Best Platformers on PS2

[PDorr3]

I wanted to make a topic about one of the most underated game genres in todays market, the platformers. PS2 has few, but the few they have are some of the best games I have played, just to name a few off the top of my head, there is Jak and Daxter, which takes the sense of a massive open ended world to the max, klonoa 2, the best next generation platformer ever, rygar, simply one of my favorite platformers yet, and if you want to call ico a platformer, its in my opinion the 3rd best game i have ever played.

Whats your input?

[Balloon Fight]

My favorite is Jak and Daxter. I love that game because the "levels" are huge.
I played that thing endlessly until i got all 101 power cells.

[Half Japanese]

I can't recommend Sly Cooper enough. Especially now that it's at the affordable Greatest Hits price (which has much better box art). I reviewed this a while back for my personal site that I haven't updated in a while. Feel free to check out my review for further thoughts on the game:

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/justi.../slycooper.htm

I'll try to submit that review to the DP archive sometime soon (if they want it )!

[Mr Mort]

Sly Cooper has already been mentioned, and here are a few of my faves:

-Rygar
-Maximo
-Shinobi

[Deathstar]

In order...

1. Sly Cooper and the Thievious Racoonus
2. Jak and Daxter
3. Jak II
4. Ico
5. Maximo
6. Klonoa 2

[Oobgarm]

Especially now that it's at the affordable Greatest Hits price (which has much better box art).

I believe you are on crack, sir. :P

I also wholeheartedly recommend Sly Cooper.

Ratchet and Clank is pretty sweet, and Klonoa 2 rocks.

[atomicthumbs]

ICO. A different kind of platformer, a different kind of car.

[PDorr3]

From what i read the rachet and clank games are very good, but personaly i think i would like the 1st one better, im not int the whole "going comando" in a futuristic type atmosphere, i like level designs more like jak and daxter.

\================================================= ================//

+-----------------+
| Pilot's Helmet |
+-----------------+

_ Level: 9
(_)
| |
Cost: Free, beat Level 9

This let's you fly around in Level 11 to get the O2 mask. It'll also
let you fly around in later levels.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Bolt Grabber |
+-----------------+

00 Level: 15
-00-
00
Cost: Free, beat Level 15

This is pretty useful because it grabs bolt's that are far away from
you. You don't need to get as close to them.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Gadgetron PDA |
+-----------------+
( )-
00 Level: 14
00
00
Cost: 1000 Bolts

This will allow you to purchase ammo from wherever you are. It is
expensive, but oh well. (The ammo.)

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Hologuise |
+-----------------+
( )-
00 Level: 16
00
00
Cost: Free, beat Level 16

You need this to do the mission in Level 15 that requires you to wave
to the robot.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Metal Detector |
+-----------------+

/ Level: 12
/
__
Cost: Free, beat Level 12

This is gotten when you destroy all those ships in the air in one
minute. It is pretty hard to get, but once you do, you can detect
metal! Yahoo!

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Sonic Summoner |
+-----------------+
( )-
00 Level: 2
00
00
Cost: Free, beat Level 2

Win the race in Level 6 to get this. It is not THAT necessary, but it
could have some use in the game.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Magna Boots |
+-----------------+

__ Level: 14
| |
| |
|_| Cost: Free, beat Level 14

These let you walk on Magnet Walkways. They are very necessary through-
out the course of the game.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Grind Boots |
+-----------------+
__
| | Level: 5
| |
|_|
Cost: 2000 Bolts

This let's you grind on various rails in the game. Very useful and
important. When grinding, you should always jump to avoid obstacles.
(But you knew that.)

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Heli-Pack |
+-----------------+
__
| | Level: 3
| |
|_|
Cost: 1000 Bolts

This lets you fly forward and cross gaps. It also lets you go higher.
It is Clank's first upgrade.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Thruster-Pack |
+-----------------+
__
| | Level: 11
/| |\
/|_|\
| Cost: 2000 Bolts

This is the same thing as the other one, except Clank can do everything
a little better. (Higher, Farther.) This time, he uses fire.

