Summary
When you think of fifth generation gaming, you likely recall the innovative Super Mario 64 or other N64 platforming contemporaries such as Banjo-Kazooie and Kirby. However, thePlayStationwas the true king of platforming during this era, offering its own variety of 3D platformers alongside a steady roster of 2D platformers that have aged wonderfully.
Many platformers from the original PlayStation emphasized art, high production values, and cinematic experiences. Once developers became accustomed to creating games with the DualShock controller, 3D platformers on the PlayStation achieved the level of excellence and fluency that remains impressive even today.
For its time, Croc boasted incredible graphics. On the original PlayStation, it rivaled the visual quality of the stronger N64 platformers. The levels were cleverly designed to optimize the PlayStation’s capabilities while preserving the illusion of exploring one expansive world.
Croc’s learning curve requires adjustment due to its tank controls. Similar to Tomb Raider, running and changing direction simultaneously can be challenging, but this approach adds a unique and more methodical gameplay style. While Croc’s controls aren’t the most precise, once you adapt, it’s still possible to navigate stages at a fast tempo.
9Pac-Man World
Pac-Man is one of the most iconic video game characters of the ’80s and ’90s, alongside Mario and Sonic, so it’s fitting that he would step into the 3D platforming market with Pac-Man World. The game frequently shifts perspectives, blending a ‘2.5D’ approach with occasional tunnel-based designs reminiscent of the Crash Bandicoot series.
A standout feature of Pac-Man World is its bird’s-eye view levels, which evoke the traditional puzzle-based Pac-Man games. While Pac-Man World leans on the easier side, mechanics like Pac-Man’s jump for bouncing off the floor and power-ups that let him grow gigantic to engulf enemies add plenty of engaging and enjoyable moments.
TheMega Man X series' first PlayStation gamebecame its best one. Mega Man X4 was the first game in the series to allow you to control Zero throughout the entire adventure. Playing as Zero emphasizes melee combat with the Z-Saber, which dramatically changes how you navigate and engage with the levels.
Although Mega Man X4 is among the easier entries in the series, it offers an incredible sense of movement, with diverse movement options such as dashes and double jumps that enhance its dynamic gameplay.
Any of the Spyro games could be considered a benchmark for 3D platforming during the 32-bit era. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage excels in exploration and collection by providing expansive, open worlds and smooth, fast transportation options such as sprinting and gliding.
Compared to its more renowned sequel, Spyro: Year of the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage avoids overstaying its welcome by minimizing repetitive level replays and the overuse of underdeveloped characters. Both games feature a robust selection of mini-games, but in Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, the minigames serve as a complement to the core platforming experience rather than overshadowing it, which may appeal more to purists of the genre.
When most studios were transitioning away from 2D platforming, Ubisoft boldly launched Rayman in 1995. Unlike the crude, blocky visuals common in many 32- and 64-bit platformers, Rayman stands out with its vibrant colors, intricate artwork, and a polished soundtrack that perfectly complements the exotic atmosphere of its levels.
Rayman is not for the faint of heart. Its difficulty rivals the most challenging stages of Rayman: Origins and Rayman: Legends across the entire game. Yet, the precise platforming mechanics and exceptional production values more than make up for the game’s demanding nature.
A spiritual successor to cult classics like Another World and Flashback, Heart of Darkness focuses on puzzle-solving and cinematic storytelling. Its aesthetics are a mix of the bizarre, eerie, and occasionally brutal. The dark, pre-rendered backgrounds paired with spider-like silhouette monsters still leave a lasting impression on fans of the game.
Unlike most platformers, Heart of Darkness de-emphasizes combat. Several lengthy segments require navigating stages without the use of a weapon, introducing a survival-horror dynamic to a game already rich with haunting imagery.
The gameplay of Crash Bandicoot: Warped may resemble that of runner-style games, with its camera perspective and fast momentum encouraging players to keep moving forward at a brisk pace. The stage designs were meticulously crafted with running and time trials in mind, delivering a smoother and more polished experience than its predecessors in the series.
The Crash Bandicoot series is known for its deceptive difficulty, but Crash Bandicoot: Warped breaks from the convention of steadily increasing challenge, maintaining a consistent pace throughout the game. It also offers frequent saving opportunities and the option to replay boss stages, allowing players to fully enjoy its creative gimmicks. Crash Bandicoot: Warped’s more accessible difficulty and array of vehichle gimmicks allowed Crash to recieve more mainstream recognition andbecome an unofficial mascot for the Playstation.
It might be hard to believe, but there was a time when PlayStation consoles lacked analog sticks. Ape Escape was the first game to require Sony’s iconic DualShock controller, utilizing its dual analog sticks for precise, fast-paced 360-degree movement.
Ape Escape is a throwback to an era when Sony prioritized gameplay over storytelling. The objective is straightforward: catch a bunch of apes with a net. However, the cleverly designed levels ensure that replaying them feels fresh, offering a slightly different experience each time.
2Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
Although Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee isn’t the most mechanically impressive platformer, it stands out as one of the most cinematic experiences within the genre. The game boasts tremendous atmosphere, and unlike its technically superior sequel, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, it maintains its tension without relying on excessive humor.
Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee feels more like a fine piece of art (with occasional fart jokes) than a traditional video game, featuring immersive set pieces like the deserts of Scrabania and the forests of Paramonia. The puzzles and lack of save points offer a solid challenge, heightening the sense of tension and stakes throughout the game.
The Castlevania series established itself as a straightforward platforming titan on the SNES and NES. Konami borrowed elements from Metroid and expanded on them when creating Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
The map in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is vast, filled with charismatic sprite-based demons and gothic imagery. While relatively light on traditional platforming, Symphony of the Night incorporates exploration and RPG elements, helping to createone of the finest games on the PlayStation.
