Top 10 2D Platformers That You've Probably Forgotten

As you might have gathered from the name of this Sega title, your main weapon of choice will be Headdy’s interchangeable cranium. Not just a novelty mechanic, these power-ups work in conjunction with flexible level design that can switch perspective at any moment. Provided by your good friend Headcase, these heads allow you to stop time, have a star-shooting pig face and even take to the skies. It’s not a serious platformer by any means – Headdy’s nemesis is a cat puppet named Trouble Bruin – yet the slick, colorful gameplay is so good, it’s amazing no one has picked it up for a sequel. Get this odd little gem on the Virtual Console, you’d be a pinhead not to.

#9: “The Addams Family” (SNES version) (1992)

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Ocean Software released a number of versions of this movie tie-in, but it was the SNES version that nailed the spooky-kooky vibe that made the franchise so well loved. It certainly was difficult – you could only take two hits and levels are flooded with diverse enemies – yet parts of the Addams estate look so good in video game form, you won’t ever be turned off by the task of having to save Uncle Fester and co. Not only was the SNES version superior cosmetically, it possessed far tighter controls, meaning you are never hindered when jumping, flying, shooting and stabbing as Gomez Addams. Mario beware, you might have a rival for best 2D moustache.

As the stalwarts of 2D platformers increasingly moved into the 3D world, this charmingly innocent title proved there was still plenty of life in one of the oldest gaming genres. It might strictly be presented in 2.5D, but it plays just like a 2D game, with notable differences. Few other platformers have a story that will stick with you after completion yet you will be engrossed by the memorable cast of heroes and villains, all of whom have beautifully designed 2D sprites set against a detailed 3D world. Even a “Platform Game of the Year” award a Wii re-release couldn’t spark new interest in Klonoa and Huepow’s quest as many will likely never give our cute cat-boy a chance.

Who’d have thought we’d have a list featuring two games with disembodied head attacks and cheesy puns? Sega must have been a fan of such a combination as they published this title starring decapitated mummy Chuck D. Head and the aforementioned Dynamite Headdy in the early 90s. In settings such as El Beau Island and Abdomainland – you can’t make this stuff up – you control Chuck as he launches his skull at equally abominable foes in order to stop the evil Max D. Cap from taking over the land of the living. With quirky music and humor supplementing a tone that mixes cartoons with Castlevania, you might as well spend a few measly dollars to get it on Steam.

Seeing as everyone was going to 3D at the time, it’s a shame that most reviewers thought this 2D game was stuck in the past, as today it is regarded by the few who know it as one of the best platformers of the fifth generation. Coming on the N64, it couldn’t afford to fall into the tropes of the genre and, aside from its Mario-esque kidnap plot, it’s like no other game you’ve played before. Almost everything on screen can be picked up, thrown or, most famously, shook by cyborg protagonist Marina, causing havoc for the inferior beings you come across in each humorously puzzling level. For true perfectionists, the lure of every gold gem and “S” rank is an attraction you can’t shake off.

With a nutty, anime-inspired plot that is impossible to fathom at first, you can reasonably understand if someone can’t get into this over-the-top adventure starring Billy “Big Bang” Blitz. If you persevere though, you’re rewarded with a Metroidvania style game with variety belying its hardware limitations. The graphics aren’t great – that’s the NES for you – but the crazy story, supplemented by supersuits and magical abilities, is filled with more bizarre twists than you can shake a stick at. There’s mind control, demons, hermits and fairies, all of whom have unintentionally hilarious dialogue with Bang, presumably due to the translation process. Even at the end you probably won’t have a clue what’s happened, but you’d have loved every second.

#4: “Rocket Knight Adventures” (1993)

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There was a time when Sparkster the armored opossum was touted as an alternative Sega mascot; given how Sonic has fared in recent years, it might have been better for everyone if it had been the hedgehog that faded away over time. While it may not be technically groundbreaking – the usual kidnap plot is back and you only have two attacks - it compensates with an attention to detail that makes the battle against Devligus Devotindos and Axel Gear so memorable: enemy pigs will fly out of their armor when hit while vehicles and mechs are meticulously crafted. A 2010 follow up sadly sold a measly 12,000 copies in its first year, suggesting this fearsome marsupial will remain in Sonic’s murky shadow.

Making use of technology that would allow PCs to compete with the slick NES (believe it or not), these episodic games from id Software have you combating intergalactic threats with a pogo stick and raygun. Keen could easily have come from any of our childish imaginations and each non-linear level feels as though it was ripped straight from a kid’s abstract fantasy of being an astronaut. Despite id moving onto bigger projects and a poor Gameboy Color adaptation leaving the official continuity stranded, the series still resonates with a small group of fans, some of whom have created fan mods to extend Keen’s legacy beyond dumb Dopefish memes.

#2: “The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse” (1992)

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When you experience Disney game tie-ins like Wreck-it Ralph and Disney’s Dinosaur, it’s easy to write off any game carrying that famous logo as a shameless cash in on the brand. That may well have been the case for the first in the Magical Quest trilogy, a game that boasted some of the most refined art design ever seen on the SNES. Although you’ll have to play on hard to get any sort of challenge, the selection of costume power-ups provide plenty of depth and differentiation when looking for some of the secrets hidden within this gorgeous cartoon world. Its brevity certainly diminished its lasting appeal, but its look is one that needs more than a fleeting glance. Before we reveal our top pick, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions. “Rainbow Islands: The Story of Bubble Bobble 2” (1987) “Impossible Mission” (1984) “Wonder Boy” (1986) “Gex” (1995) “Bucky O’Hare” (1992)

Combining epic monster-slaying platforming and civilization-building simulation, this revolutionary hybrid seemed to be laying the foundations for a massive future franchise. Both gameplay elements are seamlessly linked: if The Statue wasn’t on the ground hacking at beasts and chasing down Tanzra, The Angel wouldn’t be able to oversee the progression of your fledgling, god-fearing people. All this godly action is underpinned by a resounding score from Yuzo Koshiro, providing the perfect compliment to the game’s surprisingly discerning commentary on religion and the role it plays in our society. Unfortunately, the one lonely sequel we got dispensed with the city-sim features, leaving us wishing we had god-like powers to put that mishap right. Do you agree with our list? What 2D platformer do you feel as though you’re alone in loving? For more unforgettable top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.