After years being relegated to the indie gaming scene, platformers finally seem to be enjoying a resurgence. Titles like Spyro Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time are reuniting gamers with some of their favorite mascots while putting a modern twist on the iconic genre. This success comes after oversaturation and newer gaming trends forced the genre underground. Thankfully, it has resurfaced and appears to be better than ever.
From a gameplay standpoint, platformers tend to age better than other games. Many '90s platformers have withstood the test of time and are as fun now as they were 25 years ago. However, many suffer from primitive graphics that aged like spoiled milk. Next-gen technology paints these games in a new light, allowing them to shine like never before by replacing the awkward polygonal models with remarkable visuals that breathe new life into these classics. It also makes them more appealing to both newcomers and longtime fans looking to revisit some of their cherished childhood memories.
The key to any good platformer is smooth controls. Being able to move a character swiftly through challenging levels is vital to their success. Unfortunately, some classic games have clunky controls that were advanced at the time but fail to live up to today's standards, especially for those who did not play them back in the day. Remakes and remasters can fix most of these control issues, making them more accessible to casual players.
The platforming genre has a reputation for housing some of the toughest games ever created. However, this is actually a benefit, as there are many gamers who purposely seek out brutally tough games with extreme difficulty spikes. Bringing classic '90s platformers to modern consoles allows them to enjoy some of the hardest games imaginable without digging out their old Super Nintendo or original PlayStation. The unforgiving difficulty of classic platformers is one of the most appealing aspects of retro gaming. Bringing the same challenge to contemporary consoles pleases the niche platforming audience while bringing a bit of nostalgia to long-time gamers.
Few video game genres are as iconic as platformers, and although they've never truly gone away (especially on Nintendo platforms) they've long struggled to find a mainstream audience on rival systems. But with recent releases and remasters, platformers are back and better than ever while maintaining their treasured retro charm. Hopefully, platformers will continue to thrive on modern systems and enjoy the same success on next-gen consoles.