The 90s was a time of change for video games: the move from 2D to 3D graphics and new forms of gameplay. Of all the genres to develop significantly during this era, platformers took the largest leap. With the shift to three dimensions of space came with it new styles, scientification of older formats, and icons that would become famous in their own right. Here, we delved into 3D platformers ‘ rise with a focus on development, impact and the unforgettable experiences they brought.
The Birth of 3D Gaming
Before 3D platforming emerged, all platformers were confined to two dimensions. For instance in cherished classics such as Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man, the action always came from the side. But as technology developed, a new sort of platform game potential emerged. The mid-1990s witnessed the release of consoles such as Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s N64 that could bring very real 3D worlds directly into people’s homes. This provided developers with a new general aesthetic in which to experiment with game mechanics as well as visuals.
One of the first games to test out this new form of platformer was Super Mario 64, released for Nintendo’s N64 in 1996. This game transformed what virtual space could be. I still remember the reverent awe that used to fill me with every step of Mario’s as he wandered around the open, 3D landscapes of Princess Peach’s castle. With the four-legged analog stick that came as standard on a pad, I could guide Mario in each individual movement. I could run, jump and explore in any direction at my will – a freedom that had never before been seen in videogames.
Super Mario 64 was not just for showing off technical muscle. It was its own game design class. Every level was a sandbox filled with goals, secrets and challenges. Players could approach the objectives in any order they liked, making for pure exploration and experimentation. The game’s camera system, which wasn’t perfect, at least provided a degree of flexibility crucial to moving around the 3D space. The thrill of discovery and the mastery of Mario’s moves made Super Mario 64 a once-in-a-lifetime classic and a model for future 3D platform games.
Another early 3D platformer was Crash Bandicoot, developed by Naughty Dog and released for the PlayStation in 1996. Although Crash Bandicoot’s level design was more linear than Super Mario 64, it featured a unique visual appearance and hosted a protagonist with great charm. The game’s precisely responsive control and difficult levels resulted in its popularity, and soon Crash became one of the PlayStation brand’s iconic characters. The success of Crash Bandicoot proved that there existed a keen hunger for 3D platformers, paving the way for more games to follow.
Iconic Titles and Memorable Characters
This period, the late 90s through early 2000s, witnessed a welter of 3D platformers. Each brought its own distinct flavour and its own advances for the genre. Developers experimented with the tools of the genre, visual styles, story-telling methods. As a result we now have a rich array of titles which have left their mark on the history of gaming.
For instance, Banjo-Kazooie, developed by Rare for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, was one of the classics released at this time. Taking Super Mario 64 ‘s open-world exploration and collection elements even further, it created a world full of humorous, charming detail. With their unique gameplay mechanics, the two powerful characters of Banjo the bear and Kazooie the bird allowed the player to switch between different abilities, exploiting the environment in many ingenious ways. With its whimsical characters, witty dialogue and cleverly designed levels, the game quickly became a classic.
The other title from this period that falls into the iconic 3D platformer category is Spyro the Dragon, produced by Insomniac Games and released for PlayStation in 1998. The game’s vibrant, colorful worlds and accessible gameplay made it suitable for players of all ages. It was a real thrill helping Spyro get through the levels, collecting gems and rescuing his fellow dragons. The sequel to the original games was greeted with so much excitement from fans that not too many years later it finally became reality. And while Spyro may have moved on from being just an animal mascot since that time point, still more exciting product lines have inevitably succeeded.
The another series from Naughty Dog, Jak and Daxter, also made a big impact on the genre. In 2001, the first game in this series, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy was produced for PlayStation 2. It has combination open-world exploratory element and platform challenges with the inclusion of an independent narrative development. The interaction between the serious-minded Jak and the hilarious little Daxter provided a layer of humour and personality in the game. Showcasing both the flexibility of 3D platformers and the potential of new game elements, each generation moved forward with new features.
It was specially developed for PS2 by in-Insomniac Games, and its name was Ratchet & Clank. The game combined platforming with action, creating a fast and thrilling experience. Ratchet and Clank, the main characters in the game, were immediately appealing and their adventures through all those different worlds were full of cheerful humor and inventive gadgets. Its colorful graphics, absorbing play modes and lively characters made it one of the best contenders from this particular young-old genre. And then an entire series was born.
