The Platformer video game genre is characterized by gameplay that involves running, jumping, and navigating across various platforms and obstacles. Platformers typically emphasize precise movement, timing, and sometimes combat, often set in 2D or 3D environments.
Key Characteristics:
Jumping & Traversal Mechanics:
The core gameplay revolves around jumping between platforms, avoiding hazards, and reaching specific goals.
Some games feature double jumps, wall jumps, or grapple mechanics for added complexity.
Obstacle Navigation:
Players must avoid or overcome pits, spikes, moving platforms, enemies, and other hazards.
Timing and reflexes are often crucial to success.
Combat Elements (in Some Platformers):
Some platformers include combat mechanics, where players attack enemies using stomping (Super Mario), weapons (Mega Man), or special abilities (Hollow Knight).
Boss fights are common, requiring pattern recognition and skillful movement.
Collectibles & Power-Ups:
Many platformers include collectibles (coins, stars, rings, or hidden items) that reward exploration.
Power-ups provide abilities like increased speed, temporary invincibility, or new attacks.
Level-Based or Open-Ended Structure:
Some platformers have linear level progression (Super Mario Bros.).
Others feature open-world exploration (Metroid, Hollow Knight), often called "Metroidvania" platformers.
2D vs. 3D Platformers:
2D Platformers – Classic side-scrolling action with pixel-art or hand-drawn graphics (Super Mario Bros., Celeste, Rayman).
3D Platformers – Offer depth and more movement freedom (Super Mario 64, Crash Bandicoot, Banjo-Kazooie).
