War has changed. An industry once dominated by game companies clashing over who had the best platforming mascot, has since been replaced by titans trying make the next best selling first person shooter. Yet, even in an era so cluttered with zombie apocalypse games or futuristic first person shooters, there still exists the occasional glimmer of hope for collectathon platforming fans.
With Kickstarter-backed newcomer Yooka-Laylee releasing next early year, we've compiled a list of collectathon 3D platforming games you can play while you wait. And the best part is that you don't need to pull out your old N64 to play them! All of these titles can be found on modern day, high definition consoles!
5. Sonic Generations
PS3, 360
This little blue gaming icon may have fallen from its once proud days on the Sega Genesis, but that doesn't mean Sonic the Hedgehog can't still have some enjoyable adventures. For every Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric or Sonic and the Black Knight, there exists a Sonic Colors. But if you want the cream of the crop in modern day Sonic titles, look no further than Generations.
Combining two different campaign play styles, some levels designed around old-school Sonic mechanics and others designed around the modern-day Sonic, players will have a hard time not enjoying the fast paced nature of finishing levels and collecting as many rings as you can.
4. Super Mario 3D World
Wii U
There certainly will never be a shortage of Mario games any time soon. From his space exploration adventures in Super Mario Galaxy, to fighting with his own friends in Mario Party, the dynamite character from Nintendo appears in a whirlwind of titles that have defined every single one of the consoles they appeared on. So it only seems fitting that one of the Wii U's best titles is another great Mario platforming game.
Combining many of the elements that made earlier games in the franchise a success, such as suit power ups and multiplayer modes, Super Mario 3D World stands tall as a title that defined Nintendo's short lived system. With a plethora of colorful worlds to explore, treasures to find, and enemies to defeat, any owner of the Wii U most definitely should have this in their collection.
3. Freedom Planet
Wii U, Steam
Sometimes you don't have to be the most original game in the world to perfect a genre. Freedom Planet was created as an homage to the early days of Sonic the Hedgehog, and while the similarities are quite clear, the end results are hard to ignore.
Freedom Planet serves as a great example of the collectathon platformer done right on an indie developer level, all thanks to the high octane speeds, power ups and rewards. The best part is that you don't need to be PC gamer to enjoy it, as it is also available for purchase off the Nintendo e-Shop for the Wii U. And if you need more, a sequel was recently announced to come out soon!
2. Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time
PS3
This series of games, starring one of the PlayStation's most iconic duos, has definitely set the bar high for 3D platforming titles. While the series did just get a new entry on the PlayStation 4, that tied with the painfully unfunny Ratchet and Clank film, A Crack in Time stands as the pinnacle of what a Ratchet and Clank game should be like. A great adventure across the galaxy awaits those who pop this into their trusty PlayStation 3.
Hilariously over the top weapons you can upgrade and purchase, tons and tons of bolts to collect, platforming and shooting segments, it's all here. And with added puzzle sections that tease your brain to actually think for a change, and a great story to match it all, A Crack in Time is easily one of the best entries in the franchise as a whole.
1. Rayman Legends
PS4, PS3, Vita, Xbox One, 360, Wii U, Windows
Let's just a take a moment to appreciate the fact that Ubisoft actually made a creatively smart decision. While Rayman has existed since the early PlayStation 1 days, the franchise didn't really gain a significant following until it was rebooted in Raving Rabbids. Yet, even there, Rayman was eventually kicked out from the series so the games would focus entirely on those annoying little white alien rabbit hybrids.
That all changed when Rayman got an official reboot that he himself starred in with Rayman Origins, a platforming masterpiece. However, if you want the best experience possible, you need to purchase Rayman Legends. Not only does it continue the hot streak of beautiful animation, fun level design, insanely funny multiplayer, and tricky boss battles, but it also has the majority of levels featured in Origins as a bonus! You know you're in for a wild ride when there's an entire level dedicated to rock and roll music that you get to jam out to.
Did we miss any of your favorite 3D collectathon platforming games? Be sure to let us know what you're top 5 favorite titles in the genre are. And finally, be sure to keep an eye out for the multi-platform collectathon Yooka-Laylee releasing early next year.
Published: Jun 17, 2016 11:50 am