Platform gaming has been around since video games have been out. But, there are a selected few that stand above the rest to inspire new generations of gaming.

5. Metroid

Metroid is about a mysterious space bounty hunter woman arriving on a planet for a special mission. Equipped with a super armor and a huge arm cannon, this is one chick you don’t want to mess with. The first Metroid was released in 1986 on the NES ( Nintendo Entertainment System). With the success of the first, it soon put out a sequel. Metroid II: Return of Samus which launched in 1991. The franchise put out one more title in 1994, (Super Metroid), but it wasn’t till the start of the new millennium that the franchise got highly popular with the release of several titles on the Gameboy Advance, Gamecube, and the Wii. Metroid was definitely a pioneer of platform gaming inspiring others throughout the years.

4. Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot made his introduction to the Playstation 1 in 1996. Although most platforms are set to be two dimensional, Crash Bandicoot is a 3rd dimensional platform game that has a lot to offer. It gave the gamer a sense of personality towards the character. Crash is who Sony used to compete with Nintendo’s Super Mario and SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog. Before being given the name “Crash”, because of his amazing ability to smash boxes, he was named “Willie the Wombat”. Good thing for him they had a sudden change of heart.

3. Sonic the Hedgehog
The speed demon! Well not really a demon, but a hedgehog. Sonic that is. He was made to life in 1991 by SEGA’S developers and became an instant classic. The platform world was already on it’s track but Sonic had the power to put it in full throttle. With his dynamic speed and crazy environments, Sonic will always hold that hall of fame spot in our hearts.

2. Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong’s first game was made back in 1981. It was an arcade game where Donkey Kong would throw barrels down a structure and you would have to jump over them to get to the top and save the princess. But his platform game is completely different. Matched with his partner in crime, (Diddy Kong) they venture to find the load of bananas that were stolen from them. It’s a great game with tricky obstacles and crazy enemies.

1. Mario
But now, everyone’s favorite, (drumroll) Mario! Mario was first known as “jumpman” staring in Donkey Kong’s first game. He was the man jumping over barrels, to of course save the princess. He later dropped the arcade game and came out with his own platform game. The infamous Super Mario Brothers for the NES. It was released in 1983 and sold like hot cakes. Most likely the best platform seller of all time; making Mario the king of kings in the platform gaming world.