The platform genre was one of the earliest in the world of video games. True to its name, the platform genre typically consists of platforms throughout a 2D side-scrolling plane. The player will have to make pinpoint jumps horizontally and/or vertically to reach their destination. The genre got its start through arcade releases such as Space Panic and Donkey Kong in the early 1980s before becoming popularized on home consoles in the mid-1980s with releases such as the iconic Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros. would go on to become the game, and series, that developers would use as a framework for their own platform games.
The platform genre would later make the transition to 3D. While 3D platformers did exist in the 1980s, they didn't begin to pick up steam until the mid-1999s with releases such as Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot. 3D platformers take many of the same cues from their 2D siblings with the addition of free, open, movement and exploration. In the decades since, players have gravitated away from the platform genre making the genre nowhere near as popular as it once was. Despite that, the platform genre is still recognized as one of the most influential genres in the history of gaming, while also producing some of the best games of all time.
10 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Is The Game Most Metroidvanias Aspire To Be - 93
When a developer sets out to make a Metroidvania game, it's extremely likely that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of the first games they have in mind. Released in 1997, at a time when developers and players were looking ahead to 3D, Castlevania would stick with 2D. Symphony of the Night would be lauded, more than anything, for its vast scope of exploration.
Symphony of the Night, and its sequels, would go on to firmly define the Metroidvania genre along with the Metroid series. Symphony of the Night is often cited as one of the most influential games ever created.
9 Super Mario 3D World Blends 2D and 3D Mario - 93
The first of many Mario games on this list is Super Mario 3D World for the Nintendo Wii U. The game would later see a release for the Nintendo Switch, and coupled with an additional campaign titled, "Bowser's Fury." Super Mario 3D World is a sequel to the 2011 Nintendo 3DS release Super Mario 3D Land. Both games take a unique spin on the platform genre by merging elements of both 2D and 3D platforming. Characters can still move around freely, but with more compact levels and a static camera.
Super Mario 3D World was praised for how it built upon the foundation set by Super Mario 3D Land, its level design, and fun cooperative gameplay.
8 Braid Is A Timeless Classic - 93
When Braid launched for the Xbox 360 in 2008, it helped bring attention to the works of independent developers. The puzzle platformer is often credited for increasing the appeal of indie games. Since its release, the interest in indie games has surged to become a profitable pathway for inspiring developers to take. Now, hundreds of indie games are released a year with many going on to win major gaming awards, even in favor of their big-budget counterparts.
Braid was widely praised for its stunning visuals and its puzzle elements that utilize time manipulation. Story-wise, the game's ending plot twist is considered one of the most memorable in the history of gaming.
7 Super Mario 64 Is The Most Influential 3D Platformer 94
With the release of the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, many developers and series attempted to make the transition to 3D. While series such as The Legend of Zelda and Final Fantasy made for a successful transition, others struggled. The Mario series was not one of them as Super Mario 64 almost perfectly transitioned the Mario platforming formula to the third dimension.
Super Mario 64 would set the framework for 3D platform games and would go on to influence series such as Banjo-Kazooie, Jax & Daxter, and Ratchet & Clank. Not to mention future Mario titles.
6 Super Mario Bros. Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Is The Best 2D Mario - 94
One of the more passionate debates within the Mario and Nintendo fandom is which 2D Mario title is the best of the bunch? While there's a lot of subjectivity to that debate, according to Metacritic the best 2D Mario title would be Super Mario Bros. 3. That is the Game Boy Advance version of the game, which was released in 2003.
Super Mario Bros. Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 is the fourth and final title in the GBA series of Mario ports. This version of the game is based on the Super Mario All-Stars version. The game includes the original Mario Bros. arcade game as well as support for the e-Reader.
5 Jet Set Radio Is Filled To The Brim With Style - 94
To this day, Jet Set Radio is considered one of the most stylish games of all time. The game's cel-shaded graphics, bright colors, a graffiti aesthetics really pop out of the screen. Even more so with the 2012 remaster of the game. And graffiti is the name of the game as the goal is to tag graffiti using inline skaters throughout the game's different level formats.
Not only was the game praised for its visuals, but it was also praised for its soundtrack. Jet Set Radio utilized original and license tracks from a variety of different genres such as J-pop, rock, hip hop, and metal.
4 LittleBigPlanet Is The Last Non-Mario Game On This List - 95
LittleBigPlanet popped into the scene in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and immediately stole the hearts of many for its adorable visuals and its overwhelming amount of creative options. The game's lead, Sackboy/Sackgirl, would become one of Sony's most recognizable mascots. The classic PS3 title would spawn multiple spinoffs and sequels, and become a fixture of Sony's catalog of exclusives.
The focal point of LittleBigPlanet is its creative suite where players can create levels, and in some cases even entire games, and share them online for others to enjoy. Sadly, however, Media Molecule has shut down the servers to all LittleBigPlanet games, aside from the PlayStation 4 version of LittleBigPlanet 3, thanks to a massive DDoS attack. Players are still able to create levels, however, making LittleBigPlanet a must-play.
3 Super Mario Odyssey Is The Most Recent 3D Platform Mario - 97
When the Switch was announced in 2016, most avid Nintendo players wondered if a new 3D Mario would finally be made. The Mario series hadn't had a true 3D platformer since Super Mario Galaxy 2 as Nintendo previously deviated to the Super Mario 3D series that blended 2D and 3D. Nintendo answered the call with the announcement, and subsequent release, of Super Mario Odyssey in 2017.
Super Mario Odyssey was praised for its large scope compared to previous Mario titles by introducing large open worlds with many secrets, bosses to fight, and hundreds of Power Moons to find. The sheer amount of Power Moons made a great fit for the Switch consoles as players can get a sense of progression regardless of how much, or little, time they put into the game (and wherever they play).
2 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Proves Lightning Can Strike Twice - 97
Super Mario Galaxy 2 was a first for the Mario series being a true, direct, sequel to a previous entry. Typically, each Mario game act as a standalone entry centering around a specific theme in its design. Not to mention, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was the second 3D Mario to be released on the Nintendo Wii. Previously, 3D Marios would release one to a console.
Beyond new levels and environments, Super Mario Galaxy 2 introduces new abilities such as the Cloud Flower, which allows Mario to create temporary platforms to jump on. The game also marks the return of Yoshi. Super Mario Galaxy 2 proved that Mario's time in space wasn't fully explored. Sadly, however, the game was excluded from Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
1 Super Mario Galaxy Is The Best Platform Game - 97
The honor of being the highest-rated platform game on Metacritic goes to the original Super Mario Galaxy. Released on the Wii in 2007, the game takes Mario's adventures to the reaches of outer space. Mario is once again tasked with saving Princess Peach from the clutches of his arch-nemesis Bowser. Along the way, he receives the help of Princess Rosalina and her trusty companion, Luma.
Super Mario Galaxy utilizes the Wii's motion controls to the absolute fullest giving players unprecedented control of Mario and his abilities. The game's level design takes advantage of its setting by creating gravity-based and topsy-turvy areas. Super Mario Galaxy would receive a remaster for the Switch through Super Mario 3D All-Stars, which also allows players to not use motion controls.