Donkey Kong
While some say Space Panic was the first platforming game, Nintendo's 1981 arcade hit Donkey Kong was the first to involve actual jumping. It was also the first game to feature a certain Italian plumber, then known as "Jumpman".
Pitfall
Released in 1982, this perilous jungle explore-a-thon put the ageing Atari 2600 back on the map. If the original's available (legally) online we've yet to find it, but here's a link to the Nintendo Entertainment System follow-up.
Super Mario Bros
1985's best reason to live, basically. The platformer that made Nintendo a world-renowned publisher, and Mario first among mascots. It introduced such iconic mechanics as question mark blocks, fire flowers and growth mushrooms.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Long since fallen from glory, but still Mario's greatest rival. Released for the Megadrive/Genesis in 1991, the first Sonic game complicated traditional platforming with uneven terrain, curved hillsides and complex physics. We've found a free Flash homage.
Commander Keen
It wasn't until 1990 that platforming really got going on the PC with id Software's Commander Keen. The game replicated the Mario Bros blend of platforms, enemies and power-ups using EGA graphics.
Prince of Persia
Originally released for the Apple II, Jordan Mechner's Prince of Persia kick-started what some call the "cinematic platforming" sub-genre, distinguished by fluid rotoscoped animation and an absence of exaggerated physics.
Another World
In 1992, Eric Chahi took the Prince of Persia template and fleshed it out into a moody extra-terrestrial cult classic for the Amiga 500. Chahi updated his creation in 2006 with new visuals and effects.
The Lost Vikings
An early hit from Blizzard Entertainment, the creators of Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo. The Lost Vikings featured three playable characters with different skills, interchangeable at will to overcome different challenges. It was one of the first examples of the puzzle-platformer sub-genre.
Earthworm Jim
Released in 1994 for the Megadrive/Genesis, this is amongst the funniest game ever made - not to mention one of the most polished 2D run-and-gunners. We still cling to heart-warming memories of catapulting cows into the stratosphere.
Metal Slug
Even the latest PS3 shooters can't beat Metal Slug in the kill count stakes - or, for that matter, colour and inventiveness. Released for the Neo Geo in 1996, this game sits at the other end of the scale from Mario - jumping takes second place to shooting. Try this Flash tribute.