Innovations and Transformation
As the genre matured, developers continued to push the envelope in terms of what 3D platformers could offer. New game mechanics, storytelling methods, and technical advances all led to more audacious and inventive titles. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw the genre evolve in exciting ways, with elements from other genres being incorporated and all-new directions taken.
The game that exerted the greatest influence in this epoch was Super Mario Galaxy, launched for the Wii in 2007. It took everything one might expect from a traditional platformer and stood it on its head- quite literally. Spherical world design, as in Super Mario Galaxy, allowed players to progress through gradual steps onto planets of their own gravity fields. The game’s inventive physics and stunning looks created an atmosphere of wonder and exhilaration. Everywhere was a small wealth of successful creative experiments, making Super Mario Galaxy both world-renowned and a hit with the public.
The fiction series Little Big Planet developed and released in 2008 by Media Molecule for PS3, was innovative and put the player at the center. There was a intricate level editor to the game, which let players create their own platforming stages and share them online. This user-generated approach led to a more diverse game and longer lives for successful games. The game’s delightful protagonist, Sackboy, together with its dreamlike art style made Little Big Planet a favorite of fans.
Series Rayman made a return with the release of Rayman Origins in 2011 and Rayman Legends in 2013. These games, developed by Ubisoft, were installments in what was originally a 2D tradition for the series. They bundled together modern visuals and gameplay mechanics from today´s world for pair of lovingly crafted platformers. Each joined tight controls with stunning hand-drawn art and creative level design. The success of these titles showed that there still existed a strong demand for platformers both 2D and 3D, and it held ones breath for news all genres might expand or prosper.
From this time there is another notable title: Journey, developed by That game company and released for PS3 in 2012. It is no traditional platformer, but instead mixed platforming elements into a game based on exploration. The game’s simple design, emotional storytelling and striking visuals came together in a unique evolving living experience. The success of Journey showed that platformers could still go in new directions and be artistically significant.
With the arrival of 3D platformers, a mark was left on the industry that has lasted till today and much affected future game designs. Such tradition and creativity, marks of the genre that made it famous, both inspire today’s developers and are loved by players. After all, even though gaming systems have advanced and new genres leap forth into being, the ideas at platformers’ core that the controls should make sense, level design be creative, and play interesting remain long-lived favorites of gamers everywhere. One of the things for which 3D platformers are remembered most is their profound influence on gaming as a whole. Nowadays many contemporary games contain platforming elements and echo the classics of the genre, from open world exploration games to action-RPG’s. Works like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Assassin’s Creed all owe nods to 3D platformer movement and exploration mechanics. The knee-high genre never really on its last legs anyway has seen a resurgence in recent years, with both new titles and remastered versions of cherished classics.
Released in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch, Super Mario Odyssey is still driving boundaries outwards for platform gameplay. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy have brought cherished characters and much-loved games into an entirely new time, where they are enjoyed all over again by a wider audience in order to preserve their stories and extend their traditions. Indie developers too have jumped aboard the platforming train, working with classics to capture the spirit and add new ideas at the same time. Current titles like A Hat in Time, Yooka-Laylee, and Celeste embody the diversity and creativity of today’s platformers. These games pay tribute to their roots, suggesting that there’s still lots of scope for growth and development.
For me, the emergence of 3D platformers stands as a golden age in video game history. I can’t even begin to tell you how many good memories and cool characters this era gave us. But that’s not to say these games are perfect. The joy of exploring vibrant worlds, facing off against difficult levels and uncovering some secret that no one else has found yet: This is still something that I carry with me. Not only were these games part of my childhood but they also cultivated in me an appreciation for artful game design.
In short, the advent of 3D platformers, in the last twenty years gaming history at least, has seen radical changes in development models and unforgettable games that refute any doubt it was indeed such a bright period. The crossover from 2D to 3D provided fresh opportunities for game design and launched a series of titles that would become legendary. From the legendary Super Mario 64 breakthrough to an imaginative Banjo-Kazooie and the durable Spyro the Dragon, 3D platformers have given gamers countless hours of endless joy. The power of their impact, which still resonates today, serves only to fuel new creativity in games. This underlines a simple truth; platforming can be done well all over again. It’s an art form that never falls from grace or goes stale.
