Rayman 1995
Why it still holds upAbilities earned one at a time still give the quest a pace that suits a patient player today.
Platformers that still hold up
Jumping, which is far harder to get right than it looks
Games
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 upA hunt for tokens in each level still gives every area more than one goal.
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.
Batman: The Video Game 1989
Why it still holds upWall jumps and three weapons to choose from still make a stage worth planning today.
On sale
Risk of Rain 2013
Why it still holds upA ticking clock still turns every stage into a decision about greed.
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.
Axiom Verge 2015
Why it still holds upDozens of weapons and an ability that rewrites glitches still give the exploring plenty to find.
On sale
SpeedRunners 2016
Why it still holds upShort rounds still make a game for friends easy to start.
In a bundle
Super Contra 1988
Why it still holds upCommitting to one gun is still rewarded, since you upgrade a weapon by taking the same pickup again.
On sale
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince 2019
Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it holds up now, since the three heroes' tools combine in several ways to reach the same goal.
Battletoads 1991
Why it still holds upEach level brings new enemies, hazards and rules, and the game still avoids repeating itself.
BattleBlock Theater 2013
Why it still holds upBlocks that collapse, stick or bounce still make each level a short problem, which suits sharing with a friend.
Sonic Generations 2011
Why it still holds upTwo ways of running through the same zone still make each act a different game.
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves 2005
Why it still holds upA heist with a whole crew still gives every character a different job.
Ristar 1995
Why it still holds upFighting, climbing and swinging all run through the stretchy arms, so one idea is enough to start playing today.
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World 1990
Why it still holds upA parody of a ninja game still keeps the pace light.
Prince of Persia 2008
Why it still holds upBecause Elika catches every fall, a missed jump costs a few seconds rather than a reload, and the climbing still flows from one wall to the next.
Dust: An Elysian Tail 2012
Why it still holds upMoves that chain into each other still make the fighting flow from one move to the next.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light 2010
Why it still holds upA short campaign made for two still keeps its tombs and traps close at hand.
On sale
Trine 2 2011
Why it still holds upThe three online still give a puzzle three answers, and three people arguing over which.
Donkey Kong Junior 1982
Why it still holds upDodging enemies from vine to vine still holds the attention.
On sale
Downwell 2015
Why it still holds upEach descent is short, so it is still easy to try again right away.
Disney's Hercules Action Game 1997
Why it still holds upA short set of levels with varied weapons still makes it quick to try.
Circus Charlie 1984
Why it still holds upEach act asks for one clear task, which makes it simple to pick up today.
Ghosts 'n Goblins 1985
Why it still holds upA knight who loses his armor in two hits still keeps every fight tense.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels 1986
Why it still holds upA harder run through eight worlds is still a challenge that draws players to it.
Kid Icarus 1986
Why it still holds upThe mix of side scrolling, vertical and dungeon levels still varies what each world asks of you.
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 2011
Why it still holds upThe battles still stop to command an army, between the puzzles.
Jak 3 2004
Why it still holds upTwelve weapons and two Jak forms still give the fighting a lot of range.
Kirby's Epic Yarn 2010
Why it still holds upA gentle platformer with a craft look is still easy to pick up.
On sale
Trine 2009
Why it still holds upThree heroes in one party are still a good reason to play with a friend.
Hudson's Adventure Island 1986
Why it still holds upRunning along a clock of draining health is still a lively way to play.
Pitfall! 1982
Why it still holds upA jungle trek against the clock is a goal that is still easy to grasp today.
In a bundle
Mega Man 1987
Why it still holds upChoosing your own order of stages is an idea that is still a good one today.
Sonic Adventure 2 2001
Why it still holds upThree styles of play in one game are still worth trying today.
On sale
Broforce 2015
Why it still holds upA level that falls apart as you shoot is still a lively sight.
On sale
Mirror's Edge 2008
Why it still holds upA run across rooftops is still a chain worth building.
Super Mario Bros. 2 1988
Why it still holds upChoosing a character with its own strengths gives each stage a second way to be played, even today.
Donkey Kong 64 1999
Why it still holds upFive Kongs and so much to collect still make it a big island to explore today.
Rogue Legacy 2013
Why it still holds upThe heir still dies in minutes, and the family still gets stronger for ever.
On sale
Hue 2016
Why it still holds upA single idea, a color that makes objects vanish, still drives every room.
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 1986
Why it still holds upIts 17 stages still alternate between scrolling and single screen play, with puzzles and bought vehicles in between.
On sale
Tomb Raider: Legend 2006
Why it still holds upA grapple that swings and pulls still turns each gap into a puzzle.
Mario Bros. 1983
Why it still holds upEvery round fits on one screen and uses only running and jumping, so it is quick to learn today.
On sale
SteamWorld Dig 2013
Why it still holds upThe digging still leaves the platforms as the ones you have not dug away yet.
Sonic Advance 2001
Why it still holds upFour sets of moves are still a reason to run each level again today.
Super Mario Land 1989
Why it still holds upA Mario made for the Game Boy's small screen is still worth seeing.
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon 2001
Why it still holds upA hundred card combinations give you plenty to try as you explore the castle today.