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Classic platformers that still hold up

Jumping, which is far harder to get right than it looks

41 games

Hollow Knight 2017 Why it still holds upExploring is still the draw: you map the world, beat bosses to gain abilities and use them to reach places that were closed.
Super Mario World 1990 Why it still holds upExploring the world map pays off as much as the levels, with red spots that lead to secret routes, so it is still worth playing today.
Super Metroid 1994 Why it still holds upThe world is still the reason to go back today, made to be explored from its silent, empty start.
Super Mario Bros. 3 1988 Why it still holds upIts level design holds up today because the power-ups change how each level can be crossed, and the difficulty rises gradually toward the eighth world.
Super Mario Odyssey 2017 Why it still holds upToday it works because you choose what to do toward the moon count, and capturing drives much of the level design.
Super Mario 64 1996 Why it still holds upMario still controls crisply today, and each painting lets you pick which star to chase, so the game feels open.
Super Mario Galaxy 2007 Why it still holds upEvery level is built around that gravity, so walking upside down and jumping between small planets is what you do throughout, which keeps it fresh today.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 2010 Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing the rules, playing with gravity and shifting between 2D and 3D, still give each stage something new today.
It Takes Two 2021 Why it still holds upWith a partner it is still worth playing now: the ideas change level after level, and every one of them needs both players.
Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 Why it still holds upOri moves nimbly, and the story is told through play rather than long cutscenes, so it is still a pleasure to control today.
Inside 2016 Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it still plays well: they are natural obstacles that make sense in the context of the game, and the wordless boy is expressive enough to carry it.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 2020 Why it still holds upThe way the map opens up is still the reason to play: each ability Ori finds sends you back through Niwen by a route that was shut.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 1992 Why it still holds upThe reason to go back is level design that rewards speed without giving up exploration.
Donkey Kong Country 1994 Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing how you move, with vines, barrels, mine carts and animals, and a difficulty that rises steadily, are the reason to play it now.
Shovel Knight 2014 Why it still holds upEasy to learn platforming with modern ideas of risk and reward, on an 8 bit look, is still why it is worth playing today.
Cuphead 2017 Why it still holds upBoss fights built on learning patterns, in that style, are still the reason to play it today.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow 2003 Why it still holds upIts castle opens up as you gain abilities and its soul system offers many ways to fight, which keeps it worth playing now.
Braid 2008 Why it still holds upOne idea, rewinding time, with a fresh rule in each world, makes every mistake part of solving the puzzle, and that is the reason to play it now.
Psychonauts 2 2021 Why it still holds upThe minds are why it is still worth playing: each level is a new place drawn from someone's head, and most end with Raz helping that person.
Banjo-Kazooie 1998 Why it still holds upWith every world a themed space full of different tasks, the collecting stays varied, and that is still the reason to play it today.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart 2021 Why it still holds upThe arsenal and the rifts, which move you between worlds in seconds in the middle of a fight or a set piece, make it a shooter worth picking up today.
Metroid: Zero Mission 2004 Why it still holds upIts map still reads clearly: areas linked by doors and elevators and opened by power ups, with statues pointing the way.
Super Mario Bros. 1985 Why it still holds upLevel design, enemy placement and precise physics, with a difficulty that ramps steadily, are why it still plays well.
Super Mario 3D World 2013 Why it still holds upShort, varied levels with a steady difficulty ramp, and characters whose abilities matter, still make it worth playing today.
Banjo-Tooie 2000 Why it still holds upJiggies unlock new worlds, so backtracking is a major part of the challenge, and a duo that can split up still makes that backtracking its main puzzle today.
Metroid Fusion 2002 Why it still holds upA mission based layout with a pursuer always close still keeps its six hours moving today.
Mark of the Ninja 2012 Why it still holds upWith every sound and sight line shown, stealth is still a matter of planning today.
Super Mario Sunshine 2002 Why it still holds upOne water backpack with several movement modes drives every level, while the secret courses without it test pure platforming, which still gives the game two kinds of jumping today.
Conker's Bad Fur Day 2001 Why it still holds upSimple moves and pads that hand you the right tool at the right spot still keep each stretch moving today.

Where to start if you want to know why jumping can be so much fun: tight controls, clever stages and worlds that keep surprising you. Many are as good on a second play as on the first.

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