Jumping mechanicshave been a core feature of many games ever since American company Gremlin created the first jumping mechanic in their 1978 arcade gameFrogs.The action game had a major influence on 1981’sDonkey Kong, which isconsidered to be the first platformer, a style of game that heavily relies on excellent jumping gameplay mechanics.
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Jumping mechanics are so engrained in gaming and intuitive to players today that development teams who spend countless hours meticulously crafting the perfect jump often aren’t given their due praise. To rectify that, here are some great games with the best jumping mechanics in history.
7Super Mario World
There’s no better place to start in a discussion about jumping mechanics than with the character formerly known as Jumpman. Mario made his debut in the aforementionedDonkey Kongunder the name Jumpman and has since gone on to become not just the biggest name in the platforming genre but in all of gaming.
Super Mario Worldwas the last main seriesSuper Mariogame beforeSuper Mario 64introduced the series to the world of 3D. 1990’sSuper Mario Worldwas a perfect send-off tothe classic side-scrolling style, as it fine-tuned the gameplay mechanics of theSuper Mario Bros.trilogy that came before it, with the level designs, enemy variety, and, of course, jumping mechanics all hitting every mark.
6Spyro Reignited Trilogy
TheSpyro Reignited Trilogywas released in November 2018 and remastered the classicSpyrotrilogy from the PlayStation 1.Along with Crash Bandicoot, Spyro The Dragon was seen at the time as a PlayStation mascot who could compete with Mario. Insomniac Games tried to draw the attention of those impressed bySuper Mario 64with the trilogy’s collectathon gameplay, as likeSuper Mario 64, theSpyrotrilogy gave players numerous things to do and collect in each open stage.
The trilogy’s main change fromSuper Mario 64was the protagonist’s jumping mechanics. Spyro only has a small hop but can use his wings to glide for relatively long distances - a mechanic that forced the developers to create unique platforming level designs, while players had to treat it differently from anything they’d played before.
The second and third games in the trilogy improved upon the original’s jumping mechanic with the introduction of a hover button, which ensured that players could reach ledges that they would have previously missed out on by a frustratingly narrow margin.
5DuckTales: Remastered
As the name suggests,DuckTales: Remasteredis a remaster of the originalDuckTales, which was developed by Capcom and first released on the NES in 1989 before arriving on the Game Boy the following year.Capcomhanded development duties of the remastered game to WayForward Technologies, who did a fantastic job of modernizing the classic game’s visuals.
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DuckTales’jumping mechanic is its standout feature, as players can endlessly bounce up and down on Scrooge McDuck’s cane, which acts as a pogo stick. Bouncing with the cane is so enjoyable, in fact, that many players find themselves constantly jumping about everywhere they go in the game.
4Rayman Legends
Rayman Legendswas released in August 2013 and is one ofthe most critically-acclaimed platformersfrom the last decade, exemplified by its Metascores that reached as high as92 on the Wii U.Rayman Legendsimmediately draws players in with its art design that is bursting with color and keeps their attention with the game’s tremendous level design that is among the genre’s best ever.
The level design’s standout feature is how well it flows with Rayman’s movement. This is thanks in no small part to the limbless hero’s jumping mechanics, which are quick and versatile, particularly with how players can seamlessly elongate a standard jump with a kick. The music stages fromRayman Legendsare a treat for platforming fans, as the levels are designed so that the music coincides with Rayman’s moves.
3LocoRoco
LocoRocowas developed by Japan Studio and was first released on the PSP back in 2006. The game was beloved at the time for its charm, charisma, andheartwarming visualsthat made the game a joy to look at.
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LocoRoco’s gameplay mechanics are unique, mainly because players don’t control the LocoRoco themselves but control the level by tilting it with the L and R buttons. As for the jumping, players hold the L and R button simultaneously, causing a springing motion in the level, sending the LocoRoco into the air.
Another interesting feature of the game is that players must control multiple LocoRoco at a time, and they can be combined. This creates an interesting gameplay dynamic, as the smaller the LocoRoco are, the faster and higher they can bounce.
2Celeste
Celestewas developed by Matt Makes Games (now known as Extremely OK Games) and was released in January 2018. The game puts players in the shoes of Madeline, who is determined to fight her inner demons - often literally - and climb the dangerous Mount Celeste. The game was a hit with critics, exemplified by its whopping94 Metascore on Xbox One.
To help players climb the mountain, Madeline is equipped with numerous well-crafted jumping and movement mechanics. Madeline can cling onto walls for a limited time, dash in mid-air, and wall jump, among other abilities. The game’s movement is meticulously designed and fine-tuned to the point that, despiteCelestebeinga punishingly hard game, most players don’t get too frustrated at deaths as the gameplay mechanics are rarely at fault.
1Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64’s jumping mechanics are one of the most impressive achievements in the history of platform gaming.Super Mario 64was Nintendo’s first attempt at a 3D platformer, though the development team took to it like a duck to water, creating a wide range of jumping mechanics for Mario that made the game a joy to just run and jump around in.
It’s hard to deny that some aspects ofSuper Mario 64have aged poorly, particularly its visuals, though the game’s jumping mechanics are just as enjoyable today as they were back in 1996, which is an incredible achievement.
