Are 3D Platformers Dying?

3D Platformers are going somewhere, and it's definitely not on your game shelf.
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Music Used:
Investigation Opening (2004) - Trials & Tribulations
Logics & Tricks - Ace Attorney
Sound Test - SMT III: Nocturne
END OF FILE - Mega Man X6
Thank you all for watching & I love you all to 120! ~
#CrashBandicoot #SonicthHedgehog #Nintendo

[@Brianycus]

It's Joeover...or is it really?

[@edgegrape9499]

It's crashover... (sorry but i have immeasurables amount of hate towards team rumble)

[@capercrusader7129]

​@@edgegrape9499 so if it isn't Mario or Sonic, spin-offs are not allowed for other franchises. Cool. Nintendo fans always with the negativity.

[@user-tw3mz3gz3x]

Come on. Astro Bot will come out in September 6 2024

[@emblemknightrg2529]

Us:Give us a Game we want to play and have fun and enjoyment with. Producers:You want a Subscription and realistic Live Action Graphics with that Game? Me:NO!!!

[@Brianycus]

EXACTLY.

[@Vaguer_Weevil]

"Oopsie, the one good development team we have is gone now! Ah well."

[@WARLORD626]

Don't forget the part where you don't own your game and you will like it and pay 100$ for game you can't keep.

[@lk_3099]

I'm getting tired of realistic graphics in games. They all end up blending together that I lose interest in them. Games have the potential to make your game play and look however you want, and most western devs obsess over Hollywood cinematics.

[@018FLP]

straight facts, unfortunally

[@FTChomp9980]

As long as Double A,Indies,and Nintendo keep making 3D Platformers we should be good.

[@Brianycus]

What even are Double A studios now that you mention that...?

[@keeganmcfarland7507]

@Brianycus medium-sized game studios. Also, are you going to make a video about AA game studios, Brianycus?

[@Brianycus]

I just want to make review videos tbh. I@@keeganmcfarland7507

[@HeadPats4Peter]

@@Brianycus I definitely heard the word Double A in some ytber vids of the 2023 Robocop game(RoboCop: Rogue City).

[@aneess]

@@Brianycus Embarrassingly enough, Sonic Team

[@capstalker5539]

The platformer is now synonymous with indie games, and big companies are no longer interested in it because there are so many indie games and they're cheaper.

[@Brianycus]

I guess so. Still sucks tbh

[@roadrash2005]

Well imagine a more intense version of mirrors edge as a platformer. To be honest most platformers don’t really innovate beyond 20 year old game design.

[@FloofPuppy]

Toys for Bob aren't shutting down, just downsized to work at home

[@Brianycus]

Yes thank you for the clarification there!

[@orangeslash1667]

@@Brianycus The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@marcoalves9029]

sometimes I like to think that in a kinda distant future we're probably gonna look back at all these realistic cinematic games and be like "dude... what the heck was everyone thinking lmao" something a bit like all the FMV games that got released in the 90's when CDs were a new thing, idk both of these give me some "making games like this just for the sake of taking advantage of the recent technological advancements" vibes but yea, platformers just don't make enough money, like apparently (at least according to those recent leaks at Insomniac) we're only getting a new Ratchet & Clank game in 2029, it just doesn't sell as much as the Spider-Man games sadly

[@kolkagaming1234]

Nah 3D platformers aren’t dying, 3 years ago we got Bowsers jury which was good. Small-ish but good

[@Brianycus]

The biggest issue is asking the question of "why" are they not in the same status as they used to be. Hence, for dramatic reasons, we say that they are "dying", but really they're just very rare nowadays. As for why, well I hope I answered the question as to why.

[@jaretco6423]

Dude. Did you forget Kirby & Forgotten Land? You have an Kirby symbol for Pete sakes.

[@Dweble_pebble]

Other than nintendo franchises and sonic ig, give me 1 non indie 3D platformer that came out in the last 3 years

[@Gnidel]

​@@Dweble_pebbleLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. It's the only one I could find from 2022 onwards. It's weird how 2022 and 2023 were empty. However 2021 was quite full, with It Takes Two, Crash 4, Ratchet & Clank Rift Apart and maybe even more.

[@AreteG]

Ah yes, "Browser's Jury". The game where Mario is tried for his crimes against Browser's kingdom. Personally, I think it was a great game, but it missed a huge opportunity to have a cameo from Phoenix Wright.

[@widerekxxanimations6842]

Seeing Kao in this video put a big ol smile on my face

[@Brianycus]

He is underappreciated

[@widerekxxanimations6842]

@@Brianycus 100% agreed, I really hope he gets a new sequel

[@pokechamp3987]

As someone who grew up with games like GoldenEye, Banjo-Kazooie, Diddy Kong Racing, Mario 64 etc, I have to admit part of what made those games so amazing was how cutting edge they were. It felt like they were pushing the boundaries of what was possible in every direction. I'd love to see this again in my lifetime. Imagine getting a trailer for a new Mario game and actually going "this is the best looking game I've ever seen".

[@Brianycus]

This.

[@DjimonMoz]

Funny I find this video shortly after beating Pseudoregalia for the first time. Easily one of the best games I've ever played. Indies and AA devs will keep this genre alive and well, like they do with many others.

