Best Platform Games (2D Gameplay only) For Each System

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:48 am

I suppose that for many of us the second favorite genre of action games (next to shmups, of course) is the jump-and-run variety. And while 3D platformers like Mario 64 aren't bad, the majority seem to prefer the old school type with 2D gameplay, so I'm only asking about that. (Examples: Classic Castlevania, Super Mario, Klonoa, Contra, Metal Slug)

What are the best (your favorite) platformers for Atari 8/16bit, C64, MSX, Amiga, (Super) Famicom, Master System, PC Engine, Mega Drive, Saturn, PS1/2, Neo Geo, PC, handhelds, etc.?

When listing games, please include the system.

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:04 am

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=8130&start=0

Me trying to provide useful information about games

mini-update: Edward Randy is kind of a disappointment

benj · Post by **benj** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:01 pm

PC-E: Don Doko Don
NES: Don Doko Don 2, Ufouria
MD: Wardner, Rocket Knight Adventures 1&2
SNES: DoReMi Fantasy, Umihara Kawase, Violinist of Hameln
Neo Geo: Zupapa, Spin Master, Blue's Journey
Amiga: Rodland
Arcade: Joe&Mac Returns, Tumble Pop, Diet GoGo, Bubble Symphony

I left out games like Mario, Sonic, Contra and Castlevania since these should be common knowledge.

Neon wrote:Edward Randy is kind of a disappointment

Indeed it is.

D · Post by D » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:24 pm

What is the name for those games where you stay in one screen at a time?
Bubble Bobble
Rodland
snow bros
Tumblepop

Can we call these puzzle platformers?
I think a platform game is one that HAS scrolling of environments by definition.
best platformers for SMS
-Shinobi (& Shadow dancer)
-Wonderboy III & Wonderboy V

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:38 pm

Some of my favourites:

Mega Drive
Strider
Sonic the Hedgehog series
Dynamite Headdy
World of Illusion
Quackshot
Mega Turrican
Contra Hardcorps
Ristar

Super Nintendo
Karurou (Skyblazer)
Prince of Persia (such a great version!)
Super Mario World
Umihara Kawase

I'd love to get some tips on good, not decent, PCE platformers. I know so little about the system.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 1:06 pm

zinger wrote:I'd love to get some tips on good, not decent, PCE platformers. I know so little about the system.

Scrolling PCE platformers
Bonk 1-3
Akumajo Dracula X - Chi no Rondo
Legendary Axe 1+2
Adventure Island
Dynastic Hero
Jigoku Meguri (Hell Explorer)
New Zealand Story
New Adventure Island
Mizubaku Daibouken
Ninja Spirit
Ninja Ryukenden
...

Single screen PCE platformers
Rainbow Islands
Parasol Stars
Don Doko Don
...

Herr Schatten · Post by **Herr Schatten** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:25 pm

Not mentioned yet:

Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS)
Psycho Fox (SMS)
Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS - not a dumbed-down port of the Mega Drive original, but an independent game with excellent playability)

Impossible Mission (C64, SMS, various other Systems)

Crystal Raider (Atari 800 XL/XE)

Son Son II (PCE)
Aoi Blink (PCE)

Monster World IV (Mega Drive)
まじかるハットのぶっとびターボ！大冒険 (Mega Drive)
Magical Taruruuto-Kun (Mega Drive)

Densetsu no Stafi 1, 2 and 3 (GBA)
Densetsu no stafi 4 (DS)

Soccer Kid (Amiga)
Fire & Ice (Amiga)
Lionheart (Amiga)
Rick Dangerous 1 & 2 (Amiga)
Gods (Amiga, Atari ST, Mega Drive)

That's all I can think of at the moment.

I still try to get my hands on the Sega Master System version of Fire & Ice. Unfortunately, it's only ever been released in Brazil. Do you know how hard it is to come by there, Shatterhand?

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:42 pm

Herr Schatten wrote:I still try to get my hands on the Sega Master System version of Fire & Ice. Unfortunately, it's only ever been released in Brazil. Do you know how hard it is to come by there, Shatterhand?

I bought a loose cart of that, paid 12 $ iirc. The online shop I bought from seems to be offline, however the seller was pretty well known on ebay too.

It's well, nice, although the scrolling is a little weird - the game is also very easy, I could complete it in an afternoon of tries. Good for the sake of the novelty, but all considered, stick to the Amiga version for gameplay.

Edit:

not mentioned yet:

AMIGA - T U R R I C A N I I

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:45 pm

Ceph wrote: Jigoku Meguri (Hell Explorer)

Can't wait to play it via Virtual Console!

