It’s no secret that we here at Overclockers UK are big into our gaming. We live for new game hype and love to replay our old favourites. Over 2024, we’ll be sharing our own top fives across a spicy selection of genres. This month we’re looking at Jacob S’s Top 5 Platformer Games.
Back by popular (my own) demand after my definitely-not-Pokemon-focused top 5 creature collecting games, today I’m talking about my first video game love – platformers. But oh boy, is my taste ever eclectic, random, and once again with a powerful Nintendo bias. Get ready to disagree with me in those comments!
Sonic Generations
As a mid-nineties’ child, the bulk of my Sonic the Hedgehog love and experience is rooted in those early-noughties Dreamcast titles. Sonic Adventure DX for PC actually featured on my application to work here at OcUK. And Sonic Adventure 2 Battle is the bar by which I vibe-check Sonic games, if not all other games. But it’s Sonic Generations that I’m holding as the gold standard.
As well as being a triumphant return for 2D Sonic, Generations features the most polished gameplay 3D Sonic has ever seen. Combining blistering but controlled speed with deft platforming and impeccable level design makes each level insanely repeatable. Top that off with collectibles, side missions, an explorable hub world with legacy rival battles and bosses to take on, and you can see why this is one of my comfort games I kick my Xbox 360 out of hypersleep to play. You can also see why we’re all losing our minds in the Sonic fandom about its return this October, with added Shadow the Hedgehog. That’s my Game of the Year already.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy (But Mostly Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer)
I said earlier about platformers being my first love – well it’s specifically this platformer. Shortly after my dad acquired a PlayStation 1, he brought home Demo Disc 54, which had the levels Sunny Shores and Skelos Badlands loaded into it. To say I lived on those demo levels would be an understatement, and my parents bought me the whole game more out of necessity than anything else.
Gateway to Glimmer, or Ripto’s Rage for those of you further afield, was a massive level up of the already fun original. Every level was its own unique world, complete with story, unique enemies, side characters, and quests that also crossed over with one another for some staggering world building (Breeze Builders vs Zephyr was my Vietnam). The whole Reignited Trilogy is fantastic, and the best way to experience any one of these games. But Spyro 2 hits a true sweet spot; elevating everything the first game did to new heights while still keeping itself at a modest size compared to the third (still excellent!) game.
Metroid Dread
I found a GBA copy of Metroid Fusion – the predecessor to this game – down the back of a seat in an airport as a child and was intoxicated by the MetroidVania gameplay but scared by the horror aspects of the game. Thankfully, 20 years later as a full-grown man, Metroid Dread let me exercise this trauma playing such a spectacular title that my wife worried she would need to crowbar me away from.
Metroid Dread is a visual treat, proving what one can really achieve on the toaster that is the Nintendo Switch, without ever feeling like it’s ashamed of being a 2D MetroidVania game at heart. Because it most certainly is not. A gripping plot, intoxicating atmosphere, challenging, and rewarding gameplay that constantly ramps up the difficulty just as you get cosy – this game has it all! Plus, those EMMI sections are heart-stoppingly tense. Stuck in a room with an enemy you can’t track or damage that can one shot you? Insidious, and I love it, get me its amiibo right now.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
It’s hard to believe it took over thirty years for Kirby to follow Mario and Link into the 3D gaming world, but the wait was most certainly worth it. Full of vibrant levels packed with secrets and enemies, challenging (if repetitive) mini-bosses and memorable main bosses, plus a variety of Copy abilities to pick and upgrade. And this is just the tip of the iceberg as to why I love this game.
The whole experience was lifted by playing it with my wife, who controlled the adorable Bandana Waddle Dee, and taking breaks from levels in Waddle Dee Town. Arena fights, cafe visits, fishing minigames, and more made these moments just as memorable as every new epic Mouthful Mode form in the main levels, which deftly balanced platform puzzles with action set-pieces. All of this without even touching on how epic and challenging and unnervingly atmospheric the later stretches of the game become, the extensive post-game secrets that we’ve still not finished, and the lovable Elfilin accompanying you the whole way.
Honourable Mentions
Before my final pick, this is where we like to quickfire some games that didn’t quite make the cut. For me, that means telling you to go and play all the Sonic the Hedgehog games I didn’t list here. Especially the ones the internet gaslit you all into believing were bad for twenty years.
So, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as king of the 2D era, Sonic Adventure DX, Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (LIVE AND LEEEEARN!), Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog (GUNS FOR DAYS), Sonic Unleashed, and the newest entry Sonic Frontiers.
Actually, go check out Spyro: A Hero’s Tail while you’re at it. A complete sidestep of the original trilogy’s formula, but very enjoyable, nonetheless.
Super Mario Odyssey
Can a Nintendo fanboy talk about platformers and not mention Mario? They most certainly cannot. No franchise has such a slew of platformer titles worthy of a top five list as everyone’s favourite plumber. The original could easily have snuck into this spot (as the GameBoy Colour port was the only non-Pokémon game I owned for that handheld), but I must give it to Mario’s Switch debut for being so good I played it twice.
After a few games spent in space or at a premium holiday destination, Odyssey stripped back on style gimmicks to allow for an expansive world selection and a single gimmick that offers limitless gameplay options in Cappy. This sentient weaponised hat not only makes for a delightful pre-order bonus I still have in my home but also for a great gameplay addition to the now familiar formula. From taking over a T-Rex to eradicating Goombas by the dozen, it all works perfectly with the bevy of memorable worlds drowning in secrets begging to be uncovered in exchange for sweet, sweet moons.
Although seriously, gods help you if you tried to collect them all. Like the Koroks in Breath of the Wild, I don’t think Nintendo wanted that for you. They just wanted you to have fun, stop it, YOUR FAMILY MISSES YOU NIGEL!!!
Best Gaming PCs for Platformers
Is your PC setup to clear any level or will it fall short of the flag? Best to make sure you have a system that is primed for 100% completion and speedruns, alike.
OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus
The OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus packs plenty of power into its all-black chassis. It pairs a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 Processor with 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM to deliver lightning-quick performance. Plus, it boasts flexible storage options for up to two Solid State Drives. Filled with great gaming hardware, it’s a perfect gaming PC for anyone to enjoy platformers from classic Sonic the Hedgehog to modern masterpieces.
Available to order starting from £1,149.95*
Refract Gaming Jade
Part of our range of pre-built Refract gaming PCs, the Jade has everything you need to smash through your favourite platformers. It comes with both an AMD Ryzen 7700 processor and 32GB DDR5 RAM to run efficiently. Equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU and Ada Lovcelace architecture, the Refract Jade can harness that power for a spectacular graphical performance. All of this with three years parts and labour warranty included as standard.
Available to order for £1,499.99* with free next-day delivery
Did We Clear the Level?
What platformers would belong in your top five? Were there any games in the series listed you think were more deserving of a spot? Let us know in the comments below!
*Prices correct at time of writing and PC specs are subject to change.
- 8 min read
Jacob Smith
Author
Jacob is a passionate gamer, plus a noted Pokemon and LEGO nutjob, who emerges only when doing the words here at Overclockers UK. Since starting at the tail end of 2021, Jacob has gone on to write dozens of blogs on everything from the latest games to whimsical Dickens-inspired poetry. Outside of creating content and being the one person in the office daring to champion Nintendo, he is often found fawning over his Pokemon card collection and his trio of lovely doggos.
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