9 Best Platformers Inspired By The Classics

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A common attribute of many outstanding games is that they respect their origins. While we certainly appreciate the classics, emulating classic games goes beyond simply duplicating them.

The focus is on identifying successes and failures, blending them with contemporary comfort standards, and aiming for a result that evokes familiarity while maintaining its own uniqueness.

New platform games, whether 2D or 3D, often take inspiration from their historical foundations. Given that the platform genre is among the oldest and most respected in gaming, with followers across all levels of the industry, seeing a new platform game that undeniably pays homage to one of my cherished classics instantly piques my interest.

Instead, The captivating ones, however, are those that explore familiar ideas in fresh and exciting ways, through unique narratives, innovative gameplay dynamics, and expansive perspectives.

9.
Bloodstained: Curse Of The Moon

The Blood Of A Vampire Slayer

Originally, Castlevania games were not part of the Metroidvania genre we know today; instead, they offered a more traditional, linear platformer experience.

During the development of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, IGA opted to unveil a game emulating classic styles to keep enthusiasts engaged: Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon.

Initially, it’s apparent that there are clear inspirations drawn from the classic NES Castlevania series. This is evident in the robust coloring of your on-screen character sprites and the fast-changing ability reminiscent of Castlevania 3.

Fortunately, it’s less challenging than its inspirational sources when it comes to difficulty, but you’ll still need some agility with timing your jumps and strikes to avoid accidentally falling into a pit.

One intriguing aspect of Curse of the Moon lies in its unique blend: while it appears to be a straightforward linear game, it subtly introduces a branching narrative path based on your interactions with possible new allies. This isn’t comparable to a comprehensive Metroidvania, but the hints of this format make it an engaging prelude to Ritual of the Night.

8.
A Hat In Time

Like Mario Sunshine, But Cuter

As a gamer, I’d say that games such as Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine are unique 3D platformers, standing apart from titles like Banjo-Kazooie in an interesting way. Unlike the latter which offers one expansive world filled with collected items, these Mario games use distinct instances for their worlds, each connected to a specific mission or objective.

The unique structure for level creation in A Hat in Time is what we’re referring to, supplemented by some borrowed ideas from elsewhere.

In simpler terms, A Hat in Time draws inspiration heavily from Super Mario Sunshine. It does this through its focus on skills that aid movement, such as the scooter and grappling hook, as well as the challenging platform levels that show up during specific tasks.

What sets A Hat in Time apart from Sunshine is that the platforming obstacles are designed based on your skills, as opposed to taking away your abilities and making you solely depend on jumping.

Beyond doubt, I find the broader array of tasks and events in A Hat in Time appealing as well. To be clear, Sunshine remains a timeless favorite, but A Hat in Time excels at introducing fresh elements and gameplay mechanics, especially in the detective and dance party stages, making it more unique and engaging.

7.
Shovel Knight

Pogo Like Scrooge

Unexpected places often yield timeless games. It’s rare to find quality in licensed games, but surprisingly, Ducktales on the NES is considered among the finest Disney games.

I genuinely enjoy it, and one reason I was so thrilled about Shovel Knight is that he performs a pogo jump using his shovel, similar to how Uncle Scrooge does it.

Shovel Knight draws inspiration from several classic platform games, with Ducktales and Mega Man being the main influences. It offers numerous stages and boss battles to conquer, and as you progress, you gain new capabilities. However, you already start off with a solid set of skills, including an impressive pogo bounce move.

An uncommonly neglected strategy is often used in platform games, and this could have been one reason why Shovel Knight stood out so significantly. Moreover, it skillfully blends contemporary and vintage aesthetics, making for an impressive visual experience.

Absolutely, the game features numerous lethal traps like spikes and pits, but unlike traditional games, it doesn’t have a lives system. This means you can attempt as many times as needed without any restrictions. The relief this brings to my overtaxed nerves is substantial.

6.
Freedom Planet

Lilac Used To Be A Hedgehog

Haven’t you ever created your own unique character based on Sonic the Hedgehog? It’s perfectly normal; many of us have done it at some point. However, while lots of people dream up their own Sonic characters, not everyone manages to come up with something fresh and original.

For a select group of innovators, like those behind Freedom Planest, an Original Character (OC) can serve as a stepping stone towards creating something truly unique. Freedom Planet bears a striking resemblance to the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog series in terms of both aesthetic and gameplay mechanics.

Initially conceived as an original character hedgehog for a Sonic fan-game, Sash Lilac was later transformed into a dragon when the project evolved into Freedom Planet standing independently. Interestingly enough, I find myself quite fond of her new draconic appearance and skills.

The first time I experienced Freedom Planet, I was struck by the realization: “It’s been ages since I played a game with such consistent pace.” Freedom Planet effectively captures the enjoyment of classic Sonic games, which lies in fast-paced, aerial adventures. This speed is evident in both its platforming and combat design. It excels at maintaining its momentum, and it does so superbly.

5.
Pizza Tower

Less Treasure, More Pepperoni

Although many games have been influenced by Super Mario Bros., the Wario Land series often doesn’t receive as much attention or acclaim.

Wario Land 4 continues to hold a special spot in my heart due to its unique combination of puzzle-based platforming and high-speed racing challenges that push you to the finish line. This combination is what initially sparked my curiosity when Pizza Tower was first announced, and my interest has certainly been rewarded.