[@Brianycus]

They will do what no other Triple A has done and I absolutely commend them for that.

[@MR_HAYS1]

this popped up in my feed and I subscribed. I hope this video blows up so more people see it. I don't want this genre to die.

[@Brianycus]

It looks like you guys are making that happen and I am so happy! Hopefully, my reviews blow up too.

[@HeadPats4Peter]

I commented a list on Brianycus vid directly. I agree and also hope this video gets more views.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@HeadPats4Peter The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@018FLP]

I fully agree with you, and specially what grinds my gears is the lack of innovation (i honestly hate sonic frontiers and how on-rails it is, for example), so i'm making my own game with: - A more mature approach, without funky characters and childish visuals, just a colossal indestructible Golem that is a movement entity - Extremely alien landscapes inspired by real planets with surreal characteristics like a 3 month thunderstorm with 5000 lightinings a day, raining metal, continent-sized hurricanes and all sorts of crazy things - Extremely rich worlds with meaningfull scenarios that you care, with inhabitants that have their own mind and behavior (and wich you can copy their moveset to add to your own), making a trully live ecosystem with it's own gimmicks, stories, predators, preys and natural selection happening before your eyes. - A ultra handy tool that can be used to sculpt the scenario, as a floating platform, as climbing gear and as a booster - Deeply customizable skills, with metroidvania/roguelike/rpg-esque design and with Movement combos like DMC/Tony Hawk; sets of skills created by the player; infinite build possibilities and Skills evolving based on how the player plays (you always superjump? let's make it an ultra hyper jump then) - No conventional mechanics that are exaustively done, like double jumps/gliding/grappling hook - Sandbox mechanics with tons of ways to interact with the world, focusing 100% in emergent gameplay, destructive scenarios, hiden passages, organic puzzles and tons of ways to solve problems - An extremely intricate and epic lore shown by exploring and absorbing information to figure out yourself how to progress and understand how things are, with different perspectives about the facts and paths opening using your information, not only your skills. - No lame-1-button-mashing combat mechanics and braindead enemies (in fact, the "combat" is based on the highly customizable movement system + Enemies that are literally fighting for their life, so they'll go all in and will behave in the most atrocious and brutal ways if they need) - A ton of rich interesting things to see and do in 3 different timelines - No cutscenes, just fully immersive gameplay at every and anytime - No lifes, no collectables, no continues, just a straighfoward catastrophic event that will eliminate an entire civilization and you have to deal with it :) - Epic bosses that are gigantic puzzles like in Shadow of Colossus, that have a lot of phases and can interact with things, get more powerfull, recover, destroy everything and facilitate said catastrophic events At this moment, i have a movement comparable to Shadow of War game feel, so yeah.... big things ahead, and i'll have a ton of work, but i am extremely confident that i have a really cool project

[@SERGEO-sn4pj]

I really hope they dont die.They are my favorite videogame genre and if they stop making them i wont have anything to play aside from a couple of 2d platformers.I am so glad that kirby had his first 3d game (which was in my opinion a masterpiece propably my favorite game of all time) but aside of nintedo with mario and kirby and Sega with Sonic 3d plats are very unfortunetly dying.I hope that they revive all of those lost franchises in the future Also i forgot to mention the Spongebob games which are really really good

[@jaozin6969]

For me, it's because 3d plataforms games was a hype in industry, like racing games, that was popular but 10 or 20 years lost their hype and make not a lot profitable to industry. I think it will happen to realistic games too

[@Brianycus]

I hope so because I do feel a resurgence is coming soon in the gaming industry, but we will definitely have to wait and see for now.

[@jaozin6969]

@@Brianycus I think it will resurge in indie games, like run and gun

[@joaomarcoscosta4647]

@@jaozin6969 Penny’s Big Breakaway, from the same devs as Sonic Mania, literally just came out.

[@orangeslash1667]

@@jaozin6969 The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@tylerfox5003]

When was klonoa ever a 3d platformer?

[@Brianycus]

In a technicality, it's 2.5D but you are right. I just wanted to give a spotlight to my poor boy.

[@Simipourfangirl]

​@@Brianycus This is the only reason I clicked. I'm not a fan of crash or Spyro yet I've been getting recommended them a lot. Sad they don't spam me with klonoa much unless it's in a different language and I can't tell them that.

[@decadentgamer3108]

I think that so long as there fans who love the genre and continue to play them, the genre will never "die". It may have died in the mainstream but it's sorta booming in the Indie scene because these indie platformers are being made by people who grew up with the genre and are making them to keep the genre alive. It's experimental but just like you pointed out, that's part of what the gaming experience was like so it's understandable why not all the indie platformers may stick the landing but it's okay, the effort is much appreciated. Now speaking for myself, I'm bad with this because I haven't played any of these Indie platformers yet because I don't have Steam but I've been following some projects and I can just see the enthusiasm and care that some of these indie developers are putting into these games and it makes me excited for when I finally get the chance to try them. That said, it really is a shame what happened to Toys For Bob because they did so well with Spyro and Crash, it's such a shame. Anyway, there's no doubt that 3d Platformers have died in the mainstream and it's been that way for the last decade and a half but the genre is never gonna go away thanks to the indie scene. And I know some others have pointed out Nintendo and that's true but I've always personally leaned more to non-Nintendo Platformers and that is why I gave special nod to the indie scene haha.

