Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Welcome to Mojo Plays and even though we don't get nearly as many as we used to,
00:08there are some wonderful games that prove the 3D platformer genre is alive and well.
00:13These are the best the genre has to offer, released from 2014 to 2024.
00:19We'll only be including games where platforming is the main focus,
00:23so you won't find Ratchet and Clank here, as it's more of a third person shooter.
00:30But before we get into it, we publish new content all week long,
00:40so be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
00:46New Super Lucky's Tale
00:52While the original version from 2017 was a bit of a letdown, the expanded New Super
00:57Lucky's Tale fixed most of the issues and was a genuine delight. It follows the fox, Lucky,
01:03who journeys to different worlds inside the Book of Ages to protect them from a group of villains
01:09called the Kitty Litter. Clearly inspired by the multitude of 3D platformers of the late 90s and
01:14early 2000s, the game isn't exactly the most original, nor is it that challenging. But as
01:20a love letter to those types of games, there are definitely worse options to choose from.
01:25Each world is bursting with joy and life,
01:28able to bring a smile to anyone who grew up playing games like Banjo-Kazooie.
01:41Sackboy! A Big Adventure
01:48Branching out of the Little Big Planet series, Sackboy! A Big Adventure took the adorable
01:54mascot on a grander adventure. Just like the original games, Sackboy's levels feature wonderful
01:59designs that highlight the homemade craft aesthetic. Although its mechanics and gameplay
02:04are a bit too simplistic, certain levels introduce their own unique spins, keeping things fresh.
02:10And we still never grew tired of how lovingly put together every single level was. Seriously,
02:17any random stage has just as much charm packed into it as the last. That's not to mention a
02:23great soundtrack, the appeal of co-op, and a ton of great outfits,
02:28both original and based on several PlayStation IPs.
02:37A Hat in Time
02:45Considering this game's Kickstarter doubled its fundraising goals in just
02:49two days, A Hat in Time proves players want to see 3D platformers return to their former glory.
02:56And it definitely made good on its promises. As the appropriately named Hat Kid, you must track
03:02down your lost timepieces in order to return to your home. It was specifically designed to pay
03:08homage to old school collectathons. And as you play, you can craft new hats, which give you
03:14abilities. It wears its inspirations on its sleeves, but has just enough unique elements
03:19to stand on its own. In fact, it would have fit right at home during the genre's heyday.
03:33Sonic Frontiers
03:34With Frontiers, Sega took Sonic the Hedgehog into the open world format for the first time.
03:46And while we'd say many franchises do that without needing to, it worked out surprisingly well here.
03:52With Sonic's immense speed at our fingertips, the open-ended design allowed for us to rush
03:57across beautiful landscapes with almost nothing to stop us. It was as freeing an experience Sonic
04:03fans could have hoped for, while still including big obstacle courses to zoom through. Additionally,
04:09the soundtrack is incredible, from the lovely orchestral pieces that accompany various parts
04:14of the overworld, to the absolutely kick-ass boss themes. Speaking of which, fights against
04:20these behemoths are pure spectacle, and some of the best the series has ever seen.
04:26Kirby and the Forgotten Land
04:37After being sucked into a new world, Kirby must brave what looks to be a post-apocalyptic landscape
04:43in order to rescue the Waddle Dees. Although the post-apocalyptic angle has been done to death,
04:49Nintendo found a new, utterly cute way to look at it through the lens of Kirby. The Forgotten
04:54Land does what Kirby does best, but just transitions him into a full 3D environment
04:59for the first time. Fan-favorite copy abilities return, now upgradable for more oomph, and the
05:06mouthful mode, which allows him to swallow and even control giant objects, makes for some stellar
05:12sequences that are always a blast. Co-op could have been better, Bandana Waddle Dee isn't nearly
05:18as fun to control as Kirby, but it's still a very joyful game. Crash Bandicoot 4 It's About Time
05:36After his original trilogy was given an upgrade, Crash Bandicoot came back
05:41strong with a brand new game. Developer Toys for Bob did a phenomenal job,
05:46blending Crash's signature difficult style with several modern advancements and some extremely
05:52fun mechanics, courtesy of four magical masks. It was also great to take control of some side
05:59characters for their own gameplay styles, but the true joy lied in playing as Crash and Coco.
06:05Whether the masks allowed you to slow down time, reverse gravity, phase objects in and out of
06:11existence, or glide for extra big jumps, their sections all made us itch with excitement. That's
06:17the mark of a great platformer. Psychonauts 2 The original Psychonauts, while a poor seller
06:38initially, gained acclaim for its wildly inventive level designs and pleasantly kooky characters.
06:44Released 16 years later, the sequel expanded on everything that made it great. We once again
06:50control Raz Rasputin, who enters the damaged psyches of several characters, using different
06:56psychic abilities to navigate them. There is so much humor, love, and creativity jam
07:03into this game. It's also unapologetically strange, and at times, can even be a bit dark.
07:09For example, one level is inside the mind of an alcoholic, and some frequently occurring
07:14enemies include Regrets, which try to crush you with weights, and Enablers, which stop
07:20other enemies from taking damage. You won't see Mario tackling that type of subject matter.
07:33It Takes Two
07:43We may be cheating a bit with this pick, as It Takes Two features gameplay that pulls from a
07:48variety of genres, but its foundation is still that of a 3D action platformer. On the verge of
07:55divorce and turned into dolls by their daughter's magical wish, feuding parents Cody and May must
08:01navigate their home, and eventually their memories, as a way to return to normal. The story
08:06is undeniably heartfelt, and at times, hilarious, reminding the two why they fell in love as it
08:12progresses. But, it is also an absolute joy to play. The game is built around co-op, with every
08:19level introducing a new mechanic for both characters, and requiring players to solve
08:24puzzles and navigate obstacles through teamwork. Astro Bot
08:39After providing an excellent tech demo for the PS5's DualSense controller in Astro's playroom,
08:44the adorable little bot was given a full game to shine in. And Astro Bot is pure, unadulterated
08:51joy. As nearly everyone has already said, it's impossible to navigate its levels without a big,
08:57wide grin spread across your face. That's due to the ever-changing mechanics that work
09:03perfectly within its level design, such as turning Astro into a sponge so he can increase his size
09:08by sucking up water, or the simple silliness of a jetpack chicken. The joy doubles for those who
09:14have stuck with PlayStation over the years, as there are plenty of bot-themed cameos,
09:19some of which get their own specific stages. By the way, how great is that Uncharted level?
09:28Super Mario Odyssey
09:37While 3D platformers have become less frequent over the years, the king has never been affected.
09:43Super Mario Odyssey is one of several things that made the Switch's first year a resounding success.
09:48It took Mario on a globe-trotting adventure showcasing some of the best level design
09:53the series has ever seen. From the Mexico-inspired Toasterina, to the sprawling metropolis of New
10:00Donk City, to the land of everything food, Mount Volbono, it's a flood of serotonin in video game
10:07form. Plus, Cappy is one of the best additions to any Mario game, able to let us possess different
10:13enemies and objects for a variety of satisfying gameplay looks. There's not a single aspect of
10:20this game that isn't Nintendo at its very best. What has been your favorite 3D platformer of the
10:31modern era? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to Mojo Plays for more great
10:42gaming videos every day.