The side-scroller: Outdated or underused?

[unreason]

I'm thinking of doing a side-scroller, probably one similar to a cross between metroid and contra. I notice that I don't see very many of these games in the more prominent indie game sites. Is this because they're not successful, or just because developers haven't been doing them lately? Is there a market for my game if it's well done, or would I be better off spending my time making something different?

[princec]

There have been a few lately.. Absolute Blue and Jets 'n' Guns spring to mind. They could do as well as any other game in theory.

Cas

[unreason]

True, but those were more a gradius style-side scroller, as opposed to a metroid type of thing. The only thing I can think of like that is Abuse, or Duke Nukem: Mathatten Project.

[GBGames]

Does Professor Fizzwizzle count?

If not, there are still Alchemist Wizard (why does my review make it seem like I can't spell platformer?), Bud Redhead: The Time Chase, Gish, Mage Bros, and Wik & the Fable of Souls.

Other platformers: http://www.gametunnel.com/review_nav.php?gen_c=6

You probably could ask the respective developers how well each game did compared to others they might have made.

[Dan MacDonald]

I'm working on one

[Ricardo C]

I would say "underused". A good side-scroller will always be very welcome indeed.

Hell, when the PSX and the Saturn came out I had little interest in either because the move to RT3D meant few old-school side-scrollers would be produced.

[PoV]

I'm working on one

Now I know all your secrets. Glad to hear you're up to something Dan. It seems I'm doing one as well.

Keith goes painting was an interesting little platformer for those looking for them.

[nvision]

I love side-scrolling platformers...shooters, too, but moreso platformers. I think that well-made action platformers could sell just as well as any genre, provided that they've got quality gameplay and gfx.

If you're interested, I have the core gfx made for just such a game (main character, HUD/FX, one level of tiles/enemies). I produced them while working at my former company, but since they failed to pay me (bastards!), the gfx are still mine. If you'd like to discuss a possible collaboration, I'd love to get these graphics working they way they're supposed to. PM me if you want to talk further...