Platformer games are a classic genre, dating back to early video game history with titles like Pitfall. Over the years, the genre has shifted between 2D and 3D styles, resulting in a huge number of games being released – and many fading into obscurity.
It’s unfortunate that good games from the past were overshadowed by bigger, more popular franchises. That’s just how competitive genres work. But when it comes to gaming, I always emphasize remembering where things came from and appreciating titles that were innovative, even if they didn’t get the recognition they deserved. Though many of these games are hard to find now, they still hold a special place for those who remember them.
9. Prince of Persia (1989)
It Hurt You, and You Liked It
If you’re familiar with Prince of Persia, you likely picture a dashing hero with a goatee wielding a time-bending dagger. Though it’s been a while since we’ve seen that version of the prince – Ubisoft, are you listening? – those who remember the original game might recall its debut back in 1989.
The first Prince of Persia was a classic side-scrolling game famous for its smooth, realistic character animations and challenging difficulty. Players control the prince, who has about an hour to escape a dangerous palace and save the princess. This requires precise jumping and quick reflexes to avoid traps like spikes, swinging blades, and bottomless pits, all while battling guards.
Finishing this game took a lot of dedication, particularly because dying didn’t restart your progress. While it wasn’t a huge commercial success when it came out, players who learned its intricacies discovered what felt like a truly authentic pirate adventure for its time.
8. Mr. Bones
Just Strange Enough to Work
I have a real soft spot for games that are wonderfully strange and original. I’m not talking about games that are just weird for the sake of being different, but those born from a creator’s truly unique and unrestrained imagination. A personal favorite from the past is Mr. Bones, a 1996 Sega Saturn game that blends platforming with elements of many other genres.
Mr. Bones tells the story of an unlucky man brought back to life by a wicked alchemist who wants to build an army of skeletons using mesmerizing drumming. Luckily, our hero’s good heart lets him think for himself, making him the only one who can stop the alchemist and free the other skeletons. The game also features a fantastic soundtrack created and performed by renowned guitarist Ronnie Montrose, and his talent is clear throughout.
Mr. Bones is primarily a fast-paced action game where you jump and run through 2D levels, trying to avoid losing your body parts. Each level also includes a unique twist, like puzzle games, rhythm challenges, or even battling enemies with jokes! It’s delightfully strange, and that makes it incredibly fun to play – you’ll always be curious to see what wacky thing happens next.
7. Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers
Fun with Physics
This list isn’t just about obscure games from the 90s and 2000s. As I mentioned, platformers are a major genre, and that’s still true today. Sadly, even newer platformers are often forgotten. One game I always thought deserved more attention is a small PC title from 2012 called Tiny and Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers.
Tiny and Big is a fun puzzle-platformer where you play as Tiny, a clever kid exploring a desert with a bunch of cool gadgets. When his grandpa’s special underwear are stolen by his competitor, Big, Tiny sets off on a chase to get them back. It’s a strange story, but the characters are charming and funny, making it an enjoyable game.
The core idea of the game is that you play as Tiny, who uses cool gadgets to reshape the desert landscape. You can move large rocks with a grappling hook, cut them with a laser, and even attach rockets for a wild ride – like a makeshift flying sled! The game is really open-ended, letting you solve challenges in lots of different ways thanks to its realistic physics.
6. Skullmonkeys
It’s a Clay-Ful World
Released in 1996, The Neverhood was a unique point-and-click adventure game made entirely with claymation. It was wonderfully bizarre, and most people wouldn’t have expected it to get a sequel. Surprisingly, it did! The follow-up, Skullmonkeys, took a completely different direction, abandoning the adventure style for a more classic platforming experience.
Skullmonkeys continues the story of The Neverhood, picking up with Klogg – the original game’s villain – now ruling a new planet. He’s forced the planet’s inhabitants, the Skullmonkeys, to attack the Neverhood, and it’s up to Klaymen to stop him. Like its predecessor, Skullmonkeys is beautifully crafted entirely from clay and features a fantastic, upbeat soundtrack. In fact, the music is so catchy, especially the bonus level theme, you won’t be able to get it out of your head!
Skullmonkeys is a simple platforming game where you run, jump, and defeat enemies by bouncing on them. You can also find items that give you power-ups like extra lives or the ability to shoot. The game’s unique style and presentation are its strongest points, so if you enjoyed The Neverhood, you’ll likely enjoy this game too.
5. Muppet Monster Adventure
Better Than Most Licensed Games
For a long time, video games based on movies or TV shows were almost always considered low quality. While that’s been changing recently, it used to be rare to find a good one, especially in the 90s and 2000s. One notable exception was The Muppets game released for the PlayStation in 2000 – a surprisingly good title from a developer not known for quality games.
