Favourite 3d platformers?

[Gamerforlife]

I am going to add some love for the Maximo games. While I enjoyed them both, Ghosts to Glory edges out Army of Zin in my book because it felt more like a continuation of the Ghouls 'n Ghosts series.

I am also going to agree that Mario remains the undisputed king of platformers. Super Mario Galaxy was ridiculously good, and I am looking forward to the playing through Super Mario Galaxy 2. I also think that every serious gamer should at least play through Super Mario 64. It was so revolutionary, and it is still the standard by which all 3D-platformers are judged. Even Mario's biggest 3D misstep, Super Mario Sunshine, is really, really good.

If you are looking for something a little different, I would recomend the Jumping Flash! games for the PS1. Even thought you play them from a first-person perspective, they really are the first 3D-platforming games (and in many way they have never been replicated). As OPM wrote in their 100 PlayStation Games You Must Play Before You Die article:

Most people would probably claim that Super Mario 64 was the first 3D platformer- those people would be wrong. Though it features a first-person perspective, Jumping Flash is a 3D platformer in every sense of the phrase, and it's a good one, too. It charges you with taking control of a mechanical rabbit capable of making huge leaps from platform to platform. Jumping Flash! is a top pick for Bungie's Jason Jones (Halo, Halo 2), who says, "By the time you're practically jumping into the atmosphere, the feeling of vertigo gives way to a feeling of elation."

I have to agree with the Jason Jones quote; playing the Jumping Flash! games just feels incredible. I would love to see the experience replicated on modern hardware.

EDIT: I would be remiss if I did not mention Psychonauts. It starts out a bit slow, but it once it gets going, it is an incredible experience.

Good points, 3D platforming was definitely in effect before Mario 64 came along, but it did create a certain standard for others to go by though. I still say to this day that it's overrated though and has not stood the test of time with it bad camera and boring mission based structure, but that's just my opinion. I think it is easily outmatched by some of the 2D Mario games and I personally would not consider it the standard by which ALL 3D platformers are judged as I feel that many games have already surpassed that standard quite easily. Again, just my opinion

The Jumping Flash games were fun. I'm pretty sure I still own one of them

I'm so happy to see all the Maximo love here

Holy crap! I can't believe we were forgetting Psychonauts!

[prfsnl_gmr]

Good points, 3D platforming was definitely in effect before Mario 64 came along, but it did create a certain standard for others to go by though. I still say to this day that it's overrated though and has not stood the test of time with it bad camera and boring mission based structure, but that's just my opinion. I think it is easily outmatched by some of the 2D Mario games and I personally would not consider it the standard by which ALL 3D platformers are judged as I feel that many games have already surpassed that standard quite easily. Again, just my opinion

The Jumping Flash games were fun. I'm pretty sure I still own one of them

I'm so happy to see all the Maximo love here

Holy crap! I can't believe we were forgetting Psychonauts!

These are valid criticisms. I agree that the camera in Mario 64 is not as good as later 3D platformers, but considering when it was released - and considering how many modern games still struggle with camera issues - it is still pretty good. I particularly like how Nintendo introduced the Lakitu camera man at the beginning of the game (because most players had never had to manipulate a camera in a video game before) and how you could see him every time you passed a reflective surface. I certainly don't think the camera is any worse than the camera in Psychonauts.

I also agree that Mario's 2D outings remain his best - although Super Mario Galaxy gives them a run for their money. Finally, I consider Mario 64 the "standard" not because it is the best - again, it is easily outclassed by Super Mario Galaxy - but because it was the first game to really do third-person 3D platforming correctly.

I am also happy to see some Maximo love on here. You can buy those games for a pittance at GS right now; so, anyone who enjoys 3D platformers should add them to his or her collection.

Finally, no one has yet mentioned Rayman 2. I thoroughly enjoyed that game (but, for some reason, have not played any of the sequels). Thoughts?

[lisalover1]

I have always had a special place in my heart for "Collect-A-Thon" 3D platformers; games where you must collect certain trinkets for accomplishing tasks, and getting a certain amount unlocks new levels. [i.e 3D Mario games, Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, etc.]

[slowslow325]

I have always had a special place in my heart for "Collect-A-Thon" 3D platformers; games where you must collect certain trinkets for accomplishing tasks, and getting a certain amount unlocks new levels. [i.e 3D Mario games, Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, etc.]

PLAY DK64!

Also, DK64 is the best 3D platformer PERIOD

[Gamerforlife]

I have always had a special place in my heart for "Collect-A-Thon" 3D platformers; games where you must collect certain trinkets for accomplishing tasks, and getting a certain amount unlocks new levels. [i.e 3D Mario games, Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, etc.]

PLAY DK64!

