#50. – Ninpen Manmaru – Sega Saturn
This little known import has grown on me since I first played and reviewed it. In the era of 3D gamers were clamoring for games that took advantage of the upgrade in graphics that allowed them to explore large worlds and interact with a great many things. With their 32-bit console the Saturn Sega failed to deliver a proper Sonic title, and their poster-game NiGHTs Into Dreams was a bit more straightforward. Many thought the console was incapable of delivering a Mario 64 like experience, but they were wrong. Ninpen Manmaru is a Sega Saturn exclusive that only released in Japan and has gamers take control of a ninja penguin as they maneuver across large 3D stages featuring intricate platforming and surprisingly good graphics. There are a few control issues that hold it back, but Ninpen Manmaru is as close as Saturn gamers got to an open world platformer.
#49. – Croc: Legend of the Gabbos – Multiplatform
What’s interesting is the fact that Croc was originally pitched to Nintendo as a Yoshi game. Nintendo turned it down (probably because it wasn’t quite up to their par of quality) but the end result is actually pretty decent. Gamers were clamoring for more open 3D platformers and this was released at just the right time boasting a lot of items to collect and a variety of different terrain to explore. It’s a charming little kid friendly romp aimed at those who wanted something a little beefier than Crash Bandicoot. Unfortunately you’ll spend half the game battling against the camera which never seems to want to cooperate. It doesn’t hold up particularly well but at release it was a blast.
#48. – 40 Winks – Sony PlayStation
40 Winks is a slumber themed platform game that made a moderate splash when it was originally released, but has long since been forgotten. The publisher made the mistake of printing a review quote that said “move over Mario” on the cover, but it was clear even back then which of the two games would be remembered. 40 Winks stars two children who travel to a variety of differently themed worlds within their dreams. It’s a pretty basic and by the books platformer, but I had fun with it, and it helps fill the open world platformer void of the original PlayStation’s library.
#47. – Chameleon Twist – Nintendo 64
Platformers released on the Nintendo 64 faced some fierce competition, and worse yet were always compared to Nintendo’s own offerings. Chameleon Twist is no Super Mario 64, but it doesn’t try to be. The game’s hook (it seems like they all had to have them back then) is that you can stick out and even manuever the main character’s tongue to collect items and pull yourself around the various stages. It’s a novel concept and makes for some interesting gameplay scenarios, but the game is ultimately a bit forgettable. If you’re looking for a different take on platformers from the 32/64-bit era then this is a pretty decent choice.
#46. – Pac-Man World – Sony PlayStation
Namco has always been a bit confused as to how to evolve Pac-Man. It’s one of the most popular and recognizable arcade games of all time, but to other genres the formula does not translate well as we’ve seen with past experiments. Namco finally decided to make a good to honest platformer with the pellet munching yellow fellow, and to be honest it turned out pretty decent. It truly felt like a celebration of the legacy mascot, and also a natural evolution of the franchise. It’s a bit straightforward for my liking, but Pac-Man World is one of the better 3D platformers to come from this era.
#45. – Super Magnetic Neo – Sega Dreamcast
I’m of the unpopular opinion that the Dreamcast console was a bit lacking when it came to platformer games, but understandably so considering how short of a time it was on the market. Super Magnetic Neo is one of the only ‘Crash Bandicoot clones’ I’ve ever seen. This means that instead of having the ability to roam huge sandbox environments you’re instead limited to a hallway shaped playing field which allows sharper focus on platforming. The hero’s claim to fame is the ability to create magnetic fields which is a pretty cool way to fight foes if you ask me. This one has largely been forgotten but is still worth a play.
#44. – Earthworm Jim 3D – Nintendo 64
I’ve never been the biggest fan of the Earthworm Jim series. The first two installments were convoluted messes with very weird stage designs. You would think the move to 3D would be a rocky one, and if you ask most critics they would agree, but I have a special place in my heart for this game. I would go so far as to say that Earthworm Jim 3D is my favorite installment in the series, and it’s pretty underrated. It plays like most platformers of its time in that you explore levels, find items (in this case golden udders) to unlock new stages. It’s a by the books collect-a-thon but I’ve always been fond of them.
