Every week the EFG staff will be defining a gaming term that is either confusing or ill-defined. Please leave a comment with any terms you find confusing and we will try to include them in future editions!‘
The gaming definition this week is a series of terms that is applicable to video games: Platformer or Platform game
In this genre players jump or climb between different platforms. Graphics are typically 2-D in a third-person perspective side-view. Although newer games are using 3-D in first person perspective.
Early platform games used ladders and climbing but later games generally focus more on jumping. Platform types can include standard, jump through, slippery/high resistance, sticky, conveyor belt, and many more.
Donkey Kong, one of the first video games with a storyline; is one of the first examples of a platform game. Mario jumps over barrels and climbs ladders to save Paulina as she cries “HELP!”
Super Mario Bros is also one of the most famous examples of a platformer game. Several sequels of Super Mario Bros has taken Mario and Luigi through various platform types and increasingly difficult jumping challenges over the years. The vintage Mario platform is also included in Super Mario Odyssey, where you need to navigate through 2D sections to reach the next needed location.
Examples of Platform Games Include:
Little Big Planet
Guacamelee 2
Crash Bandicoot
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Michael Duetzmann 
Linda Wrobel