[@arkfounder7056]

They were having trouble since seventh gen, outside from Nintendo and Insomniac Games, it's been a grind for gaming studios to make the most essential spiritual element of the heart of gaming, and I've said this before a million times over and I'll say it again, the moment Ted Price retires will not only change the studio but the gaming industry as a whole, look at what happened when Andy and Jason left Naughty Dog, they could only afford cinema experienced games instead the soul of it that unleashes the inner child of ourselves.

[@Aperson-62]

Penny's Big Breakaway literally came out this year

[@Brianycus]

I said besides Indies, triple A aren't giving us what is needed

[@Vadigrie]

I also miss the PS1 and PS2 time where Disney and Dreamworks released a game almost everytime alongside one of their new movies. I really loved The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure, the Shrek 2 and the Madagascar games as a kid for example. Pretty sad they're not doing that anymore

[@Brianycus]

I like how despite how crappy some platformers were, there were lots of games to play that were still FUN. I remember having fun with a DS game adaptation of Flushed Away than I have with the new Warzone map.

[@Vadigrie]

@@Brianycus So true! I mean, sure. When I now look back at the games I just listed they're really outdated of course and if I would play them now as an adult they would be really easy and quick to play through. But if they would still do games of this type improved to modern standards I'm sure they would have their audience and would still be fun to play. I mean I also like open world games but sometimes I just really miss the more linear type of games with some platforming here and there, a bit of challenging combat from time to time and a specific amount of collectibles and coins you can find in every level. Now it seems like every single game just needs to have a gigantic and most of the time pretty empty open world where you're fast travelling most of the time anyways and you're literally forced to use the internet for help or otherwise it would be almost impossible to find all the collectibles there. I just wish there would be a better balance there for open worlds and linear games. Could actually also improve open world games again if not every single games has to be one.

[@gonhunter3994]

Nah, 3D platformers are still kicking! Also both Crash N-Sane & Spyro Reignited are remakes

[@Brianycus]

That is true, but we need them to now dominate the field moving forward. To bring us back to what gaming *really* was all about

[@eureka8175]

What do you think we can do to show developers that there is still demand for these types of games?

[@Reditect]

Support the existing projects and developers working on those projects, but that might also be a bad thing. People tend to follow where the money is. So, the quality of installments in the genre would likely overall go down, but the quantity of them would go up. Which, I guess would also reinforce the "better" ones. :O

[@XxROTSA2xX]

I actually think 3D platformers are kind of making a comeback in the 2020s. Right off the bat we got Crash 4, then the Sonic series made a major comeback with two great games (Sonic Frontiers and Sonic Superstars), and another on the way (Sonic x Shadow Generations; there’s a whole leak about more Sonic games coming but that’s too long for me to talk about now). The Super Mario series is slowly but surely coming back with the strength of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and it looks Mario will continue its consistency with Nintendo rumoured to release a new console this year.

[@Brianycus]

When you put it this way, you are absolutely right

[@waynetemplar2183]

Game genres go in and out of fashion all the time. I guess 3D platformers are going into a bit of a hiatus. I'm sure they'll be back in fashion before too soon

[@Brianycus]

I sure hope they do

[@gothamforest]

The genre peaked decades ago, just replay the classics. Nothing cutting edge about jumping from block to block anymore

[@danielnam9026]

I don’t think we’ll see game companies taking risks like the 2000s until the economy becomes better. People can’t even afford food, housing, and gas these days.

[@Brianycus]

You raise a very very good point. An also very broad point but a good one.

[@joshfoustcommunity8928]

To truly take risks, you got to give it your all, you can’t play it safe, playing it safe is what’s making the gaming industry fail, greed kills gaming, fun gameplay makes gaming revolutionary!

[@Brianycus]

THAT IS RIGHT

[@Reditect]

Hi, I have a public playlist on my KZbin channel full of videos on this subject. I've been researching 3D Platformers for years now. I'm also currently working on a 3d platformer collect-a-thon. There are many things this video does not cover, but its recency brings context that older videos on the subject don’t have. To list things covered in some other videos: there is a lack of in-game monetization opportunity, people around 2005 to 2010 wanted to see more edgy games/media, "the golden age" of the 3d platformer (2017) when many games came out around that time, the console wars made reaching a wider audience difficult (no longer an issue), how to modernize the genre (HeavyEyed made amazing videos on this, SnomanGaming too.), Nickolai Boulton in his video greatly mentions "level design brings context to the movement", the complexity of camera controls, the barrier that 3D Platformer games create in accessibility (new gamers need to play 2d games first, moving a camera, player, and other buttons at the same time. The act of platforming, timing your jump, is also something for an individual to learn.), supporting more indie developers and b-studios instead of the triple-a scene, speed-running and a bunch of game designing for a 3D platformer (movement, level design, story, environments, etc.). Making a "good" 3D Platformer is challenging in and of itself, but also more so if you want to modernize the genre like I'm trying to do now. I'm using previous installments and my research to see what to do, and what not to do. I could probably go on, but yeah. I hope that all helps people understand a bit more about the genre "dying". I don't think it's "dead", but rather not as popular for many reasons. Thanks for making this video by the way, and any video on this subject, I will watch it eventually. :)

[@Reditect]

also, yo! I just checked out the videos on your channel, definitely many videos I'm interested in. I'll be sure to watch through stuff. I'm happy the algorithm showed me this video. :>

[@Brianycus]

You do not understand how much this really means to me man

[@danielmalinen6337]

Should this be seen separately or as part of a media movement that says "the whole gaming is dying" because "nobody likes to and wants to play anymore" or "nobody wants to spend or waste their time playing"? At least in the last few years, there have been news articles that want players to stop playing in their free time and start working for a salary because "it's more useful" than leisure time. That's why I'm not worried about playing, but about how the media reports and talks about it.