#43. – Bomberman Hero – Nintendo 64
Bomberman Hero seems like one of the more experimental titles in the series. The franchise has always been focused around multiplayer with the solo experience thrown together in what has mostly felt like an afterthought. It’s pretty strange then that developer Hudson Soft would not only focus on single player, but even go so far as to exclude the ability to play with your friends. That’s precisely what they did with Bomberman Hero. In an odd twist they also made this release a platformer which is a genre previously unexplored by the titular hero. It’s a pretty decent game, but not as good as 64 to be honest.
#42. – Tonic Trouble – Nintendo 64
Rayman wasn’t the only platformer Ubisoft had under their belt in the 32-bit generation; Tonic Trouble was a highly covered game that seemed super important when it was released. Ubisoft didn’t bet high on this Nintendo 64 exclusive as this was the only installment unless you count the Europe only Gameboy release. This title had the disadvantage of being compared unfavorably to Rayman 2, and while there are some similarities, Tonic Trouble has enough of its own personality and unique conventions to set it apart. If there’s one thing Tonic Trouble does better it’s the gameplay variety. The developers did a decent job of offering up a lot of different things to do. It’s unfortunate that this one has been largely forgotten.
#41. – Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy – Sony PlayStation 2
After developer Naughty Dog lost the rights to Crash Bandicoot they had to hit the drawing board once more to create a brand new mascot for a new platforming game. Jak and Daxter is what they came up with. With this release the developers dropped the linear world focus of their former franchise and strived for something much more akin to Super Mario 64. this means more exploration and a whole lot of collecting things. I was a bit late to the party with this one and while I feel it’s pretty overrated there’s no denying that this is a quality platformer.
#40. – Yooka Laylee – Multiplatform
There’s no denying that 3D platform games have largely faded away in the past few generations. Developers and publishers (aside from Nintendo) just haven’t put a lot of stock in the genre for a very long time. That has changed a bit recently with indie companies picking up the slack a bit. Yooka Laylee was developed by a group of former Rareware developers who wanted to make something akin to Banjo Kazooie but for modern audiences. They succeeded for the most part even if some of the design choices are a bit questionable. Yooka Laylee is a decent romp that’s sure to pull at the nostalgia nerve.
#39. – Crash Bandicoot: Warped – Sony PlayStation
There wasn’t a lot of evolution in the original Crash trilogy, but the third outing mixed things up the most. It still plays and looks like the previous Bandicoot releases, but with a larger variety of gameplay elements. It also has the best settings in the franchise due to the time traveling scenario. While the level design is tight and the dog-fighting sequence (as well as the second playable character) serve to keep things somewhat fresh this still plays identically to the previous releases. It’s still a confined platformer with a great difficulty curve, but even back then it felt limited when so many other titles were offering large gameplay zones.
#38. – Super Lucky’s Tale – Microsoft Xbox One
3D platformers have largely been forgotten, but a few developers out there have recently tried their hand at the genre with mixed results. I for one was very excited when Super Lucky’s Tale was announced at E3, and I wasn’t let down by it. The game doesn’t try to re-invent the wheel, but that’s just fine by me because it’s a solid effort with a lot of charm and plenty of fun levels to traverse. The only real issue here is with the camera which can make some of the platforming difficult by making distances tough to judge. Either way, if you own a capable PC or an Xbox One you could do far worse than this release.
#37. – Jumping Flash 2 – Sony PlayStation
The original Jumping Flash was one of the most unique platformers ever released, and one of the most innovative games Sony has ever published. It was a first person platforming game. If that isn’t unusual enough it stars a robotic bunny rabbit and a truly unique art style. Unfortunately it suffered from some really bad graphics which makes it a bit difficult to return to in modern times. This brings me to the sequel which is improved in almost every way. As I mentioned earlier you play as a mechanical rabbit that can jump long distances and shoot. Your goal in each three dimensional stage is to collect four items at which point you move to the next. It sounds pretty basic, but the first person viewpoint makes it pretty unique.
