While no longer the medium’s dominant genre, platformers have retained their status as a staple of the video game scene. Along with Nintendo still being Nintendo, the 2010s saw a resurgence in 8-bit and 16-bit indie titles that pay homage to platformers of yesteryear.
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The decade has produced future classics such as 2011’sLittleBigPlanet 2and 2013’sFez, along with established franchises (Super Mario) that have continued to produce magic. Although these games deserve to be discussed, this article will shift focus to the opposite end of the spectrum. Here areMetacritic’s worst-rated platformers released during the 2010s.
As long as a game is classified as a “platformer” on the site, then it qualifies.
10Flip’s Twisted World (47)
Terrible platformers tend to be devoid of ambition, a criticism that will be leveled at many of the games on this list. That said,Flip’s Twisted Worldis an exception. Released on theNintendo Wii, the 2010 game has a fascinating central gimmick that permits the world to be flipped turned upside down using the Wii remote.
Flip’s Twisted Worldis just as much of a puzzle game as it is a platformer; sadly, the game does neither genre particularly well. Despite the core mechanic’s potential, the controls lack the precision required for a platformer, while the puzzles are often more frustrating than challenging.
9Yogi Bear: The Video Game (46)
As a tie-in game for a horrible live-action adaptation of a cartoon classic, 2010’sYogi Beardelivers exactly the type of experience one would expect from such a title. Published on the Nintendo Wii and DS, the latter is arguably the better of the two, as the 2D platforming feels slightly more at home on a handheld console.
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It might seem silly to be too harsh on a game that is clearly aimed at children, but there is no shortage of accessible and fantastic platformers on any of Nintendo’s consoles. Any of theKirbytitles are vastly superior toYogi Bear.
8Cortex Command (44)
Cortex Commandis a relatively complex game, especially compared to many of the other entries on this list. Platforming only makes up a small part of the overall package, with the project being more of an action-strategy game. Players control a weak brain that has the ability to seize control of special units, which then can be used to complete a myriad of missions.
Despite the awful Metascore,Cortex Commandis pretty impressive, even if that has more to do with the fascinating central concept than the actual gameplay.
7Ice Age: Continental Drift - Arctic Games (43)
A mini-game collection,Ice Age: Continental Drift - Arctic Gamesis about as lazy of a movie tie-in game as they come. While it does win some points for trying to recreate the look of the movie, everything else is rather dire. There are 10 mini-games to play, each barely offering any challenge or incentive to revisit them.
The story mode just cycles through these mini-games while throwing in a few cinematics to pretend there is a point to any of the activities.Arctic Gamesis principally available on Nintendo consoles, a fact that does the tie-in game no favors.
6The Smurfs 2: The Video Game (42)
Starting to notice a trend? Apparently, platforming is the go-to genre for movie franchises that want to quickly throw out a licensed game to “entertain” the children. The frustrating thing is thatThe Smurfs 2was developed by WayForward Technologies, the studio behind the charmingShantaeandA Boy and His Blob, so the developer knows how to put together a fun platformer.
Like the movie,The Smurfs 2: The Video Gameseems primarily interested in distracting its users rather than truly engaging them. The gameplay is basic, the obstacles unintrusive, and the backgrounds rather forgettable.
5Page Chronica (40)
Page Chronicadares to be different and also educational. While commendable, good intentions mean nothing if the execution is beyond redemption. Set in a universe where dreams are stored in books, Topez (a librarian) accidentally releases a sinister evil that begins to enter people’s dreams, prompting the young heroine to try and correct her mistake.
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Page Chronicaasks players to spell words to gain access to basic abilities, a concept that quickly grows old. Having to randomly spell words just to execute rudimentary skills completely destroys the game’s flow, causingPage Chronicato never establish much in the way of rhythm. This mechanic would have been better served being limited to specific puzzles.
Originally released in 1994, for its time,Putty Squadwas a respectable platformer that stood out from the crowd thanks to a gooey main character who could stretch and morph.
In 2014, a remake was released that bizarrely opted against updating the gameplay. Along with the antiquated visuals,Putty Squadfeels exactly like a decent but not great puzzle-platformer released in 1994. Although manySNES platformershave aged splendidly,Putty Squad’s controls were simpler and looser than most of its contemporaries, two flaws that could not be overlooked in 2014.
3Wreck-It Ralph (35)
Ironically, a movie that pays tribute to so many video game icons produced a licensed game utterly devoid of personality or passion.Wreck-It Ralphsuffers from many of the same trappings that countlesstie-in gamesfall victim to.
With two playable characters who split basic skills between them,Wreck-It Ralphis happy to just recycle varies tropes of the platforming genre without any attempt to offer something new. More importantly, it is just boring to play.
2Anima: Ark of Sinners (32)
As the first video game adaptation based on theAnimatabletop RPG,Ark of Sinnersis disappointing. Released through WiiWare,Anima: Ark of Sinnershas a few things going for it: Solid world-building and an interesting storyline. If nothing else, the platformer might entice players to explore more of this universe.
As a game,Ark of Sinnersis awful. Sluggish controls are unforgivable in platformers, andArk of Sinnersis worse than most. The game also has a lot of combat, although that fares no better than the platforming. While not brilliant,Anima: Gate of Memoriesis a better entry point for those seeking to enter this world.
1Thundercats (28)
Based on the 2011 animated series, 2012’sThundercatsgraced the Nintendo DS store and instantly set a new threshold for “bad” platformers. The critical score does not lie, with many critics lambasting the barebones gameplay and laughably outdated graphics.
Thundercatsis a game that exists solely to market its source material; however, the platformer is so bad, newcomers are likely to be put off from ever revisiting the franchise. Fans who do purchase the game hoping to experience what it is like to be Lion-O are destined for disappointment.
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