Having grown up during the golden age of 2D gaming, I have an enduring love for platformers that resonates deeply with my childhood memories. Titles like Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Donkey Kong Country undoubtedly stand out, yet this genre encompasses a far broader spectrum than just a select few franchises.
During the height of the SNES, Sega Genesis, and similar consoles, platformers flourished across the gaming landscape. However, the sad reality is that many of these titles have failed to establish lasting legacies.
Fortunately, with the rise of remakes and remasters, long-forgotten games have a renewed opportunity to reclaim their spots in cultural conversations. But do these revitalizations succeed? The answer varies. Yet, given current debates around game preservation, facilitating the survival of these titles is essential.
In this context, I present a selection of retro platformers that, despite not being part of major franchises, deserve another chance with a modern revamp.
10 Decap Attack
Let’s Get Spooky With It
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Developer |
Vic Tokai |
|---|---|
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Platforms |
Mix Genesis |
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Release Date |
September 1991 |
My appreciation for spooky aesthetics—think “creepy”rather than “scary”—has always intrigued me.Decap Attack, released in 1991, stands out as a remarkable example of this aesthetic. This quirky platformer features a headless mummy navigating a series of eerie islands, using his peculiar abilities like launching his torso at enemies or tossing a skull like a boomerang. The game offers a simple yet enthralling experience, enhanced by its imaginative monsters and environments.
Although the game hasn’t seen much modern interest—likely due to its unusual origins—reviving it could bring back its charm. With a contemporary remake, we could see those bizarre characters fully realized, possibly even enhanced with voice acting.
9 Plock
Fun On Four Limbs
The appeal of characters without limbs, such as Rayman and Knack, seems to resonate well in platformers, leading me to include Plok in this mix. Released for the SNES in 1993, Plok is unique in that he can launch his limbs as weapons, allowing for dynamic combat against foes.
Alongside his projectiles, Plok can acquire transformation powers to become various characters, amplifying gameplay diversity. The rights to Plok’s character might currently be ambiguous, but a remake could cater to a market hungry for nostalgic mascot platformers.
8 Bonk’s Adventure
Give The TurboGrafx Some Love
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Developer |
Red Company/Atlus |
|---|---|
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Platforms |
TurboGrafx-16 |
|
Release Date |
December 15, 1989 |
Every major gaming console seems to have a mascot, and for the underappreciated TurboGrafx-16, that title belongs to Bonk the Caveman, known from Bonk’s Adventure. This whimsical game allows players to engage in headbutting combat against various prehistoric enemies, utilizing Bonk’s advantage of an indestructible head.
Though Bonk found some success during the 16-bit era, his presence has largely diminished in today’s gaming landscape. A modern remake could reignite interest and ensure that characters like Bonk remain in the collective memory of gamers, illustrating that gaming history extends beyond the giants like Nintendo, Sega, and Sony.
7 Demon’s Crest
Remember Firebrand, Capcom?
Capcom often resurrects its beloved characters for various appearances, yet Firebrand, well-known from the Ghosts n’ Goblins series, has seen little solo action since Demon’s Crest launched in 1994. This fascinating platformer integrates light Metroidvania elements, allowing players to transform and navigate through levels using Firebrand’s unique abilities.
Given the current popularity of Metroidvania games, a remake of Demon’s Crest, featuring an interconnected world without level selections, could engage both old fans and new players alike.
6 Pulseman
Everyone Loves Electric Heroes
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Developer |
Game Freak |
|---|---|
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Platforms |
Mix Genesis |
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Release Date |
July 22, 1994 |
Pulseman, released in 1994, is a game that dynamically combines speed and exploratory gameplay. Resonating with nostalgic feelings of Mega Man, this character has the extraordinary ability of channeling electricity, allowing him to attack swiftly and traverse cyberspace.
The dual-world mechanic and Pulseman’s transformation have great potential for a modernized aesthetic. Imagine the captivating visuals that contemporary technology could bring to this electrifying experience.
5 Jazz Jackrabbit
Did “Woodland Critters With Guns”Before Sonic
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Developer |
Epic Games |
|---|---|
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Platforms |
MS-DOS |
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Release Date |
August 1, 1994 |
Strangely enough, when Sega introduced firearms to their mascots, it raised eyebrows due to the genre’s typically light-hearted tone. Yet, Jazz Jackrabbit, a rapid-fire platformer and shoot-’em-up from 1994, masterfully blends gunplay with platforming mechanics, allowing for fast-paced movement and clear thematic consistency.
Despite a few sequels, Jazz Jackrabbit has faded from the spotlight. Given the enduring popularity of retro platformers, a contemporary remake could introduce this classic to a new audience, bridging the charming nostalgia with modern gameplay standards.
4 Grids
Pick Up Some Momentum
Initially appearing in 1995, Ristar has remained underutilized by its publisher despite showcasing a distinctive gameplay mechanic that revolves around momentum and vertical exploration. The titular star can grasp ledges and catapult himself upward with quick reflexes, creating fluid motion throughout levels.
Recent platformers have demonstrated that speed and momentum mechanics can thrive today. A remake of Ristar, whether maintaining its 2D roots or evolving into a 3D experience, could provide an exhilarating journey for players reminiscent of classic Sonic levels.
3 Kid Chameleon
I’m A Sucker For Transformation
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Developer |
Sega |
|---|---|
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Platforms |
Mix Genesis |
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Release Date |
May 29, 1992 |
Kid Chameleon takes transformation mechanics to delightful extremes; players navigate a virtual reality arcade while swapping between various warrior masks, each offering unique gameplay capabilities. While the game hosted over 100 levels, it often lacked user-friendly design choices, such as save options.
A remake might enhance accessibility and gameplay depth, perhaps even incorporating roguelike elements to encourage creative exploration and mask power retention.
2 Dynamite Headdy
Time For A Fancier Production
Having a meta-narrative can immensely enrich a game, as demonstrated by Dynamite Headdy, which unfolds within the confines of a whimsical puppet show. This platformer, released in 1994, astutely blends action with theatrical charm, allowing for high-paced gameplay in a creatively engaging world.
The original graphics were impressive for its time, but a modern reimagining could unveil this artistic premise with today’s technological advancements, creating an engaging spectacle full of visually dynamic puppets and sets.
1 Earthworm Jim
I Miss That Groovy Worm
Earthworm Jim, a defining character of the 90s gaming landscape, deserves to reclaim his fame. Known for his outrageous adventures across space and infamously entertaining gameplay, Jim’s antics, like grappling foes with his head, cemented him as a cult classic.
The game has its share of challenges, many of which haven’t aged well. However, a thoughtful remake could breathe new life into Jim’s world, ensuring fans both old and new can relish in his groovy escapades once again.
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