Platformer (noun): “a video game where the play is primarily focused on moving past obstacles in real time with one's avatar by using various abilities (such as jumping and climbing) and items (such as weapons)” (Merriam-Webster)
The genesis of 2D platformers can be traced all the way back to 1980's Space Panic (Thomasson, 2019, p. 12), but the genre was popularized by the legendary plumber himself, Mario. Nintendo's most iconic character debuted as "Jumpman" in the 1981 arcade hit Donkey Kong, and in 1985, he was the star of one of the most famous games ever made: Super Mario Bros.
With challenging obstacle courses, wacky power-ups, and secrets that encourage replay, Super Mario Bros. laid a groundwork that would be built on and remixed by Nintendo and its competitors. Sega famously did “what Nintendon’t” when it unleashed Sonic the Hedgehog on the world, with platforming adventures that emphasized breakneck speed. Nintendo’s own Kirby introduced a unique way to power up, while also making the genre easy for new gamers to understand.
While 3D graphics once appeared as a threat to the 2D platformer, the genre has managed to survive into the present day, thanks to the efforts of game developers big and small. The New Super Mario Bros. sub-franchise proved a huge success for Nintendo, as they fused 3D character models with the 2D gaming mechanics. Another interesting fusion of new and old was Sega's Sonic Generations; in this game, players could alternate between the Sonics of the 1990s and the 2010s. As “classic” Sonic, players would experience side-scrolling action inspired by the early Genesis games.
With its tendency to iterate on nostalgic favorites, the indie game scene has produced a wide range of unique takes on 2D platformers. You have games with hyper-precise platforming challenges (Super Meat Boy), games that use the format to tell a story (Braid), and games that ask, “why not both (Celeste)?” The brilliantly simple framework of Super Mario Bros. has taken us to the modern era, where independent developers are building on and mutating that classic gameplay structure.
Here, we have curated ten unique 2D platformers, which you can play for free in your internet browser. We hope you enjoy!
Sources:
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Platformer definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/platformer
Thomasson, M. (2019). Space Panic: The foundation of all platformers. Old School Gamer Magazine, (11), p. 12-13. https://archive.org/details/old-school-gamer-011/page/n11/mode/2up
Sacrifice is the main theme of Fallen Girl, both in its macabre fairytale setting, and in its gameplay. As they navigate the dungeon, players must make be mindful of what they decide to give up: hearts, vision, jumping ability.
A Key(s) Path is a fascinating puzzle platformer, in which players temporarily sacrifice movements to create new platforms. Seemingly simple obstacles become brainteasers in this game.
With its black-and-white, original Game Boy-style graphics and action-platforming reminiscent of early Castlevania, Black Castle provides a blast of nostalgia for gamers who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s.
Frogfall is a fusion of precision platforming and puzzle platforming. Players must consider the order of their jumps and determine how to time them just right in this simple, yet intellectually stimulating 2D platformer.
With its one-button control scheme, Fox Tower may seem like a simple game, but don't be fooled. Fox Tower zooms in on the mental task of timing jumps, an essential part of many 2D platformers. As you guide the titular fox up the titular tower, navigating each sequence of platforms turns into a complex puzzle.
SELF presents a unique evolution of the double-jump mechanic seen in many platformers. Mastery of the character's unwieldy "soul" is what will get players through the game's various platforming challenges.
CELESTE Classic serves as a prototype for the critically-acclaimed 2018 indie platformer Celeste, developed by Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry. While lacking in the latter game's emotional storytelling, CELESTE Classic provided a strong basis for its brand of precision-based platforming.
The history of platformers and multiplayer is a complex one. Early Sonic games settled on two-player, split-screen races, while the chaotic co-op of the New Super Mario Bros. games often devolves into a death match between the Mushroom Kingdom's finest. Pikwip is unique in that it be played with one or two players, without even switching game modes. Whether you're playing by yourself or with a friend, coordinating the creatures' movements presents a unique platforming challenge.
APOLLO plays like the "Metroidvania" genre distilled to its simplest form. You navigate a non-linear 2D map, and as your character gains new abilities, you are able to access places you couldn't before. While APOLLO is much smaller in scale than games like Hollow Knight, it supplements the formula with fun platforming challenges.
Like APOLLO, Hollow Floor presents a miniature take on the Metroidvania genre, even featuring maps similar to the early Metroid games. Hollow Floor challenges its players from the get-go, making them spend significant time without the core platforming ability of jumping.
