Editing Platformer (section)

===Isometric platformer===
{{anchor|Isometric platformers|reason=Old section name; things linked to it.}}
{{see also|Isometric graphics in video games}}<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Knight Lore for MSX.gif|thumb|''[[Knight Lore]]'', an example of three-dimensional space represented on low-end hardware<br />{{ffdc|1=Knight Lore for MSX.gif|log=2020 July 17}}]] -->

Isometric platformers present a three-dimensional environment using two-dimensional graphics in [[isometric projection]]. The use of [[Isometric graphics in video games|isometric graphics]] was popularized by [[Sega]]'s arcade [[isometric shooter]] ''[[Zaxxon]]'' (1981),<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/Electronic_Games_Volume_01_Number_11_1983-01_Reese_Communications_US|title=Electronic Games - Volume 01 Number 11 (1983-01)(Reese Communications)(US)|date=January 1983}}</ref> which Sega followed with the arcade isometric platformer ''[[Congo Bongo]]'', released in February 1983.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congo Bongo (Registration Number PA0000184737) |url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/ |website=[[United States Copyright Office]] |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref> Another early isometric platformer, the [[ZX Spectrum]] game ''[[Ant Attack]]'', was later released in November 1983.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|title=Awesome Ants Leap to the Attack!|pages=31, 33|issue=26 (December 1983)|date=16 November 1983|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-026/CVG026_Dec_1983#page/n29/mode/2up}}</ref>

''[[Knight Lore]]'', an isometric sequel to ''[[Sabre Wulf]]'', helped to establish the conventions of early isometric platformers. This formula was repeated in later games like ''[[Head Over Heels (game)|Head Over Heels]]'' and ''[[Monster Max]]''. These games were generally heavily focused on exploring indoor environments, usually a series of small rooms connected by doors, and have distinct adventure and puzzle elements. Japanese developers blended this gameplay style with that of Japanese [[action-adventure game]]s like ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' to create games like ''[[Land Stalker]]'' and ''[[Light Crusader]]''. This influence later traveled to Europe with Adeline Software's sprawling epic ''[[Little Big Adventure]]'', which blended RPG, [[adventure game|adventure]], and isometric platforming elements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Big Adventure – Hardcore Gaming 101 |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/little-big-adventure/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Before consoles were able to display true polygonal 3D graphics, the ¾ isometric perspective was used to move some popular 2D platformers into three-dimensional gameplay. ''[[Spot Goes To Hollywood]]'' was a sequel to the popular ''[[Cool Spot]]'', and ''[[Sonic 3D Blast]]'' was Sonic's outing into the isometric subgenre.