The platforming genre isn't as amazing these days, but from the NES era until the days of the Playstation One and N64, this genre was king in my opinion. Last generation saw some great platforming series emerge especially on the PS2. Gamecube had its Mario, and the Xbox had a couple of good platformers as well. Plat-forming was probably my favorite genre in gaming for quite some time. And I would like to share my opinion on what I think are the top 10 plat-formers of all time.10. Donkey Kong Country [SNES] - It's the little things that really help Donkey Kong be different from other platformers. The game didn't really do too much new in the genre, but it did what it did do very well. Donkey Kong Country was an amazing looking game back in those days, and the feeling of helping Donkey and Diddy Kong make their way through the jungles, mountains, mines, and caves is still one adored by nostalgic attics today. The soundtrack and sound effects are also very memorable.9. Klonoa 2: Luntea's Veil [PS2] - It's such a shame that very few people payed any attention to this game. Those who bought and enjoyed Klonoa 2 for the Playstation 2 know what I am talking about. When talking about games that have been overlooked or underrated, Klonoa 2 belongs right there with such titles. Klonoa 2 is a 2D platformer with cel-shaded graphics. Klonoa 2 may be cute looking, but as the game goes on its puzzles can be very challenging. Its gameplay is very unique and contains some very entertaining boss battles. The game's highlight could be the fantastic 3D boarding levels where you surf the waters and snow board across snowy mountains. It's hard to find Klonoa 2 nowadays, but if you do find it, I suggest you give it a try. I think it's the best platformer from the last generation of consoles.8. Spyro the Dragon 2: Ripto's Rage [Playstation] - You never know what you are going to get with a series first sequel. A part 2 in some series ends up being a strange and sometimes unexpected departure from the original formula, or could take what the original game did and improve upon it. Spyro improved upon what the original did. Spyro wasn't too different from many plat-formers in those days, but the production, quality, and plain fun that the game offers up helps seperate itself from the pack. The best platformer on the PS1 has great level designs, great cast of characters, awesome challenges, and that charm.7. Super Mario Bros. [NES] - Super Mario Bros. isn't on this list because it saved the industry and helped revolutionize console gaming, or anything like that. If the game wasn't a fantastic platformer it would not be on the list at all. Even after nearly 25 years, Super Mario Bros. holds up very well. I have played through the game dozens and dozens of times. Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima once said 'It's simply impossible to grow tired of Super Mario Bros.' I have to agree with Hideo. Even until this day the Super Mario series is still universally praised and adored by millions. And this is the game that started it all.6. Super Mario 64 [Nintendo 64] - Just as the original Super Mario Bros. set the standards for how 2D plat-forming should be done, Super Mario 64 did the same thing with 3D gaming. One of the best launch titles of all time, Super Mario 64 was considered to be the first real great fully 3D gaming experience. Everything you loved from the classic 2D games were back and bigger than ever. The art style of the game stayed true to the series, and the platforming was tight, smooth, and incredibly entertaining.5. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 [Sega Genesis] - If Sega had any chance of beating Nintendo's SNES back in the day, it's best chance would be with its infamous Sonic the Hedgehog series. Well, the Genesis lost the console war that gen to the SNES, but the Sonic series on the Genesis was still epic. The best game in the series, and the best game on the Genesis, and the best thing Sega has ever been a part of is the amazing Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic was fast and cool and Mario was slow and fat. This was what Sega was persuading everyone to believe when Mario & Sonic were colliding for the plat-forming crown. Sonic 2 was such a great improvement over the first. Better stages, faster, multiplayer, great bosses, and the addition of Sonic's two-tailed fox friend, Tails, makes Sonic the Hedgehog a timeless plat-forming classic. I remember playing this game almost non-stop for years as a kid. When I think of Sega I think of this game.4. Super Mario Bros. 3 [NES] - Super Mario Bros. 3 was an evolutionary take on the original Super Mario Bros. Using the same formula as the original, Super Mario Bros. 3 allowed exploration seen in no other game before it. The secrets that could be found made the game worth exploring. The artstyle and power ups were as weird and awesome as ever. Explaining and describing what is so great about Super Mario Bros. 3 is hard to do. In simple terms, it's a Super Mario game, and one of the best Super Mario games, and the best game on the Nintendo Entertainment System.3. Super Mario World [SNES] - If Super Mario Bros. 3 was an evolutionary take on what the original Super Mario Bros. accomplished, then Super Mario World was yet another evolutionary step for the series. Miyamoto and company were able to take the same idea and make it more fresh and original than ever before. As far as the Super Mario games go, this one is possibly the king of those with nostalgia fever. The graphics were just simply gorgeous, the powerups were few but awesome, and the game had an incredible soundtrack. A ...
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