The Ten best Action Platformers of all time

[dave is ok]

What would Out of this World be called? I dont think it'd be an action platformer, but there are guns and jumps

[SpoDaddy]

It's been what, 13 years since Castlevania 4 and I STILL don't understand why everyone loves it so much. It had awesome music and great effects, but as a game it wasn't anything special and the 8 way whip took away from the classic feel. Someone please explain to me how Bloodlines isn't the better game, it's got far more interesting level design, branching paths, 2 main characters, far more challenging and old school gameplay, and a perfectly gritty look to it.

NoFace: No, you're not out of it, most people do worship Revenge of Shinobi as the best thing ever. They're all completely wrong though, Shinobi 3 absolutely schools every other ninja game in existance. I'd have a hard time arguing against it as the best action platformer ever.

Today I picked up 2 new action platformery games:
Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi for Genesis
Kirby's Dream Land 3 for SNES

Never played either one before, aside from Secret of Shinobi briefly almost 15 years ago (It was cool back then), are they any good?

[Cheebs]

It's been what, 13 years since Castlevania 4 and I STILL don't understand why everyone loves it so much. It had awesome music and great effects, but as a game it wasn't anything special and the 8 way whip took away from the classic feel.

Sorry, but the music alone is almost enough to carry that game past Bloodlines. The tunes are just that good... Combine that with the awesome game attached to the music, and it's damn near unbeatable. And yes, it feels different with the 8-way whip. No, that's not a bad thing. I like the new play mechanic.

All of this is keeping in mind that Bloodlines compleatly rules. It's just that IV is godly.

Shinobi 3 absolutely schools every other ninja game in existance. I'd have a hard time arguing against it as the best action platformer ever.

I'd definatly say best action platformer ever. Just gave it a bit of a play last night.

Maximo is way better than GnG.

A look at my top 10 list shows that I agree with you. Maximo was brilliant. GnG is a little too hard for its own good in spots.

[Glass Joe]

I'm pretty sure there wasn't a Milon sequel on NES. There was a Game Boy Milon game although I think it's a port of the NES game.

I'm starting to think you're right! I'm possitive that EGM ran that article with the news of an NES sequel I was talking about though. They must have confused it with the SNES game that has a patch I'll just get the SNES game, chalk up MSC 2 on NES as piss poor jurnalism and be done with it.

Sorry, but the music alone is almost enough to carry that game past Bloodlines. The tunes are just that good... Combine that with the awesome game attached to the music, and it's damn near unbeatable. And yes, it feels different with the 8-way whip. No, that's not a bad thing. I like the new play mechanic.

GnG is a little too hard for its own good in spots.

Cheebs, I have no hate for you bro, but GnG too hard?!?! You just didn't try enough. I also disagree about CV IV. Spodaddy nailed it on the head when he spoke about its level design. I thought it was the weakest of the CV bunch.

[RaiDeiTheBlade]

I'm gonna go with the Jak series as a Trilogy...and though Jak 3 is not out yet, the series doesn't disappoint for me, and though I'm sure it doesn't fall into your criterion, I rather don't like platformers(something I only recently realized), but yet I find the Jak series to be quite fun...

[Viper]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Earthworm Jim
Gunstar Heroes
Metal Slug 3
Metroid: Zero Mission
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Rush & Attack
Shadow Dancer
Super Contra
Super Ghouls & Ghosts

[Diff-chan]

UMM...

Metal Slug - first game is great, the rest, not so much.
Super Metroid - the best game ever made.
Earthworm Jim - Definitely.
Rayman - bitterly hard and so beautiful. I definitely think its one of the best

Thats all I can think of. I dont like Shinobi, dont like most Castlevania, dont like Ghouls N' Ghosts, etc.

[Glass Joe]

Super Metroid - the best game ever made.

I always give Landstalker the best game ever made, but then I think of Super Metroid and I can't say Landstalker is better so it's tied for the crown. What a great fucking game. I didn't put that on my list because that seems more of an adventure game.

[gameoverDude]

Ten of my favorites, in no order:

Rolling Thunder
Rolling Thunder 2 (arcade)
Rolling Thunder 3
Shinobi
Gunstar Heroes
Metal Slug 3
Strider
Strider 2
Ghouls 'N Ghosts
Contra