The Genre: Platforming games are one of the pastime's mainstays, and it was in the mid-90s that it was completely revolutionised with 3D graphics, as the likes of Super Mario 64, the Crash Bandicoot series, Banjo Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, Sonic Adventure, Jak & Daxter, Ratchet & Clank and so many more totally blew gamers away. What Happened: The genre moved on in a completely different way: the seeds were sewn early with Tomb Raider's platform-based complexity, and fed through to the likes of Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed. The platforming genre still has Mario going strong, though on the whole steered back towards 2D platforming with indie games such as Fez, Rogue Legacy, Shovel Knight, Rayman Legends and so on. Why It Needs A Comeback: Because some of your fondest memories from the 90s were probably spent playing the ingenious (and often infuriatingly difficult) levels on Crash Bandicoot, and it's a crime that the series has just died a death (despite numerous teases of its return). There's still a place for this sort of game, even if Knack's critical failure might suggest otherwise, as long as they're imaginative and boast a mascot that's appealing to audiences young and old. Which ailing video game genres are you desperate to see make a triumphant comeback? Shout it out in the comments!
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
