First of all let me say that I am serious with this thread and let me point out that this is strictly my opinion

Platformers nowadays are associated mainly with gameplay, that is considered the most important part in a platformer. but I am here to say otherwise, in my personal opinion that isn’t what platformers are about, it’s about how you feel, the most important thing is to make you feel that you are on an adventure. That’s what platformers are about, or what it they should be about,The adventure, not the gameplay.

Now I know that automatically a lot of people connected this thread with Nintendo since they are considered the main publishers for platformers, so I will get things out of the way, I will be talking about Nintendo, I will be talking about their games, if you don’t like that, then please don’t leave a comment and leave the thread alone.

I’ll be starting of this thread with one of my favorite games of all time, Banjo Kazooie. This game was just top notch, and honestly nobody could argue that the gameplay wasn’t amazing, but that isn’t what made the game so great. It about how you felt while playing it.

I remember playing the game and with each level I felt something unique, it wasn’t the gameplay, it was the sense of being on a unique, interesting and amazing adventure. The fact that I was discovering living worlds and exploring these amazing communities. I was going somewhere outside of where I lived, going somewhere I had to go to save a loved one. That emotion is what I loved about the game, what I felt playing it. But sadly I feel that something is gone with modern day platformers.

“Innovation”, gameplay, “creativity” and much more of these words are thrown around when talking about how a Platformer is good or not (mainly looking at you Nintendo). How responsive an Italian man moves or how floaty a toy jumps. These “gimmicks” thrown around in these games to make them “unique”.

But the problem is that they lack soul, they lack a sense of emotion that platformers used to have. How about this, instead of making me able to jump a bit higher or a bit faster make me feel that I am in a place like no other, don’t make me scroll through menu’s with cheesy music. Don’t make my god damn character make sounds like he is about to have sex every time he jumps, instead make a world around me that is immersive, a world that sucks me in, a world that makes me want to platform around it to see it. Now this line will get people as upset but im gonna say it anyways, graphics are as important to platformers as gameplay is. Well done high quality graphics can increase immersion significantly, one of the amazing things about Mario 64 and banjo kazooie was playing in these worlds that you never seen anything like before, it just sucked you in.

I think I explained my point good enough, even though I would like to talk more I don’t want to make this thread longer than it already is so I’ll end the thread with this, platformers aren’t about gameplay, they are about feelings, the feeling of adventure.

Lately I had the feeling that platformers are the comedies of this industry

could you explain what you mean?

I will try. 

For me what makes a platformer great is the humor. Because nowdays the deveoper have already the "perfect" platforming mechanics figured out. I mean of course there are some crappy exceptions. But every self respecting developer knows how to make a good jumoing mechanic. There is no doubt about that. But the difference between platformers is the style. For example a game like Battleblock Theater isn´t that special if you break it down to its core mechanics. It could be called a generic 2D platformer if it wasn´t for the humor which is one of the best I have ever experienced in a game. And almost every modern platformer is built around comedy and an unique art style.

I don´t mean this in a negative way. I hope you understand what I mean

Spyro gave me so many feels. I've never played Banjo Kazooie, but the way you're describing it sounds exactly the same way I experienced Spyro.

I just loved going to all this colourful, fantastical worlds and interacting with them. Seeing what troubles the local residents were having. Exploring every nook and cranny of the level to find secrets. It was pretty magical.

It's one of the reasons I migrated to Ratchet & Clank. Insomniac - at least with the mainline entries - recaptured some of that magic. It's not quite the same - there's definitely a more mechanical feel to the levels in R&C than the "fantasy" theme that they had going in Spyro. But still, it keeps me happy.

I think you're saying "I played some great games and they were platformers" and then focusing on the "platformers" part rather than the "great games" part. In my opinion, a great game that takes you on an adventure can be almost any genre.

Lol you can say the same about every genre cant you?

The main game i think of when i read this thread was the 1st Ratchet & Clank on ps2. I fucking loved that game! I hated the 2nd R & C but liked the 3rd. I didnt really like tools of destruction as much as the 1st.

Galaxy gave me the same feeling as super mario 64
Sunshine gave me the same feelings as Banjo Kazooie
NSMBU is giving me the same feelings as SMB3 (although it could do with new music and new art style)

I see what you mean and I agree

1st impression is usually the last or best impression that counts most

Well i think Super Mario World is the best platformer ever made but my favorite Platformer ever made is Spyro the Dragon. Yoshi's Island is my favorite Mario platformer but its not better than SMW. Is that weird?

and would you also line me up with someone who wants to be a child again?

Last night I had the best gaming session in a long time. I decided to give flame face another try and before I knew it I was playing Guacamelee for another 3 hours. It's not just exploration, humor or style, mastering the gameplay is a huge part of it. Platforming challenges that seem impossible become second nature, fights that kick your ass at first become possible and later a piece of cake. (But damn that game uses a lot of buttons)

The night before I finished Thomas was alone. Also a great game, not all that challenging, but it still makes you feel clever figuring out the levels, and it has a lot of personality. (Commentary was great too, more games should add that for a second playthrough)

Yes platformers are great, they make you feel good, in control.