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3. Fluttering / Hovering
Notable Games: Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, Donkey Kong Country Returns
Some platforming mechanics are not as they appear. Take fluttering in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island for example. Pressing jump while in the air causes Yoshi to furiously kick his legs, allowing him to stay airborne for an extra second or two. It’s extremely helpful for getting a precise jump just right, and seems to be a boon meant for novice players who might need a little extra help with difficult platforming. But then you learn that, when done perfectly, consecutive fluttering can actually allow Yoshi to gain height. Suddenly the flutter jump is the ultimate platforming tool, allowing you to skip through areas in all sorts of interesting ways, but only if you are a true flutter master. Hovering, while serving a similar purpose, usually isn’t quite as amazing, but it does make for a great safety net especially in tough games like Donkey Kong Country Returns.
