Platform Games

A platform game (or platformer) is a computer video game where the player makes his/her character jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles (jumping puzzles). They are found in computer games and consoles and also arcade games. Back in the 1980s platform games were one of the most popular game genres - this popularity has declined but they still make up an important part of the computer game market.

The gamer controls these jumps and if s/he miscalculates the character will fall from platforms or fail to overcome obstacles. If the transistion is automatic the game is not a platform one (even if it has platforms in it!).

The most common unifying element to games in this video game genre is the mastering of a jump button but some games require the player to master other ways of crossing obstacles such as swinging from extendable arms between platforms or bouncing from springboards or trampolines to reach the next level. These actions, even in the context of other genres, are commonly called platforming.

Platform games originated in the early 1980s and are still popular today but nowadays platforming tends not to be a pure genre and is very frequently coupled with elements of other genres - shoot 'em ups and adventure games being common.