SuperTux

What SuperTux is

SuperTux is a side-scrolling platform game starring a penguin, inspired by the classic console platformers of the early 1990s and developed in the open for two decades. The Windows package is a 64-bit MSI installer that adds Start menu entries and an uninstaller, and there is a portable archive for people who prefer to keep it on a USB stick.

The game is a complete campaign rather than a tech demo. You run, jump and bounce through themed worlds, collect coins, find secret areas and fight bosses, with a difficulty curve that starts gently and tightens considerably in the later levels. Two story chapters are playable, and the project continues to build out content for the second one.

Controls, worlds and the level editor

Keyboard controls follow the conventions of the genre: arrow keys or WASD to move, a jump button with variable height depending on how long you hold it, and a run or fire modifier. Gamepads are detected automatically, and the input configuration screen lets you remap every action, which matters because the game supports two-player cooperative play with two controllers.

The graphics in the 0.7 series are hardware-accelerated, with smooth scaling to any resolution and optional fullscreen. The interface is a simple menu system with a level select map, and progress is saved automatically per user profile. Sound effects and music are original and released under free licences.

The built-in level editor is one of the more interesting features for anyone curious about game design. It is a separate mode where you place tiles, enemies, moving platforms and triggers, test the result immediately, and save it as a level file that can be packaged and shared as an add-on. The add-on manager inside the game downloads community levels and world maps, so the library of content is much larger than the core campaign.

Practical settings and limits

Video settings cover resolution, fullscreen, vertical synchronisation and scaling filters, and on modest hardware the game runs comfortably. Audio has separate music and effects sliders. Because the levels are small and the assets are lightweight, the download and install footprint is modest compared with modern commercial platformers.

The limits are those of a volunteer project. The second story chapter is still being finished, so the campaign ends earlier than a commercial release would. Some user-made add-ons vary widely in quality and difficulty, and a few older ones need a specific engine version. There is no online multiplayer and no achievement system tied to an account, though the game keeps its own statistics.

Compatibility notes are worth checking on hardware that lacks OpenGL 3.3 support, and on very old Windows versions the 0.7 installer expects Windows 7 or newer. If you want to play with a friend on the same machine, two controllers are strongly recommended over a shared keyboard.

Who should choose something else

If you want a long, polished commercial platformer with online features, the genre has plenty of paid options that offer more content. If you are looking for a game engine rather than a game, a general-purpose framework will be more flexible than the built-in editor. SuperTux is at its best as a free, no-strings platformer that children can play unsupervised and that adults can finish, extend or take apart.