What Is a Platformer Game? Meaning, History and the Video Games That Defined It
A platformer game is a video game where you guide a character past obstacles by running, jumping and climbing between platforms, from Donkey Kong in 1981 to Celeste and It Takes Two today. That is the short answer to what is a platformer game, one of the oldest and best-loved genres in video games.
Below you will find what the word platformer means, where the genre came from, how 2D and 3D platformers differ, what platformer gameplay feels like from the inside, the main subgenres with examples you can play on PC, and how co-op platformers turn every jump into a team effort.
What does platformer mean?
Platformer means a video game built around moving through a space full of obstacles, mostly by jumping and climbing. Merriam-Webster defines a platformer as "a video game where the play is primarily focused on moving past obstacles in real time with one's avatar by using various abilities (such as jumping and climbing) and items (such as weapons)."
Three ideas sit inside that definition:
- Real time. You react as things happen, not in turns. A gap, a moving platform or an enemy demands an answer right now.
- An avatar. You control one character, and the game is about how that character moves.
- Obstacles to get past. The level itself is the challenge: pits, spikes, walls, ledges and enemies placed to test your timing.
You will also see the words "platform game" and "platforming." They mean the same thing. When players say a game has platforming, they usually mean it has sections where jumping and landing well is the main skill, even if the game belongs to another genre.
Where did platformer games come from?
Platformer games grew out of the arcades of the early 1980s, and the game most often credited as the starting point is Donkey Kong.
Guinness World Records states that "The first true platform game was the 1981 Nintendo arcade game Donkey Kong," adding that it was the first game to star Mario, "though he was called Jumpman at the time," and the first game created by Shigeru Miyamoto.
The Strong National Museum of Play, which runs the World Video Game Hall of Fame, describes what made Donkey Kong special: "The intrepid hero jumped barrels, climbed ladders, ran up girders, smashed fire balls, and overcame other obstacles to save his darling." That one sentence is still a fair summary of the genre. The museum also notes that "Nintendo sold more than 100,000 copies of the arcade cabinet in the United States alone."
Four years later came the game that defined the side-scrolling platformer for generations. According to the museum's page on Super Mario Bros., "the side-scrolling platformer Super Mario Bros. first appeared in 1985" on the Famicom, known in America as the NES. It arrived after the American home video game market had crashed, and "Mario's infectious, upbeat personality helped Nintendo revive it." The museum adds that "Super Mario Bros. held the title of best-selling video game of all time until 2006."
The next big leap was the third dimension. Merriam-Webster's own usage examples for the word describe Super Mario 64 as "1996's groundbreaking 3D platformer." From there, the genre split into many branches, and in the 2010s independent studios brought it roaring back on PC with games like Super Meat Boy (2010), Hollow Knight (2017) and Celeste (2018), all still on Steam today.
What is the difference between 2D and 3D platformers?
The difference is how many directions you can move in: 2D platformers are seen from the side and you move left, right, up and down, while 3D platformers let you move in every direction with a camera that follows you.
2D platformers are about precision. Because you see the whole jump from the side, the game can ask for pixel-perfect timing. Super Mario Bros., Super Meat Boy, Celeste and Hollow Knight are all 2D.
3D platformers are about space. You judge distance and depth, steer a camera and explore larger areas. A Hat in Time calls itself "a cute-as-heck 3D platformer" and promises "5 massive worlds" where the hero "can do multiple jump moves, as well as climb walls, and swing over gaps."
That extra dimension changes how your brain works while playing. Researchers writing in PLOS ONE explain that "3D-platform games require the use of spatial memory processes to build a cognitive map of in-game environments." In other words, a 3D platformer asks you to remember the layout of a world, not just react to the next obstacle.
There is also a middle ground, often called 2.5D: the graphics are 3D, but movement stays mostly on a side-on plane. It keeps the readability of 2D with the depth and lighting of 3D.
What is platformer gameplay like?
