B-level Platformers?

[lurknomore]

I am itching for a platformer. It doesn't have to be a AAA experience or entirely original game. I'm just looking for a good and fun experience. So what are your thoughts on games like Tak, Spyro, and/or titles like Ty 2. I'd like to hear some of your personal thoughts and reviews. Too many of the "professional reviewers" automatically discount any game that is derivative or a classic platforming experience.

[eurenix]

I helped my nephew play through most of spyro: a heroes tale. I wouldn't say it was a horrible experience, but I was constantly aware that it was b-level. A little on the easy side, but being able to blow through a game isn't always a bad thing.

[EDIT]
If you accidently start a new game in the same slot as your old one, it immediately overwrites it, at least with auto-save on. I found making that mistake very easy to do, since the slot select for load game and new game are identical except for the words new replacing load in a paragraph of small text. It allso had no overwrite warning. As you can probably tell, we lost more than a few saved games to this.

[Brak]

What about Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy? It's fairly cheap in price, too.

[Snake2715]

Hope Fully you played Metal Arms:Glitch in the system?

Definately pick that one up. Almost like a Halo on roids. Its very hectic and fun at times. Not first person though.

Also I Ninja wasnt to bad.

Beyond good and Evil, and Sphynx (as mentioned) are a few I can think of.


Also Haunted Mansion (which I know was just on sale at TRU for 90% off) was actually a pretty fun game with some neat boss concepts.

So in order of recomendation

Beyond Good and Evil
Metal Arms
Haunted Mansion
Sphynx / I-Ninja tied

[Follandboy]

I dont know if you have a Gamecube, but Starfox Adventures is a really good game.

[epobirs]

I like the first Ty the Tasmanian Tiger quite a lot. A must have for any Jak & Daxter fan who didn't enjoy the later games as much.

I haven't played Tak yet but the reviews seem pretty positive.

THe previous Spyro game of this generation's consoles is so-so but available for cheap. If you haven't played the PS1 Spyros those are still worthwhile and can be had for pocket change at TRU right now.

[Mr. Anderson]

I remember hearing Vexx was a bit above average. Be sure to get the GC version, though.

[Javery]

I dont know if you have a Gamecube, but Starfox Adventures is a really good game.

dear god no...

[snotnose_colossal]

Mark of Kri

[Follandboy]

What is wrong with Starfox Adventures?

[hiccupleftovers]

I'll agree witht he aforementioned Metal Arms: Glitch in the System, Beyond Good and Evil, and I-Ninja. All pretty worthwile.

IMO, Vexx wasn't very worhtwile and was pretty bland and boring. Maybe not neccesarily bad but just on the tedious side of things.

[Greetard]

Voodoo Vince is decent.

[dcfox]

I agree with everyone who suggested I-Ninja and Beyond Good & Evil. Also, I thought the Sponge Bob demo was pretty good.

[argyle]

Some of these recommendations aren't bad, but I wouldn't necessarily label them as platformers (Sphinx & Metal Arms, mainly). I would second (or third, or fourth) the I-Ninja recommendation. It's a very fun game with tons of variety - I became addicted to that one after picking it up early last year. Another one I haven't seen mentioned is Pitfall. I got it on the cheap, not expecting much beyond a little nostalgia, but what I ended up with was a VERY solid platformer that held my interest all the way through.

I've just recently picked up the first Tak myself, based on someone else's recommendation. Not far enough to judge it yet, but my initial impressions are very good.

[jimbodan]

If you have an xbox pick up Voodoo Vince ASAP! It's a very under-rated platformer IMO

[lurknomore]

I appreciate all of the thougthtful responses. Truly. I didn't expect to get these good responses. I agree that Metal Arms, isn't necessarily a platformer....but for the sake of discussion, I will assume that all games mentioned are platformers. I probably should have written what I have played. I've played StarFox Adventures...and I really don't know if I enjoyed it. Aesthetically it's great and the bosses were interesting...but it wasn't fun. It is one of the few GCN games that I have traded in...I rarely trade anything for my N systems. Anyhow, Beyond Good and Evil,Metal Arms, Sphinx, and I-Ninja are all above average games....and I have enjoyed them all to a degree. I feel that the previous games are all above b-level games, regardless of sales figures. I tried to get into the PS2 trinity of platforming games, but I have only really enjoyed the Sly series. The first J&D was good, but far too easy. The rest of the series and R&C are overly action based...good, but the magic of platforming is missing. I guess that I'll give the Tak, Ty and Spyro series a try...like it has been said before, they can be found cheap...I have had my eye on Haunted Mansion, but I can't bring myself to play a post-Distinguished Gentleman Eddie Murphy movie game.

[David85]

Since when were "adventure" games and "platform" games the same thing?

[hiccupleftovers]

If you have an xbox pick up Voodoo Vince ASAP! It's a very under-rated platformer IMO

Yaeh it's pretty good. I really like it for an an above average platformer. Because of your previous recommendations, I picked it up in January's Kmart sale. I'd also like to recommend Whiplash as a pretty fun B-platformer.

[Snake2715]

I appreciate all of the thougthtful responses. Truly. I didn't expect to get these good responses. I agree that Metal Arms, isn't necessarily a platformer....but for the sake of discussion, I will assume that all games mentioned are platformers. I probably should have written what I have played. I've played StarFox Adventures...and I really don't know if I enjoyed it. Aesthetically it's great and the bosses were interesting...but it wasn't fun. It is one of the few GCN games that I have traded in...I rarely trade anything for my N systems. Anyhow, Beyond Good and Evil,Metal Arms, Sphinx, and I-Ninja are all above average games....and I have enjoyed them all to a degree. I feel that the previous games are all above b-level games, regardless of sales figures. I tried to get into the PS2 trinity of platforming games, but I have only really enjoyed the Sly series. The first J&D was good, but far too easy. The rest of the series and R&C are overly action based...good, but the magic of platforming is missing. I guess that I'll give the Tak, Ty and Spyro series a try...like it has been said before, they can be found cheap...I have had my eye on Haunted Mansion, but I can't bring myself to play a post-Distinguished Gentleman Eddie Murphy movie game.

It has nothing to do with the movie believe it or not. Its a totally different thing and Eddie is nowhere to be found.

Haunted mansion was pretty good.

[killswitch64]

Whiplash and Mark of Kri are pretty good games.

[crystalklear64]

Since when were "adventure" games and "platform" games the same thing?

Since when did being a troll help out a thread in *any* way?


OP, I dunno if you've tried it, but Super Mario Sunshine is a pretty fun platformer. If you haven't played it, do. ;D

[lurknomore]

Yup, I begrudgingly call SMS a AAA title...based on nostalgia and Mario's still hallowed presence, in my mind.

[gameguy22006]

Yep, I'd also recommend Super Mario Sunshine. Perhaps Ty the Tasmanian Tiger would also be worth checking out, and even though Beyond Good & Evil isn't exactly a platformer it is still a fantastic game that is worth giving a try.

[DigitalSpace]

Edit: Nevermind.

[The-Bavis]

Super Monkey Ball is platform-related. It is highly addictive. I wouldn't say it's B quality. It's at least a AA. No jumping, but everything else screams platformer.

[willardhaven]

Scaler?

[lurknomore]

Scaler?

Good call, my friend. Just picked up, and it's fun. I thought that it would be like Haven or Kya on the PS2, but it's a great and affordable game.

[epobirs]

If they have it in stock Scaler is one of the games for $10 at K-mart this weekend.