Best Platformers With Character Customization

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Summary

  • BattleBlock Theater by The Behemoth offers quirky humor, challenging gameplay, and extensive customization options for avatars.
  • Yoshi’s Crafted World provides a visually stunning platformer with limited customization options beyond costumes.
  • Sonic Forces stands out for its creative character customization options and fan-focused content in the Sonic franchise.

Many individuals who are now adults grew up playing the NES when it was first introduced in North America back in 1985. At its release, the most popular game for these players was undoubtedly Super Mario Bros., a title that swept across the nation like wildfire, resulting in an influx of merchandise, sequels, and television shows. Mario played a crucial role in shaping the platformer genre, but eventually other games such as Crash Bandicoot and Sonic the Hedgehog would emerge to challenge his throne.

In the vast realm of gaming, there’s ample room for all these iconic mascot characters to thrive, and each of these franchises boasts its own unique charm. Yet, some gamers prefer crafting their own characters, particularly in Role-Playing Games (RPGs). Since platformers have dabbled in character customization, let’s explore the standouts, rank them according to their creativity and the quality of their platforming.

6. Battleblock Theater

A Bizarre Followup To Castle Crashers

In the following passage, you’ll find a rephrased version of your sentence:

BattleBlock Theater was the subsequent creation from The Behemoth, the team renowned for their success on the Xbox 360 indie marketplace with Castle Crashers. Similar to its predecessor, BattleBlock Theater carries that peculiar vibe through unusual NPCs and adversaries, a narrator who expresses disdain towards the player, and an otherworldly soundtrack.

1D games with a quick and tough structure were similar to Super Meat Boy , rather than the easy-going Super Mario World. In these games, players had the option to personalize their character using heads ranging from aliens to pyramids, as well as choosing body colors. As they progressed through the levels, more items would become available. The most enjoyable aspect was the cooperative mode, enabling up to four players to play together, explore levels, and create chaos online.

5. Yoshi’s Crafted World

Boxing For Dinosaurs

While Yoshi’s Crafted World is a platformer, it falls short in terms of overall creativity, with its primary focus being on costume customization rather than innovative gameplay elements. At the beginning of each level, players are allowed to pick the color of their Yoshi and then adorn them with various cardboard outfits, aligning with the DIY concept of the game.

While it may not be as exciting as designing a unique Yoshi with distinct colors and designs, it offers more customization possibilities than any other Mario game has previously provided. Beyond this, it’s an exceptional platformer featuring a visually stunning aesthetic that is frequently underappreciated on the Nintendo Switch.

4. Sonic Forces

A Fan’s Dream

Since the advent of the internet in the late 90s and early 2000s, the influence of the Sonic series has been significant online. For years, enthusiasts have been generating content ranging from games to comics. With the release of Sonic Forces, they were finally provided an official platform to exhibit their creativity.

In this game, players are given the opportunity to create characters modeled after various creatures and personalize their appearance by choosing colors, clothes, and accessories. As the game progresses, additional customization options become available. While it may not be the finest Sonic game in the series, it’s worth mentioning as a notable entry that successfully delivered on fans’ expectations with an impressively creative set of levels.

3. Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space

Gotta Go Back In Time

On the original Xbox, there weren’t many platformer exclusives to boast about, but two stood out. The first game was “Blinx: The Time Sweeper“, where the main character, Blinx the cat, traveled through time rectifying anomalies. In the sequel, “Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space“, Blinx took a backseat, allowing players to create their own furry hero instead.

Moreover, the game progressed through stages that featured time officers and others where players could wreak havoc in time using the Tom Tom Gang, a group resembling pigs. This game represented a daring sequel with numerous concepts tossed around, including multiplayer options. Fans eagerly anticipated it, though it didn’t create a massive impact on Xbox.

2. Tearaway

Don’t Shoot The Messenger

Back in the day, I found myself utterly captivated by Tearaway – an innovative platformer, crafted by none other than Media Molecule, the geniuses behind LittleBigPlanet. This gem was exclusive to the PS Vita, offering a one-of-a-kind experience where players could personalize their character’s envelope-like visage and body to suit their style.

In the remastered version for the PS4, they introduced a female option, but the customization options remained somewhat limited compared to the original.

Although the customization of avatars wasn’t quite as extensive as what’s available in LittleBigPlanet, the gameplay offered a more creative experience, utilizing every possible button and motion control that the PS Vita system and PS4 controller could handle. Each version is worth exploring to appreciate the subtle differences between them.

1. LittleBigPlanet 2

A Stitched Together Sequel

The initial installment of the series stood out because it allowed players to design their own levels and customize their Sackboy characters with numerous clothing designs and colors. LittleBigPlanet 2, on the other hand, made significant strides by ironing out gameplay issues such as refining platforming mechanics and enhancing the memorability of levels.

In addition to a fresh lineup of creative tools, there was also an enhancement in clothing options. To add to the excitement, some delightful costume crossover packs were introduced, transforming the Sackboys into various characters such as those from Final Fantasy 7 or DC superheroes.

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2025-06-01 14:57