Hi there! If you’re joining us now, the month of march is gonna be all about platforming games – 2D, 3D, maybe even 2.5D.

Sometimes, a platform game revolves around a single core conceit. Stealing enemies abilities and using them against them. Flipping gravity. Catching cheeky monkeys. Capturing the souls of your enemies with a throw of your sentient hat.

So for todays prompt, what are the most baseline rewarding central gimmicks or mechanics of platformer games?

Bonus: What platformer/franchise has the best basic attack?

Extra Bonus: What platformer/franchise went overboard with complexity, and should have pared things down?

Extra Bonus Deluxe: Best case of grapple hook

TOMORROW: The final platform gauntlet