When it comes to platformers would Super Mario Brothers be considered the first true platformer?

[bigfriendly]

Does the fact that the screen scrolls as you move along make the game a platformer or would older games like Donkey Kong also be considered a platformer?

[zzip]

You had Mountain King which scrolled, both horizontally and vertically.

 

But I don't think scrolling is implied in the term "platformer",  so yes to DK and every other game of that era featuring platforms.

 

I think SMBs innovation was it turned platforming games into an epic adventure instead of something that can be completed in minutes.

[carlsson]

See also this thread:

https://forums.atariage.com/topic/323090-were-there-scrolling-platformers-before-super-mario-bros-with-decent-graphics/

 

[Tanooki]

It's not, but it would be fair to consider it the first fully fleshed out one that had proper design, control, handling, mechanics, etc.  Pac-Land which was an inspriation had just retched control and some pretty wonky mechanics, but it is a true platformer for instance but few like, less enjoy it.

[carlsson]

IMHO, Pac-Land is the only major game worth considering that predates Super Mario Bros. All the others are too much different or insignificant.

[johannesmutlu]

On 3/27/2024 at 12:13 PM, carlsson said:

IMHO, Pac-Land is the only major game worth considering that predates Super Mario Bros. All the others are too much different or insignificant.

Well there was actually also jungle hunt but it scrolls from right to ldft and there was no actually stop and go in that game as you have to keep going, whether you have to swing,swimming or rund and jump,

, there was gumshoe wich did scroll both horizontal and vertically,there was spelunker wich scrolls in sections and there was circus charlie etc,,,

so while supermariobros may have redefined side scrolling platform games and make other companies to jealously took inspiration of it by making their own platform games (whether it’s a SMB knock off,rip off or direct clone of it or otherwise)  thus increasing the popularity of side scroliing platform games, but it is just mind blowing that side scrolling platform games already dates back to 1982 and that a few other side scrolling platformers already started to pop up on home consoles in 1983 and 1984 before supermariobros,

am mean for 24 years i trought that supermariobros from 1985 was the first ever side scrolling platform game but man what was i wrong🤣

Edited April 8 by johannesmutlu