Fun and challenging platformers

[Demolition_Human]

I was playing Rayman Origins recently and was running through the Land of the Livid Dead. And after dying multiple times in this level I stopped and took a rest and thought about other platformers that are fun and challenging. So Escapist, what platformers do you think are fun and or challenging?

 

[thesilentman]

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

 

[Demolition_Human]

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

I freaking love Cave Story! I'm actually playing it right now and you're right, it is good! And the older platformers are awesome too!!!

 

[thesilentman]

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

I freaking love Cave Story! I'm actually playing it right now and you're right, it is good! And the older platformers are awesome too!!!

I'm a crazy madman when it comes to Cave Story. It's probably one of the few games that I want to fully complete. I'm currently in the Brutal Bonus Level now.

Quote, why not a BETTER jetpack? -_-

Do check out Sonic Rush. For some reason, I haven't really seen anyone recommend it here, but if you like old school Sonic with a modern spin, that's it. If you're familiar with Generations, think of Rush as 2D with a boost mechanic.

And there's Sonic Colors and Generations on the DS as well. Pretty good games, if I have to say so.

Any more? Let's see. There's I Wanna Be The Guy on PC, but that's more jokey than anything as it's funny difficult. Watch a YouTube video and get an idea if you're going to like it. I do, but I'm a masochist when it comes to games and difficulty.

Also on PC, there's The Basement Collection, a short stock of games by the creator of Super Meat Boy, which are all 2D platformers or puzzlers. I haven't played it completely yet, so I can't give a final say on it. Pretty nice and quirky though.

Also Terraria. Never played it, but if 2D Minecraft means anything to you, check it out. Same deal with Braid, Limbo and ...that one game where it's all shiny and ha- ah yes: Eversion. Interesting to say in the least.

I've already said old classics, but add Castlevania and Metroid games there. They're always fun. Kirby's cool (freaking love Adventure) and consider Contra, even though it's hard.

Holy shit I know a lot. Better bookmark this as I need some platformers too.

... Sorry if that dragged out. I LOVE 2D platformers, and I can't seem to find any more good ones out there from where I am.

 

[Demolition_Human]

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

I freaking love Cave Story! I'm actually playing it right now and you're right, it is good! And the older platformers are awesome too!!!

I'm a crazy madman when it comes to Cave Story. It's probably one of the few games that I want to fully complete. I'm currently in the Brutal Bonus Level now.

Quote, why not a BETTER jetpack? -_-

Do check out Sonic Rush. For some reason, I haven't really seen anyone recommend it here, but if you like old school Sonic with a modern spin, that's it. If you're familiar with Generations, think of Rush as 2D with a boost mechanic.

And there's Sonic Colors and Generations on the DS as well. Pretty good games, if I have to say so.

Any more? Let's see. There's I Wanna Be The Guy on PC, but that's more jokey than anything as it's funny difficult. Watch a YouTube video and get an idea if you're going to like it. I do, but I'm a masochist when it comes to games and difficulty.

Also on PC, there's The Basement Collection, a short stock of games by the creator of Super Meat Boy, which are all 2D platformers or puzzlers. I haven't played it completely yet, so I can't give a final day on it. Pretty nice and quirky though.

Also Terraria. Never played it, but if 2D Minecraft means anything to you, check it out. Same deal with Braid, Limbo and ...that one game where it's all shiny and ha- ah yes: Eversion. Interesting to say in the least.

I've already said old classics, but add Castlevania and Metroid games there. They're always fun. Kirby's cool (freaking love Adventure) and consider Contra, even though it's hard.

Holy shit I know a lot. Better bookmark this as I need some platformers too.

... Sorry if that dragged out. I LOVE 2D platformers, and I can't seem to find any more good ones out there from where I am.

It's cool I love platformers myself. Actually I played almost all of the these myself and I love them!!

 

[Demolition_Human]

Super Meat Boy will destroy you!

Oh yes, I heard the many stories of this game. I even played a demo of Super Meat Boy and that was challenging!! D:>

 

[thesilentman]

Super Meat Boy. Tough as nails, but fun. I really enjoy the art style and music.

Super Meat Boy will destroy you!

Come on guys, there has to be more out there! :-D

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

I freaking love Cave Story! I'm actually playing it right now and you're right, it is good! And the older platformers are awesome too!!!

