Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 1990
Why it still holds upA pair of chipmunks throwing crates is a game for two players that is still easy to share.
Platformers that still hold up
Jumping, which is far harder to get right than it looks
Games
Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 1990
Why it still holds upA pair of chipmunks throwing crates is a game for two players that is still easy to share.
The Great Giana Sisters 1987
Why it still holds upEvery level is still a small dash against a running clock, in plain platforming.
Mega Man 11 2018
Why it still holds upStages learned until they can be run cleanly, with time slowed when you need it, still make it a Mega Man worth learning today.
Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 2018
Why it still holds upQuick runs with a party to swap still make a short game easy to return to today.
North & South 1989
Why it still holds upOne map is still playable two ways, as an action fight or a board game.
Mega Man 3 1990
Why it still holds upThe order of stages is yours to choose, which is still a reason to keep returning.
Jazz Jackrabbit 2 1998
Why it still holds upRunning, shooting and stomping through four episodes, alone or with others, still make it an easy side scroller to pick up today.
Lode Runner 1983
Why it still holds upDigging traps for the guards is still a puzzle worth trying.
LittleBigPlanet 2009
Why it still holds upA new campaign to play on a handheld still keeps the series' creative side.
Mega Man X3 1995
Why it still holds upClinging to walls while charging a shot is still a way of fighting worth trying.
Wario Land 4 2001
Why it still holds upEven now, four distinct themes let you pick your own path.
Ape Escape 1999
Why it still holds upEvery capture is still a small physical act, with gadgets on the right stick.
Super Monkey Ball 2 2002
Why it still holds upA rolling ball and a clock still make each stage easy to understand today.
New Super Mario Bros. U 2012
Why it still holds upBoost Mode still lets a fifth player build the floor today.
Gato Roboto 2019
Why it still holds upIt still plays well for the switch between the armed suit and the fragile cat, each reaching places the other cannot.
Castlevania 1986
Why it still holds upA whip with a short delay and a running clock make every stage a careful one, and that is still the case.
Rygar 1986
Why it still holds upEven now, a one hit death and a single chained weapon make every jump and throw a commitment.
Tomba! 1997
Also known as Tombi!
Why it still holds upThe tasks handed out as you go still give the island a reason to keep exploring.
Super Paper Mario 2007
Why it still holds upA hero who steps from flat to deep and back again is a trick that is still fun to watch.
Spyro the Dragon 1998
Why it still holds upLarge levels full of collectibles still make a good place to wander.
Jet Grind Radio 2000
Also known as Jet Set Radio
Why it still holds upA race against the timer with the police closing in still keeps each area tense.
Super Castlevania IV 1991
Why it still holds upA whip aimed in eight directions and swung from rings still gives every room plenty to do today.
Psycho Fox 1989
Why it still holds upSwitching animals to fit each obstacle still gives a simple platformer variety today.
Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 1993
Why it still holds upNew items that reopen old stages still give it a pace of its own today.
Mega Man 5 1992
Why it still holds upEight stages with tricks of their own, such as switching gravity or riding a vehicle, are still there to be picked in any order.
Ultimate Chicken Horse 2016
Why it still holds upEvery piece you lay is still a bet on your own legs today.
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy 2006
Why it still holds upWordless cutscenes and a second player who can drop in at any time still make it easy to pick up with someone else today.
Kirby's Dream Land 1992
Why it still holds upSimple controls and a short game still leave little to learn.
Touhou Luna Nights 2019
Why it still holds upIt is fairly short, and time control comes into fights and puzzles alike, so each room is still something to work out today.
Boulder Dash 1984
Why it still holds upEvery move loosens rocks and frees creatures, so a cave still changes while you work it out.
Mega Man III 1992
Why it still holds upTwo sets of bosses, with help for the hard parts, still make it a compact Mega Man today.
Joust 1982
Why it still holds upOne button and one rule, the higher lance wins, are still quick to understand.
Sonic Rush 2005
Why it still holds upA boost button in place of built up speed still changes how a level is played.
The Revenge of Shinobi 1989
Why it still holds upA somersault that is both jump and attack still keeps the action sharp today.
Unravel Two 2018
Why it still holds upPlayed today, it still works as well alone as with a friend beside you.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin 2006
Why it still holds upA single map still has several settings, thanks to portals that lead to deserts and towns from inside a castle.
TowerFall Ascension 2013
Why it still holds upAn arena fight that fits on one couch still asks for friends beside you.
Kirby: Canvas Curse 2005
Also known as Kirby: Power Paintbrush
Why it still holds upToday, drawing the ground under him as he rolls makes every level a small puzzle of lines.
Mega Man 4 1991
Why it still holds upEight stages to choose from in any order, each with an obstacle of its own, still leave the route to you.
Iconoclasts 2018
Why it still holds upEven now, tools that serve as both weapon and key make each new item change how you fight and move.
Castlevania: Bloodlines 1994
Why it still holds upTwo heroes with different ways of moving still give each stage two ways to be played.
Rayman 1995
Why it still holds upAbilities earned one at a time still give the quest a pace that suits a patient player today.
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! 1999
Why it still holds upFive tokens in every level still give each area more than one goal today.
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance 2002
Why it still holds upEven now, two castles that share one layout but change each other make each room worth a second look.
Earthworm Jim 1994
Why it still holds upUsing a worm as a whip is the idea the game is built on, and it still stands today.
Batman: The Video Game 1989
Why it still holds upWall jumps and three weapons to choose from still make a stage worth planning today.
Risk of Rain 2013
Why it still holds upA ticking clock still turns every stage into a decision about greed.
Battletoads 1991
Why it still holds upEach level brings new enemies, hazards and rules, and the game still avoids repeating itself.