Summary
Super Mario Bros.was the reason to get an NES at launch in 1985. It’s a bit archaic now, but at the time, it was a mind-blowing 2D platformer. TheMarioseries only got better from there, including some of his best games on the Switch. BeyondMariogames, though, the Switch has all kinds of 2D platformers from indie developers to AAA studios.
Mario will indeed make the list in some form, but variety is the spice of life. Do any of the other titles do a better job of perfecting the 2D experience? Let’s jump in and find out, ranking their overall quality as platformers.
Disney Illusion Islandis a Metroidvaniaat its core, but unlike most in the genre, it’s a passive experience. Players can choose to play as either Mickey, Donald, Goofy, or Minnie, alone or in four-player co-op, and they can get new powers along the way, like a pencil to help with scaling walls.
It’s one of the best-looking 2D games on the Switch, certainly thanks to the cartoon-infused designs of the characters and environments, almost like the characters are running around old cartoon cels.
Kirby Star Alliesis one of two big 2D platformers starring the pink puffball, withKirby’s Return to Dream Land Deluxebeing the other.Kirby Star Allieswas designed from the ground up for the Switch, featuring four-player co-op and tons of powers to find, from swords to fireballs.
It doesn’t do anything that new fortheKirbyfranchise, but anyone looking to get a group of friends together for an easier platformer experience on Switch will find this game at just the right difficulty level.
It had been a while since agoodSonicgamewas released at this time in 2017, let alone a 2D one. That’s whySonic Maniawas such a revelation, feeling like both a throwback and a new step forward after a long list of disappointments.
It was clear that this small team understood what madeSonicgames good in the 90s, from the music to the intense level design. The two-player co-op, pixel-perfect graphics, and the anime intro helped too.
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezestarted as a Wii U game before it got a port to the Switch, just like its predecessor,Donkey Kong Country Returns.Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezeadded a lot of cool gameplay mechanics from the previous game,like new Kongs, including Cranky Kong as a playable character who could hop around on his cane, akin to Scrooge in theDuckTalesgames. Dixie Kong made her return as well in the core game, Funky Kong was added for Switch, and there was two-player co-op.
Rayman Legendsis another amazing-looking 2D platformerakin toDisney Illusion Island, which also features four-player co-op. It was a bigger and more ambitious game than its predecessor, including more levels and ones that experimented with what it meant to be a platformer.
One of the levels that stick out has players jump or attack things to the tune of “Black Betty” by Ram Jam, sung in a more exaggerated style, and this isn’t the only music level either.
Wario Land: Shake It!might be THE best-looking 2D platformer of all time, but it istrapped on the Wii. Nintendo didn’t make any sequels on the Switch either, but fans were treated to something better anyway:Pizza Tower.
Pizza Towerborrowed the manic style of platformers that theWario Landgames were known for, along with the process of going through levels backwards to escape.Pizza Towerhas a bit ofSonicDNA, too, thanks to the speed factor.
Dark Soulsis to challenging RPGs asCelesteis to hardcore platformers. It’s strange given the bright colors and young female heroine, Madeline, but it’s one of those games that demands pixel-perfect platforming akin toBraidandLimbo, or else players are going to die and cry after the hundredth attempt.
Still, it’s not impossible, and that sense of reward is intoxicating for those who can figure it out. Plus, accessibility options can make the ascent easier, which is always nice to see in a game.
It may be cliche to putaMariogameat the top of a Nintendo-based platformer list, butSuper Mario Bros. Wonderis simply wonderful, all pun intended. Every single level has a twist, thanks to the Wonder Flowers, which can feel more like an induced trip than a platformer level.
From swirling colors to singing plants, Nintendo breathed new life into this franchise through the power of 2D, and that was truly remarkable for a thirty-plus-year-old character like Mario.
