Why Collectathon Platformers Are Making a Serious Comeback

4 July 2025

Collectathons—ah, the golden era of platformers where the main goal was to gather anything that wasn’t nailed down. For gamers who grew up in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, those words might conjure memories of sprawling levels, quirky characters, and vivid worlds bursting with things to discover—coins, gems, stars, bananas, or whatever shiny objects developers decided would be worth chasing.

For a while, though, collectathon platformers kind of... faded into the background. They were overshadowed by open-world RPGs, immersive shooters, and other genres that dominated the gaming scene. But guess what? These delightful, treasure-hunting platformers are staging a serious comeback, and it’s not just nostalgia driving the trend.

Let’s dive into why collectathon platformers are stealing the spotlight once again and why gamers—both old-timers and newcomers—can’t seem to get enough of them.

A Blast from the Past: The Appeal of Collectathon Platformers

Before we talk about the comeback, let’s rewind for a second and remind ourselves why we fell in love with collectathon platformers in the first place.

Back in the days of the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1, these games were everywhere. Iconic titles like Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie, Spyro the Dragon, and Donkey Kong 64 practically defined the genre. What made them so fun? It wasn’t just about mindlessly grabbing shiny objects—it was the sense of adventure, exploration, and progression.

Think about it:

- Endless Exploration: Collectathon platformers practically begged you to explore every nook and cranny of their colorful, imaginative worlds. There was always something hiding around a corner or behind a tricky platforming section.
- Charming Characters: The protagonists were quirky, funny, and downright lovable. Who could forget the wisecracks from Banjo and Kazooie or Spyro’s snarky attitude?
- Satisfaction of Collecting: Whether it was stars, notes, or crystals, collecting items felt rewarding. They were tangible markers of progress, and let’s face it, there’s something oddly satisfying about filling up a checklist, right?
- Replay Value: These games had layers. Even after beating the main story, you were often tempted to go back and 100% complete every level.

It was like a scavenger hunt on steroids, and it was downright addictive.

Why Did They Disappear for a While?

If collectathon platformers were so great, why did they fall off the radar for a bit? Well, gaming trends are a fickle beast. Around the mid-2000s, players started gravitating toward more “realistic” and “mature” genres. Gritty shooters like Call of Duty and sprawling open-world RPGs like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim captured the mainstream audience.

At the same time, collectathons started to feel outdated. Developers leaned more into linear, cinematic gaming experiences, and the collectathon formula often got criticized for being repetitive or padded for the sake of length. In short, people moved on, and the genre quietly stepped into the shadows.

Nostalgia Is One Heck of a Drug

Fast forward to today, and collectathon platformers are back in business. One of the biggest reasons? Nostalgia.

Let’s be honest, millennials and early Gen Z gamers are now adults with disposable incomes (well, sort of). Many of them grew up on games like Super Mario 64 and Spyro, and the moment someone breathes the word “remaster,” they’re ready to throw money at their screens.

Case in point: the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. These remasters of classic games didn’t just sell well; they crushed it. Why? Because they tapped into that nostalgic itch, plain and simple.

It’s not just about revisiting old games, though. New titles like Yooka-Laylee (created by former Banjo-Kazooie developers) and A Hat in Time have embraced the classic collectathon formula while adding their own modern twists—and fans love them for it.

A New Generation of Players

While nostalgia plays a huge role, it’s not the only factor. There’s also an entirely new generation of gamers discovering the joy of collectathon platformers for the first time. These younger players didn’t grow up with Banjo-Kazooie or Donkey Kong 64, but they’re drawn to these games for the same reasons we were back in the day—fun exploration, quirky characters, and a satisfying sense of progression.

Plus, these games feel like a breath of fresh air in today’s gaming landscape. Many modern games are massive, open-world epics that demand 50+ hours of your life. Collectathons, on the other hand, still feel expansive, but they’re often more approachable, bite-sized, and lighthearted.

The Rise of Indie Developers

Another reason for the resurgence of collectathon platformers? Indie developers.

Big studios might have been hesitant to bring back the collectathon formula, but indie devs? They embraced it with open arms. Games like A Hat in Time and Yooka-Laylee were crowdfunded by fans who were hungry for a return to this genre, and their success proved there was still a passionate audience out there.

Indie developers also have the creative freedom to take risks. They’ve experimented with the collectathon formula, blending it with other genres and mechanics. This fresh take has kept the genre from feeling stuck in the past while still preserving its core appeal.

Stream-Friendly Gameplay

We live in the age of Twitch and YouTube, and collectathon platformers fit right into the world of livestreaming. Their colorful visuals, entertaining gameplay, and relaxed pace make them perfect for content creators to share with their audiences.

Think about it—how fun is it to watch someone react to discovering hidden areas or pulling off tricky platforming challenges? It’s wholesome, fun, and doesn’t require a massive time investment, which makes these games a favorite for both streamers and viewers.

The Success of Modern Entries

Let’s not forget the actual games fueling this comeback. From remasters to brand-new titles, recent collectathon platformers have been crushing it.

- Super Mario Odyssey: Released in 2017, this game is arguably one of the best collectathon platformers of all time. With its open-ended levels, hundreds of Power Moons to find, and endless charm, it showed the world that collectathons could still feel fresh and exciting.
- A Hat in Time: This indie darling captured the hearts of gamers everywhere with its adorable protagonist, creative level design, and quirky humor. It’s a love letter to the genre while still feeling modern and unique.
- Banjo-Kazooie in Smash: Okay, hear me out—when Nintendo brought Banjo and Kazooie into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it was more than just fan service. It was a statement: people still love these characters, this franchise, and this style of game.

Why the Comeback Matters

At its core, the resurrection of collectathon platformers isn’t just about gaming trends—it’s about what these games represent. They’re joyful, colorful, and unapologetically fun. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming and stressful, they offer an escape to whimsical worlds where the biggest challenge is figuring out how to reach that ledge to grab one last collectible.

They remind us that games don’t always have to be gritty, hyper-realistic, or packed with 100+ hours of content to be worthwhile. Sometimes, it’s enough to just run, jump, and collect shiny things while listening to cheerful music.

A Bright Future for Collectathon Platformers

With remasters, indie titles, and modern takes on the genre, it’s clear that collectathon platformers are here to stay. Developers are finding new ways to keep the formula fresh while still honoring what made it special in the first place, and fans—both old and new—are more than ready to support them.

Whether you’re rediscovering the joy of collecting or experiencing it for the first time, one thing’s for sure: collectathon platformers are making a serious comeback, and it feels so good to have them back in our lives.