[@Brianycus]

That's totally fair. I even made a video about the whole "modern gaming is dead" take people have had for a while now.

[@2nkf]

Very cool animation

[@Dj.D25]

I've noticed since the mid/late 2000s that 3D platformers (cartoony games in general really) were getting less popular and less of those kinds of games were getting made. The only franchises that seemed to have regular releases of fully 3D platformers since then were Mario, Sonic and Rachet & Clank. Every other 3D platformer franchise maybe only got 1 game or so every several years or that franchise sort of died. I know there's indie games, but I've noticed many of the 3D platformers developed by indie developers don't seem to be pushing the console to its limits in graphics. Then again, most indie games don't anyways. One of the reasons why I want more 3D platformers is, I feel it's a great way to show what the console could do with special effects. New challenges that may not have been possible in the last generation.

[@maroonkennedy6213]

I think the issue is that AAA developers want to push the bounds and limits of gaming with these huge open world action adventure games. They view 3D platformers as a restrictive medium and a relic of the past, which I disagree with, but at least Nintendo and indie developers are still willing to make 3D platformers

[@jepompom455]

Bro just wait for a new 3D Mario.

[@Brianycus]

Fair

[@ScottW967]

What are your thoughts on Cavern of Dreams? I hear it got good reviews on Steam, and is coming out on the Switch on February 29th.

[@Brianycus]

It gives me Nights vibes and I'm glad that it does

[@keeganmcfarland7507]

"3D Platformers are dying?" Yes, but actually NO! Look at Nintendo turning Kirby 2d into 3d! Also, look at indie game developers and AA game studios, there (slowly) reviving 3d platformers. I hope indie game developers and AA game studios will save 3d platformers, and I hope that the next 3d Mario/Kirby game doesn't suck ass for the next-gen Nintendo console. Speaking of which, thank God, I'm becoming a indie game developer!

[@metaltornado3457]

I think most developers are hesitant to make 3d platformers because character is such an important part of the experience. Most big platformer franchises have marketable protagonists that are designed to be fun to control and remain memorable to carry the potential of sequels. Mario can jump, Kirby can copy powers, Klonoa fires wind bullets, Sonic runs fast, Crash spins, Spyro can glide and breathe fire. They all have some sort of super-power or ability that is central to their character. Many like, Sonic, Crash and Spyro in particular are all about being cocky but likeable and having a sense of thrill and adventure, the archetypal action hero, similar to characters like Spider-man or James Bond. This means it's important to get their personalities right, so they don't come across as annoying, like Bubsy. All of this is way more work than simply making some generic photo-realistic human as the player character and making a live service game that's essentially disposable.

[@ReinMixTape]

Ten years from now someone will make a video about the topic of: "Why live service and open world live service games are dying." The gaming industry went from its roots of being open genre wise and very experimental (late 80s and all of the 90s), to playing it safe (current day), but I foresee there being a balance forming where the "Play it safe" will will be toned down a lot to allow creativity and experimentation back in.

[@Brianycus]

Thats literally what I want to see. The balance of having both work well and also as ambitiously well designed too.

[@moonsdonut5188]

I love old school crash bandicoot, I wish they still made them.

[@GabrylMD]

The larger issue with 3D platformers is their focus on making the characters marketable. Which, back in the day, was a frontier of different ideas that brought about creative characters and environments. Especially with limitations on hardware. Nowadays those limitations are more indicative of their own incompetence. We have so much that can be done, and a now established methodology for designing games properly. But it’s all seen as some short-sighted affair. And rather than plunge into the hole to innovate, developers are content re-releasing what worked years prior. This issue stems far from just 3D platformers. But in the gist of them, it simply isn’t seen as a sustainable way to profit, unless you have a series that is already known for platforming. And if Mario games are anything to go by, they seem to take quite longer to fully develop then they previously have or compare to with their 2D outings. Which leads me to believe the problem is an affair of poor management and a lack of upward scaling for a larger project. And ultimately defaulting when the money isn’t turning a desired profit of quota. And all that aside, you’ll essentially be fighting an uphill battle against the likes of nostalgia that fans will belittle at if your product resembles something else but is claimed as new. Which isn’t really a healthy way to start a series.

[@Gnidel]

I believe the focus on cute mascot characters really hurts the genre in terms of mainstream appeal. Many adults are ashamed to play games that look visibly for children (ironically despite the genre being hardcore in terms of difficulty), so they can't hit mainstream unless they have tons of nostalgia and already dedicated fanbase.

