Platformers
Are your gamers looking for challenging environments? Do they want to run and jump their way through obstacles? Then your gamers are probably looking for a platformers. Platformers are games where the challenges come from navigating the environments themselves. Platforms may be surrounded by lava on all sides, or players may need to slide under spikes to advance. These are spacial challenges that require the right kinds of jumping and reacting to the situation as it develops. Mario and Sonic are some of the most iconic platforming heroes, but there are so many games in this genre to choose from. These are some of our favorite 4 player platformer games.
Rayman Legends
1 - 4 Players PS4 & XB1
ESRB: E for Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Death from above!
Rayman Legends is a cooperative platformer where you try to collect as many lums, fairies, as you can on your way to the end of the level as well as finding trapped teensies along the way. Some of the challenges are more puzzle oriented and others are more about reacting to the environment as it changes. There are also bosses and enemies that you kick, punch, and slam your way through. Collecting Teensies and Lums will unlock characters and levels. My favorite unlocks being the music based levels. There’s something thrilling about running through a level timed to Black Betty or a mariachi version of Eye of the Tiger. And you can even play levels of the previous Rayman Orgins in this game. If you want more cooperative platformers in your collection, this game is for you.
Little Big Planet 3
1 - 4 Players PS4
ESRB: E for Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Just please don't drop it Swoop!
Little Big Planet 3 is another cooperative platformer. It leans more towards puzzle challenges. Players use items such as stickers they’ve found to activate switches, tools like a air gun to move objects closer or blow them away, and character abilities. All the while they’re collecting bubbles with new goodies like stickers or clothes to dress their avatar in. Little Big Planet 3 introduces a handful of new characters to the mix, each with unique abilities, such as one that can fly, can fit in small spaces, and another who runs faster. It’s all about using what you have available to get through obstacles. It’s an adorable game and great for young gamers.
Runbow
1 - 8 Players XB1 & Wii U
ESRB: E for Mild Fantasy Violence
What green bridge?
Runbow can be cooperative or competitive. It has a fascinating premise in that if you can’t see it then it doesn’t exist. The environments have colored platforms and the background color of the levels rotate. If the background and platforms match, then those platforms cease to be until the color changes again. There are arena modes where characters can duke it out, or you can work together to try to capture trophies and unlock new goodies. It’s very much a reaction based platformer, but it’s a lot of fun. If you’re looking for something that caters to a lot of players, this one can go all the way up to 8 players.
Speedrunners
1 - 4 Players PS4 & XB1
ESRB: E for Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
That boulder though.
Speedrunners is a platforming racing game where you’re trying to stay in the race, the last one standing wins. As the race progresses the box containing the race gets smaller and smaller. If you end up outside of it then you’re out. This is another reactionary game but with grappling hooks and wall jumping. This is a great game if you want to add something that’s got both racing and last one surviving gameplay.
Stephanie Frey can be found roaming Twitter. She can also be found selling goodies on Society6.
Games in Schools and Libraries is produced in association with Inverse Genius and the Georgetown County Library System.
Games in Schools and Libraries Guild at Board Game Geek
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