#36. – Sonic Heroes – Multiplatform
Sega has always had a weird obsession with chaining characters together in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. While it was awful in Knuckles Chaotix the feature made a comeback in Sonic Heroes a few generations later. This one is a bit more linear than the Sonic Adventure titles that came before it, but has some pretty decent level design by series standards. There are four different campaigns you can choose from each with their own stages and characters. You can, and are even forced to, switch between the trio in each scenario in order to take advantage of their abilities. It’s not as memorable as the Sonic Adventure games but was still one of the best platformers of the sixth generation.
#35. – Voodoo Vince – Microsoft Xbox
There was a point in time where Microsoft was funding games from a bunch of small developers in hopes of finding something that would be a major breakthrough. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that well for them, but at least we got smaller yet still fun games such as Voodoo Vince. In this three dimensional platformer you play as a small voodoo doll. This gives you powers that inflict damage to enemies but also hurts yourself. It’s a novel concept that’s fairly inspired. It’s a collect-a-thon at heart but I love the voodoo theme and jazz music which creates an amazing ambience. It’s clever, quirky, and is a lot of fun to play.
#34. – Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back – Sony PlayStation
This is, bar none, the best game in the Crash Bandicoot series. It expands on the original in many ways allowing for incredible level design and some tight platforming challenges. The chase scenes where you can’t see in front of Crash is a novel concept that was really impressive at the time of release. What I like most is how challenging the game is. The difficulty curve is fine tuned and prepares you for some very tough platforming challenges as well as some delightful boss fights. This is a tough game with a load of personality. It was and still is pretty overrated, but there’s no denying that Crash 2 is a pretty solid platformer.
#33. – Gex: Enter the Gecko – Multiplatform
My first exposure to this game was via a demo disc that came with my little brother’s console. I fell in love with it instantly and replayed the same stage over and over again until I later got my hands on the game. Gex originally began as a side scrolling platformer on the 3DO but with the more powerful hardware came an extra dimension. The little gecko is still the wise cracking hero he always was, but now he can move in all directions. One thing I always loved about this game was the different themes of the stages. It works quite well and makes for some memorable areas and enemies. The platforming isn’t as tight as it should be, but the level variety and action make up for this.
#32. – Sonic Adventure 2 – Sega Dreamcast
This game (as well as part 1) were met with mixed reviews at release. Sonic and his speed just don’t translate well to 3D space, but Sega sure tried and in my opinion they succeeded. With this release they took out the in-between exploration of the original Adventure and instead you’re thrust right into the action. There are two storylines to choose from; both hero and dark but they play largely the same with characters that have the same moves. Unfortunately Sonic and Shadow stages are the only ones that are fun, and the rest is unnecessary fluff. Knuckles and Rouge’s treasure hunt based stages are the worst offenders because they completely wreck the pacing. Still, the base game is fun enough that it’s not enough to completely ruin the experience.
#31. – Sly Cooper and the Thievius Racconus – Sony PlayStation 2
Sucker Punch was a relatively new developer when they signed on to create Sly Cooper for the PlayStation 2, but you wouldn’t know it because it’s such a solid game. First and foremost I enjoy the style of this one most of all. The cell shaded nightscapes look really good and create a very cool ambience that no other title has matched. This one is part action platformer and part stealth which is also unique for the genre. This means in between platforming you’ll be sneaking around a lot in some very tricky sequences. Sly Cooper is easily one of the best and most memorable platformers on the PlayStation 2.
#30. – Pac-Man World 2 – Multiplatform
Pac-Man World 2 is a very by the books platformer which does a great job of expanding on the gameplay elements of the first one. There isn’t a unique hook here or gimmick; instead it’s straight to the point platforming under a Pac-Man skin aimed at a younger audience. With that said I found something innately charming about this game, and it’s nice to get right to the action without a lot of extra fluff. The Pac Man aesthetic is fully realized here as you wander around the various 3D stages eating fruit and pellets. The classic sound effects feel a bit out of place but are a great nod to older fans. This one is a more cohesive and polished package than the original, and I consider it one of my great guilty pleasures of that generation.