Platformer gameplay is a loop of reading the level, committing to a jump, and learning from the result, usually with very short gaps between attempts.
The core verbs are simple. Celeste sums them up: "The controls are simple and accessible - simply jump, air-dash, and climb - but with layers of expressive depth to master, where every death is a lesson." Short retries keep the loop fun: Celeste promises that "Lightning-fast respawns keep you climbing."
What makes a jump feel good is often invisible. In a design article on the GameMaker blog, developer Case Portman of Studio Thunderhorse explains two hidden tricks that many platformers use:
- Input buffering: the game remembers a jump pressed a fraction of a second before you land, so the jump still happens.
- Coyote Time: a "safety net" for an otherwise missed jump input "just after leaving a ledge or platform."
Portman's advice to other developers is blunt: "Don't settle for a simple [if grounded: jump] mechanic if your game features jumping."
Beyond the jump, most platformers add a few familiar layers:
- New movement abilities that open new routes, like Hollow Knight's promise to "Leap to new heights on ethereal wings."
- Collectibles hidden off the main path, which reward exploration.
- Enemies and bosses that test what you have learned.
- Checkpoints that keep failure from feeling like punishment.
What are the main types of platformer games?
The main types of platformer games are precision platformers, Metroidvanias, run and gun platformers, puzzle platformers, 3D collect-and-explore platformers and co-op platformers. Here is a platformer games list by subgenre, with examples on Steam.
- Precision platformers: short, hard screens that test timing. Super Meat Boy is "a tough as nails platformer" with "over 300 levels," and Celeste offers "700+ screens of hardcore platforming challenges."
- Metroidvanias: big connected maps you open up as you gain abilities. Hollow Knight is "a classically styled 2D action adventure across a vast interconnected world."
- Run and gun: platforming plus shooting. Cuphead is "a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles," with visuals "Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s."
- Puzzle platformers: jumping plus problem-solving. INSIDE is "a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles."
- 3D collect-and-explore: open levels full of secrets, like A Hat in Time.
- Co-op platformers: levels built for two or more players, covered in the next section.
If you want one game from each branch, that list makes a solid starter path: Super Meat Boy or Celeste for precision, Hollow Knight for exploration, Cuphead for bosses, INSIDE for atmosphere and A Hat in Time for 3D.
What is a co op platformer?
A co op platformer is a platformer where two or more players move through the same levels as a team, and the best ones are designed so you need each other to get through.
It Takes Two describes itself as "a genre-bending platform adventure created purely for co-op," where you "Master unique and connected character abilities in every new level." PICO PARK, for 2 to 8 players, has 48 levels, and "every level requires cooperation to complete." Rayman Legends takes the drop-in route: "You and three friends can seamlessly jump in and drop out of the action." Even Cuphead can be played "in single player or local co-op."
Co-op changes the genre in fun ways. A jump is no longer just your problem: a friend can call the timing, stand on a switch or race ahead to scout. Missed jumps become shared jokes instead of lonely restarts. Before buying, check the Features list on the store page for Online Co-op or Local Co-op, since some co-op platformers only work on one couch.
For a full list of picks, see our guide to the best co op platformer games, and for games with a camera in 3D, our guide to co op 3D platformers.
How do you choose a platformer to play?
Choose a platformer by deciding how much challenge you want, whether you prefer 2D or 3D, and who you want to play with.
- Pick your difficulty. Precision platformers like Super Meat Boy are built to be hard; 3D platformers like A Hat in Time are usually gentler.
- Pick 2D or 3D. 2D rewards timing; 3D rewards exploring and reading space.
- Pick solo or together. Story-driven solo platformers like Celeste and INSIDE are personal journeys; co-op platformers are about chaos and teamwork.
- Check the controls. Most platformers feel best on a controller, so look for full controller support.
- Check how long it is. A run-based or level-based game fits short sessions; a Metroidvania is a long commitment.
Where does Coins Catcher: Co-op Lands fit?