[@Reditect]

I agree with the argument of nostalgia for sure, I've seen it with indie projects. But, I don't think the issue with 3D Platformers is necessarily focusing on "making the characters marketable". Marketability is important along with making money to keep a team alive. It makes sense for a company to do what is safe if they are pressed for money, which triple-a companies can be in those situations. There are a lot of people depending on a wage the bigger that company gets, right? So, it would be a bigger risk. I think this is where the indie devs jump in to form "b studios". Not the triple-a but also not teams so small that it's impossible to get stuff out in a timely and large enough way. So, I mostly agree. I'd love to see or make a studio dedicated to making only 3D Platformers. I personally wouldn't want to be a manager though, I want to make games, not manage people.

[@Reditect]

​@@Gnidel this is something I thought of but only for a bit. Cute mascots surely, to some degree, drive off an older audience or only really reach that nostalgia-filled community that is not big enough. Maybe the direction here is to let adults know they don't need to be "ashamed" to play colorful/childish-looking games. In my longer comment I mention an edgy phase of the platformer genre. We don't need that back, lol. If a more edgy story is in a platformer, or in any game, there needs to be intentionality throughout. An example of a goofy edgy story is Ty the Tasmanian Tiger. Sly was given little story and helps Ty in the end, which was weird because of the lack of connection/story. Also I guess Shadow from sonic to a degree, that was more fleshed out, but I digress. To the point of the genre being "hardcore in terms of difficulty", I say the solution here is to lower the barrier to entry and match games like the Spyro Trilogy. It is easy to get into it compared to some other games that are more demanding. In addition to that though, games should have optional content that is more challenging. Kao does this somewhat well with its purple portal that have mini challenges. That idea can definitely be expanded upon.

[@RandomGreenKirb]

Small studios and indies are probably keeping the genre alive in my eye

[@coreykippsofficial]

I still have faith that Banjo will return.

[@forrestannis909]

Too bad about Conker though.

[@PipeGuy64Bit]

Kinda silly to ponder over. When you break it down, the medium is more alive than it was during the 7th console generation. It's just that the whole 3D platformer renaissance wasn't as big as we hoped but it still brought us a bunch of instant classics.

[@HeadPats4Peter]

there's quite a bit of these games, but it just feels like the notable ones in the past dont seem to put such games out anymore (Spyro? year of dragon, where are you? Banjo?) A random list: Cavern of Dreams Corn Kidz 64 (Corn Kidz 64 (Playthrough) by redeyesgreendragon has someone commenting in chat replay at 46m30s that Corn Kidz feels like a mashup 40 winks/mario 64/glover/banjo/conker. Also, I wasnt aware of 40 Winks and Glover.) Pseudoregalia Lunistice Toree Project Feline Spark the Electric Jester (2 & 3) Protodroid Delta (more a MegaMan Legends) Delta Gal (fan MegaMan Legends game, not complete) Kiwi 64 Yooka Laylee Celeste 64: Fragments of the Mountain (by the creators of Celeste, huh !?!) Super Lucky's Tale Older ones, may not fit in 3d platformer genre: Blinx The Time Sweeper Voodoo Vince Buck Bumble 64 (less a platformer I guess) Others: post title "Games like Banjo Kazooie??" on steam community by He-Man has some replies: Demon Turf (never heard of that) TY the Tasmanian Tiger (never heard of that) Legend of Kay (never heard of this either) Macbat 64(forgot about this, made by same guy for Toree and Kiwi 64) Clive 'N' Wrench(never heard of that) Sonic Amateur Games Expo (SAGE) is sometimes a way to find something (e.g. Toree I think has been featured there, I might have remembered wrongly)

[@X2011racer]

Perhaps it is. Aside from the indie scene, the Non-Indie industry saw little returns on 3D platformers over the last decade. The genre is too much of a financial risk and has an awful lack of a hard-set audience if nostalgia is not a factor, such as Crash 4 or Sonic Frontiers. I witnessed it myself at a Gamestop, where a little kid tried a demo for Spyro Reignited Trilogy and dropped it after 1 minute, switching to a different demo. The demo in question has no time limit, like in the E3 demo. That wasn't the case back at the start of the new millennium, where I used to see kids play 3D Platformer demos all the way to the end or at least until losing a life. It's essentially a Nintendo genre at this point, as any Nintendo platformer, be it 2D or 3D, will sell high numbers. Anyone else who tries to make a Platformer end up losing 90% of the budget due to poor sales and difficulty promoting this genre. Crash had the PS1 style commercials that only promoted the Playstation versions, while the other versions had no commercials and primarily had gameplay trailers online. Spyro had a bizarre promotion involving Snoop Dogg, which didn't work, Pac-Man World Re-Pac had zero commercials, and Sega hasn't aired any commercials in a long while, and Sonic Frontiers only saw promotions within generic Nintendo Switch commercials. Hence why Microsoft killed off Toys for Bob; Crash and Spyro are pretty much financial dead weight, and why Rare has no interest in returning to their older IPs, such as Banjo-Kazooie, along with the lack of interest in those IPs from 3rd party developers; the payoff just isn't worth it. And before you mention Indie developers, WayForward has warned other indie developers not to work with AAA companies like Nintendo because they would put the indie developer under heavy pressure and restrict them on what they are allowed to do. Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp was supposedly a nightmare to work on with so much enbugging and crashing during development, and they were only contracted to work on the game until the original release date. They weren't allowed to continue work during the indefinite delay as Nintendo decided not to renew the contract, which meant that the game was sitting in Nintendo's vault with no additional bugfixing done during that time. Sorry for the long comment.