#29. – Jersey Devil – Sony PlayStation
After Super Mario 64 released PlayStation owners were desperate to get some sort of answer to the free roaming platformer. Crash Bandicoot and its narrow passageways just wasn’t the same, nor was it nearly as good, and this is where Jersey Devil comes in. With it’s Halloween theme and larger than usual (at least by console standards) stages this looks like the answer fans needed. Unfortunately it’s not the same (the 32-bit hardware just wasn’t capable of a proper answer to Mario 64) but that doesn’t mean that Jersey Devil isn’t enjoyable. I absolutely love the ambience here with over the top colors and spooky enemies. It’s a perfect pick for a Fall playthrough. The game is a lot of fun and pretty impressive looking considering the hardware.
#28. – Psychonauts – Microsoft Xbox
Psychonauts was given a lot of exposure before release and was hyped to heck and back as I recall. I’m a late comer to the game because it didn’t look interesting to me back then, and after playing it I realize I made a mistake by sleeping on it. The game is based around a character named Raz who can invade the minds of other characters in order to help them with deep ground issues. This allowed the developers to experiment with a bunch of different art styles which makes for a surreal yet amazing art style. This also allows for quite a bit of variety in gameplay and obstacles. It’s rare to see a platformer that’s constantly refreshing but Psychnauts manages this.
#27. – Sonic Adventure – Sega Dreamcast
This was the first Dreamcast game I ever saw, and at that time I simply didn’t think graphics could get any better than this. Sega did a wonderful job showcasing their new hardware with this release; who can forget the orca smashing through the boardwalk? Perhaps this entry is rooted in nostalgia because I admit this game has some serious issues (the camera and expansive list of playable characters for one) but Sonic Adventure will always hold a soft spot in my heart. The game kind of falls apart with the other characters but Sonic, Tails and Knuckles scenarios are legitimately fun and are still enjoyable despite lacking the visual flair that they once did. This game also has one of my favorite soundtracks of all time as well, before the Sonic series went for that faux pop-punk style.
#26. – A Hat In Time – Multiplatform
Youtuber Jontron ruined a lot of people on this game and it was widely overlooked upon release. A Hat In Time is part of the 3D platformer revival we’ve been witnessing this generation, and it is easily one of the best ones. You control a cutetsy little girl in a top hat who collects ‘time pieces’ by completing various objectives in the large expansive stages this game offers. The goals in each stage offer a lot of variety, and the format (and level design) definitely reminded me of Super Mario 64 in the best way possible. In a market dominated by realistic first person shooters it’s nice to take a little time out to enjoy something light hearted that harkens back to a better time.
#25. – Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon – Nintendo 64
And now for something that is very, very Japanese. Legend of the Mystical Ninja was one of my most favorite games on the Super Nintendo, and I was ecstatic when I first learned that Konami was doing a 3D follow up on the Nintendo 64. Unfortunately they cut out multiplayer, but even with the missing feature you’ve still got a top notch action platformer. The first thing you’ll notice is just how Japanese this game is. You’ll wander the streets of old Japanese towns designed in a very cartoony style, and battle against giant enemies aboard a hyper stylized robot. Did I mention that the game also has a full blown opening sequence with full Japanese lyrics and subtitles? The world is amazing and a lot of fun to explore, and I absolutely love the game’s style.
#24. – Daxter – Sony PSP
A lot of people laugh when I tell them that Daxter is my favorite game in the Jak and Daxter series. I like the focus on platforming and action as opposed to the direction the other games went in, and there’s less collecting and far better stage design here. Basically, Ready at Dawn did a better job than Naughty Dog which is saying a lot. In this game Jak is tossed aside in favor of his wise cracking side-kick. The environments are a lot of fun to explore and the mission based structure is tighter here than it was in the main series complete with secondary objectives. It has a ton of personality and is a great release regardless of platform. This really should have gotten a PS2 port.
