The 3D platformer genre of games seems to have become a lost one. Sure, there have been attempts to bring it back with titles like Yooka-Laylee and Super Lucky’s Tale, but they are a rare breed. Whereas in the late 1990s, 3D platformers were everywhere with every company trying to make that leap with consoles like the PS1 and Nintendo 64.
However, while some titles became successful classics like Super Mario 64 and Crash Bandicoot, some faded into obscurity over the years. Some even went under the radar and underperformed, becoming hidden gems for gamers to dig up.
10 Croc: Legend Of The Gobbos
Originally intended to be a Super Mario 64 spin-off focusing on Yoshi, the idea changed until becoming the PS1 title Croc. It was an attempt to create another franchise mascot for Sony and while it did spawn a sequel, it was not a long-lasting franchise.
This is a shame because the game is very fluid and fun to play, the visuals are charming, and each level has a great atmosphere. By far, the best thing about the game is its soundtrack which is so well-orchestrated that it could belong in a theatrical film.
9 Gex: Enter The Gecko
Gex: Enter The Gecko was actually a sequel to the original Gex for the Sega Saturn and the 3D0 but can easily be enjoyed without needing to play the first. The original was a 2D adventure while Enter The Gecko embraces a more Mario-Kazooie style of gameplay. Go to different worlds, collect a bunch of special items, advance farther. Much like Croc, it did get a sequel but the franchise quickly faded into obscurity.
8 Glover
A wizard accidentally unleashes evil across mystical realms with his two sentient gloves separated. One becomes corrupted by the evil while the other becomes the hero of the story. It’s a bizarre plot but it sets up the 3D platformer well enough.
What sets Glover apart from every typical collect-a-thon game of that era is the ball that Glover rolls around with him. It can morph between a bouncy ball, a small metal ball, and a bowling ball– all used for different puzzles and traversal. Combined with a fun soundtrack and unique levels, it is a shame that the planned sequel was canceled.
7 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear To The Rescue
While the first movie’s video game tie-in was considered a wonky mess, Traveller’s Tales made up for that with the sequel. As the title would suggest, the player controls Buzz Lightyear trying to save Woody from the clutches of Al.
It was another collect-a-thon game that provides upgrades for Buzz throughout. It has a lot of small details that go a long way, such as Buzz’s reflection in his dome helmet when in the first-person mode. Why Buzz has an actual laser on him is never explained but it makes for a fun game.
6 Jumping Flash!
What makes Jumping Flash! more unique than other platformers is its perspective: it’s all in first-person. While the camera could provide some motion sickness to select players, it is nonetheless one of the more unique platformers out there.
It is also one of the earlier examples of a 3D platformer, debuting a year before Super Mario 64 or the likes of Banjo Kazooie. So if one manages to find a copy, give it a try to see how the predecessor of 3D platformers executed it. There are even a few sequels.
5 Klonoa: Door To Phantomile
Merging 2D side-scrolling and 3D environments, Klonoa plays with the concept of 2.5D only in a much superior way. Klonoa and his cute friend Hupoe must work together to save a singer from an evil villain named Ghadius.
The level structure is brilliant: what can seem like just background environments actually turn out to be explorable areas. Combined with an overload of cute characters and enemies alike, it’s one of the best-hidden gems of the PS1.
4 Disney’s Tarzan
Swinging through the trees, collecting items, and taking out enemies all while Phil Collins’ soundtrack can be heard? Impossible to go wrong there. Another 2.5D title that has the player control Tarzan from a little boy to an adult.
Much like other Disney games of the time like Hercules or A Bug’s Life, Tarzan collects the letters of his name and other items for a completionist score. With the different fruit weapon types to use and the addictive soundtrack, it is a movie tie-in game done right.
3 Pac-Man World
When it comes to 3D platformers, nobody ever mentions the Pac-Man World games. The first game can best be described as if the side-scrolling levels from Crash Bandicoot were the whole game.
Mixing classic Pac-Man elements like fruit collecting, eating orbs, and sound effects, Pac-Man World deserves more attention. Even the bosses are difficult to beat for adults, let alone kids.
2 Bugs Bunny: Lost In Time
So the plot to the game makes little sense; the only way to fix the time machine is to collect clocks that are already in different points of time. Wait for what? However, it is a Looney Tunes game so it’s just a game meant for fun gameplay and laughs.
This is arguably the best Looney Tunes game ever made. It’s another collect-a-thon but the Looney Tunes characters and visuals help keep it entertaining. Bugs Bunny himself is really fun to control and there’s plenty of challenge to keep the player on their toes.
1 Earthworm Jim 3D
The first two entries in this series are some of the most relentlessly difficult 2D platformers. So it’s understandable why some might have been a little hesitant to play Earthworm Jim 3D; it takes all the hair-pulling frustration of the originals into a 3D environment.
Other than a flawed camera, however, Earthworm Jim is an insane but very fun action platformer. Every world is different than most games at the time, the crazy humor is hilarious, and the weapons are all fun to use.
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