The 1990s marked a golden age for 2D platformers. Games like Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Donkey Kong Country pushed the boundaries of what was possible with side-scrolling gameplay.

The Rise of Super Mario World

Released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Mario World introduced Yoshi and featured the largest game world in the Mario series up to that point. The game sold over 20 million copies and is still considered one of the greatest platformers ever made.

Sonic’s Need for Speed

Sega’s answer to Mario came in 1991 with Sonic the Hedgehog. The game’s focus on speed and momentum created a new subgenre of platformers. Sonic’s “blast processing” marketing campaign became legendary, even though it was mostly marketing speak.

Donkey Kong Country’s Visual Revolution

In 1994, Rare stunned the gaming world with Donkey Kong Country. Using pre-rendered 3D graphics converted to sprites, the game looked like nothing else on the SNES. It proved that 16-bit consoles still had tricks up their sleeves.

These games defined a generation and continue to influence platformers today. Their perfect blend of challenge, exploration, and pure fun created experiences that remain timeless.