04 Oct 2024
Platform games - the genre that made us believe we could jump higher, run faster, and collect floating coins while avoiding spike traps. For many of us, it was the starting point of our lifelong obsession with video games. So, let’s take a hop, skip, and a double-jump through the wonderfully weird history of platform games!
Our journey begins in the distant 1980s. You know, back when phones had cords, music had funky beats, and Donkey Kong was the name on every gamer’s lips. Released in 1981, Donkey Kong introduced us to a carpenter named "Jumpman" (who later got a name upgrade to "Mario") and set the foundations for platform games. The goal was simple: avoid barrels, jump over gaps, and climb ladders to save a damsel in distress. The controls were clunky, the graphics were blocky, but hey, it was a start!
Fun Fact: In the original Donkey Kong, Mario couldn’t even jump and move at the same time! Talk about dedication to the “platform” part of platform games.
As we blasted our way into the mid-80s, the platform genre got an upgrade. Enter Super Mario Bros. in 1985. Mario became more than just a barrel-jumping, hammer-wielding hero. He now had mushrooms that made him grow (no, not that kind), flowers that let him throw fireballs, and star power-ups that turned him into an invincible sprinting menace. This game brought smooth scrolling levels to the masses and defined the rules for platformers for years to come.
Meanwhile, other companies joined the party. In 1991, Sega introduced a certain blue hedgehog named Sonic. He was fast, he had attitude, and he could roll into a ball and take out enemies like a bowling champion. Super Mario and Sonic duked it out in what would become the most heated debate of the decade: "Who’s cooler: the mustached plumber or the blue hedgehog?" Spoiler alert: they’re both cool. Peace out.
The 90s were all about 3D. Platform games were no exception. In 1996, Nintendo dropped Super Mario 64 like it was hot. This game blew everyone’s minds with its open, fully explorable worlds and 360-degree movement. Mario could now triple jump, wall kick, and even fly with a winged cap. It was the dawn of a new era, and the world of platformers would never be the same.
Not to be outdone, Sony introduced us to Crash Bandicoot in 1996. Our marsupial friend brought platforming to the PlayStation with running, spinning, and crate-smashing action. With Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, the late 90s became a golden age of 3D platformers. Every developer wanted to take their characters for a spin (literally) in the third dimension.
As the new millennium rolled in, platform games went through a bit of a rebellious phase. Characters became edgier, levels got more complex, and suddenly every game needed “collectibles.” Jak and Daxter and Ratchet & Clank burst onto the scene with a mix of platforming, exploration, and combat. It was like platform games hit the gym and decided to get swole.
And let's not forget the parkour craze! The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2003) introduced time-bending acrobatics, while Mirror’s Edge (2008) turned platforming into a first-person adrenaline rush. Suddenly, jumping from rooftop to rooftop was the coolest thing since sliced bread.
Fast forward to today, and platform games are still going strong! Indie developers have brought back the classic 2D platformer in a big way. Games like Celeste and Hollow Knight remind us that sometimes, all you need is a character, some tricky jumps, and a whole lot of heart. Sure, they might make you rage-quit every now and then, but that’s part of the charm!
On the flip side, we still get mind-blowing 3D platformers like Super Mario Odyssey (2017), proving that Mario’s still got it after all these years. Meanwhile, Sonic keeps running at the speed of sound, and Crash Bandicoot is still smashing crates like it's 1996.
So there you have it, the epic saga of platform games! From barrel-dodging plumbers to parkour masters, the genre has grown and evolved, yet it remains just as fun (and sometimes infuriating) as ever. Whether you're hopping through mushrooms in the Mushroom Kingdom or exploring dark caves as a tiny knight, platformers continue to capture our hearts and thumbs. Now go grab a controller and get jumping!
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