I'll add in sonic but megaman isn't really the same as the others.

Even obscure SNES games like Bubsy, Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day or Cool Spot are superior.

Updated with Sonic everybody. Not sure how that series slipped my mind. You can vote on how you want by explainng yourself. For example saying i liked the classic DKC more than the new so i pick Rayman or something like that.

Not necessarily.

Donkey Kong Kountry Returns (Wii) - 87

New Super Mario Bros - 87

Rayman Origins - 87

For me its Sonic. The first 3 games + knuckles and CD.

After those SEGA couldnt make it quite right again and always demands the games have a new twist. Sonic 4 episode 2 is quite enjoyable, aswell as Sonic generations on the 3DS. The rest... is not nearly as good.

rayman is a 92 meta on the Wii. 88 meta on the vita, 87 meta on the 360 and 86 meta on the ps3.

since DK and NSMB are Wii games, it would be the logical thing to do to take the Wii score

New or old, Mario is still king of 2D platform for me.

LBP was a nice competitor this gen for 2D platform, and with 4player coop, convinced Nintendo to follow, making my fav 2D platform even more fun with friends and family.

No love for Earthworm Jim?

92 with 13 critics for the wii

87 with the most reviews for the game (all above 50reviews).  Though you can make an argument for the Vita since it has similar amount of reviews.  None the less it is 1 point and can be argued on which one is the best.  For me it is between DKC and Rayman.  I believe Mario and Sonic has kind of went down hill even though mario appeals to more gamers than any of the others.  It is just too easy if you ask me.

Since I think all 3 franchises are represented best in their latest installments I'll mainly decide between those 3 (origins/legends, 2/U, Returns).

It's certainly not Rayman for me. The visuals are super crisp, cute and detailed but

a) the character and the universe mean nothing to me. Rayman for me is as important as Coolspot, Mr. Nutz or Plok. Or Earthworm Jim. Or Sonic *hides*

b) the general gameplay feel of the latest games is off for me. I always struggle to do precise jumps because sometimes he literally jumps through the stratosphere and sometimes he does that retarded 2cm fall-to-your-death-jump. Also the response time and the way Rayman sticks to walls and stops his forward motion when punching mid-air feels shitty to me. I always think they made those cute and funny animations first and build gameplay around it, which is exactly the opposite of how Nintendo does it and I prefer it the Nintendo way.

In terms of pure gameplay I would give Mario the edge because I have grown into the feel of those games but Donkey Kong is close behind and has a clear edge in terms of graphical presentation. I also like that there is a lot of stuff to collect and if you struggle to find everything they give you the option to buy a hint giver for this specific level. Also the Boss battles are way better in Returns and the levels are really well made, diversive and sometimes really long.

So overall I would give it to Donkey Kong (Country Returns) since I think it's the best 2D platformer from these 3 franchises. And possibly the best ever, but I would certainly put a bunch of platformers between Rayman and the other 2.