Gaming 101: Platform Games

In this series, we are learning how different aspects of video games work by playing games that offer an easy introduction to this one concept. This is designed for people new to gaming and aims to identify games with the least barriers. In this entry, we are looking at Platform games.

Platform games task the player with directing their character to jump, climb, run and avoid obstacles. Getting their name because of levels constructed of platforms from which you have to jump, these games usually introduce hazards to make the forward progress more hazardous.

Although often played with just a joystick and a couple of buttons the timing and duration of the button presses and joystick direction requires considerable skill. When combined with Simulation genre the character responds to the physical mechanics of the game world in such a way that players need to spend time learning to use their instincts and relations to progress.

These are commonly considered Action games, but platformers (as they are often called) can also be combined with Fighting or Rhythm games to create a wide range of ways (and reasons) to traverse levels. Although Platform games are usually simpler to understand. However, when combined with Open-World or Puzzle genres they can present a larger and more complex challenge to players.

This list includes 53 games from the last 33 years, with 1,777 likes. They come from a range of different genres and play-styles and are all good games if you want to play your first platform game. We break them down into the following areas:

• 1. The story of the climb
• 2. More than running and jumping
• 3. Embark on your platforming education
• 4. Complete your platforming education
• 5. Take platforming to the next level
• 6. Overlooked platforming gems