\\================================================ =================//

+-----------------+
| Hydro Pack |
+-----------------+
__
| | Level: 12
| |
/|_|\
Cost: 2000 Bolts

This let's you maneuver underwater. It adds a lot of speed and is very
important for Levels like number 15.

\\================================================ =================//


+-----------------+
| 02 Mask |
+-----------------+
( )-
00 Level: 11
00
00
Cost: Free, beat Level 11

This lets you do Level 10 with Ratchet. To get it, beat Level 9 and use
that in one of the last missions in Level 11. (See walkthrough.) It is
pretty self-explanatory.

\\================================================ =================//

--------------------------------------------------------
//// V. Collect! \\\\\\
--------------------------------------------------------

(By Sasha Slutsker)


There isn't anything you need to get 120 of, but there are many things
you need to collect.

Infobot - The most important thing because they take you to the new
levels.


Bolts - Use them to buy weapons. There are infinitely many of these
things.


Gold Bolts - Rare bolts for rare items.


Spinning Blue Things - Health

--------------------------------------------------------
//// VI. Walkthrough \\\\\\
--------------------------------------------------------

(By Sasha Slutsker)


The start!
<><><><><>

Well, this is where you start. After watching the story begin, you find
yourself on a planet looking for a guy named Clank. This is incredibly
easy so I'll just give a brief walkthrough. From the start, go forward
and cross the small gaps. The path will turn right and to the left,
down a hill, you'll see a ship. Clank is in it and that is where your
adventure will begin!



Level 1 - Planet Novalis
<><><><><><><><><><><><>

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mission 1
(!)(!)

This mission, unlike the other one, involves very little platform
jumping. It is mainly destroying enemies. I suggest you get the "fire"
weapon before attempting this. Start off by going onto the moving
platform. This will take you to the bottom. Run here until you get to
the steps. You will have to destroy many enemies along the way. Go up
the steps and onto the broken bridge. Cross it by destroying the three
enemies. When you are done, go to the left in the tunnel and you will
be on a long path. Destroy the enemies here and you should make it to
the other side, where an infobot awaits.


Mission 2
(!)(!)

This mission involves a lot of platform jumping. It is a very good
mission to introduce the game to you. To start, go to the right from
the beginning. Then, you will see many raised platforms. Start jumping
on them to get the other side. If you fall off, you'll have to start
over. (The current is very strong.) When you get to the other side, you
will see many block of land. To get between them, go in the water and
up the stairs. At the other side jump on the thing that makes you go
up, get to the end, and you will see your infobot.

Mission 3
(!)(!)

Buy the infobot. It is very cheap and it let you go to level 3.
Congratulations! You finished the level.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 2 - Planet Aridia!
<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Mission 1
(!)(!)

Just start walking behind the ship to find this guy. He is very easy to
locate. Use your map if you need to.



Mission 2
(!)(!)

Run around this area, killing the red sharks. If you kill them all, you
get a hoverboard. Remember that you have to destroy the big ones in
order for this to matter. (They make more of the sharks.)



Mission 4
(!)(!)

Go to the left and across the gaps to start this mission. Go forward
until the end, where you can get a life and go the right. Cross this
gap and destroy the enemies that await you. Go to the right and ride
the elevator. Make your way to this area:



[G]
[A]
[P]
XXXXX_________________________
XXXXX___GAP___________________


Go forward and not to the left. Turn around at the end to see a little
thing you can go up. Jump onto this and jump up. Then, you have to go
under a small tunnel. Do this and get to the end. Once you are there,
go right and jump onto this again. While hanging on go to the right and
jump up at the end. Go forward and up to make it to green land. Go
around the swamp to find the guy you are looking for.


Mission 5
(!)(!)

To complete this, you must complete the hoverboard race on Plabet
Rilgar. This isn't soon, so don't worry about it. The description for
this will be in the respected planet. Come back and get the Sonic
Summoner.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 3! - Planet Kerwan
<><><><><><><><><><><><>

Mission 1
(!)(!)

This level has many missions. The first one is pretty straight forward.
From the start, go forward and walk into the area where an enemy is
located. Kill him and go to the left. Walk along here, killing the
enemies on the way. The mission is over when you get to a guy's hut and
you can buy stuff there. (Well, one thing, actually.)



Mission 2
(!)(!)