#23. – Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg – Nintendo GameCube
Sonic Team was really good at creating new video games that could become franchises but just never did. Billy Hatcher is one of these such titles. The concept admittedly sounds a little cumbersome; this is a 3D platformer where you’re bound to rolling eggs through a variety of different terrain in order to solve light puzzles. Worse yet you’re playing as a boy who wears a hat with a rooster comb on top of it. The game doesn’t sound very fun, but somehow it all comes together and makes for an great platforming experience. I really like the game’s world despite how cheesy and over-the-top it is. It’s truly a crime that Billy Hatcher’s legacy wasn’t continued because now no one even remembers who he was.
#22. – Sonic Colors – Nintendo Wii
There’s no getting around it; modern 3D Sonic is a total mess. After Yuji Naka left the company no one could fill his shoes and we entered a dark period for the blue blur. Sonic the Hedgehog 06 was a trainwreck as was the various Wii spinoffs such as Secret Rings and the Dark Knight. I pretty much lost all hope in the franchise at this point, but Colors was a big surprise for me. While it’s more of a mix of two and three dimensional gameplay I found it has enough of the latter to be included on this list. The gameplay is surprisingly tight and for once the speed isn’t an absolute detriment to level design. Additionally the new whisp power-ups are inspired and allowed the developers to get creative. I even like the neon aesthetic which was a surprise for me. This is the only main Sonic release on the Wii that’s worth playing, and it is one heck of a game.
#21. – Spyro the Dragon – Sony PlayStation
Spyro the Dragon is another casualty in Sony’s deal with Universal; while he later went on to star in skylanders the purple dragon has by and large been completely forgotten by the masses. For a while it was a pretty relevant mascot character for the PlayStation console and was one of the few PlayStation games that featured large expansive environments without pop-in. The engine is solid technically, and the gameplay is just as good. Spyro’s ability to glide through environments is inspired and is half the fun here. The environments are amazing and a lot of fun to explore. This is one of the best platformers on Sony’s 32-bit console, and it’s a real shame what they’ve done to Spyro since.
#20. – Super Mario Sunshine – Nintendo GameCube
In the Gamecube era Nintendo was super experimental with most of their established franchises. This is both a good and a bad thing, but it is what gave us Super Mario Sunshine. This game throws a water pack on the plumber’s back and thrusts him into a myriad of tropical environments. So what’s new? Now there’s an odd amount of cleaning he must do, and most classic enemies are absent. The commercials claiming ‘clean is better than dirty’ were laughably bad. To be frank this is the worst 3D Mario title Nintendo has released, but given the franchise’s pedigree it still deserves a solid place on this list. I’m not quite sure what Nintendo was thinking with this one (voice acting in a Mario game? Are you serious?) but the end result is still pretty fun despite not feeling like any of the others.
#19. – Donkey Kong 64 – Nintendo 64
Here’s yet another game that isn’t fondly remembered. Donkey Kong 64 was the accumulation of everything everyone hated during the era. It’s a collect-a-thon of the most extreme manner, has confusing level layouts, and too many characters that you constantly need to switch between. With that said it’s also one of the prettiest games released in that era, and at the time was almost comparable to Dreamcast titles. It’s also the first game that required the expansion pack which was included with it. I absolutely love the ultra vibrant settings; they offer a ton of variety and are absolutely beautiful. While searching every square inch of them can be a bit cumbersome they’re so pretty that I never minded. Even the multiplayer is a blast. Finally, who can forget the game that brought us the DK rap? This one is pretty underrated if you ask me.
#18. – Banjo Tooie – Nintendo 64
Rare had a tendency to copy Nintendo’s swagger in the N64 era with a lot of like-minded game releases. Mario Kart had Diddy Kong Racing (and Mickey’s Speedway) as a counterpart, and Super Mario 64 had Banjo Kazooie. The latter was never as well recieved as the plumber’s outing, but it was still a superstar hit. Rare followed it up with Banjo Tooie which offered more of the same only on a grander level. Everything was bigger and beefier. It’s a very pretty game with some very imaginative and varied locales. The platforming is solid, and tracking down every last jiggy is truly addictive. The main issue I have with this game is the fact that it requires backtracking and that’s just something that doesn’t work well in the Banjo Kazooie universe in my opinion. Here’s to hoping we one day get Banjo Threeie on modern consoles.
