Hop, Skip, and Jump to These Platforming Gems
Ahh, platformers… Wonderfully accessible, yet full of challenge, the platforming genre has been a staple for decades. ’70s games like Pong, Spacewar, and Space Invaders may have built the industry, but the ’80s marked the beginning of something new. Turns out, that something was jumping over enemies, avoiding obstacles, and toppling giant baddies.
We all know the heavy-hitters in the jump ’n’ run category. Mario, Donkey Kong, Sonic, Banjo, Crash—the list goes on. While these titans have fervent fanbases, other platformers have fallen under the radar over the years. Perhaps they were cult classics that were quickly forgotten. Or, maybe they released to little fanfare at all.
Whatever the case, those titles deserve their due. Here are six underrated platformers that are worth your attention, whether you’re a fan of the genre or not. (C’mon… there’s no way you’re not, right?)
Whiplash
A quick Google search for “Whiplash” won’t yield anything relevant to this article. Instead, you’ll end up with 2014’s award-winning movie of the same name. You’ll also see various medical terminology, but nothing in the way of video game platformers. This goes to show how forgotten this game really is—a shame, given the game itself is shockingly entertaining.
You’d probably never guess the true meaning behind the game’s name. Whiplash refers to the game’s protagonist—a weasel—hitting enemies and other obstacles with a rabbit. Gross, right? It’s like the developers of the game have no pity for real-life animals. All is not as it seems, though.
In reality, the game focuses around Spanx and Redmond, two animals who’ve been chained to each other and are looking to escape an evil facility. Genron, the corporation behind the lockup, is experimenting on animals in order to develop new products. Only by relying on one another can the two friends get out unscathed.
In addition to the wacky premise, Whiplash also features awesome platforming, puzzles, combat with evil scientists (thus the rabbit whiplash), and a humoristic view on the platforming genre. Did we mention the game was made by one of the platforming greats—Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider, Legacy of Kain)?
You’ll probably have to do some digging to get your hands on Whiplash, as it only came out for the original Xbox and PlayStation 2, and no remakes were produced. This is a list of underrated platformers, after all.
Tomba!
You might have thought the idea of evil pigs originated from the Angry Birds franchise, right? Wrong!
Tomba! (Ore! Tomba in Japan) is the game that first showed the evil nature of pigs. This humorous platformer launched on the original PlayStation back in 1998 and even spawned a sequel. (We got you! Just admit it—you never heard about this game.)
As Tomba, you must defeat the evil Koma pigs that have been stockpiling gold, and find a long lost bracelet that belonged to your grandfather. As absurd as the premise sounds, make no mistake: Tomba! looks awesome, plays awesome, and will bring you back to an era of long-forgotten PS1 platformers that got lost in translation.
Along with its hilarious take on the genre, Tomba! has RPG elements; different offensive options, such as boomerangs and flails; challenging difficulties; and, of course, fun platforming in its semi-open world. Give it a go!
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger
Between hedgehogs, bandicoots, and dragons, plenty of mascots have risen to fame atop the platformer genre. How do you compete with those? For Australian developer Krome Studios, the answer was a boomerang-wielding tiger named Ty.
There’s a near-zero chance you’ve seen the infamous 2002 TV spot for Ty the Tasmanian Tiger. In the clip, Ty sends Sonic, Crash, and Spyro to the hospital. Bold, huh? Despite not being as popular as those platformer stars, Ty is hardly a pushover. He runs, he jumps, he tosses his boomerang, and he could’ve easily taken off had history been kinder.
As the last of his kind, Ty is on a quest to save the five mystical talismans from Boss Cass, an evil cassowary. With the help of a cockatoo, a koala, a Tasmanian devil, and several other Australian Outback natives, you must defeat five bosses, save your long lost parents, and stop Cass from getting his hands on the talismans.
Even with the obvious heavy borrowings from Crash Bandicoot, Ty The Tasmanian Tiger is a solid alternative if you’re up for trying a platformer almost no one played. It even got a recent remaster for Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch—Ty The Tasmanian Tiger HD. Remember to grab some PSN Gift Cards before venturing off in this gem of a platformer!
Trine
Trine is a wonderful example of a 2.5D platformer done right. Despite being well received by both critics and players, it’s been widely overlooked, and every new installment goes relatively unnoticed. Since the first game released in 2009, we’re up to four Trine games—with little recognition in sight.
What is so special about Trine? For one, the graphics are out of this world. You’ll find yourself completely enamored with its magical world, thanks in large part to its wonderful level design and gorgeous fairy tale aesthetic.
While Trine utilizes classic platforming mechanics, it also offers fresh new ideas. The main hook: swapping between three different protagonists with a single button press. This lets you combine their skills to overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. The chemistry and dialogue between characters are unbelievably good, and Nvidia’s PhysX engine helps create a real sense of immersion.
Trine also features couch co-op with up to three players, so if you’re looking for a fun platformer to play with friends, look no further. Even if you’re far apart, don’t fret: You can play online!
Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil
Another franchise in need of love, Klonoa harks back to the golden era of platforming. Following an initial installment in 1998, Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil was a headliner for the freshly released PlayStation 2. While the game was loved by critics and fans alike, the series has slowly faded with time. The last Klonoa game was a 2008 remake of the original, released for Nintendo Wii.
Klonoa is an anthropomorphic cat known as the “Dream Traveler,” often summoned to save dream worlds in danger. Lunatea’s Veil takes place within the world of Lunatea, as a sinister force is threatening the world and plaguing it with a mire of gloom. Armed with Klonoa’s “Wind Bullet,” players must run, jump, and gun their way through gorgeous cel-shaded environments in an effort to save the world.
Countless platformers have been ported or remade over the years—many less polished and charming than this—so it’s a shame Klonoa 2 never got the same treatment. It’s a masterpiece of a platformer, and a game totally worth your time.
Psychonauts
Some might say, “Hey! This game isn’t underrated at all.” To that, ladies and gentlemen, we say: It most certainly is. Psychonauts never got the attention it truly deserved. It should have been on par with the popularity and reception of the big names within the genre (you know the ones). For some reason, it failed to do so, and that’s a pity.
Psychonauts is one of the greatest platformers of all time. Created by legendary developer Tim Schafer, famous for his unique style of comedic storytelling, this gem was ahead of its time when it came out back in 2005. Fifteen years later, the game is still looks—and plays—incredible.
Players take the role of Razputin, or Raz. You are a psychonaut: someone who travels into people’s minds. Unlike traditional platformers, which take place in biomes like jungles and forests, Psychonauts is set predominantly in one’s dreams. This creates all sorts of crazy opportunities for gameplay sequences.
If these dreamscapes sound terrifying, don’t worry. Raz has access to an arsenal of psychic superpowers—like telekinesis, levitation, invisibility, and pyrokinesis—as well as acrobatic skills he learned from his parents. Raz must use everything at his disposal to stop an evil baddie from stealing peoples brains and using them to create weapons.
But to say more would delve into spoiler territory. So, do yourself a favor, and fix one the biggest mistakes you made as a platformer fan: Get this game!!
Closing Thoughts
Platformers are one gaming’s earliest relics. Just like sharks in the sea, they haven’t really changed since then. Graphics and audio have improved, gameplay has become more engaging, and characters have gotten deeper. But the core idea still remains: Jump over platforms and smash the heads of your enemies.
Can the genre keep up with the rapid tech advancements of next-gen consoles? Is it possible for newcomers to dethrone the kings of platforming? What are some of your underrated platformers? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
For more articles on hidden gems, check out these five underappreciated video games, as well as six franchises Nintendo should bring to Switch.