I'm a crazy madman when it comes to Cave Story. It's probably one of the few games that I want to fully complete. I'm currently in the Brutal Bonus Level now.

Quote, why not a BETTER jetpack? -_-

Do check out Sonic Rush. For some reason, I haven't really seen anyone recommend it here, but if you like old school Sonic with a modern spin, that's it. If you're familiar with Generations, think of Rush as 2D with a boost mechanic.

And there's Sonic Colors and Generations on the DS as well. Pretty good games, if I have to say so.

Any more? Let's see. There's I Wanna Be The Guy on PC, but that's more jokey than anything as it's funny difficult. Watch a YouTube video and get an idea if you're going to like it. I do, but I'm a masochist when it comes to games and difficulty.

Also on PC, there's The Basement Collection, a short stock of games by the creator of Super Meat Boy, which are all 2D platformers or puzzlers. I haven't played it completely yet, so I can't give a final day on it. Pretty nice and quirky though.

Also Terraria. Never played it, but if 2D Minecraft means anything to you, check it out. Same deal with Braid, Limbo and ...that one game where it's all shiny and ha- ah yes: Eversion. Interesting to say in the least.

I've already said old classics, but add Castlevania and Metroid games there. They're always fun. Kirby's cool (freaking love Adventure) and consider Contra, even though it's hard.

Holy shit I know a lot. Better bookmark this as I need some platformers too.

... Sorry if that dragged out. I LOVE 2D platformers, and I can't seem to find any more good ones out there from where I am.

It's cool I love platformers myself. Actually I played almost all of the these myself and I love them!!

Favorite one? I personally enjoyed the hell out of Cave Story and Super Mario Bros 3. Cave Story because it doesn't feel like a game, but a living experience with the label of "game" on it. Mario 3 because I have a lot of nostalgia for that game as it was the very first game that I had ever touched.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Little Big Planet. It's not very difficult at the beginning, but boy does it get into bang your head against a wall territory by the end. Still incredibly fun, especially in coop.

 

[Demolition_Human]

Little Big Planet. It's not very difficult at the beginning, but boy does it get into bang your head against a wall territory by the end. Still incredibly fun, especially in coop.

I love Littlebigplanet!! And you're right, it does get hard later on...

And to add another platformer to this list, I'll say....Donkey Kong Country! Cause that was a fun game on the SNES!!

EDIT: I comepletely forgot about adding Limbo to this list!! This was one of the most challenging and fun (and very gruesome) platformers out there!!!

 

[Demolition_Human]

Super Meat Boy. Tough as nails, but fun. I really enjoy the art style and music.

Super Meat Boy will destroy you!

Come on guys, there has to be more out there! :-D

Cave Story. One of the best indie games to date that I've played. It is a bit on the shooty side, but it is something that you need to try.

The old 2D classics are always good, key being Super Mario Bros and the older Sonic games. The newer 2D games of those series are worth checking out, despite what other people like to say. One particular modern favorite of mine is Sonic Rush for the DS, so check that out if necessary.

I'll come back if I remember more. It's going to be kinda unlikely, as this is as much as I can think for now. :-D

I freaking love Cave Story! I'm actually playing it right now and you're right, it is good! And the older platformers are awesome too!!!

I'm a crazy madman when it comes to Cave Story. It's probably one of the few games that I want to fully complete. I'm currently in the Brutal Bonus Level now.

Quote, why not a BETTER jetpack? -_-

Do check out Sonic Rush. For some reason, I haven't really seen anyone recommend it here, but if you like old school Sonic with a modern spin, that's it. If you're familiar with Generations, think of Rush as 2D with a boost mechanic.

And there's Sonic Colors and Generations on the DS as well. Pretty good games, if I have to say so.

Any more? Let's see. There's I Wanna Be The Guy on PC, but that's more jokey than anything as it's funny difficult. Watch a YouTube video and get an idea if you're going to like it. I do, but I'm a masochist when it comes to games and difficulty.

Also on PC, there's The Basement Collection, a short stock of games by the creator of Super Meat Boy, which are all 2D platformers or puzzlers. I haven't played it completely yet, so I can't give a final day on it. Pretty nice and quirky though.