#17. – Ape Escape 3 – Sony PlayStation 2
The Ape Escape franchise is my most favorite in Sony’s first party repertoire. It’s especially tragic that they’ve basically forgotten about the franchise in favor of more realistic ventures because if marketed correctly they could have a real hit on their hands. Ape Escape 3 was the second title in the series to be released for the second PlayStation console and features all of the same monkey catching mechanics of the originals but with two playable characters this time. Unfortunately the developers dialed back on the number of different devices you can use here, but your characters can now morph into other things. It’s a very solid package, but rest assured you haven’t seen the last of Ape Escape on this list.
#16. – Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc – Multiplatform
When Rayman 2 released everyone went crazy for it. It was one of the best transitions to 3D a franchise had ever experienced, and Ubisoft didn’t play favorites as it was released on nearly every platform available at the time. So how do you follow it up? Unfortunately Rayman 3 doesn’t quite add up due to a darker direction (that doesn’t entirely fit) the developers took here with the franchise. Much of the charm is still retained making it instantly recognizable as Rayman still, but it’s still a minor downgrade. The power-up mechanics have also been worsened by making their effects temporary, but this is a minor issue. Despite these small problems Rayman 3 is still an amazing game that still has a lot to offer modern audiences.
#15. – Maximo: Ghosts to Glory – Sony PlayStation 2
Despite the odd name Maximo belongs firmly in the Ghouls ‘N Ghosts series that was made popular in previous generations. This is the first outing that is fully 3D, and there are surprisingly few hiccups. As a matter of fact this is the single best installment in the franchise in my opinion. In this game you battle hordes of undead enemies moving from stage to stage running, jumping, crouching and slashing your way to victory. In traditional fashion Maximo loses his armor as he takes damage eventually being reduced to wearing just boxer shorts. It’s a lot of fun, and this new cartoon over-the-top direction was exactly what the franchise needed to stay relevant. It’s too bad Capcom has long since forgotten about it.
#14. – Super Mario 3D Land – Nintendo Wii U
In the past all 3D Mario titles were focused on exploration and collecting items. With the rise in popularity of the ‘new’ series Nintendo made a more streamlined game for the Nintendo 3DS. 3D Land plays more similar to the classic two dimensional titles; your only goal is to guide Mario from the beginning of a stage to the end. That’s it; there are no stars, shines, anything. This allowed them to develop stages more akin to obstacle courses making for some really interesting challenges. The 3D effect used by the handheld is put to great use here and actually enhances the experience. I will always have a soft spot for this game because it brought back the Tanooki suit that we had not seen since the 8-bit generation.
#13. – Banjo Kazooie – Nintendo 64
This is a very blatant Super Mario 64 clone, but it’s a competent one. What actually began as an RPG called ‘Dream’ eventually transformed into a 3D platformer starring a loveable bear and his feathered sidekick. Collectathons were all the rage at the time of release and Rare isn’t one to fight convention; in this case you’re collecting musical notes called jiggies which allow you to access more advanced areas of the game. The environments are tighter and more concise than in Tooie and in my opinion this works in its favor. There just aren’t many platformers from this area that run and play so smoothly making it easy to return to. I especially love the boss fights and how well hidden many of the jiggies are.
#12. – Ape Escape 2 – Sony PlayStation 2
Ape Escape 2 is more of the same; more gadgets, more stages, more obstacles and more monkeys to capture. Fortunately that’s not a bad thing at all! You run around the large arena like stages capturing as many simians as you can using your handy dandy net. Some of these apes are tricky though and will require a variety of other creative tools. In a perfect world Ape Escape would have been the mascot for Sony’s consoles because it’s one of the single best franchises they’ve created. This second installment is just barely not as memorable as the original because I prefer the locales in the predecessor.
#11. – Super Mario 3D World – Nintendo Wii U
The Wii U was a failure of a console. It was a confused concept that Nintendo didn’t even know what to do with. It must be said though that even a bad console from the houes of Mario still has good games. The world was hoping for something more substantial, more like the older 3D Mario’s with World, and many were disappointed when this was announced. I was in this boat, but then I played it. There’s some absolutely brilliant level design here, and the new power-ups (even the stupid cat suit which was obviously an answer to the internet’s feline obsession) are really cool. The best thing about the game however is that it is multiplayer centric. You can tackle all of the levels with three other friends and all that’s required are Wii remotes.
