Platform games are very common, in particular on devices like the Game Boy. In a platform game
you look at the scene from the side. The player normally controls a character that walks around in
the world. This world consists of platforms. The player can walk on these platforms, jump or drop
from one platform to the other, use ladders or ropes to get to different places, etc. On the platforms
there are objects to collect, enemies to avoid or kill (often either by shooting them or by jumping on
top of them), switches to press to open passages, etc. Also the player normally requires skill to jump
over dangerous areas. In some platform games you see the whole level at once, but in most you see
only a part around the character. In such a case, finding your way around becomes an additional
challenge.
