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[AuntEggma]

Just looking for a few modern examples of some "single screen platformers" in order to do some research for a game I'm working on at the moment.

I can think of games like burger time, donkey kong, n++... A few more specific games can be found here: http://www.the-nextlevel.com/tnl/threads/21592-Single-screen-Platformers

I'm really just looking for any modern platformer that doesn't scroll. Puzzle games in particular are what I'm aiming for... Thanks!

[ｂ∀ ｋｋｕｓａ]

this member made this:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/508990/?

[AuntEggma]

this member made this:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/508990/?

Oooooh good start! Thanks! Looks like a really cool donkey kong-esque game.

[oahda]

Made something once for LD where you could turn the level around the y axis 180 degrees and end up on the other side, and also tilt the level by 90 degrees in every direction on the z axis (it was rendered in 3D but the character could only move in 2D on x and y).

That's one way to get more stuff into a single screen, if that interests you.

A full Fez mechanic could work too, unless you don't think that counts as one screen. Or that thing on TIGS that started out as "2D Fez" whose name escapes me for the moment. Or something properly 3D for that matter?

Not very Donkey Kong, but... Just spitballing here.

[JWK5]

You could also slide the platforms horizontally or vertically in relation to the player character's movement. So, for example, if the player is moving right the platforms shift left, if the player jumps up the platforms shift down, if the player walks off an edge the platforms shift up, etc.

In this manner, I could imagine there could be special blocks or pickups that change the orientation of certain platforms or otherwise shift the arrangement of the level so that progression is not doled out in levels but more gradually through the bending and twisting of existing platforms (which maybe culminate into a checkpoint where the game graphics change, perhaps the platforms, enemies, and backgrounds change from forest to castle or day to night or whatever).

[oahda]

Wouldn't that just look like a level that's actually scrolling? Or do you mean the platforms would reäppear on the other side again after reaching one edge of the screen or something?

[JWK5]

Wouldn't that just look like a level that's actually scrolling? Or do you mean the platforms would reäppear on the other side again after reaching one edge of the screen or something?

Yeah, pretty much that.

What might be even more interesting is if platforms shifted at differing speeds (horizontal, vertical, or both), maybe differentiated with a unique visual look for each type.

[woodsmoke]

I think the magnifying technique in the game Bird Song is super cool:

[Schoq]

that's dope

would things like knytt and vvvvv count?

[AuntEggma]

that's dope

would things like knytt and vvvvv count?

That magnifying technique is awesomeeee.  So is the idea of a rotating level.

I think you guys are showing me that if a platformer is 'single-screen' there needs to be something else going on for it to feel 'full.'
--
And it so happens the game I'm working on is heavily inspired by Knytt, so I think you hit the nail on the head.

What I've got so far conceptually is that there are four 'levels' which are essentially just repeating platformer screens with coins, jumps, some decoration... Real simple, not too difficult, basic platformer stuff. Relaxing. Much as Knytt feels to me. 

But unlike Knytt where there are dozens of screens, there will just be 4, with each ending and moving to the next one after a minute or so.  So the basic surface-level challenge is to just collect all the coins within the time limit.

I like what I'm hearing regarding ways to mix up the single screen idea. Maybe something visual, like the magnified lens idea.

[AuntEggma]

Made something once for LD where you could turn the level around the y axis 180 degrees and end up on the other side, and also tilt the level by 90 degrees in every direction on the z axis (it was rendered in 3D but the character could only move in 2D on x and y).

That's one way to get more stuff into a single screen, if that interests you.

A full Fez mechanic could work too, unless you don't think that counts as one screen. Or that thing on TIGS that started out as "2D Fez" whose name escapes me for the moment. Or something properly 3D for that matter?

Not very Donkey Kong, but... Just spitballing here.

certainly no need to be Donkey Kong-esque.

I just can't think of a whole bunch of other examples.  Metroidvania type games are equally applicable.

[s0]

not quite single screen, but check this

[FK in the Coffee]

not quite single screen, but check this

This was the first game that came to mind when I heard “single screen” tbh

[hmm]

Shameless self promotion... but Kapsul Infinite *might* provide a slightly alternative look at the single screen platformer (abstract, procedurally generated, odd controls). Levels are somewhat puzzle-like as you have to figure the best way through.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/518680/

[valrus]

Super Crate Box
Escape Goat series
Karoshi series
The Bridge (rotational scrolling but I don't recall vertical or horizontal scrolling)
Eets series

[readyplaygames]

I think the magnifying technique in the game Bird Song is super cool:

That looks awesome. It might get trying on my eyes after awhile, though. But it looks so cool!

[Alec S.]

Matt Thorson's "Jumper" games were fantastic single-screen precision platformers (single screen in the sense that each level was a single, non-scrolling screen, which seems to be what you're asking about)

[ｂ∀ ｋｋｕｓａ]

another one:
Penarium

[quantumpotato]

Punishment the original by Messhof. Looks like he took down from his site though, maybe to re-release like he did with Flywrench?
Super Mario Bros. on the Atari- the 2P one.

[dxman]

I didn't see any mention of Fire n Ice for the NES in that thread about older games. That’s a fun one.

As for more recent games that haven't been mentioned, there’s Offspring Fling.