Platformer games have been a staple of video gaming since the very beginning, appearing on some of the earliest home consoles. Over the years, developers have created incredible games within the genre, many of which have become enduring franchises. Starting with a few arcade titles, platformers have grown to include some of the biggest names in gaming – there are countless Mario games alone! We’ve compiled a list of the best platformer from each console generation, choosing winners based on how well they were received by critics when they first came out, how much they influenced the genre, and how popular they were with players.
1st) Space Panic
1st Gen: Atari Pong | Coleco Telstar | Magnavox Odyssey
Early home video game consoles didn’t have platforming games because the genre hadn’t been invented yet. While Donkey Kong (1981) is often considered the first true platformer, a game called Space Panic came before it. Released in arcades in 1980, Space Panic included platforms and ladders, essentially setting the stage for Donkey Kong. However, it lacked a jumping feature, which is why some people don’t classify it as a full-fledged platformer.
2nd) Pitfall!
2nd Gen: Atari 2600 | Channel F | ColecoVision | Intellivision | Magnavox Odyssey 2
Platforming games first appeared on home consoles in the early days of gaming. While the Atari 2600 had a version of Donkey Kong, it wasn’t very good. The standout game of that era was Pitfall!, a 1982 classic from Activision created by David Crane. Players had 20 minutes to run, jump, and swing their way through interconnected jungle screens in search of hidden treasure. The game featured 32 treasures spread across 255 screens, with plenty of obstacles to overcome. Pitfall! was a massive hit and a key early example of how platforming could create expansive and adventurous gaming experiences.
3rd) Super Mario Bros. 3
3rd Gen: Atari 7800 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Sega Master System
Growing up, the NES was the console to have, and that’s when platformers really took off. Super Mario Bros. was amazing when it first came out, but for me, Super Mario Bros. 3 is the defining platformer of that whole era. Seriously, they even made a movie to promote it! It was a game-changer with its world map – it felt huge! They really pushed the limits of what the NES could handle with that cartridge. It’s not just the best platformer on the NES, it’s the best the whole genre had to offer back then.
4th) Donkey Kong Country
4th Gen: TurboGrafx-16 | Genesis | Neo Geo | Super Nintendo Entertainment System
With the arrival of 16-bit graphics in the fourth generation of gaming, platformer games became incredibly popular. Titles like Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Super Mario World, and Metal Slug 3 were big hits. However, Donkey Kong Country for the Super Nintendo is often considered the best of the era, consistently receiving high praise from both critics and players. Rare created a truly exceptional game with its innovative pre-rendered graphics and precise controls. Its compelling story, smooth gameplay, and solid mechanics set it apart from the many other fantastic platformers available, even those on the Sega Genesis.
5th) Super Mario 64
5th Gen: 3DO | Jaguar | PlayStation | Nintendo 64
When 64-bit technology arrived, platformer games exploded from 2D into 3D, and Super Mario 64 led the charge. While it wasn’t actually the first 3D platformer, Super Mario 64 truly mastered the genre, largely thanks to its innovative 360-degree camera. This feature continues to influence game design today and made Super Mario 64 stand out – few games have matched its success. Beyond its groundbreaking mechanics, the game also offered a fantastic story and incredibly fun gameplay, making it a huge hit when it launched in 1996.
6th) Rayman Revolution
6th Gen: GameCube | Dreamcast | PlayStation 2 | Xbox
During the sixth generation of consoles, 3D platformers became much more popular than 2D ones, especially on systems like the GameCube and PlayStation 2. Games like Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Psychonauts, and Super Mario Sunshine stand out, but Rayman Revolution on the PlayStation 2 is arguably the best. Originally released as Rayman 2: The Great Escape in 1999, the PS2 version is a significant improvement, boasting fantastic 3D gameplay, a captivating story, and beautiful visuals. It’s a truly excellent game that everyone should experience.
7th) Super Mario Galaxy
7th Gen: PlayStation 3 | Wii | Xbox 360
Although Sega stopped making consoles during the seventh generation of gaming, they continued to publish games. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 both had some fantastic platformers, but Super Mario Galaxy stands out as the best of that era. It only beat out its sequel by a very small margin, but it truly revolutionized 3D platforming. Super Mario Galaxy took the genre to a new level with its fully 3D environments, creating a unique experience that set the standard for future games and easily surpassed its rivals.
8th) Super Mario Odyssey & Celeste
8th Gen: Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Wii U | Xbox One
When ranking the best games of the eighth generation of consoles, two titles stood out as equals: Super Mario Odyssey on the Nintendo Switch and Celeste on the PlayStation 4. Although Celeste was available on multiple platforms including Switch, the PlayStation 4 version was exceptionally well-made. Both games dominated their competition during that console generation. Super Mario Odyssey once again redefined the platforming genre with its innovative gameplay, while Celeste delivered a captivating story and fantastic gameplay, impressing both critics and players and demonstrating that independent games can be just as impactful as major, high-budget titles.
9th) Astro Bot
9th Gen: Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X|S
The Nintendo Switch remained popular in the ninth generation of consoles, as Sony and Microsoft released new PlayStation and Xbox systems. While all three platforms saw a lot of excellent games, Astro Bot was the standout platformer. Released on the PS5 to celebrate PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, the fifth installment in the series was packed with nostalgic references, fantastic level design, and truly impressive gameplay. Astro Bot earned Game of the Year awards in 2024, along with many other honors, solidifying its position as the best game of the ninth generation.
10th) Donkey Kong Bananza
10th Gen: Nintendo Switch 2 | PlayStation 6 | Xbox Project Helix
There’s no clear agreement yet on what defines the 10th generation of consoles, but many believe the Nintendo Switch 2 will kick it off. We’re adopting that idea, and with that in mind, we think Donkey Kong Bananza is the best platformer released so far. It’s a really fun game where you can guide Donkey Kong through levels where he can break almost everything, battle enemies, and find secret paths and collectibles. While many platformers work on the Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza stands out as the best game made specifically for the system.
What’s your favorite platformer game of all time? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/every-significant-innovation-in-platformer-games/embed/#
Read More
- Pluribus Star Rhea Seehorn Weighs In On That First Kiss
- Kelly Osbourne Slams “Disgusting” Comments on Her Appearance
- Arknights: Endfield – Everything You Need to Know Before You Jump In
- Looks Like SEGA Is Reheating PS5, PS4 Fan Favourite Sonic Frontiers in Definitive Edition
- ’90s Cartoon Reboot & TMNT Connection!
- Goat 2 Release Date Estimate, News & Updates
- Gold Rate Forecast
- ‘Marty Supreme’ Ending, Explained
- Dune 3 Gets the Huge Update Fans Have Been Waiting For
- Hideo Kojima Says He Was Never Told About The Matrix Creators Wanting Him to Make a Game
2026-03-31 17:17