History Main / PlatformingPocketPal

* ''MetalGearSolid4'' has Metal Gear Mk. II, who turns invisible while following Snake around.
* Certain [[EnergyBeings cyber-elves]] in the ''MegaManZero'' series. The third game classifies them as "Satellite Elves".

* ''8 Eyes'' has Cutrus, the falcon who normally rests on Orin's shoulder but who can be sent out by special commands or with the Player 2 controller.

A PlatformingPocketPal is an adventuring companion in an action game who, for whatever reason, is not hindered by the action segments. It could be a small flying creature, that easily follows you wherever you run and jump to. It could be a sentient magic item that the hero carries around, or a high-tech device with artificial intelligence. It could even be a ghost or spirit of some sort. Regardless of the reason, the benefit of the PlatformingPocketPal is that the game makers can add another character and more complexity to the plot without having to worry about him getting left behind or being limited in how they design levels.

* Since ''SuperSmashBros Brawl'' was produced by the same guy (Masahiro Sakurai) who did the ''{{Kirby}}'' games, the co-op in the ''Subspace Emissary'' mode works much the same way as ''Kirby Super Star'', with Player 2 as your PlatformingPocketPal. However, since the second player-controlled character can still be killed by being knocked off the screen by an enemy, and both players share the same amount of extra lives, the ''platforming'' isn't any more difficult in co-op, but the fighting itself becomes ridiculously frustrating on higher difficulties.
** The [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon Trainer]] always follows his [[{{Mon}} mons]] around by teleporting to different locations. [[DummiedOut Unused animations for him]] imply he was intended to run around in the background to follow the action at one point in development, instead of simply teleporting.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Astal}}'', Bird follows Astal around once freed, and can be commanded to perform various actions. A second player can directly control Bird's movement.

** Since ''SuperSmashBros Brawl'' was produced by the same guy (Masahiro Sakurai) who did the ''{{Kirby}}'' games, the co-op in the ''Subspace Emissary'' mode works much the same way as ''Kirby Super Star'', with Player 2 as your PlatformingPocketPal. However, since the second player-controlled character can still be killed by being knocked off the screen by an enemy, and both players share the same amount of extra lives, the ''platforming'' isn't any more difficult in co-op, but the fighting itself becomes ridiculously frustrating on higher difficulties.
*** The [[{{Pokemon}} Pokémon Trainer]] always follows his mons around by teleporting to different locations.

* Kazooie from ''VideoGame/{{Banjo-Kazooie}}'', who rides around in Banjo's backpack.

** The gag continues even to her appearance in ''MarvelVsCapcom'' 3, where Issun can be seen briefly on Ammy's nose and then hides just before the battle begins.

* The more recent games have given Link a wide variety of pocket pals. The tradition started with ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', which gave Link the FairyCompanion Navi to [[NinjaButterfly give him advice]]. ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'' gave him a similar companion.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Astal}}'', Bird follows Astal around once freed, and can be commanded to perform various actions. He can also be directly controlled by a second player.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Astal}}'', Bird follows Astal around once freed, and can be directed to perform various actions. He can also be controlled by a second player.

* Huepow the ring spirit from ''VideoGame/{{Klonoa}}: Door to Phantomile'' is a good example. He's a floating blue orb who stays in Klonoa's ring during gameplay, but comes out to talk during cutscenes.

* In ''IllusionOfGaia'', Lilly can turn herself into a dandelion seed and fly around to get to wherever she needs to be. She hitches a ride with the protagonist while exploring Mu and later searching for Lance at the Great Wall.

* ''[[NieR NieR]]'' may be more standard action-adventure, but there's just enough platforming to make this an issue. Luckily, one of your companions is a talking book that the main character carries on his person, and another is a mage that [[PowerFloats just levitates to wherever you are]]. Oh, and your land-bound companion can teleport, but that's mostly to cover [[ArtificialStupidity poor pathfinding and an inability to climb ladders]].

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* In ''IllusionOfGaia'', Lilly can turn herself into a dandelion seed and fly around to get to wherever she needs to be. She may have even hitched a ride with the protagonist or another NPC at some point.

* Jehuty from ''ZoneOfTheEnders'' comes equipped with a built-in artificial intelligence, named ADA.

* Tails from ''SonicTheHedgehog2'' is capable of flying with his tails. This doesn't explain why he can escape being crushed and [[GameplayAllyImmortality doesn't take damage]], though.
* Kazooie from ''{{Banjo-Kazooie}}'', who rides around in Banjo's backpack.
* Helpers in ''{{Kirby}} [[KirbySuperStar Super Star]]'' are susceptible to level hazards, but if you leave them behind too far, they just zip over from offscreen. Also, if their life meter runs out, instead of dying instantly, they flash and explode for several seconds before actually disappearing. This gives Kirby enough time to turn them into inanimate objects, eat them, and pop them back out fully healed ([[BellisariosMaxim don't ask]]). They can also revive themselves on their own by touching another enemy that gives a copy ability (but curiously, not if it's whatever ability they currently are).

* The more recent games in ''TheLegendOfZelda'' have given their Links a wide variety of pocket pals. The tradition started with ''{{Ocarina of Time}}'', which gave Link the FairyCompanion Navi to [[NinjaButterfly give him advice]]. ''MajorasMask'' gave him a similar companion.
** ''TheMinishCap'' partners Link up with Ezlo the talking hat.
** ''TwilightPrincess'' introduces Midna, an impish shadow creature who hides in Link's shadow while he's in human form, and rides on his back in wolf form.

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* Huepow the ring spirit from ''{{Klonoa}}: Door to Phantomile'' is a good example. He's a floating blue orb who stays in Klonoa's ring during gameplay, but comes out to talk during cutscenes.

* ''CaveStory'' has sections where you work with Curly; she moves, fires, and takes damage same as you do, but she can't be killed. [[spoiler:At least, not while still fighting with you.]]

* Averted in the MarioAndLuigi games; you have to control both of them.

* ''[[Nier]]'' may be more standard action-adventure, but there's just enough platforming to make this an issue. Luckily, one of your companions is a talking book that the main character carries on his person, and another is a mage that [[PowerFloats just levitates to wherever you are]]. Oh, and your land-bound companion can teleport, but that's mostly to cover [[ArtificialStupidity poor pathfinding and an inability to climb ladders]].

* The Pixls in ''Super PaperMario''. They float, so there's little problem with platforming.

* ''SuperMarioSunshine'' equips Mario with the talking, water-squirting backpack FLUDD.

[[quoteright:285:[[{{Klonoa}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/klo_and_hew.PNG]]]]
[[caption-width-right:285:Perfect for those long car rides!]]

*** Also, I think a Navi-analogue appears in the Wii version as your pointer in the normal view, but it doesn't speak at all and just moves to be where your remote is pointing on the camera.

* Helpers in ''{{Kirby}} Super Star'' are susceptible to level hazards, but if you leave them behind too far, they just zip over from offscreen. Also, if their life meter runs out, instead of dying instantly, they flash and explode for several seconds before actually disappearing. This gives Kirby enough time to turn them into inanimate objects, eat them, and pop them back out fully healed ([[BellisariosMaxim don't ask]]). They can also revive themselves on their own by touching another enemy that gives a copy ability (but curiously, not if it's whatever ability they currently are).

[[{{Klonoa}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/klo_and_hew.PNG]]
[[caption-width:285:Perfect for those long car rides!]]