[@minermole101]

I think cinematic stuff should be a bonus and not a top priority. Gameplay should always be first.

[@Brianycus]

Exactly

[@Multifandomguy]

People have been saying the same thing since 2014

[@sowotokizabeli1650]

I would love to have another spyro game. It would be amazing to be play new levels.

[@Brianycus]

I can see it happening thanks to how well done Crash 4 was back in 2020. If only Activision could see that.

[@alisadiaz.]

Sly Cooper must make a return to modern gaming.

[@Brianycus]

Oh YES IT DOES. AND APE ESCAPE TOO

[@jaretco6423]

We had Kirby & Forgotten Land came out not long ago and it was Kirby's first 3D platforming game. So no. I don't think 3D platforming games are dying and they never will be for an very long time.

[@paperluigi6132]

Just wait until Mario Odyssey 2 comes out, even if it isn’t called Odyssey 2.

[@Brianycus]

The thing is we *know* Mario will sell well, the issue is why can't other developers see that people want more 3D platformers. If Mario continues to sell well each generation, who's to say that can't be the case with other IPs too

[@Reditect]

@@Brianycus that's fair but Nintendo has brand recognition and an established history that makes them able to succeed. I guess that's a chicken and the egg problem. A makes B, B makes A. The "A" here is the creditability, the "B" here is success (or the lack of it).

[@Dragonfury3000]

Tomb Raider classic remastered trilogy just came out...

[@fzcbh4698]

I remember see someone talked about 3D platform video game dying since 2015

[@blue_pingu]

There's probably a lot of overlap between the "animation is for kids" crowd and the people who'll never touch a 3d platformer.

[@Brianycus]

Unfortunately...

[@Reditect]

Adding to this, someone at school told me once that "making and playing video games is immature". (I make video games btw). Granted, that person didn't know me that well so what they say shouldn't matter that much, but it did make me think. There are a lot of people out there who think gaming is immature or bad for you due to many reasons. Misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about the positives are probably the main reasons. I hope that more people get into gaming. To clarify, I mean in a healthy way; within moderation. (I'm biased lol)

[@V3ntilator]

Switch 2 will probably have a new 3D Mario at launch. (Odyssey 2 perhaps). "Toys for Bob" at Microsoft might make a new 3D platformer too. There is also a unknown developer making a new Banjo game for Microsoft.

[@LS-td4yf]

I think 3d platformers died back in the GameCube and ps2 era since so many games were awful shovelware that it created a negative connotation towards them that hasn’t gone away yet. Sure there were some bangers in that era like ratchet and clank, Jak and daxter, sly cooper, psychonauts, and ape escape but almost everything else was either mid or bad. Also it doesn’t help the fact that all of them are considered kids games which can turn people off.

[@wub9044]

Nah, man. They're really not. As of last recent few years we got: -Pseudoregalia -Vividlope -Cornkids 64 -Kao the Kangaroo Reboot -Sephonie -Hell Pie -FroGun -Demon Turf -Blue Fire -Psychonauts 2 -SpongeBob: The Cosmic Shake -Super Kiwi 64 -Tinykin -Lil Gator Game -Bomb Rush Cyberfunk And right now, currently upcoming ones are: -Billie Bust Up -Penny's Big Breakway -ElectroKinetic -Toree Saturn -Atlyss -Rollin' Rascal -Another Crab's Treasure -Haste: Broken Worlds C'mooon man, back then you said that modern gaming ain't really dead because there's still good games coming out and now you twist the narrative to 3D Platformers and change sides. That ain't right.

[@Brianycus]

No no no. I didn't twist any narrative. Despite my claims that modern gaming isn't bad, that's within a general claim. However, I also said that there are still issues within modern gaming that needs to be addressed. 3D platformers is one of those issues. My claim and basis here is that despite indie games and AA studios making platformers, the AAA studios aren't doing that anymore.

[@davidmorrison2135]

I’m not gonna lie, I’m glad Klonoa came back. The only thing I want from the franchise is Namco to take good care of it and become more recognizable, that’s how I became a Klonoa fan and I too, would love to see Klonoa have his spot in the next Super Smash Bros game

[@Mohamed58290]

Believe me if all you play is mario and crash you will probably feel like that but you should try new platformers i recommend sonic frontiers it is fast paced and very unique game with new ideas that are genuinely fun and a lil challenging but not annoyingly hard like crash 1 if you arent so sure you can get the game for free (if you know what i mean 👀) and if you like it then you can buy it if you dont then you didnt lose any money maybe you bought the game already idk cuz you already mentioned that you played Sonic adventure 2

[@gamerhero9559]

I want Spyro 4 like Crash 4 It's About Time. Is that too much to ask for now?

[@Brianycus]

Yeah...

[@matthewvandyk7773]

Banjo Kazooie is the prefect 3D platformer and i think only outperformed by Mario Odyssey. That said I just want a new Banjo Kazooie and I'll be happy with the state of 3D platformers. Toys for Bob being switched to an indie developer hopefully dosen't cut any chances of them making Microsoft IP games. Because Toy's for Bob's head gas expressed interest in making a new Banjo Kazooie.

