The platforming genre has been around since the very early days of gaming. While not always known for their strong and nuanced narratives, platformers often feature some truly memorable characters that stick in the minds of players even after wrapping up the game. In order to motivate you to continue your adventure and make it to the end, often a good villain is needed.The platforming genre is ripe for the picking when it comes to fantastic villains. Many of these villains feel straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Generally speaking, a good platforming villain needs to be a bit crazy, charismatic, dastardly, and, of course, nefarious. Here are some of the best villains the genre has to offer and beware spoilers in the following entries.
8 Capital B. - Yooka-Laylee
Capital B. is a large bee character in Yooka-Laylee. Capital B. dons a spiffy suit and is the CEO of Hivory Towers. His goal is simple, to make pure profit out of converting all literature to his own capitalist venture, thus creating a book monopoly.
Capital B. is constantly throwing new obstacles in the way of Yooka and Laylee. They work tirelessly to stop his devious plans since he eventually wants to create one singular book that will rewrite the entirety of the universe, one that he is in charge of.
7 Mustache Girl - A Hat In Time
A Hat in Time is easily one of the best platformers the industry has to offer, however, it's simply not discussed all that much. One of the best aspects of this game is the ongoing relationship between the protagonist, Hat Kid, and friend turned foe, Mustache Girl.
Hat Kid simply wants to reclaim her lost timepieces in order to restore her space vehicle to make it back home. Mustache Girl, who starts out as an ally, wants to use the timepieces to change time and help those who were wronged. However, as the adventure moves along, Mustache Girl's intentions turn less pure as she eventually wants them for her power selfish power and ambition.
6 Jinx - New Super Lucky's Tale
The main villain of New Super Lucky's Tale is the massive sorcerer cat, Jinx. Jinx belongs to an evil group known as the Kitter Litter with him being the leader of the pack. Jinx is best known for his gregarious yet mysterious demeanor and he is constantly one step ahead of Lucky.
Interestingly, Jinx used to be best friends with Lucky's father, Liam Swifttail. However, Jinx ended up betraying the guardians which led to the division between Jinx and the Swiftail family. While Jinx is more bark (or meow) than bite, he still gives Lucky a run for his money.
5 Mr. B - The Adventure Pals
Mr. B is a deceptive old man in The Adventure Pals. Mr. B wants to turn all old people into hot dogs for reasons that are quite unclear, however, it makes for a silly and fun adventure. The thing that makes Mr. B so bad is that he actually used to be good friends with Wilton's (protagonist) grandfather.
Spoiler alert, Mr. B is actually evil because he is being controlled by the dastardly goldfish in a bowl adorned atop his head. Yep, this terrifying fish is actually possessing Mr. B to make him turn these old people into hot dogs. It's scary stuff indeed.
4 Doctor Neo Cortex - Crash Bandicoot
Like many classic platforming villains, Dr. Cortex is a mad and evil scientist who seeks pure world domination. Dr. Cortex has been a prevalent, mainstay antagonist all throughout the Crash Bandicoot series, including the spinoffs such as Crash Team Racing and Crash Bash.
Dr. Cortex always had a fascination with science, especially from a very young age when he would travel around the world with his family, performing in circus acts. However, Dr. Cortex continues to fail at his world domination plans due to Crash and friends always finding a way to foil them.
3 The Enchantress - Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight, the indie platforming darling from Yacht Club Games, is known for its crisp and polished, old-school platforming action. None of that would matter without a good villain pushing Shovel Knight along and that villain is none other than the series antagonist, The Enchantress.
The Enchantress, as her name implies, is a nefarious sorceress who looks like she was ripped straight out of a classic Disney movie. She commands the group known as The Order of No Quarter who make up the many bosses Shovel Knight encounters. Interestingly, she is shrouded in darkness and mystery despite showing up all throughout the series.
2 Carlos Calaca - Guacamelee
Guacamelee 1 and 2 are incredibly tight and refined Metroidvania platformers starring Juan. Carlos Calaca, before becoming evil, was known as the greatest "charro," or traditional horseman from Mexico, prior to breaking his arm in a massive competition. After that fateful event, he sold his soul to the devil to give him the healing he desired so that he could still become the best.
Carlos Calaca was ultimately defeated by the protagonist, Juan, but ended up coming back in an even more evil form in the sequel. Carlos takes on a Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead visage in the games, although, still giving off a cartoony nature.
1 Bowser - Any Mario Game
A list of best villains in platforming games simply wouldn't be complete with Bowser. Bowser might just be the greatest villain in any franchise, let alone platformers. Bowser is a constant antagonist all throughout the Mario series. There is such a fascinating relationship between Bowser and Mario, similar to that of Batman and The Joker, whereby they each seemingly need each other to exist.
Bowser is the dominating force of the villains in the majority of Mario titles from the likes of sending him into the lava in Super Mario Bros to defeating the gigantic version of him in Bowser's Fury. Bowser is sure to be a staple of every Mario game moving forward and will remain a villainous icon.