12 November 2025
Before expansive open worlds, stunning graphics, or ultra-smooth frame rates, gaming was about jumping at the right time. It’s crazy to think about how one simple action, like jumping and moving, contributed to gaming as we know it today.
It all started with Mario in Donkey Kong back in 1981. The goal was simple. You needed to climb, dodge, and jump your way to victory. Then came Super Mario Bros. in 1985, the game that defined what a “platformer” even is.
Let’s go deeper and understand how platformer games have evolved in the current era of Gen Z.
The late ‘80s and ‘90s were the golden years. Games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Donkey Kong Country, and Crash Bandicoot took platformers to the next level. Each game added its own twist. For example, Sonic had speed, Donkey Kong had style, and Crash brought chaos.
What made these games special wasn’t just about the character. It was the feeling of playing the perfect game every time back in those days. Yes, no complicated tutorials, no confusing controls, just pure fun. You saw a platform, and you jumped. As simple as that. If you missed it, no big deal. You could instantly try again. That quick restart, that feeling of “I’ll get it this time”, is what makes platformer games so addictive. Every small success feels earned, and every failure pushes you to improve just a little more.
Instead of just moving left and right, you’ve got a sling-shot mechanic to launch yourself across the Banana factory. Sounds simple, right? But here’s the catch! Every launch has to be just right. Too much power, and you’ll overshoot. Too little, and you’ll fall short. Plus, the add in obstacles, puzzles, and clever level designs makes you feel you’re in for a real brain-and-skill workout. At its heart, Slunkey is a platformer puzzle game, but it doesn’t play like anything you’ve tried before. Each level demands precision, timing, and patience.
It’s not just about completing the levels with one star! It’s about figuring out how to collect all the bananas, plus reaching the end point on time so you get three stars. The game is light, fun, and full of “aha!” moments when you finally nail a tough puzzle. The mix of trial-and-error with satisfying success makes it one of those games you just don’t want to put down.
In the 2010s, indie developers brought the platformers back in a new style. Games like "Celeste and the Hollow Knight" remind everyone why the genre remains relevant today. These games weren’t just about game mechanics. However, they told emotional stories and challenged players to think critically.
Fast-forward to now, and platformers are still going strong, smarter, faster, and more creative than ever. Take Slunkey: Slime Monkey Escape, for example. It’s a modern platformer that combines classic 2D jumping with sling mechanics and tricky puzzles. Every move feels smooth, every level looks challenging, and the puzzles make you think differently.
What’s awesome about Slunkey is how it mixes nostalgia with innovation. It’s like playing a classic, but with new energy, reminding us that platformers can still surprise us in 2025.
Platformers are not about developing fun games and earning from them. That is because they’re perfect for young developers learning how to make games. Every jump, every obstacle, and every piece of feedback teaches you about game design timing, balance, and player flow. If you can make a good platformer, you understand the core of what makes any game fun. For creators and students, building a platformer is like learning the grammar of game design. It’s simple, but it teaches you everything.
Platformers have come a long way. Yet, the core idea hasn’t changed, like jumping, moving, and exploring. No matter how advanced games get with VR, AI, or full-body motion, platformers remind us that sometimes, the simplest ideas create the biggest impact.
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