Good current generation platformers?

[robotriot]

I was not really getting any responses to this on IRC, so I have to post here - are there any platform games you can recommend for PS2/GC/Xbox? I've got none yet, and I'd like to know if there are any at all worth checking out. I guess the transition to 3D harmed the genre, but I haven't really played any yet.

Also it would be nice if the games were really rather centric on the platforming part, not too much of fighting/timemanipulation/puzzle/etc thrown in - if that's possible. But I guess games don't sell anymore these days if they aren't cross-genre ;)

[dbiersdorf]

Here are some of the best ones.

Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)
Jak and Daxter Series (PS2)
Ratchet and Clank Series (PS2, although I conisder these more of action titles)
Sly Cooper Series (PS2)
Voodoo Vince (Xbox)

And then the above average ones.

Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN)
Sonic Adventure Series (GCN)
Tak Series (Multi)
Scaler (Multi)
Blinx Series (Xbox)

[Kid Ice]

Viewtiful Joe is a solid platformer. Haven't played the sequel yet.

[squidblatt]

I second Voodoo Vince. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's good, classic platforming.

[shai hulud]

Klonoa

[PDorr3]

gamecube:
mario sunshine- traditional platforming besides the addition of the waterpack

sonic heroes (all platforms)- i didnt enjoy it too much because i found switching between characters to be annoying and bothersome

sonic mega collection- classic platforming

playstation2:
ico- eventhough its more of a puzzle aventure its my favorite game ever created. if you do not play this game you are SERIOUSLY missing out!

jak and daxter- this is one of the best platformers ever for next gen consoles. no guns, missions, good old fashioned platforming, HIGHLY reccomended! note: jak 2 focuses more on missions , shooting, and vehicles. it is still very enjoyable though. i have not yet played jak 3 but i hear its heavily involved with vehicles.

prince of persia (all platforms)- i just picked this up and i must say pretty impressed. it does involve some puzzle solving though.

cookie & cream- a very unknown game that requires you to control two characters at the same time with both joysticks. it looks like an easy kids game but it requires skill!

beyond good and evil- not really a platformer but is one of the best games on next generation consoles. highly influenced by zelda.

klonoa2- the best platformer on ps2, as well as the most traditional being a side scroller. if you want platforming i guarantee you will not be dissapointed with this game, seriously...

rayman2- eventhough i havent played too much of it yet it is a great fantasy platformer that is very enjoyable.

rygar- very good platformer that pits you up against mythological locations and enemies. from the moment you fight the first boss you will be engrossed in this epic adventure, highly reccomended.

xbox:
i have yet to own a platformer on xbox, but i played the demo of metal slug 3, buy it.

hope this helped

[Crush Crawfish]

These are my personal favorite current-gen platformers:

GCN
Billy Hatcher
I-Ninja
Megaman Network Transmission
Sonic Heroes
Super Mario Sunshine
PC Genjin (JP import)
Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe 2

PS2
Klonoa 2
Megaman X8
Ratchet & Clank (series)
Whiplash

[davidbrit2]

Yeah, I say go get Ratchet and Clank. Start with the 1st one, because the 2nd one is more heavily skewed toward skillful combat, so you might be at a disadvantage if you start off with that one. Personally, I think it kicks the crap out of Metroid Prime. I got bored and never finished Prime, but I cranked through the first 2 R&C games in like a month. It's that good.

[PDorr3]

i just picked up R&C3, its heavily centered around shooting, fun game. I want to play the 1st one and see the differences.

[davidbrit2]

It's a little bit lighter on the combat. For instance, L2 and R2 don't strafe. That might throw you off a bit, but the battles aren't terribly difficult in that one anyway.

[Dimitri]

Personally, I think it kicks the crap out of Metroid Prime.

How exactly is this related? I might be biased due to my undying love of MP (and that I've never played any of the R&C games), but it doesn't really seem like a fair comparison. Metroid Prime is hardly a platformer...more of a first-person action-adventure.

As for recommendations, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Metal Arms: Glitch in the System. I also absoutley hated Jak & Daxter. Whoever said Klonoa 2 was also dead on -- great game.

[davidbrit2]

I don't know, they just strike me as vaguely similar in theme (mass destruction, etc).

[drewbrim]

Here's another vote for Sly Cooper. Love that cel shading

[klausien]

The Ratchet & Clank games are all top notch, but I like the platformer style of the first better than the larger, more violent sequels. I love the humor in the series too. Probably the best series of the current generation of games.

The first Jak & Daxter is my favorite of the series with its whimsical setting and more linear gameplay. Shame about the lack of bosses. Jak 2 & 3 lost me with their "me too" grittier look and GTA leaning gameplay. I guess I'm more of a traditionalist.

Warioworld for the GC, despite the negativity most mainstream reviewers have towards it is an excellent throwback. It is in 3D, but feels more 2D than most modern platformers. It is pretty heavily focused on the platforming element, and even deals with bottomless pits in a unique, not so frustrating way.

Shinobi & Nightshade on PS2, though a bit unforgiving are excellent as well. There is a lot of precision gameplay.

[GobopopRevisited]

Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc
Oddworld: Munch's Oddesy (A lot of Puzzles though)

Jack and Daxter is pretty good. Jak II and Jak 3 suck... Don't bother with Ratchet and Clank, its just Spyro with bigger fire-breathe...

A Few "will probably be good" ones coming out-

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (DK Bongo Madness... The Press seems to love it too)
Kirby's Adventure (If its remotely like Crystal Shards... it will be excellent. And I'm guessing it will be a lot like Crystal Shards)
Super Mario 128 (No way Nintendo could *Could meaning it would be imposible* ruin it... its Mario)

[Ikari Warrior]

I'll add some more pretty good ones:
Ty the Tazmanian Tiger (multi) and it's sequel
Tork:Prehistoric Punk (xbox)
Pacman World 2 (multi)
Crash Bandicoot (multi)
Metal Arms (multi) is a great shooter/platformer