Who makes better Platformers? Konami, Capcom, Nintendo, Rare or Sega?

[GooseGaws]

GamingChartzFTW said:

SmokedHostage said:
It's too hard but Nintendo is surely no. 1.

RARE and Capcom platformers are superb though.

I can't really call Castlevania or Contra, platformers in the traditional sense but they're both wonderful series. WTF? LOL

SEGA has been awful since after Sonic Advance 1.

SmokedHostage, I read from your profile that you're only 19 years old. Let me inform you about Contra and Castlevania.

Castlevania is the definition of a Platformer. In Castlevania you jump from platform to platform and just like in Mega Man, you 'shoot' by hurling axes and you fight a boss in the end of each level. In Contra you jump from platforms upwards or down to platforms below. You shoot enemies just like in Mega Man and fight bosses at the end of each level.

:/

Castlevania and Contra may be platformers in the technical sense, but that isn't the focus of the gameplay nor are they prime examples of the "platforming" genre.  It's a moot point though, as no one can challenge Nintendo's dominance in the ever-shrinking category of such games.