This is a very straight-forward mission. Start it by buying a heli-
pack. Your done! That's it! It costs very little and is required to do
the rest of the missions.



Mission 3
(!)(!)

Go to the train. (He is right after Mission 1 and 2. You'll have to use
the heli-pack to jump onto the platforms and then glide across. Then,
take the elevator up and glide to the other side. Continue on.) Jump on
the train and try to get to the end for something special. You will
need to destroy the enemies on the way. An infobot! Yahoo!



Mission 4
(!)(!)

This is a very fun mission. Go to the right from the start of the
level. You will see the captain and Clank thinking he is real. Anyway,
go to the left and jump up and wall jump to the top. Then, go to the
left and wall jump some more. Keep going on, jumping when you need to
and you will eventually be at the end. Congratulations! You made it!


Mission 5
(!)(!)

Buy the Swingshot. If you don't have enough, go to another
level/mission. DO NOT REPEAT THIS MISSION BECAUSE IT HAS BARELY ANY
BOLTS. When you have enough, buy it and explore this area for a ton of
bolts. (You need the swingshot.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 4 - Planet Eudora



Mission 1
(!)(!)

Go to the left from the start and use the trespasser. Go through this
and go to the left. Use the slingshot to cross this gap. Then, just
jump onto the platform to the left. Then, jump onto the far away
platform. (First use your wrench to turn the screw.) Then, turn another
one and jump onto the platforms to get to the other side. Once you have
made it here you are done! An infobot for Level 5!


Mission 2
(!)(!)

Go to the upper left from the start. Then, use your wrench to make the
bridge go up. When it is up, you can cross it. Here, do that again so
that you can cross again. Keep killing enemies and go up. Use the
wrench again so that a platform comes down. Jump onto it and cross the
gap. Once you are there, keep going. You will get a suck cannon. It is
not THAT useful, but it is a nice thing to have.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 5 - The Space Station



Mission 1, 3, and 5
(!)(!)

This is a very easy mission. It will get you the infobot to Planet
Rilgar. First, go to the left and you will see two doors. Use the right
one and get in the ship. It will take you to a planet. Once you are
there, you can go through the level, destroying enemies and getting
bolts. You will get to a room where you are higher than the enemies.
Use the Blaster to destroy the enemies. Once they are all gone, you can
go where they were. You didn't get hurt! Anyway, keep going and you'll
put the ship into self-destruct mode. Run, dodging the enemies, the way
you came in. You have 45 seconds but it isn't that hard. When your out,
you get an infobot.


Mission 2
(!)(!)

Got through the left door this time. This is easily the most difficult
mission on this planet. (Or Station.) Anyway, go forward and jump over
the two fire things. Go through the door and turn on your
procrastinator or just use a wrench. (Whichever you prefer.) Destroy
the many enemies here, destroy the big ones in the next room, and
destroy the few in the next hall. If you are still alive, pick up the
live and go forward into the next door. Break all these boxes for bolt
and ammo. Then, turn around and go to your right. (It was you left
before.) You will be in a big room. Go to the left and jump up the
stairs. Get to the top and get the two life. Now, slingshot to the
other side and destroy the enemies here. Get in the next room, destroy
the enemies, and go into the hall. In the hall, you need to use the
Taunter to get the enemies to come near you, so you can kill them.
Cross the hall an you will be in a room with a Gadgetron.

You should stock up on ammo, and then use the Blaster to destroy the
enemies in this room. Get the health, and go on. Use the Blaster to
destroy the first two enemies. Now, if you start destroying enemies
from far away, you can destroy all the enemies without getting hurt.
When you are on one platform, destroy the enemies on another. Do this
around the circle and shoot the thing to make the electricity go down.
I recommend you go back and stock up on Blaster ammo. Then, enter the
door for your first BOSS BATTLE!

Use the blaster and get out of the way, then shoot him from a side. He
will turn, but you can turn too! He is pretty easy. Once he is dead,
get the health and move on to the next room, where you can get Grind
Boots. For a price. Buy them and grind your way back to the start. (It
is pretty straight forward. You don't even have to jump unless you want
a few extra bolts.)


Mission 5
(!)(!)

