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Platform games were one of the most popular game genres of the 80s.
Platform games typically involve climbing ladders, jumping between
platforms or jumping over objects in order to complete a specific
goal. The games below illustrate some of the best examples of platform
games and demonstrate how the genre has moved from fixed to scrolling
screens and into 3D.
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Donkey Kong
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Platform: Arcade
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1981
Number of Players: 1
Designed by the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto Donkey Kong is a Multi
level Mario adventure in which he must save his girlfriend, Pauline,
from Donkey Kong before time runs out. Features the basic building
blocks of platform games for years to come. The levels include jumping
between Girders, moving elevators, and conveyor Belts. Enemies include
flames, barrels, and bouncing rivets.
Aracde Screenshot and Cabinet.
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Miner 2049'er
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Platform: Atari 800
Developer: Big Five Software
Released: 1982/83
Number of Players: 1
One of the first platform games on a home computer, Miner 2049 shows
perferctly the basic prinicpals of a platformers established with
Donkey Kong. Fixed screen
Original Atari 800 Screen Shot
Label from the Atari 2600 Version.
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Manic Miner
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Platform: ZX Spectrum
Developer: Bug Byte
Released: 1983
Number of Players: 1
Manic Miner is a 20-stage platform game starring Miner Willy written
by Matthew Smith. One of the first games many people played on the
spectrum manic miner still plays well today with versions being released
on the Gameboy.
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Knight Lore
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Platform: ZX Spectrum
Developer: Bug Byte
Released: 1983
Number of Players: 1
As Sabreman, you must negotiate a series of trap-laden rooms in
order to reach the cure to a disease which transforms you into a
werewolf at sunset
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BurgerTime
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Platform: Intellivision
Developer: Matel Electronics
Released: 1983
Number of Players: 1
Intellivision version of the classic arcade game where the cook has
to make burgers while being chased by pickles, eggs and hotdogs armed
with only pepper to freexe them. Remade loads of times such as Mr
Wimpy for the Spectrum.
Intellivision Version Shown.
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Bubble Bobble
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Platform: Arcade / Most 8
bit platforms. NGP, GBA.
Developer: Taito
Released: 1988
Number of Players: 2
Guide jumping, bubble-shooting dinosaurs around non-scrolling platform
screens. Loads of levels which ooze playability. Another step forward
in platform gaming and one that has proved very popular - being updated
on virtually every platform going.
NES screenshot and box.
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Super Mario World
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Platform: SNES
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1992
Number of Players: 1
Introduced gamers to a new character, Yoshi and made good use of
the snes graphical abilities for end of level baddies. Part of its
sucess is the way you have such good control of Mario. Some classic
platforming levels and a fine example of a platform game with scrolling
levels rather than a fixed screen.
SNES Screenshot and PAL UK classic re-released box.
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Super Castlevania IV
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Platform: SNES
Developer: Nintendo
Released:
Number of Players: 1
Remake of the previous NES versions, features detailed backgrounds.
The music is very dark and utilizes the SNES sound capabilities
to its best. Features an whip which can be used to swing between
platforms. Not the first game to implement this but one of the best.
PAL UK Screenshot and box.
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Super Mario World 64
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Platform: N64
Developer: Nintendo
Released: 1996
Number of Players: 1
The first successful translation of a platform game into 3D environments
and freedom of movement. Has been copied but never bettered.
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