming Megaman 9
3. Klonoa Series
Klonoa is quite the interesting game. Originally released on the PS1, and spawning a sequel and spinoffs across PS2 and Gameboy Advance, Klonoa has always been the odd man out in the genre. Though, it brought something not yet seen in the genre. Rather than arming him with a gunarm, or giving him the ability to run circles around the bad guys, Klonoa has the unique ability to use the enemies themselves as weapons. Armed with his hands and power ring, Klonoa fights his way through the mystical dreamlike worlds using the enemies as his main offense. Klonoa has always been the sleeper hit of platformers, but for those who have played it, it was quite the pleasant surprise.
2. Ratchet and Clank Series
Ratchet & Clank, Insomniacs hottest series. Originally released on the PS2, Ratchet quickly shot his way into the hearts of platform fans everywhere. Bringing in massive weapons and even bigger worlds, Ratchet has for years now been the best platformer on the market. With its most recent title, Tools of Destruction, Ratchet has pushed then limits, making the game like a playable Pixar game with its lush graphics and expansive destructible worlds. Coupled with its witty and hilarious tongue in cheek humor, Ratchet & Clank is easily the best Platformer of the last generation. And if Tools of Destruction is any indication, will continue to dominate the genre in this gen as well.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. Super Mario Bros.
Released on the NES as a bundle with the game Duck Hunt, Mario Bros instantly shot to video game history. Starring Mario, the hero from the classic arcade title Donkey Kong, Mario Bros not only jumpstarted gaming after an untimely mid-eighties death, but also created the genre we know and love today. Mario continues to raise the bar, most notably bringing the genre into 3D with Mario 64. It changed the genre as we know it, by changing from the 2D sidescrolling style, to the open ended 3D style. Mario has spawned over a dozen spinoffs and has helped create some equally popular series like Yoshi’s Island and Warioland. With its most recent smash hit Mario Galaxy on the Wii, Mario continues to dominate the genre and push the limits to the next level.
And there you have it, the top ten most influential platformers. Though it should be noted, there are some honorable mentions that just missed making the list.
Honorable Mentions
Jak & Daxter- Sony’s other platform hit. Jak has always been quite the great game, but never managed to reach the level of its rival Ratchet & Clank
Tail Concerto- One of the most overlooked games on PS1. Mostly scoffed for its kiddy look, Tail Concerto was one of the best platformers of that gen. It had great platforming, dark storyline, and OVA quality cutscenes, it was the great little game that no one played.
Megaman Legends- Yet another Megaman series. The first one to be fully in 3D, and a sandbox style game. Legends introduced us to yet another Megaman, and was one of the best games around. With its great mix of platforming action and RPG, Megaman Legends will go down as one of the best, but also shortest, Megaman series.
