The platformer genre boasts a rich history, dating back to the early days of arcade gaming. From the pixelated leaps of Mario in Donkey Kong to the acrobatic feats of characters like Ryu Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden, these games have challenged us to navigate increasingly complex environments using precision timing and an understanding of our avatar’s abilities. But some developers aren’t content with simply iterating on the core mechanics of jumping and running.
Platformer Games: Most Innovative Mechanics
What are the best mechanics from a platformer game you’ve ever seen ?
byu/_hugo_j_ ingamedesign
They push the boundaries of the genre, introducing mechanics that fundamentally transform how we experience the platforming world. Let’s dive into five platformers that stand apart thanks to their gameplay innovations.
1. Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)
At first glance, Odyssey might seem like a classic 3D Mario platformer, but it houses a brilliant gameplay twist: Cappy. Mario’s sentient hat companion lets him “capture” enemies and objects, transforming him into everything from a frog to a T-Rex to a block of stone. This opens up a world of traversal and puzzle-solving possibilities, making each new kingdom a playground ripe for experimentation.
2. Braid (PC, Consoles)
Braid weaves time manipulation directly into its platforming. Control the flow of time – rewind mistakes, create multiple timelines, and interact with objects affected differently by time dilation. The puzzles become mind-bending as you explore the intricate relationship between time and movement, alongside a poignant story about regret and loss.
3. Celeste (PC, Consoles)
Celeste’s simple controls belie its brutal difficulty. With precise air dashes and wall climbs, it demands masterful execution. But the true genius lies in its respawn system; you die quickly and often, respawning with barely a pause, allowing you to learn from failed attempts almost instantaneously. This creates a thrilling flow state where death is just part of the process, inspiring you to conquer its mountain without breaking a sweat… eventually.
4. Ori and the Blind Forest / Ori and the Will of the Wisps (PC, Consoles)
Both Ori games are visual masterpieces, but they also boast an incredibly fluid movement system. Ori gains abilities like double jumping, wall climbing, and a grappling spirit flame that allows for acrobatic aerial maneuvers. The smooth, responsive controls make traversing the games’ lush environments a pure delight, creating an almost rhythmic dance of movement and obstacle navigation.
5. Portal / Portal 2 (PC, Consoles)
The Portal games are first-person shooters… sort of. Instead of bullets, you shoot portals to create impossible connections between spaces. The puzzles start simple but quickly demand spatial reasoning, using momentum, and thinking with portals to traverse increasingly complex test chambers. Valve added to the innovative fun with Portal 2’s goo mechanics and cooperative mode, ensuring these games remain the gold standard of puzzle platformers.
Innovations that Elevate the Genre
These games prove that within the seemingly simple framework of platforming, there’s endless potential for creativity. The mechanics they introduce don’t just add a new twist to the gameplay– they redefine how we interact with the world, solve puzzles, and perceive the very level design itself. They push the boundaries of what we think a platformer can be, inspiring both players and developers.
Honorable Mentions
The world of platformers is filled with ingenious design, and these five titles only scratch the surface. Here are a few more worthy of recognition:
- The Witness (PC, Consoles): An open-world puzzle game built entirely around grid-based line puzzles that become astonishingly complex.
- Cuphead (PC, Consoles): A run-and-gun platformer with a distinct 1930s cartoon aesthetic and incredibly challenging boss fights.
- VVVVVV (PC, Consoles): Flips gravity instead of jumping, making for mind-bending platforming challenges.
Conclusion
The next time you pick up a platformer, take a moment to appreciate the mechanics that drive the experience. Whether it’s the smooth fluidity of movement, a single gameplay twist that flips the world upside down, or a brilliant puzzle design, these innovations elevate platformers into memorable and creatively fulfilling experiences.
Let me know in the comments which platformers you think have the most unique and exciting mechanics! Have you played any of the honorable mentions, and are there any other innovative platformers deserving of a shout-out?
Follow MoroEsports on Twitter for keeping updated with our latest news and articles.
