The people at Retro Studios have been making games for Nintendo consoles for years and obviously absorbed enough platforming mojo from Mr. When presented correctly it can induce a sort of meditative state requiring complete focus. Platforming is its own type of game with a particular visual logic and muscular vernacular. That is different from dying because you can’t see where you’re going or judge whether or not a certain jump will kill you, as happens too often in Epic Mickey. (I haven’t yet.) But at least you never feel as if your failures are the game’s fault rather they are your fault because you can see what you need to do even if you haven’t quite been able to master it yet. If you don’t have some major platforming chops you won’t be finishing it.

Donkey Kong Country Returns quickly becomes very difficult. In a platforming game well designed does not necessarily mean easy. That way the player can concentrate on the timing and dexterity needed to survive. The platform player absolutely requires proper tools like responsive controls and unobstructed camera angles to pull off the needed maneuvers. (Exploration and environmental confusion can be vital parts of other games, just not when any false step leads to instant death.) In a good one, like Donkey Kong Country Returns, it should always be clear where to go and how to get there.

Players like me can still enjoy a well-designed platforming game because it never feels arbitrary or confusing. Now that extra lives don’t cost a quarter anymore, that’s not a big problem.

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