#10. – Rayman 2 – Multiplatform
Rayman 2 has the advantage of being the most ported game on this list. Just about every gamer back in the day had a chance to play this one due to the vast number of consoles it came out on, and how often it was ported even after that. Rayman 2 also represents one of the best moves from 2D to 3D as it actually surpasses the original game in almost every way. There’s a ton of charm and character that oozes out in every scene. Additionally the story is told in a heavily cinematic way that we just weren’t used to in the genre back then, and the gameplay and environments feature a very large scope and scale. This much is clear; if you’re going to play one Rayman game let it be this one.
#9. – Ape Escape – Sony PlayStation
Back in it’s prime the PlayStation console just didn’t seem powerful enough to pull off a sprawling 3D exploration based platform game. Spyro was quite good but it still paled in comparison to Mario 64 and just didn’t feel as ‘big.’ Crash Bandicoot was severely limited and didn’t even try to compete. This brings me to Ape Escape. It had what it takes to be Sony’s premiere franchise; the concept was unique and captivating, gameplay and art style were sound, and it had large environments you’re pushed to explore. Unfortunately not enough people cared, and this one is almost relegated to being a hidden gem. The various gadgets you get are the highlight, and the innovative use of the second analog stick is really cool. If you own the original PlayStation you owe it to yourself to check out what is easily one of the greatest games for it.
#8. – Rocket Robot on Wheels – Nintendo 64
Every time I’ve ever mentioned this game people follow it up with “what?” Almost no one has heard of Rocket Robot on Wheels which is a crying shame because it’s one of the most enormous, dynamic and clever platformers of not only its era but all time. The only people who know about this one are long time fans of developer Sucker Punch. Here you play as a cutetsy rolling robot who is, in typical fashion, tasked with collecting a bunch of different items by defeating foes and solving puzzles. What sets this one apart? The level design. Few platformers have such intricate platforming, foes and puzzles. This one is worth a look for any fan of the genre who doesn’t necessarily want something different but instead just craves something that’s darn good.
#7. – Sonic Generations – Multiplatform
I’m cheating a little here because the game is a mix of 2D and 3D gameplay, but this is too good of a game not to list. Sonic Generations is a surprising release for a number of reasons. For starters it’s a bonafide amazing game starring Sega’s mascot. That’s pretty rare in this day and age. Secondly, it actually harkens back to Sonic’s history after Sega has spent so much money and time shoving modern day Sonic down our throats. This game takes classic levels from the franchise’s history and adds a new dimension to them. This was done with tender loving care with amazing level designs, blistering speed, and trademark Sonic traditions. I absolutely love the fact that they bring the hedgehog’s classic design back for the 2D stages. This might just be the best Sonic game ever released.
#6. – Super Mario Galaxy – Nintendo Wii
After the disappointment that was Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy had to make up a lot of ground to win me back. From the very first videos released I was awe struck even though I didn’t like the outer space theme or the play on gravity. I don’t know how they did it but Nintendo made it all work in grand fashion. Galaxy features some of the best level design ever. The stages are divided up into different galaxies that often feature multiple planets, and despite how it sounds the game is actually pretty straightforward. You fly from planet to planet performing some intricate platforming, collecting items, using power-ups, and fighting off foes. It follows the old formula but it’s so refined and polished that the whole game is awe inspiring. Let’s not forget the incredible orchestrated soundtrack as well. Super Mario Galaxy is unforgettable and amazing.
#5. – Conker’s Bad Fur Day – Nintendo 64
Conker’s history is a bit… storied. What originally began as a kid friendly game called Twelve Tales Conker 64 eventually was scrapped, and then re-tooled as a mature game with toilet humor and a sailor mouth. Some would argue that Bad Fur Day doesn’t belong on such a list as this but I absolutely loved it and still do. The gameplay is sound with great environments to explore and some neat platforming scenarios involving Conker’s ability to hover using his tail. The real highlight here, however, is the toilet humor. Before this game I had never seen such juvenile dialogue and hilarity in a video game, ever. Bad Fur Day holds no punches and is sure to have you laughing at the absurd storyline and over the top characters. The real highlight is the boss battle against the Great Mighty Poo… it’s about as glamorous as it sounds. Maybe it’s the teenager in me but Conker’s Bad Fur Day is easily one of my favorite games of all time.