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:05 pm

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Yoshi's Island for SNES. That's easily one of the best platformers on the system. Actraiser is pretty good as well.

I'll agree to the Monster World IV MD statement, a really nice experience no less.

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:42 pm

Super Mario World beats Yoshis Island hands down. for some reason, Yoshis island feels like a chore when im playing. Super Mario World is all fun.

oh, and Rainbow Islands is a scrolling platformer, and one of my favourites at that. probably my favourite platform game of all time.

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:05 pm

DC906270 wrote:Super Mario World beats Yoshis Island hands down. for some reason, Yoshis island feels like a chore when im playing. Super Mario World is all fun.

Well if you like to fall asleep while you play then sure, SMW is better. I think Yoshi's Island improves upon every aspect although that doesn't make SMW any less of a game, they are quite different.
Or perhaps if you suck at games in general. I find it a real joy to play Yoshi's Island, fast paced with plenty of areas to explore. Not like you need to collect all the stars/flower/red coins to beat the game or make progression, that's only if you want the insane hard bonus levels for each world, which are still fun.

DC906270 wrote:oh, and Rainbow Islands is a scrolling platformer, and one of my favourites at that. probably my favourite platform game of all time.

I do agree on this front and considering how it 'scrolls' I didn't actually consider it at the time.

nem · Post by **nem** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:35 pm

Since most of the other platforms have already been covered, here's some love for the Saturn:

Astal
Keio Yuugekitai

Absolutely superb. Best two platformers on the Saturn. Keio even sports some shoot'em-up sections, so what's not to love?

Try Rush Deppy

Good game. The controls feel a bit loose, but other than a solid title.

Shin Shinobi Den

I like it! The background graphics are actually very nice and detailed, but why in the earth did they have to use digitized sprites I'll never know (don't get me started on the cut scenes

). Fortunately, the core gameplay is still good, and anyone who disagrees here has a wrong opinion on the matter.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:45 pm

DC906270 wrote:oh, and Rainbow Islands is a scrolling platformer

Yeah you are right, you go upwards in Rainbow Islands of course; I was only thinking left and right when I made the distinction.

PFG 9000 · Post by **PFG 9000** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:49 pm

Atari 2600 - Pitfall
NES - Castlevania III, Ninja Gaiden, Mario 3
Gameboy - Marioland 2: 6 Golden Coins
Atari Lynx - Scrapyard Dog
Genesis - Sonic 2
SNES - Super Castlevania IV, Contra III, Super Metroid
Atari Jaguar - Rayman
PSX - Castlevania: SotN
Gameboy Advance - Metroid Fusion, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
PS2 - Contra: Shattered Soldier

JJG · Post by **JJG** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:08 pm

Viewtiful Joe for GC rarely gets any love but I think it's pretty sweet.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:47 pm

super underrated:

Samurai Ghost/Genpei Toumaden (PC-E) - Second best action-platformer hu-card on the system (I know nothing of the CDs). Legendary Axe obviously the best.

Decapattack is underrated for Genesis.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:56 pm

Klonoa 2: Lunatea's Veil for the PS2 is considered to be the best 2D platformer that's traped in a 3D game's body. The gameplay, storyline and presentation are all spot on. If you find this gem in your used game section at your local video game retailer you should pruchase it providing that it's not broken in anyway way of course!

Also try the Viewtiful Joe series as it's very entertaining and increadably hardcore. Also as a fairly obvious suggestion try picking up the Megaman Collections on the PS2/GC. There are in fact two packs one with the orignal games and one with the "X" series games. Both have other Megaman spin off games packaged with them as well which is nice. Ghouls and Ghosts series is also another really obvious choice as well and is avliable in the Capcom Classic Collection.

Oh and on the Valis series espeicaly Super Valis IV on the Snes (duh!) I find to be quite fantastic, a very good Castlevania knock off really!

This is proberbly not very helpful but hey you wanted to know what my favourates are so I told ya'. Have fun!

Gorecki · Post by **Gorecki** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:06 pm

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis) is my favourite platform game in the history of video games. The level design, mechanics, and graphics are all without flaw. I was actually on holiday once when the Sega Bus pulled up into the carpark. It was a promotional bus showing off the latest genesis releases, and on the upper floor they had a scoring competition on Sonic 2. I managed to win it by blasting through the levels at light speed, racking up the end of level bonuses whilst others grappled with measly rings!

Maybe it's a bit on the easy side, but having said that I've never bothered to try and get every Chaos Emerald. I guess playing Sonic 2 sans emerald is like playing Psyvariar sans buzzing.

