When discussing video games, you may have heard the term “platformer,” but what does it actually mean? This concise and uncomplicated explanation of the term “platformer” is provided so that you will understand exactly what it means and where it came from.
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What Is A Platformer?
A platformer is a type of video game where you have to complete challenges that require jumping in order to advance. The only prerequisite for a game to qualify as a platformer is that it emphasizes jumping around platforms and does not otherwise fall into another genre. A platformer can take place in 2D or 3D.
For instance, despite the fact that some games occasionally feature platformer gameplay, they are not considered 3D platformers. Consider video games like Uncharted. Platforming and tedious climbing sections are definitely present in this game.
However, because the gameplay combines elements of adventure, stealth, and gun combat, most people don’t classify it as a platformer.
What Makes A Game A “platformer?”
Now that you are aware of what it is, how did the name get its start? Simply put, they are referred to as platformers because the player typically controls a character who runs and jumps around platforms. In most games, you’ll interact with enemies and collectibles, which will keep you from running or jumping and increase the game’s difficulty.
Other Platformer Genres
We divide gaming genres into sub-genres, as we do with many other media, and platformers are no exception. You can learn more about a few popular variations in addition to standard platformers here:
Action-platformer
Fast-paced, action-packed gameplay is a big part of this platformer genre. The Mega Man series and the Contra games serve as examples of this.
Puzzle-platformer
Platformers with puzzle elements are known as puzzle-platformers. Instead of relying solely on reaction times, as is the case with games like Braid, this genre emphasizes careful thought.
Cinematic Platformer
Platformers with a cinematic flair have more lifelike movements and characters. A character in a cinematic platformer will typically have realistic human frailty and must drag themselves up onto ledges rather than jumping effortlessly like a cartoon.
Examples include the original Prince of Persia and Oddworld video games.
Single Screen Platformer
Single screen platform games, as the name implies, are played on a single game screen and typically have obstacles the player must avoid as well as a goal they try to achieve. The best single-screen platform game is Donkey Kong, in which Mario navigates steel platforms while dodging and jumping barrels that are thrown at him.
The objective and goals for the next screen usually change and become more difficult once the player has finished the single screen’s objective, whether they choose to move on to another screen or stay on the same one. Burgertime, Elevator Action, and Miner 2049er are a few other well-known single-screen platform games.
Side And Vertical Scrolling Platformer
Platform games that scroll horizontally or vertically can be identified by their moving backgrounds and game screens that scroll as the player approach one edge of the screen. There are usually multiple levels in many of these scrolling platform games. As they progress through the level, players must collect items, eliminate enemies, and accomplish a variety of tasks as they move across the screen.
Once finished, they will proceed to the next level, which is typically harder. In many of these platform games, the final stage culminates in a boss battle that must be won in order to move on to the next screen or level. Classic games like Super Mario Bros., Castlevania, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pitfall are just a few examples of these scrolling platform games!
Platform Video Game Examples
Standard Platform
The basis for the whole game is the common platform. While there are some variations depending on the game you’re playing, the most prevalent one is that characters can only stand on the top and not jump through the bottom. If the character is large enough, the default platform in Super Mario Bros. can occasionally be broken.
Jump Through Platform
The second-most popular platform—and occasionally the most popular!) is the jump-through. Players can jump through the bottom of this platform and stand securely on top because it allows a single-direction bypass. Jump through platform games are primarily what Icy Tower (an iD favorite) and Doodle Jump are.
Slippery / High Resistance Platform
The difficulty for the player can be changed by adding material to various platforms. The character slides easily on an ice-covered platform. In order to create a low-friction environment, these platforms can also be covered in metal or oil. The character will move more slowly or have less jumping power, which is a key control in platform games, on another material-based platform. High grass, molasses, or any other bizarre mixture that will increase friction or stickiness may be to blame for this.
Balanced / Leaning Platform
Realistic physics is incorporated into LittleBigPlanet, a ground-breaking platformer. Many of the platforms are suspended by ropes or other means and are leaning or balanced on them. These respond to the characters’ movement and “weight.” Other games employ leaning or balanced platforms as timing puzzles that demand the player to move toward danger and jump away at the proper moment.
Sticky Platform
Because some surfaces are so sticky, the character can defy gravity. Brighter surfaces in Sound Shapes give the character the ability to roll around upside down or up walls, which is a great illustration of this.
Conveyer Belt Platform
To put the player in an engaging and challenging situation, platform behavior will be changed. The game is more enjoyable when there are more variables present because the player depends on predictable character control. The character is automatically moved in one direction or another, typically toward something dangerous. For years, these platforms have been employed to literally throw off overconfident players.
Bouncy Platform
Platforms as a whole can bounce in some video games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog (check out the level “Casino Night”).) These can either function like a trampoline with increasing bounce heights or as a single bouncy experience. These are employed by designers to undermine player control or to grant access to locations that are inaccessible via a standard jump.
Falling Platform
Falling platforms are fictitious buildings that crumble or collapse after coming into contact with a character for a specific period of time. These prohibit repeated play, so they are typically employed in circumstances where the player will unavoidably have to restart after failing. The worst scenario is losing a crucial path while still being able to continue playing because the platforms don’t reappear!
Disappearing / Reappearing Platform
It can be challenging to design games because you can’t make them impossible even though you want to make them challenging. Platforms that appear and disappear provide a sense of danger and, if strategically placed, a clear path to success—all without impeding ultimate success. The second half of the game board in Frogger, a game that isn’t technically a platformer, features turtles that vanish and reappear for you to jump on.
Moving Platform
The most challenging platform type to program, moving platforms may also be the most rewarding. Platforms can move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or along a predetermined path. Depending on where the character is standing, they may move back and forth or even alter their direction. When strategically positioned, these platforms really do make for some enjoyable challenges and fun gaming.
For instance, even though some games occasionally feature platformer gameplay, they are not considered 3D platformers. Think about video games like Uncharted. Platforming and laborious climbing sections are definitely present in this game.
The gameplay, however, combines gun combat, stealth, and other adventure elements, so most people do not classify it as a platformer.