Okay, so I just finished playing Muppet Monster Adventure, and it’s a really fun 3D platformer! Basically, the Muppets head to a creepy castle because Dr. Honeydew’s uncle left something in his will. But things go wrong – the castle is full of spooky energy that turns all the Muppets into monsters! Luckily, Kermit’s little nephew Robin is somehow unaffected, and he has to use Dr. Honeydew’s inventions to break the spell and save everyone. It’s a collect-a-thon, so you’re running around gathering stuff while you play, which is awesome!
The game plays a lot like the classic Spyro titles, letting you explore big, open levels filled with collectibles and new skills to earn. It wasn’t revolutionary, but it was enjoyable and imaginative, and players still remember it fondly. And let’s be honest, everyone loves The Muppets!
4. Rocket: Robot on Wheels
Sucker Punch’s Silly Days
Game developers often evolve over time, changing the types of games they create. Many people now associate Sucker Punch Productions with realistic, story-driven titles like Ghost of Tsushima. However, the company originally made a name for itself with more lighthearted, cartoonish games, such as Rocket: Robot on Wheels from 1999.
Okay, so Rocket: Robot on Wheels is seriously one of my favorite N64 games. It’s a 3D puzzle-platformer where you play as Rocket, and you’re trying to save this futuristic theme park from a rogue mascot. The coolest thing is Rocket has this tractor beam on his head – you use it to pick up and toss objects around. It’s a big part of how the game works, with simple physics puzzles where you might, like, throw metal crates at magnetic walls to climb or shoot skeeballs to solve a boardwalk challenge. It’s a really fun, unique game!
Okay, the physics weren’t super realistic, but it was really innovative when it came out. It felt different from other Nintendo 64 platformers like Super Mario 64 and Rayman 2, and honestly, I prefer those older Sucker Punch games – even though Ghost of Tsushima is great too.
3. Chameleon Twist
Weaponized Tongue
I stumbled upon a really unusual platformer for the Nintendo 64 while browsing the rental selection at Blockbuster. It was called Chameleon Twist, and surprisingly, I’ve never met anyone else who’s even played it!
Chameleon Twist doesn’t focus on a big story. You play as a chameleon who follows a white rabbit into a strange world and is magically changed into a creature that’s almost human. As this unique chameleon, you use your long, stretchy tongue as your main ability. You can use it to grab small enemies, swing from points, and launch yourself into the air.
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This game is simple and direct, but its bright, unique style and fun, core gameplay make it enjoyable from beginning to end. It was actually the first game I ever finished – and considering I wasn’t very good at games when I was younger, that’s something I’m proud of!
2. Mega Man & Bass
The Forgotten Middle Child of the Series
It might seem odd to include a Mega Man game on this list, but the series hasn’t always been consistent. There was a long gap – ten years, in fact – between Mega Man 8 and Mega Man 9, and a lot of experimental spin-offs came out during that time, with mixed results. One often-forgotten spin-off is Mega Man & Bass, which first came out in Japan in 1998 and later came to the Game Boy Advance in 2003.
Mega Man & Bass is a classic side-scrolling Mega Man adventure where you play as the robotic hero battling an evil robot leader named King. You’ll jump and shoot your way through levels filled with new Robot Masters. What makes this game special is that it features two separate storylines: one where you play as Mega Man, and another where you control his rival, Bass, for the first time. Bass has a unique playstyle, with a powerful weapon that can fire quickly in all directions and the ability to jump twice.
The game was generally well-received, but it’s known for being quite challenging. I suspect it didn’t gain much attention because it was only released on the Game Boy Advance, and it came out between the more popular Mega Man Zero and Battle Network games.
1. Mischief Makers
The Ol’ Shimmy n’ Shake
Most gaming platforms have a few games that are beloved by players but somehow fly under the radar of developers and publishers. It’s a bit strange, but game preservation hasn’t really been a priority until recently. A good example of this is Mischief Makers, a game released for the N64 in 1997.
Mischief Makers is a beloved platformer game created by the renowned Treasure developers. You play as Marina Liteyears, a robot on a mission to save her inventor from a wicked space emperor. The game is full of fun, quirky humor and a distinctive art style inspired by 90s anime, complete with memorable characters and running gags.
Marina’s main skill is picking up and tossing almost anything – bombs, blocks, even enemies! This makes the game a fun mix of fast-paced action and clever puzzles, and it’s made even better by Treasure’s creative use of visual effects, like stretching and rotating sprites. Treasure really knew how to make even strange-looking monsters visually impressive with those effects.
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2026-01-28 22:42