This is the final mission and it is a Clank mission. Go the other way
you usually go for the other missions. Use the trespasser to walk
trough the door, go down the elevator, and then into a Clank level.
Clank is ready for some action! Go forward to start the level. Walk
carefully on the path to make into another area. Go to the right and
then glide to the other side. Go to the left and go up on the right.
There is another difficult path here, so be careful. Then, go around
the bend to get five helpers. Order them using the triangle button.
First, order them to follow you. Then, order them to attack the
enemies. Then, order them all to get into a cage thing. (You need all
five. If one died, go back and get him.) Move on to get a special new
weapon for Clank!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 6 - Planet Rilgar

Mission 1
(!)(!)

You have to win the hoverboard race. Go to the right from the start
and jump onto the platforms to get to the other side. Cross the gap and
keep going. I highly recommend you use the Blaster through these
sections. Keep going, using your Blaster, until you get to a big area.
To the left, is a ship. It will take you downtown. Get off the ship.
Then, buy some ammo and use the blaster to kill everything you see. You
can buy a R.Y.N.O for 150,000 bolts. I'm not even close so I'm not sure
what it does. (Maybe you get it at the end of the game.) Press the
button at the end and destroy the two enemies to move on.

Here, you will see a big circle. Shoot the enemies at the bottom and
the come down to let the rest of them out. (The button.) If you run in
circles shooting, you can kill them all. Move on and you'll be in a
maze. Follow the most straight-forward path and you'll be out. You can
go back in for a golden bolt, if you want. Go up the chute and shoot
the enemy. Go to the left and shoot the enemy there. Then, follow the
path to make it outside. Start the race!

This is actually pretty hard. The trick is to try to stay in control
and get as many power up as humanly possible. Keep trying. When you
win, get the thing and bring it back to Level 2 for a Sonic Summoner
Helmet. Yahoo!

Mission 2
(!)(!)

This is a very hard mission. You will need to be patient and quick.
From the start, take the path that leads to a bunch of sling shot
targets. Use you slingshot and get to the other side. Use you Water
thing (Hydro something) to make the water level sink so you can cross.
Keep going and you need to use you slingshot and rise the water level.
When you get a place where you need to sink the water level to get unto
a tunnel. DON'T DO IT. Just swim into the tunnel and come up at the
other side of it. Go through the door and go down the chute. Press the
button to start a very difficult race.

You have time to rest. This is an all-out race against the water. Equip
the pyrocitor and run like made. When you see a couple enemies, shoot
them so you don't waste time. Jump on the platforms to get to the other
side. The water shouldn't be too high if you are doing this right. Go
under the water and too the other side. If four of the ledges are over
the water, you'll be fine. Destroy this enemy and run across the
platforms and too the other side for the final dive. When I did this, I
just BARELY made it. Go really fast through the water. When you get to
the other side, you will see the captain.


Mission 3
(!)(!)

You must pay 4,000 bolts to see the captain. Once you do, you can see
the captain and get an infobot. Congratulations! (I find it a bit weird
that all he makes is 6 bolts/hour.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Level 7 - Planet Umbris


Mission 1
(!)(!)

Start by going forward and swing-shooting into the main part of the
level. Then, go forward and use your Blaster to destroy the pod things.
Go to the right, cross the bridge, and use your Blaster again. Then,
destroy the two small round things using your blaster and move on. Jump
up the stairs and destroy another small round thing. At the top is a
bridge. Shoot all the round things and cross the bridge. You will see
two pod things. Destroy them and go up the stairs. Destroy to small
circular objects and destroy a bunch more of them on the bridge. Cross
the bridge.


"Grecs" = Green circular things that make doors open


Now, step on all three circular things to open a door. From now on, I
will refer to them as "Grecs." Kill all the pods in this room and then
step on all the grecs. Go to the right and cross both bridges and you
will be in a place with plenty of fences. Go through this area by going
left and right. Then, cross a gap using the swingshot. There are three

[Drexel923]

Sly Cooper is well worth the $20 pirce. Very fun game IMO.

[AB Positive]

Well, come January there'll be Metal Slug 3 for PS2 *cough*

-AG

p.s. RESERVE TODAY

-AG