#4. – Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo Wii
It was very surprising when Nintendo announced a follow-up to Mario Galaxy at E3, and comments from the developer made it sound like they were dialing things back a bit with it. I didn’t have high hopes to be honest, but I was sure it would still be entertaining. What I didn’t suspect is that it would turn out to be one of the greatest platforming games of all time even surpassing the amazing original. Nintendo may have dialed back the plot and fluff, but they turned up the creativity even higher. The new galaxies are even more fun to explore and the game is brimming with imagination, creativity, and challenge. What’s more is the fact that Nintendo even opted to bring back Yoshi, and the game makes good use of the Wii remote to aim his tongue. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is almost the perfect platformer.
#3. – Super Mario Odyssey – Nintendo Switch
Over a decade ago myself (along with most other fans) gave up on Nintendo ever making a proper sequel to Super Mario 64. Their new linear approach was fine and the games that followed were buttloads of fun, but a part of me was still hungry to hunt for stars in open world levels. Super Mario Odyssey was announced for the Nintendo Switch and looked to fill that void. Not only did it manage to satiate the desire for a sandbox Mario game but it surpassed just about everything else released up to this point. Instead of power-ups Mario instead throws his hat at, and temporarily possesses enemies and objects. This allows him a ton of new abilities that are unlike anything we have seen in this franchise so far. On top of being huge and sprawling the stages are incredibly well designed with some of the best obstacles the genre has ever seen. 3D platformers are making a comeback and Super Mario Odyssey is leading the revolution.
#2. – NiGHTs Into Dreams … – Sega Saturn
This is going to be considered an oddball pick by many. NiGHTs is barely a platformer, but still has just enough elements of the genre to be included. Moreover not a lot of people have played it because it was released on an unpopular console, and though it was re-distributed digitally last generation it never set the sales charts on fire. Either way, this is in my opinion the single best game Yuji Naka has ever created. It’s one of the few titles ever released where I truly feel like the developer’s heart and soul was in it. In NiGHTs you play as one of two children who, within their dreams, battle against their nightmares and insecurities by transforming into the titular flying purple jester character. Instead of being focused around platforming and exploration NiGHTs is more about racing against the clock and pulling off massive combos. The gameplay is addictive, the graphics and art are one of a kind, and it has one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time. It’s an all around magical experience that only one other game of this kind can compete.
#1. – Super Mario 64 – Nintendo 64
Was there any doubt that this would be number one? Super Mario 64 released in this infancy of 3D gaming and blew everything else at the time out of the water with it’s huge expansive environments, objective based collecting, and all around whimsical and magical worlds. No one will forget the first time they wandered Peach’s castle or fiddled around in the courtyard. The various worlds are exciting to explore and feature a multitude of tiny details. Enemies are fun to fight and avoid, and it’s genuinely fun to tinker around and explore to find the more difficult stars. It’s the only 3D platformer wherein I actually enjoyed the swimming segments. Mario 64 truly felt like a generation above any other platformer that had released up to that point, and it’s still the golden standard by which all 3D platformers are, and should be compared. Nothing up to this point has matched it in scope, influence, variety and sheer fun factor. It just doesn’t get better than this.
And that’s our list! Please feel free and comment or contact us to let us know what you think!
Science IT and Leisure
awesome
Jeremy Jeffers
Thanks!
Anonymous
I love the reviews.
Are you still updating the website?
Jeremy Jeffers
Yes I am. Please follow my blog from the main page in order to stay up to date. I plan to write a bunch more reviews in October. Thanks for the comment!
Zachar Laskewicz
This was a really great list of 3-D platformers Jeremy! I learned a lot of new stuff and it was great to read your personal insights.