Rare - Donkey Kong Country (1994), 8/10

Rare created and polished one of the best platforming games of the nineties with Donkey Kong Country, a game that consists of forty levels which are universally aesthetically creative and equally entertaining to play through, many times over. The game excels for its balance of challenge with fun, placing secret areas and collectibles among the spatial madness for expert-level players; a reason for revisitation that is quite welcome for veterans. The game's unique aesthetic originates from the newly utilized pre-rendered graphics consisting of models which are converted into pixel art, as opposed to the on-screen rendered art typical for the Super Nintendo. 

The title has become highly influential in the platforming genre, for good reason, primarily for its innovations in aesthetics and level progression. The soundtrack is on equal footing with the visuals in its thematic importance and its quality, created by the talented composer David Wise, who worked with Rare on a regular basis, though he is primarily known for the DKC franchise and Battletoads. A share of its appeal is in its ambiance but it is equally notable for its polished and perfected level design. The game takes its progression seriously, building on previous levels and presenting increasing challenges without requiring anything apart from player maturation and experiential learning. These combined feats make it an all-time great in the platforming genre.