Platform game

A platform game or platformer is a genre of video game characterized by jumping to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles. It is one of the most enduring genres in video gaming, with its origins tracing back to the early 1980s.

Gameplay

The core gameplay of a platform game revolves around the player navigating a character through a level filled with various obstacles and platforms. The player must jump, climb, and sometimes swing, bounce, or slide to get through a level. The goal is often to reach the end of a map or to collect items to complete the level. Enemies and various hazards also hinder the player's progress through strategic placement around the level.

History

The history of platform games began in the early 1980s with games like Donkey Kong (1981), which is considered one of the first examples of the genre. This game introduced Mario, who would later star in the seminal title Super Mario Bros. (1985), which popularized the genre on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Platform games evolved from simple graphics and gameplay mechanics to incorporate more complex environments and 3D perspectives.

Sub-genres

Platform games can be divided into several sub-genres:

• 2D platformers - These games have gameplay in two dimensions and typically scroll horizontally. Examples include Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog.
• 3D platformers - These games have gameplay in three dimensions. Popular titles include Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie.
• Puzzle platformers - These games combine the jumping and obstacle overcoming of traditional platformers with puzzle solving. Limbo and Braid are notable examples.
• Isometric platformers - These games use an isometric view (non-parallel vertical and horizontal perspectives) to create a pseudo-3D effect. Q*bert is an early example of an isometric platformer.

Impact and legacy

Platform games have had a significant impact on the development of other genres and have introduced a number of innovations in gameplay and character design. The genre has also influenced other media, such as television and film, and has played a crucial role in the growth and popularity of video gaming culture.

See also

• List of platform game series
• History of video games