Pretty games with 2D characters and 3D environments

This is my jam. I love them. ...I'll play more of them. one day.

Definitely taking suggestions! I'd love to see more games that do this.

Roughly chronologically ordered, but series grouping takes priority.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Not 100% comfortable including this, but it does technically count
Doom
Doom
Not exactly the aesthetic I think for "2D sprites on 3D", but definitely important and influential!
Pokémon Platinum Version
Pokémon Platinum Version
Xenogears
Xenogears
Live A Live
Live A Live
Pokémon Black Version
Pokémon Black Version
Paper Mario
Paper Mario
Not 100% comfortable including this, but it does technically count
Octopath Traveler
Octopath Traveler
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Mario Kart 64
Mario Kart 64
I really don't want to include this
Triangle Strategy
Triangle Strategy
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
Klonoa: Door to Phantomile
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC
Doom II: Hell on Earth
Doom II: Hell on Earth
Pokémon White Version 2
Pokémon White Version 2
PaRappa the Rapper
PaRappa the Rapper
Doom 64
Doom 64
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Paradise Killer
Paradise Killer
Not 100% comfortable including this, but it does technically count... barely
Ys Origin
Ys Origin
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes
Blood
Blood
Grandia
Grandia
Breath of Fire IV
Breath of Fire IV
DuckTales: Remastered
DuckTales: Remastered
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
Radiant Silvergun
Radiant Silvergun
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Ys: The Oath in Felghana
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
Sonic Robo Blast 2
Sonic Robo Blast 2
Breath of Fire III
Breath of Fire III
Sonic Battle
Sonic Battle
Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim
Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim
Pac-Man World
Pac-Man World
Pac-Dots, Fruit, Pac-Man's perfectly spherical body

The latter part is the only reason this counts and Super Mario 64 doesn't.
Mischief Makers
Mischief Makers
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Chocobo Racing
Chocobo Racing
Tomba!
Tomba!
Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart
Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart
Is this a separate game? I've never played it
The King of Fighters XI
The King of Fighters XI
Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor
Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor
Chantelise - A Tale of Two Sisters
Chantelise - A Tale of Two Sisters
Demon Turf
Demon Turf
SaGa Frontier 2
SaGa Frontier 2
In battles
Demon Turf: Neon Splash
Demon Turf: Neon Splash
Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online
Here Comes Niko!
Here Comes Niko!
Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
SaGa Frontier
SaGa Frontier
In battles
Yume Nikki 3D
Yume Nikki 3D
Chocobo's Dungeon 2
Chocobo's Dungeon 2
Twilight Syndrome Kyuumei-hen
Twilight Syndrome Kyuumei-hen
Phantom Brave
Phantom Brave
Twilight Syndrome Tansaku-hen
Twilight Syndrome Tansaku-hen
Azure Dreams
Azure Dreams
Umihara Kawase Shun
Umihara Kawase Shun
Found this through making this list and I love it now
Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon
Chocobo no Fushigi na Dungeon
Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!
Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!
Moonlight Syndrome
Moonlight Syndrome

19 Comments


2 years ago

kino list

2 years ago

paper mario/bug fables

2 years ago

Sonic rush does the exact opposite of this lmao

2 years ago

Paradise Killer and Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor

2 years ago

@JaxMagnetic Yeah, and so do a lot of DS games in general (New Super Mario Bros.) and late 90's JRPGs (Final Fantasy). I'm honestly not a big fan of it in 3D, because it really messes with my spatial awareness if done improperly

2 years ago

Tomba!

Tomba 2 doesn't count as it is all 3D

2 years ago

Yeah!! Wasn't there an indie game inspired by it too?

2 years ago

Breath of Fire 3 and 4 look great!

2 years ago

This comment was deleted

2 years ago

Oh this is a great list lol
Ducktales Remastered, Sonic Robo Blast 2 Kart, Shantae: 1/2 Genie Hero, Starfy, and uhh does Sonic Battle count?

2 years ago

Sonic Battle probably counts more than Mario Kart 64 and Paper Mario! Which Starfy game are you talking about?

1 year ago

Live A Live remake and the upcoming Dragon Quest 3 HD Remake would also count for this list

1 year ago

KOF XI

1 year ago

Good lord I was in the middle of making this exact list and then found out not only you already did it, but I already gave it a like!

1 year ago

Commonplace!!!

1 year ago

This comment was deleted

1 year ago

Some of those Nippon Ichi games like Phantom Brave do this

1 year ago

Bernband
Oneiric Gardens
No Escape Saga
Gun Godz
Yume Nikki 3D
10 Beautiful Postcards
Goblet Grotto
A True Western Romance (briefly)
This Is Infinity
Universal History of Light (kind of? maybe?)
Djimmi The Great and Grim Matchstick fights from Cuphead.


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