Coins Catcher: Co-op Lands is an online co-op 3D platformer for up to 8 players, with voice chat for everyone and crossplay between PC (Steam), mobile and VR. It is built in Unreal Engine 5 by Alehundred (solo developer Alejandro Friant) and published by Alehundred Studios.
You are 10 cm (about 4 inches) tall, so every platform is a piece of a giant diorama. Players meet in the Forest Hub, a sacred forest with giant mushrooms and glowing butterflies, then travel through magic portals into seven real historical eras, from Italy 1956 back to Alexandria 300 BC. Each diorama has 8 signs with real historical curiosities, 56 in total.
The platforming has classic goals with a co-op twist. You collect coins and spend them on talents such as jump height, run speed, ability power and bubble charges, and on unlocking the next eras. The team defeats the enemies and the giant beast of each era: the story is inspired by the Brothers Grimm tale The Seven Ravens, twisted so that seven brothers become seven giant beasts, from a wolf in Italy to a giant spider in Alexandria. When the group gathers 100 coins, the era's tower opens and a race to the top begins; the first to arrive claims the Magic Gem. Fire, ice, oil and bubble spells add friendly chaos, and yes, you can hit a friend with fire and steal their coins.
In VR, a third-person puppeteering camera floats behind your character, so you get a full VR platformer without a first-person camera. The game is on Steam in Early Access and open to suggestions from the community.
FAQ
What is a platformer game?
A platformer game is a video game where you move a character past obstacles in real time, mainly by running, jumping and climbing between platforms. Donkey Kong (1981) and Super Mario Bros. (1985) are the classic examples.
What does platformer mean?
Platformer is short for platform game. Merriam-Webster defines it as a video game focused on moving past obstacles with your avatar using abilities such as jumping and climbing.
What was the first platformer game?
Guinness World Records names Nintendo's 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong as the first true platform game. It was also Mario's first appearance, under the name Jumpman.
What is a 3D platformer?
A 3D platformer lets you move in every direction with a camera following your character, so you judge depth and explore larger worlds. Super Mario 64 (1996) is the landmark example, and A Hat in Time is a modern one on PC.
What is platformer gameplay?
Platformer gameplay is a loop of reading a level, timing jumps and learning from mistakes with quick retries. Many games add hidden helpers like input buffering and Coyote Time so jumps feel fair.
What are some good platformer games to play on PC?
Good picks include Celeste and Super Meat Boy for precision, Hollow Knight for exploration, Cuphead for boss fights, INSIDE for puzzles and A Hat in Time for 3D. For playing together, try It Takes Two, PICO PARK or Rayman Legends.
What is a co op platformer?
A co op platformer is a platform game where two or more players share the same levels and work as a team. The best ones, like It Takes Two and PICO PARK, design levels that require cooperation.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster. Platformer: definition and meaning. Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, 2026.
- Guinness World Records. First platform videogame. Guinness World Records.
- The Strong National Museum of Play. Donkey Kong. World Video Game Hall of Fame.
- The Strong National Museum of Play. Super Mario Bros.. World Video Game Hall of Fame.
- West GL, Zendel BR, Konishi K, et al. Playing Super Mario 64 increases hippocampal grey matter in older adults. PLOS ONE, 2017.
- Portman C. Flynn: Advanced Jump Mechanics. GameMaker blog.
- Maddy Makes Games. Celeste. Steam store page, 2026.
- Team Cherry. Hollow Knight. Steam store page, 2026.
- Team Meat. Super Meat Boy. Steam store page, 2026.
- Studio MDHR. Cuphead. Steam store page, 2026.
- Playdead. INSIDE. Steam store page, 2026.
- Gears for Breakfast. A Hat in Time. Steam store page, 2026.
- Hazelight Studios, Electronic Arts. It Takes Two. Steam store page, 2026.
- TECOPARK. PICO PARK. Steam store page, 2026.
- Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft. Rayman Legends. Steam store page, 2026.