Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about platform games of the 2010s, part 1.
What does 'Platform Games of the 2010s, Part 1' actually cover?
This section of the fan encyclopedia documents the first wave of the decade's platforming titles, roughly spanning 2010 through 2014. It includes entries on major first-party releases, indie darlings, and the broader cultural context of how the genre evolved during that window.
Which games get referenced most often in Part 1 discussions?
Super Mario 3D Land, Rayman Origins, New Super Mario Bros. U, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze appear most frequently in reader threads and cross-references. Indie entries such as Limbo, Super Meat Boy, and Fez also draw heavy traffic from newcomers exploring the era.
Who are the central characters and developer figures fans search for?
Mario, Rayman, and Crash Bandicoot remain the most-looked-up character names, while developer figures like Edmund McMillen, the Polytron team behind Fez, and Ubisoft's Rayman studio get the most mentions in creator-focused entries. Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and Ubisoft's Thomas Gauthier are also frequently cited as guiding voices of the period.
Where should a complete beginner start to experience this era?
Most readers suggest beginning with Super Mario 3D Land or New Super Mario Bros. U for a gentle, accessible introduction, then moving to Rayman Origins for a more stylized 2D take. For a short indie palate-cleanser, Limbo or Super Meat Boy each run under four hours and showcase the decade's tighter design philosophy.
How did 2010s platforming differ from the 2000s era?
The period saw a pronounced split between polished 3D first-party titles and a surge of 2D indie platformers built around experimental mechanics and strong visual identity. Narrative depth and environmental storytelling became far more common, pushing the genre well beyond pure score-chasing and speedrunning.
Which hardware platforms dominated the releases covered in Part 1?
Nintendo 3DS and Wii U were the primary consoles for first-party platformers, while PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hosted licensed titles like the Rayman series and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. PC and Steam grew increasingly important as the indie platforming scene expanded from 2010 through 2014.
What is the 'indie platformer renaissance' the encyclopedia keeps mentioning?
It refers to the period from roughly 2010 onward when small studios produced critically acclaimed 2D platformers with tight mechanics and a distinct artistic voice. Titles like Super Meat Boy, Fez, and Shovel Knight demonstrated that a handful of developers could rival AAA production values within the genre.
What key facts should a fan know about this era at a glance?
Between 2010 and 2014, Nintendo shipped more first-party platformers than any other publisher, while Ubisoft's Rayman series became the defining third-party 2D platformer franchise. The window also marked the point where 'precision platforming' solidified as a recognized design subgenre with its own community and competitive scene.
What notable milestones or turning points does Part 1 highlight?
The 2011 launch of Rayman Origins is often cited as the moment mainstream 2D platforming reasserted itself after a mid-2000s lull. The 2013 debut of Super Mario 3D World and the 2014 release of Shovel Knight are also frequently flagged as inflection points that shaped the genre's modern identity.
Is this encyclopedia official or affiliated with any game studio?
No, it is entirely a community-written, unofficial reference project with no ties to Nintendo, Ubisoft, or any other publisher. All entries are authored by fans for fans, and the 'Part 1' label simply reflects the project's internal ordering of its chronological coverage.