As a gamer, I’d say Pizza Tower is more about speed and agility than it is about solving puzzles like Wario Land 4. However, there are occasional obstacles hidden within the landscape that might trip you up. But don’t worry, exploration is still the heart of this game. With Peppino’s various movement skills at your disposal, you can scale incredible heights if you figure out where and how to use them effectively.

Above all, each stage includes an exit section where you quickly retrace your steps through the previous level to reach the starting point before time expires. Watching Peppino dash at top speed reminds me of Wario smashing through walls with a powerful lunge, both evoking similar energetic feelings.

4.
The Messenger

A Little Gaiden, A Little Vania

As a gamer, I gotta say, while Ninja Gaiden is undeniably a classic, its mechanics don’t seem to get the recognition they deserve. To be fair, it was insanely challenging and left more than a few of us with some pretty intense grudges. But if it didn’t have that unique edge, those grudges wouldn’t exist in the first place.

I appreciate The Messenger because it skillfully combines the effective elements from traditional mechanics and creatively transforms them into a fresh, slightly modified form.

Essentially, The Messenger retains the structure and gameplay style of a linear action platformer, similar to Ninja Gaiden, during its initial stages. It offers comparable abilities like wall-running and grappling hook, although it presents a less challenging experience due to the absence of a lives system, making it slightly more forgiving.

After the initial part, the game starts showing more of its true nature, transforming into something resembling a Metroidvania-style gameplay.

The atmosphere of The Messenger is somewhat challenging to describe in words, but imagine it as a Metroidvania-style pie with an action platformer core. Just like before, you’re traversing through linear levels, however, there’s a new twist: you can now retrace your steps and delve deeper into the areas you’ve already visited.

3.
Gravity Circuit

Instant-Death Spikes Included

Originally, Mega Man games were full of leaping, but the shift to Mega Man X on the SNES significantly increased the action due to features such as wall jumping being incorporated.

Among numerous fast-paced platform games, just a few titles, like Gravity Circuit, managed to evoke similar emotions within me that I experienced during my initial playthrough of Mega Man X.

Although the game prioritizes close-quarters melee fighting over X’s long-range Buster Gun, Gravity Circuit manages to maintain a comparable combat rhythm by offering various movement options.

Apart from leaping off walls, you can likewise cling onto edges and even shoot a rope-like tool towards the ceiling for swinging and hanging. Keep in mind that the game’s complexity increases accordingly with these additional actions; there will be numerous spots with deadly spikes scattered throughout.

Gravity Circuit shares a significant feature with the classic Mega Man series – acquiring new abilities or weapons from defeated bosses. Unlike the Robot Masters’ vulnerabilities to each other’s weapons, this aspect isn’t directly stated, but the sequence in which you complete stages can impact your overall progression.

2.
Corn Kidz 64

Like Conker Without The Drinking Problem

Beyond popular titles such as Super Mario 64, the Nintendo 64 also housed some unusual but fun platform games, including Chameleon Twist and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

Or, more casually:

Aside from hit games like Super Mario 64, the Nintendo 64 offered up a few peculiar, yet enjoyable platformers, such as Chameleon Twist or Conker’s Bad Fur Day.

Despite their peculiar nature, they occupy a cherished spot in numerous hearts, including mine, which is the reason behind the existence of a modest group of independent 3D platformers aiming to replicate that unique mix of oddity and practicality.

One popular example is the game Corn Kidz 64, which openly showcases its influence from the N64 era. Its graphics are rough, geometric, and constantly shrouded in a retro CRT filter to create the impression that you’re playing an authentic classic console.

The gameplay and discovery elements bear a strong resemblance to titles such as Conker, focusing significantly on accurate wall-jumping and occasional long leaps.

Or more informally:
The way you move around in this game is quite like some other games, like Conker, with a big focus on doing precise jumps up walls and taking long jumps sometimes.

What stands out to me the most about games similar to Conker is the uniquely quirky mood of Corn Kidz. It’s almost as if an Invader Zim game for N64 existed, filled with slightly unsettling characters and conversations that are oddly appealing.

1.
Antonblast

One More Wario-Like

Pizza Tower isn’t alone in its admiration for Wario Land 4; Antonblast shares this sentiment too. Interestingly, both games were announced around the same time, leading to a playful rivalry among fans as they followed each game’s development process.

To me, it seems rather unwise, given that I strongly believe there’s always room for more games inspired by Wario Land in the platformer genre.

Just as Pizza Tower has significantly shaped the gaming world, Antonblast follows suit in certain aspects of its design philosophy. This includes intense platforming and a speedy return to the beginning following each stage.

In Antonblast, what sets it apart is its intricate level design and mechanics. The levels in Antonblast are deliberately maze-like, promoting extensive exploration beyond the typical speed and verticality requirements. Moreover, it introduces unique level elements, such as time-bound open areas that you must conquer within a specified time frame.

As a devoted fan, I’d say Antonblast’s boss battles are more intricate than those of its peers, featuring colossal monsters that require a bit of creative thinking to uncover their vulnerabilities. Oh boy, the duel against the opera character was a real challenge! It took me quite some time to crack the code on how to defeat him.

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2025-06-11 00:16