By Pedro 
Explore the innovative realm of experimental 2D platformers where creativity meets gameplay. Discover the visionary minds behind these games and the standout titles that define the genre. Continue reading to learn more about the most popular and groundbreaking 2D platformers available.
What You Need to Know About 2D Platformers
This section explores the essentials of 2D platformers, including their definition, gameplay, and key elements. Gain a thorough understanding of what these games are all about and why they captivate players worldwide.
Definition of 2D Platformers
2D platformers are a genre of video games where players control a character navigating through a two-dimensional space. Players move from left to right, jumping between platforms, overcoming obstacles, and defeating enemies.
The gameplay emphasizes precision and timing, focusing on movement and exploration. The ultimate goal is to traverse various levels, each presenting unique challenges and objectives, culminating in an epic boss battle that tests all skills acquired throughout the game.
Key Elements of 2D Games
The best 2D platformers share common features that set them apart. These elements include a mix of engaging themes like action and puzzle-solving, diverse graphic styles from pixel art to impressionistic, and varied gameplay mechanics.
Central to their appeal is the intricate level of design and character development, which guarantee a unique and compelling experience for each title.
- Theme: action, adventure, endless runners, puzzle solving, arcade, fighting, hack and slash, roguelike platformers, and more.
- Graphic Art: pixel art, manga, impressionist, minimalistic design, and more.
- Camera Angle: first-person, third-person, fixed, cinematic, mixed camera angles.
- Level Difficulty: from easy to hard, culminating in challenging boss levels.
- Rewards: special character abilities, power-ups, collectibles, secret rooms, and levels.
- World Design: immersive worlds complemented by matching background music and SFX.
- Visual Style: nostalgic stylized 2D-pixel art and various visual styles that set the mood.
- Characters: protagonists, antagonists, sidekicks, and allies with distinct traits.
- Character Movement: diverse movements like walking, jumping, running, and interacting with the environment.
Developers are continually refining these elements, enhancing the draw of each new game over its predecessors. This makes the genre constantly evolve and captivate new audiences.
Who Creates 2D Platformers?
A variety of game developers craft experimental 2D platformers, each bringing their unique style and vision to the table. The beauty of the gaming world lies in its diversity; every game developer contributes their masterpiece to the industry.
Well-known companies like Nintendo, Rare, RetroStyle Games Studio, Moon Studios, Team Cherry, and Playdead have been recognized for their innovative design and ethical business practices.
These companies often utilize a blend of funding sources, including partnerships, bank loans, and crowdfunding, to bring their creative visions to life. There are even cases when different creators combine their resources to complete one or multiple projects.
Where Can We Play 2D Games?
Many modern titles are accessible on consoles, PCs, indie platforms, and mobile devices, offering a wide range of options for gamers. This diversity is intentionally created because players use a variety of platforms, and they would like to have access to 2D platformers across different devices.
Great 2D Platformer Games
Below is a list of the best 2D platformer games, featuring both classic and modern titles. You can find thousands of titles, but we refined the selection and present a list of options, each offering a unique experience that is worth exploring:
- Castlevania
- Celeste
- Child of Light
- Donkey Kong
- Fireball Wizard
- Hollow Knight
- Inside
- Minecraft
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- Prince of Persia
- Sonic
- Super Mario Series
- Zelda
These games are renowned for their simplicity, user-friendly design, and engaging gameplay. If you have never tried independent video games, check out the options above and see what this genre has to offer.
What is the Future of the 2D Platformers?
The future of 2D platform games is bright, driven by easy-to-learn controls, engaging art styles, and captivating gameplay. The availability of development tools allows a growing number of creators to experiment and innovate within the genre. The funding also gets more accessible every day, which encourages even more young creators to express themselves.
An exciting trend is an evolution from 2D to 3D platformers, improving the overall experience with open-world designs and more interactive elements, as seen in upcoming indie games like Savior. This title is a wonderful representative of the game development in Cuba and shows the latest international trends in 2D platformers.