Sorry, I'm drunk right now.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:35 pm

Another very good Mega Drive platformer: Tiny Toon Adventures

Danny wrote:Super Valis IV on the Snes (duh!)

I have Valis IV for PCE CD, it's less then stellar in my opinion. Is Super Valis IV different/improved?

JJG · Post by **JJG** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:50 pm

Kid Cameleon!

Arvandor · Post by **Arvandor** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:31 am

Well, most of my favorites have been listed already, so we'll add the one that hasn't.

Skull Monkeys - PSX

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:42 am

Kirby - hard for me to choose a favorite
Contra - also hard for me to choose a favorite

These would probably be my two top series. I know that's not the question, but I'll have to get back to you on that.

Turrican · Post by **Turrican** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 1:55 am

Ceph wrote:Another very good Mega Drive platformer: Tiny Toon Adventures

Danny wrote:Super Valis IV on the Snes (duh!)
I have Valis IV for PCE CD, it's less then stellar in my opinion. Is Super Valis IV different/improved?

It's worse. stick to your DUO.

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 2:55 am

Valis III>>>IV
Not that it's such a great game to begin with.
Also, no one else ever mentions Jackie Chan Action Kung Fu for the NES. It really is one of the best platformers on that system.

I'm kinda surprised at the amount of people calling Castlevania and Contra platformers, different strokes for different folks I guess. I suppose earlier Vanias fit the mold, tho.

Do Re Mi Fantasy is badass.

Limbrooke · Post by **Limbrooke** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:15 am

shinsage wrote:Valis III>>>IV

word!

(Not to mention the music is cooler in V3 too.)

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:16 am

OT shinsage: are you from Kotzebue, AK?

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:42 am

Herr Schatten wrote:Not mentioned yet:

Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS - not a dumbed-down port of the Mega Drive original, but an independent game with excellent playability)

Same deal with the GG one, which is very similar to the SMS version. I can't believe a review (the one at www.gamespy.com) actually mistook the glitchy GBA port of the Genesis Sonic 1 for Sonic 1 GG. I found the GG one to be a great game in its own right. As for other platformers on the GG, Ristar, GG Shinobi 2, and Tails' Adventure are also quite good.

Ristar starts similar to the Genesis version, but deters from it with different levels. One very odd thing is that the game has both the Japanese/English versions of the game bulit in, but blocks out the first part of one of the levels when played on a US GG. The level cut out is odd and doesn't share the same theme with the second part of it, though.

GG Shinobi 2 combines Shinobi with some megaman like aspects. Different colored shinobi are earned by beating levels. They have their own unique skills that can be used to get past certain areas. It starts out a bit on the easy side, but the final levels get much harder. GG Shinobi 2 has some of the best music on the Game Gear and nice graphics for the system too.

Tails' Adventure is a bit of an oddity. IMO, it's definatly one of the best Sonic spinoffs out there and actually surpasses many of his own games. Tails' slow movement is a bit off putting at first, but the gameplay more than makes up for it. In this game, tails gets equipped with different weapons like bombs and more weapons can be found hidden in levels. In order to pass some parts, certain weapons must be found and backtracking is required to get some weapons.

Here are some of my other picks for various systems:

World of Illusion Starring Mickey and Donald (Genesis): A good game in 1 player, but an excellent game with two. Having to help each other out to beat levels is quite fun.

Tiny Toon Adventures Buster Busts Loose (SNES): A surprisingly fun platformer. It has similar elements to Super Mario and Sonic, but stands on its own with solid level design. The dash mechanic is quite fun too.

Donkey Kong (GB): A very nice game that combines aspects from the original DK with puzzle elements. The placeable platforms and ladders in some levels are an especially nice touch.

Jumpman (various): I love this game. Jumpman jumps around in various levels to try to collect all the crystal thingys (or whatever they are) in the stage. The levels alter themselves when you get a crystal thingy, meaning that you have to often find a different way around than originally planned. There are also bullets that try to shoot you down when you get in their path.

shinsage · Post by **shinsage** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 4:42 am

Rob wrote:OT shinsage: are you from Kotzebue, AK?

I prefer to call it Alyeska.

UnscathedFlyingObject · Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:03 am

Guys, you gotta give Mega Man ZX (DS) a try. Awesome game. Make sure you go to www.mmhp.net download the map and also look at the best order in which to pass the missions. The game is really good and even better if you maintain bactracking to a minimum.

The Mega Man Zero games (GBA) are thumbs up too. Especially Zero 2. 1&3 are pretty good too. 4 is above average.

Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow (DS). If you haven't gotten tired of Castletroid.

Contra Shatterd Soldier (PS2). Everyone should know this one.