Modern games are often all about high resolution 3D graphics, so old-school gamers will have been delighted by the release of a number of fantastic 2D games, which threw out modern ideas and graphical trickery in favour of a return to classic 20th century 2D gameplay.
2D Platform Game – Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a revival of the classic 1990s 2D platform game series which found huge success on the 16 bit Super Nintendo (SNES) console.
Donkey Kong Country Returns offers a serious challenge to gamers, with a very high difficulty level requiring pixel-perfect leaps. All but the most expert players will need to use a huge amount of extra lives and continues to make it through the later levels.
Despite the straightforward 2D platform gameplay, Donkey Kong Country Returns features some of the finest graphics to be found on the Nintendo Wii, and several of the levels make use of 3D effects, with Donkey Kong running and jumping on platforms located at various depths on the screen.
The unforgiving gameplay should not put people off as the game is never unfair, and never impossible—learning monsters’ attack patterns and becoming expert at the controls usually means gamers will advance just a little bit further on every turn.
Donkey Kong Country Returns is a fantastic revival and, barring some small issues with the motion controls used for special moves, offers a practically flawless and highly addictive 2D platform game experience.
2D Platformer – New Super Mario Bros Wii
Despite a slightly mixed reaction from some Mario devotees on release, New Super Mario Bros Wii offers dozens of brand new 2D Mario levels, along with brand new multiplayer features, allowing up to four players to race through the levels together.
Serious gamers are probably more likely to play through the game in single player mode, and the game is great for this purpose, with the trademark collectibles and secret areas sure to keep Mario fans happy for days.
The multiplayer mode is a fun diversion for friends, offering the ability to both help and hinder fellow players. It may not, however, be the easiest way to complete the game!
Sonic 4 – A New Sonic 2D Platform Game
Sonic games have been through some hard times since they broke the 2D platform formula and attempted various 3D gaming styles, with varying levels of success—usually ranging from “terrible” to “just OK.”
The launch of Sonic 4 is therefore a good reason for fans of the original games on the Sega Megadrive (Genesis) to breathe a sigh of relief and see the Sega mascot return to previous form.
Starting off with a fairly simple game world (with more than a passing resemblance to the Green Hill Zone from the original Sonic the Hedgehog game), the game worlds become progressively more modern and hectic.
The casino-themed world uses some modern (if slightly garish) graphics and feels just right – classic, frantic Sonic gameplay brought bang up-to-date.
Somewhat unusually, Sonic 4 is being released in “episode” stages via the Wii’s online Wiiware service, with four worlds forming each episode. Each episode is likely to be over quite quickly for hardcore gamers.
The 2D platform game revival will be great news to old school gamers, and shouldn’t be overlooked by those with more modern tastes! This classic gameplay mechanic still has much to offer.
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Ben Taylor - Ben is an aspiring travel writer, competent cook, Microsoft certified techno-geek, music obsessive, and recent migrant from rainy London ...
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