Also Terraria. Never played it, but if 2D Minecraft means anything to you, check it out. Same deal with Braid, Limbo and ...that one game where it's all shiny and ha- ah yes: Eversion. Interesting to say in the least.

I've already said old classics, but add Castlevania and Metroid games there. They're always fun. Kirby's cool (freaking love Adventure) and consider Contra, even though it's hard.

Holy shit I know a lot. Better bookmark this as I need some platformers too.

... Sorry if that dragged out. I LOVE 2D platformers, and I can't seem to find any more good ones out there from where I am.

It's cool I love platformers myself. Actually I played almost all of the these myself and I love them!!

Favorite one? I personally enjoyed the hell out of Cave Story and Super Mario Bros 3. Cave Story because it doesn't feel like a game, but a living experience with the label of "game" on it. Mario 3 because I have a lot of nostalgia for that game as it was the very first game that I had ever touched.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be super mario world, cause that was the first Mario I ever beaten! I'm being serious! I never completed the original super mario bros. games!:c

 

[Username Redacted]

Outland - PS3 platformer. Absolutely gorgeous game. Fantastic music. Very challenging but not in a cheap way.

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams - PC platformer. A bit on the short side (and somewhat repetitive). That said it has a solid soundtrack and some fairly interesting mechanics.

Braid - PC platformer. Haven't seen this mentioned yet. Another very pretty game with a good soundtrack and interesting mechanics.

 

[Lilani]

I was playing Rayman Origins recently and was running through the Land of the Livid Dead. And after dying multiple times in this level I stopped and took a rest and thought about other platformers that are fun and challenging. So Escapist, what platformers do you think are fun and or challenging?

Look up Eversion. Finishing the game isn't too bad...getting the good ending is a ************. And it's free to play, just Google it.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Outland - PS3 platformer. Absolutely gorgeous game. Fantastic music. Very challenging but not in a cheap way.

Bullet Hell and Platformer had a baby, the result was Outland. And it's absolutely fantastic.

I'd also go with Strider and Moon Diver(considered by the devs to be something of a 3D Strider). Both are great.

 

[Harlemura]

They Bleed Pixels was really good, especially for a game I'd never heard of until I noticed it going super cheap on Steam. Probably not the hardest of platformers compared to Super Meat Boy and whatnot, but it never feels unfair when you die. I like that, it seems rare nowadays.
I like the "earn your own checkpoint" mechanic too, even if the enemies, pickups and rules on where you can place checkpoints basically lead to you having to place them in predetermined spots anyway.

 

[Smertnik]

Apart from what has been mentioned already you may also want to look into some of these games, depending on the kind of platformer you're looking for (i.e. the puzzle/action/platforming ratio) and your desired level of challenge (it's a somewhat subjective term anyway):
Dustforce
The Misadventures of P.B.Winterbottom
VVVVVV
Closure
Snapshot
Trine
Dust
Aztaka
Vessel
Capsized
NyxQuest
Iji
Hell Yeah
The Swapper

 

[Chromatic Aberration]

Haven't played any recent ones except Cave Story (which was cool but too short for me...) - but I recall two in particular that might be what you are looking for:

* Giana Sisters - Twisted Dreams [http://store.steampowered.com/app/223220/?l=english]: Classic platformer and sequel to the old Giana Sisters games on the Commodore 64 / Amiga - features music by both Chris Hülsbeck and Machinae Supremacy and was generally well received to my knowledge.
* Dust: An Elysian Tail [http://store.steampowered.com/app/236090/]: Seems to be a Metroidvania type of game and I expect it to work much in the same way as Cave Story. Looks gorgeous and was very well received.

 

[Norrdicus]

Daxter. It had been a while since I was last challenged by a 3D platformer. Not in Jak 2 way where there's so much combat and so few checkpoints that you wanna headbutt a drill, but it was a platformer that REALLY demanded accuracy and timing

 

[Soxafloppin]

If you have a PS3 the Jak Trilogy is going pretty cheap and Jak II is pretty brutal in parts.

You have this Dark Jak ability which makes you go all super strong and is really useful though I always held off on using it in case I needed it at a really challenging part (the difficulty spikes up and down a lot) which pretty much resulted in me never using it..