Ristar

Of all the platforming mascots forgotten in the 90s, Ristar probably receives the most respect, and it generally deserves it. It’s not just a colourful and enjoyable example of its genre; it’s even a little ahead of its time, feeling closer to a puzzle-platformer than the pure action of its contemporaries. It’s also more forgiving than similar games of its time, although some late-game obstacles and the adequate-but-imprecise controls ensure it’s not exactly easy. The developers found innumerable uses for the protagonist’s extendible arms, so challenges range from hitching rides on flying enemies to swinging between trees to having a miniboss snowball fight. The aesthetics are a mixed bag, however. While the music is generally wonderful, the sound effects are decidedly annoying, and the graphics, while technically impressive for the time, are garish and undisciplined.