When players think of platformers, they often think of a game that you’re able to clear in only a few short hours. Some of the legendary favorites, includingSuper Mario Bros.,Castlevania, andMega Man, can be cleared in as little as 2 hours. Yet they remain some of the most noteworthy games of all time.
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However, in more recent years, platformers have given players a bigger bite of challenge. These often include utilizing collectibles, replays, and other incentives to keep players invested. Check out the list below to find some of the longest platformers – both in 2D and 3D – that will give users more than a single run’s worth of content.
HowLongToBeatwill be used as a reference, and Completionist times will be considered.
Main Story: 5.5 Hours
Completionist: 15 Hours
Initially released as one of Kirby’s shortest adventures,Star Alliescame out for Nintendo Switch in 2018. Following the success of director Shinya Kumazaki’s previousKirbytitles, for Wii and 3DS,Star Alliesfeatured fewer levels and easier stages throughout the game. However, the waves of free DLC kept players coming for more.
Even before the DLC, players had access to The Ultimate Choice, a renamed Arena from the past Kirby titles. Players could also try a variation time trial version allowing users to play as the Helpers to clear the game and unlock a new boss. But perhaps the single biggest addition came from thefinal DLC wave. Featuring Heroes in Another Dimension, this mode featured new, challenging stages and remixed boss battles. After clearing this mode, players could enter The Ultimate Choice one final time to clear all versions of these bosses.
Main Story: 11 Hours
Completionist: 20.5 Hours
Rayman’s return to form released on all major consoles (Wii, PS3, and 360) in 2011. This cel-shaded work of art featured four characters and many levels to enjoy. Received well for its sheer level of polish,Rayman Originswould charm players with its four characters and unlockable skins.
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Much like withDonkey Kong Country,Rayman Originsfeatured many collectibles. Players could do time trial runs and go after all the red gems. Doing so would prove that you’ve completed the game in its entirety. As wonderful as the recentRaymangames were, with any luck, fans may witness the seriesreturnsomeday.
Main Story: 11.5 Hours
Completionist: 27 Hours
WhenDonkey Kong Country Returnslaunched for the Wii in 2010, it featured theheralded returnof a beloved platforming mascot back in his element. Featuring challenging stages and tons of collectibles, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong ventured across the DK Isle to rescue their Banana Hoard. Unfortunately, the Wii version had some control issues due to being exclusive to Wiimote playstyles.
Thankfully, Nintendo released the title for 3DS a few years later. Featuring a more traditional control scheme, the title was more fun to play. In addition to the collectibles and time trial modes,Donkey Kong CountryReturns 3Dalso featured a new world exclusive to the 3DS version.
Main Story: 9.5 Hours
Completionist: 28.5 Hours
The sequel toRayman Originsreleased in 2013 for all major consoles as well as theNintendo Switchin 2017. This title featured even more beautiful, stunning HD artwork and more challenging stages. Like before, players could unlock more challenges and collectibles by collecting the Lums and rescuing the Teensies.
What makesRaymanLegendseven longer than its prequel is that it allows users to play several worlds fromRayman Origins. These remastered stages featured reworked artwork and the same boss battles from the past. Players could also unlock remixed versions of the free-running stages at the end.
Main Story: 9 Hours
Completionist: 29 Hours
Mario’s last 2D platforming adventure released as a Wii U launch title in 2012. Taking cues off the previous threeNew Super Mario Bros.titles, the latest release was renowned for its more varied backgrounds and much more challenging difficulty level. The Wii U version even offered DLC featuringNew Super Luigi Uwhich was later packaged together as a bonus.
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New Super Luigi Uoffered a remix twist on the stages. Featuring more challenging obstacles, the title also forced the player to move it as their time was limited. Put together, it’s worth at least two playthroughs of the game making it the longest 2D Mario platformer in the series.
Completionist: 33 Hours
The latestDonkey Kong Countrytitle originally released for Wii U before coming to Nintendo Switch. This large-scale 2D platformer brought forth a multitude of worlds featuring lengthy, challenging levels and content. New to the Switch version included Funky Mode for less experienced players.
What makesTropical Freezea lengthier platformer involves its use of collectibles. While players have always hoarded bonus coins or cleared bonus rooms for 101% completion,Tropical Freezeoffered more avenues of challenge. Collecting K-O-N-G and jigsaw pieces brought you unlockables. Plus when someone cleared the game, they could do Time Trial and Mirror Mode runs as well. Until Nintendo chooses to develop anotherDonkey Kong Countrytitle, it may be worth checking out a fewsimilar titles.
Main Story: 13 Hours
Completionist: 34 Hours
The sequel to the popular Wii classic,Super Mario Galaxy 2debuted on Wii in 2010. Featuring all the wonderful elements of the original game,Galaxy 2set out to be more challenging and ambitious than the original title. With up to 240 Stars to collect, the player was in no rush to collect them all.
Unlike the originalSuper Mario Galaxy, where players could beat the game with Mario and Luigi to collect all the Stars,Galaxy 2awarded users with more than just a happy parade. By collecting all 240 stars, players unlocked the Grandmaster Galaxy. This final, daunting challenge featured two stages that challenge players to the limits of their platforming skill.Super Mario 3D Land,3D World, andSuper Mario Odysseywould follow suit by rewarding stages with a final, challenging stage after fulfilling various requirements.
Main Story: 10.5 Hours
Completionist: 38 Hours
Mario’s underrated platforming adventure released forWii U. Featuring 4-player co-op, this sequel toSuper Mario 3D Landoffered 8 worlds at the start. Clearing the game unlocked several more worlds that took place in space as well as a 5th unlockable character – Rosalina.
At the end of the bonus worlds, collecting all the Green Stars, Stamps, and Gold Flag Goalposts would unlock the final three worlds in the game. These challenging levels would test the player’s skills at the Captain Toad level, a gauntlet stage, and the final platforming stage: Champion’s Road. Despite its exclusive Wii U release, perhaps one day players will see aNintendo Switch version.
Story: 10 Hours
Completionist: 44.5 Hours
Therenownedindie platformer, by Team Meat, came out in 2010. This incredibly challenging title pays homage to tons of classics includingCastlevania,Street Fighter II,The Adventure of Lolo, and of course,Super Mario Bros. Once players saved Bandage Girl, they cleared the game, correct?
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By clearing the time trials, players unlock the “Dark World” versions of the stages. These stages were even more difficult than their original versions. Plus users had extra stages to unlock guest characters, such as The Kid fromI Wanna Be The Guy. This also included two versions of Cotton Alley, the secret final world which featured Bandage Girl as the playable character.
Main Story: 12.5 Hours
Completionist: 61.5 Hours
Nintendo’s latest 3D Mario platformer came to the Switch in 2017. Featuring an open world,Super Mario Odysseyoffered tons of exploration in nearly a dozen different worlds. In this game, users were sent to collect Moons.
Even after collecting a set number of Moons to clear the story, players could still pursue more to finish theircompletion. Collecting 500 Moons opened up the hardest challenge stage in the game. Obtaining 999 allowed players to view secret dialogue in the ending as well.
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