Also, DK64 is the best 3D platformer PERIOD

LOL

Riiiiiiiight

[Gamerforlife]

Good points, 3D platforming was definitely in effect before Mario 64 came along, but it did create a certain standard for others to go by though. I still say to this day that it's overrated though and has not stood the test of time with it bad camera and boring mission based structure, but that's just my opinion. I think it is easily outmatched by some of the 2D Mario games and I personally would not consider it the standard by which ALL 3D platformers are judged as I feel that many games have already surpassed that standard quite easily. Again, just my opinion

The Jumping Flash games were fun. I'm pretty sure I still own one of them

I'm so happy to see all the Maximo love here

Holy crap! I can't believe we were forgetting Psychonauts!

These are valid criticisms. I agree that the camera in Mario 64 is not as good as later 3D platformers, but considering when it was released - and considering how many modern games still struggle with camera issues - it is still pretty good. I particularly like how Nintendo introduced the Lakitu camera man at the beginning of the game (because most players had never had to manipulate a camera in a video game before) and how you could see him every time you passed a reflective surface. I certainly don't think the camera is any worse than the camera in Psychonauts.

I also agree that Mario's 2D outings remain his best - although Super Mario Galaxy gives them a run for their money. Finally, I consider Mario 64 the "standard" not because it is the best - again, it is easily outclassed by Super Mario Galaxy - but because it was the first game to really do third-person 3D platforming correctly.

I am also happy to see some Maximo love on here. You can buy those games for a pittance at GS right now; so, anyone who enjoys 3D platformers should add them to his or her collection.

Finally, no one has yet mentioned Rayman 2. I thoroughly enjoyed that game (but, for some reason, have not played any of the sequels). Thoughts?

Rayman 2 is another great one, I have the Dreamcast version. Michel Ancel is one of my favorite designers

[shadobeni]

Ah yes I remember playing Rayman 2 on PC. Got all the lums too. That was pretty good. Still had to collect lums to unlock levels but some of the action oriented sequences I remember enjoying although I think that game had a few camera issues.

I acknowledge all the innovations that Mario64 brought but for whatever reason I can't get into any Mario game 2d or 3d. I find the controls to always be very slipperly. I think I got around 30 stars in Mario 64 and just didn't have much fun doing it...particularly hated that snow level. Didn't like the Bowser boss fights either.

I also did play Psychonauts on PC when it was available for free on Steam to play. I got to the last level but didn't beat it. People have said great things about it but I found it to be very average. The psychic powers in theory sound cool and unique but when you actually use them, they feel like very familiar game mechanics. There's one part before you enter I think the milkman stage which forces you to tediously collect a bunch of arrowheads or something before you can enter the level. I never had much fun playing it and nothing the game did felt new to me.

[AznKhmerBoi]

definitly Mario Galaxy 1 n 2

[Gamerforlife]

Ah yes I remember playing Rayman 2 on PC. Got all the lums too. That was pretty good. Still had to collect lums to unlock levels but some of the action oriented sequences I remember enjoying although I think that game had a few camera issues.

I acknowledge all the innovations that Mario64 brought but for whatever reason I can't get into any Mario game 2d or 3d. I find the controls to always be very slipperly. I think I got around 30 stars in Mario 64 and just didn't have much fun doing it...particularly hated that snow level. Didn't like the Bowser boss fights either.

I also did play Psychonauts on PC when it was available for free on Steam to play. I got to the last level but didn't beat it. People have said great things about it but I found it to be very average. The psychic powers in theory sound cool and unique but when you actually use them, they feel like very familiar game mechanics. There's one part before you enter I think the milkman stage which forces you to tediously collect a bunch of arrowheads or something before you can enter the level. I never had much fun playing it and nothing the game did felt new to me.

I love Psychonauts, but I always try to be objective and I agree that the game doesn't bring anything new to the table in terms of gameplay mechanics and there are certainly better 3D platformers out there. However, while the gameplay is not exactly innovative, it's still very solid. It's the story, characters, graphics and bizzare and surreal worlds you get to go to that make it an extremely memorable game. It is in these areas that it has few peers among other platform games, with only Oddworld games coming to mind off the top of my head. Double Fine games are more than the sum of their parts, which is why I like Brutal Legend and feel it gets a bad rap from some people

[lisalover1]

I have always had a special place in my heart for "Collect-A-Thon" 3D platformers; games where you must collect certain trinkets for accomplishing tasks, and getting a certain amount unlocks new levels. [i.e 3D Mario games, Banjo-Kazooie, Jak and Daxter, etc.]

PLAY DK64!

Also, DK64 is the best 3D platformer PERIOD

I'm insulted that you think I haven't played it.