For me the nostalgia glasses are turned up to the max for Crash Bandicoot.
I love the character designs, and the music is an absolute bop to listen to. (Got the first games theme as my ringtone even at 27!)
And I enjoyed a good challenge with some of its levels. The bosses were neat and I thought it was just an unusual neat idea that you jump on boxes to progress rather than punching a block for a fireflower.
You?
Probably Mario 64, just because it was so revolutionary at the time.
It created a genre. And it was surprisingly competent at what it sent out to do. In hindsight it was a miracle. Brand new technology harnessed to birth the 3D platformer. It was amazingly ambitious all around.
I feel like I’m the only person that grew up with Mario 64 but doesn’t love it. I was really excited by it initially but when I played the game properly it just had this oppressive feeling of isolation and melancholy to it that was so off-putting.
Mega Man X. The first one for SNES.
It was such an evolutionary leap forward from the previous MM games. Everything was bigger and better. The graphics, the music, the controls. It blew my mind at the time.
I spent so many hours on this game. Probably replayed it hundreds of times. The boss battles were so epic. SIGMA! And then discovering the secret shouryuken move from Street Fighter! Wow!
The soundtrack is absolute fire
Sigma before the kids started saying it. 😂
Donkey Kong Country 2 will always be the pinnacle of 2D Platforming, though Yoshi’s Island comes in a close second place.
Agreed. Peak platforming.
Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie
If you can call it a platformer: Spyro
Yeah. I do think Spyro is a platformer. It’s a bunch of things, but I would have a hard time arguing any genre fits it better than platformer.
Edit: Also, great choice.
Sonic 2. It came bundled with a lot of Sega Genesis consoles.
A fantastic game that you can technically complete in a sitting.
2D: Super Mario World. It just plays smooth af. Pretty close to a perfect videogame.
3D: Rayman 2. Platformers usually have a colorful and happy world. Rayman might still be colorful, but it stands out because it’s kinda grim. Gameplay wise… I should replay it, because I’m not actually sure anymore. I think all 3D platformers of this time could be a little bit janky. I remember there were some frustrating parts, at least for a kid.
The ones that were SURPRISINGLY good were the Gex games. Looks like they’re getting a remaster too.
Gex: Enter the Gecko and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko were so fun and absolutely hilarious!
I loved those too. Habe you seen the announcement of the remakes?
More like remaster
Yes, like that.
Yes! I’m super excited to replay them
Me too. Some levels more than others. I love the ninja level in enter the gecko
6 golden coins. Mario is so slippery and floaty
Sonic 2 or Sonic CD depending on the day for me
I’m rather a fan of Apogee’s Secret Agent. I loved it back in the day and then enjoyed the HD remaster of it a few years back.
For me:
Super Mario World SNES Super Mario Land 2 and 3 GB
https://mario.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Mario_World https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Mario_Land_2:_6_Golden_Coins https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Wario_Land:_Super_Mario_Land_3
I’m not really a platformer fan but Abe’s Oddysee/Exodus and Kirby’s Dream Land are up there.
I’m a bit boring in terms of my favorite 90s platformer, but absolutely love Sonic 1 & 2.