[@Brianycus]

Buddy we gotta get you that BK3 much like how I need my Mega Man Legends 3 😭

[@Im_leaving]

What? Oh platformers

[@Brianycus]

Yeah

[@theultimategamer75]

It’s just the zeitgeist we live in. That’s why the games have changed.

[@georgemeyers7172]

Ask Mario Fans that Question and then I'll get back to ya.

[@Brianycus]

I said that when it comes to Nintendo, we know they will deliver. The main focus of this video was addressing other IPs like Crash, Klonoa, Spyro, Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and Jak & Daxter as they deserve comeback arcs too.

[@georgemeyers7172]

@@Brianycus Oh. Yeah Fair.

[@Toto._.576]

KZbin keep asking too many questions but they don't question how KZbin Listens to ur thoughts and recommend videos for u /=

[@Brianycus]

Truuueee

[@Toto._.576]

@Brianycus bro I swear youtube have ears everywhere -_-

[@Toto._.576]

@Brianycus also I don't like the fact that everytime I Search for something in the youtube search youtube just keeps showing stuff that I DID not search for it all and it's allweys some disgusting stuff and weird I miss old youtube :( ❤️‍🩹

[@Brianycus]

Oh I miss the old KZbin too...@@Toto._.576

[@Simipourfangirl]

I wasn't interested in this video until i saw klonoa in the thumbnail.

[@Brianycus]

I really should do a Klonoa review marathon huh?

[@Simipourfangirl]

@@Brianycus yeah, I need my klonoa fix. Not enough people are talking about him

[@ivoryvt]

I'm sorry, this is just a nitpick of mine, but as much as I love Klonoa, it is not a 3D platformer. It's 2.5D, like Kirby 64. I just find it weird it's grouped with 3D platformers when it's by all means a great 2D (the GBA games) and 2.5D platformer series

[@davelewis8270]

Nah People just can't tell the difference between "they are dying" and "they appeal to a smaller market"

[@krutchmaster]

The genra has been on life support since the end of the n64 and ps2 era

[@TheMightyN]

Not even watching the video; it's clear where this subject is going. This platform isn't really dying...but evolving into a genre more abstract.

[@Ilia_Salnicov]

2:34 It's "3d world" not "3d land". Second game is still only on 3ds.

[@user-ov6zy2dh4d]

There was a game, almost 30 years ago... Blasto was the title name... one of those 3D platforms. Revive that

[@nightwing316]

I had more fun playing Astro’s playroom than games like lies of P and Ghost of Tsushima

[@Brianycus]

Astro's playroom was just built different man

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

Dying? They were straight up dead during the 7th and 8th generations of consoles but I think they are doing WAYYY better now then during those times

[@Brianycus]

That is true for sure, but I am still surprised that they didn't learn by now how important and fun 3D platformers can be.

[@emeraldwind4897]

Its been stagnant for 3d platformers for me since they are actually my favorite genre of games. Man 2023/2024's been kinda shotty lately with games overall, I guess ill probably play my backlog of indie 3d platformers and 100% them until we get another big 3d platformer game.

[@VenomHEDGEHOG]

Mario wonder, and sonic frontiers/superstars: yes we are 😂

[@Gnidel]

2 out of 3 of games you've mentioned are 2D.

[@Jahuya]

Moar Crash!!

[@cloudycolacorp]

I’m much more excited about indie platformers from unknowns than I am for the idea of some crummy giant company resurrecting some game from the past and messing it up

[@crashban4t.f.s.b783]

They aren’t dying. It’s just that many companies have been developing games for the Switch 2.

[@kingemerald4622]

Sorry, but the comments are making my brain rot. This video is just unnecessary

[@crashban4t.f.s.b783]

@@kingemerald4622 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kingemerald4622]

@@crashban4t.f.s.b783 It's true I'm tired of the biase epic mickey is getting a remake though not a third game it's still something relating to that series and shows that there's at least hope for 3 and a remake of 2. Spector is involved in the remake consulting it the game will be multi platform though I doubt it will be on the switch 2 maybe one of the switches final titles kind of like breath of the wild being one of the last games for the WiiU?

[@kingemerald4622]

@@crashban4t.f.s.b783 also the controls will be less clunky so no more use the remote to spray paint

[@crashban4t.f.s.b783]

@@kingemerald4622 The motion controls in the original are not bad. Using the Wiimote to aim the paint is not bad.

[@ninjadude183]

AAA... Yes. Indies... No. Definitely thriving.

[@Brianycus]

Yeah exactly

[@kalasatwater2224]

Sad times

[@kostalking9747]

The reason why it seems like 3-D platformers are dying is because they’re way too many people into shooting shit

[@gothamforest]

They peaked, how many times can you jump from one place to another. Get Microsoft pogo stick simulator and call it a platformer

[@kostalking9747]

@@gothamforest as many times as you need to collect all the things you cynical asshole

[@kostalking9747]

@@gothamforest as many times as necessary until you collect all the things you cynical asshole

[@orangeslash1667]

@@gothamforest The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@barrysmith4610]

Great video. I too love Klonoa. Klonoa for Smash 6 :)

[@Brianycus]

Same man. Might make a review series for it honestly

[@barrysmith4610]

@@Brianycus fully onboard with that ideal

[@jesusvera7941]

DooM eternal is just what i asked for a 3D platformer, a platformer that isnt cute and friendly, finally a platformer with blood and heavy metal.

