What can I play that's similar to...

[junkeR]

What can I play that's similar to...Mischief Maker's and Kirby's Adventure (Dream Land and others)? I absolutely love these two platforming games. Is there anything I can play that would give a similar feel on any system? I love how these games are short and satisfying.

[Mortificator]

If you want to try a Dream Land title, you should probably go with Kirby's Dream Land 3. I think Kirby Super Star was the only truly great Kirby game, though, so play that if you haven't.

Gunstar Heroes was made by the developers of Mischief Makers. It's more focused on shooting, but you can still hurl enemies. Astro Boy: Omega Factor is another Treasure game with robot-smashing action.

Goemon's Great Adventure for N64 is lots of fun (so is Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, but it's more Zelda-ish, not a sidescroller).

[junkeR]

I felt Dream Land 3 was a bit like Kirby 64 (too slow). I also own Gunstar Heroes and the Goemon title you listed. Are there anymore similar games?

[BulletMagnet]

I don't know if this is what you're looking for, but the "Wario Land/World" games always struck me as sorta-similar to Mischief Makers, in that you deal with enemies up close and personal, and toss them around a lot - there's also an emphasis on high scores. I own the GBA, Gamecube, and Wii versions, so you might want to give those a shot - I don't think any of them are too hard to find or expensive last I checked.

Also, Kirby Super Star is my personal favorite Kirby game (i.e. the only one I've ever liked much), but you've probably already played that. The obvious corollary to that is the "Starfy" series, but I have little experience with it myself.

[linko9]

Yeah, Wario World on GC really reminded me of MM, though it might have just been the Treasure connection. Unfortunately, I didn't really like WW, though I did like MM.

[Ed Oscuro]

What about Hebereke / Ufouria (name of the EU release blatantly ripped off from a 1985 movie)?

[Drum]

Seconding the Wario Land series, especially 4.

Super Princess Peach is a classy, underrated game.

Stafi is similar to Kirby in a lot of ways, as is Klonoa - personally they put me to sleep (and I love Kirby's Dreamland 3).

Maybe try Astal & Clockwork Knight for Saturn, Tomba! for PS1?

Sega's Genesis Disney platformers might qualify - Castle/World of Illusion and Quackshot.

Do Re Mi Fantasy (SNES) you should give a go.

Loco Roco, maybe? I was so-so on the first one but I heard the second was a big improvement.

Going indie: Knytt Stories, Lyle in Cube Sector, An Untitled Story, Cave Story, A Game With A Kitty.

Yoshi's Island? *Definitely* play that if you haven't - pretty easily the best game mentioned in this thread - but there's kind of an outside chance of you not having played it.

[Drum]

Also, Silhouette Mirage and Dynamite Headdy are both pretty similar to Mischief Makers.

[junkeR]

I just couldn't get into the control scheme on Silhouette Mirage, and Dynamite Headdy seems too difficult. Maybe I'm just picky, or suck at games? I'm going to look into the Wario Land series. I've been trying to purchase Astal for a while now, but it is on my list.

[Drum]

Also: Trip World. For Game Boy. Fast-paced platformer, Kirby-like graphics. I think that will be right up your alley.

Also play Balloon Kid. One of the best Gameboy games. Uncategorisable really, but a kind of platformer. Difficulty is gentle but it is very well-balanced.

Give Mr Nutz a shot. I dismissed it as being rubbish before I played it - and it is rubbish, sorta - but it has some really bizarre bosses. You can tell the creators were inspired by Toki (I think they did the Amiga port). Rocket Knight also.

Also: Ristar (Genesis). Don't know why I didn't already mention this.

EDIT: Ugh, forgot Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GC). Excellent score/combo-focussed platformer with great graphics and unique gameplay.

I would say the essentials are:

Yoshi's Island
Wario Land (series)
Trip World
Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Quack Shot
Ristar
Balloon Kid
Do Re Mi Fantasy

[BulletMagnet]

EDIT: Ugh, forgot Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GC). Excellent score/combo-focussed platformer with great graphics and unique gameplay.

There's also a Wii version of that, and strangely enough it has more "traditional" controls than the GC version (which uses the bongos).