[@sirducksworthythe3rd842]

Sonic frontiers isn't a sonic game just sonic skinned with a sonic story

[@jaden149]

nintendo and the indie scene will keep then alive but yeah for the most part out side of nostalgia bait other company's dont seem to make 3d platfomers since they are less profitable to then even tho i think thats wrong i think if someone made like a amazing platformer it would sell fast

[@Brianycus]

Exactly my point

[@IkesDaddelbox]

I hope not again. That would mean another period of greens and browns until people realize that colors are nice. Again.

[@gorillapimpbeats]

Nah they need to remake rayman 2 and toys story 2 for ps5

[@Brianycus]

TOY STORY 2 REMAKE PLEASE

[@jment34]

Banjo kazooie will be remastered for sure.

[@orangeslash1667]

The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@viabler6320]

Without Nintendo it’s already dead.

[@Brianycus]

That is undeniably true

[@dankcestralcult]

Aren't we all

[@bandy-sk5889]

No Spyro 4 or sly remakes then

[@sirducksworthythe3rd842]

Um it's been announced that Xbox is in fact working on a new banjo and kazooie

[@FireDuck6607]

Roblox is still full of 3D platformers. Yeah almost all of them suck but there are still millions of people playing them every day, so I wouldn’t really call them dead.

[@Brianycus]

I have to be honest but I don't think the claim of saying Roblox is full of 3D Platformers is supporting the idea that they're not dead. Id argue the opposite honestly.

[@FireDuck6607]

[@Reditect]

FINALLY! Someone in this comment section is talking about Roblox! Ok, so there are things in Roblox I'd call "platformers" and things I'd call "obbys", they are not the same to me. "Obbys" are games that rely on the Roblox default character and it's moveset with common tropes. It is it's own genre with sub-genres like difficulty charts, changing jump height or walk speed, and other stuff. Then there are Roblox "platformers": games with custom movesets, StarterCharacters, cameras, etc. They have a focus on a different kind of platforming, not just Roblox's default system of jumping and stuff. So, I'd say Roblox is full of "obbys", not what I'd call "platformers". I love the argument though, it is valid and can ring true to an extent. The things I mention though, about more in-depth systems, should still be considered.

[@KnightSoulsG]

They having dying for many years by now...

[@Brianycus]

But why is the reason. Why have they been dying is what this video hopefully gave some sort of an answer too.

[@KnightSoulsG]

They're not the money makers but shooters are

[@orangeslash1667]

@@KnightSoulsG The problem is ever since open world games became a trend in the PS3/Xbox 360 era, collect a thons become redundant for big companies. The good news is Collect a thons do exist in indie games.

[@gothamforest]

We put up with platformers because of the limitations of the consoles and technology we don’t need them any more. PlayStation 1 was a long time ago.

[@Brianycus]

You pretty much need them. In fact, I'd argue you need now more than ever because of the current meta of the gaming industry.

[@man-vd4zx]

thanks god i lived my childhood during the platformers peak years with ps1-ps2, playing and living incredible and colorful adventures....most children nowadays grow playing only fortnite and are brainwashed by it

[@Brianycus]

Unfortunately they will never be true gamers...

[@kostalking9747]

Actually, 3-D platforms have been dead since yooka laylee came out

[@FlashBiduan]

Let's wait until mario odyssey 2 but nintendo games always sell well um...... Let's wait until sonic adventure 3 frontiers did well so sega can finally give sonic team an actual budget but...... I don't know if it will be well becouse sega being sega can rush them and then a new 06 might be coming oh god..... let's wait for crash 5 then

[@darkgardenrecords9264]

Only 3D platformers I rock with these days are Nintendo properties. Can’t wait for that next 3D Donkey Kong

[@Reditect]

Could I ask why? Is there hesitation for indie games? Or, have you only found Nintendo games to be fun despite playing indie games?

[@canontheory]

A hat in time and Yooka laylee are great modern 3D platformers not made by Nintendo especially hat in time

[@DaakkuuYRS]

The issue with 3D platformer is that they outdated, and I don't mean by gameplay, but by a consumer standpoint. Games are expensive (60-70 dollars without DLCs cost) and this genre is typaclly consists of short titles and some are insaely difficult to the common consumer. Crash 4 was big example of this- short and difficult. Sure, most of platformer fans enjoyed and bought it, but when you can buy an RPG such as Persona, Yakuza, FF, etc which can last for 60+ hours for the same price, it is no brainer which you'll buy. Not to mention that kids, the genre's demographic doesn't play anymore those games- adults are. What kids do play? COD, Fortnite and other endless games as they don't have the money.

[@user-vt6dd4kz5t]

well...mario and sonic are still alive so i would say no not entirely as long as they are alive the spirit of platformers will always be alive after all these are 2 popular brands in world wide. alos if platforming is really dying well...i can see why sega and the sonic team step into a new direction and made an open-world aka open zone game for sonic aka sonic frontiers to keep the series fresh..so i am assuming that's the reason they're going for open-zone formula instead of making 3D platform stages for modern sonic i mean that's just my take..

[@HuskyZee]

I wouldnt say theyre dying but they've def slowed down since 2020.