What Is a Collectathon?

Collectathons are a type of video game in which players are drawn into colorful worlds and exciting settings full of hidden items and treasures. While most games rush to finish the level, collectathons are rather on the opposite end: slowing you down to explore everything and hunt each last hidden item. There’s something very satisfying about finding that last item, unlocking new areas, and getting to see your progress bit by bit. In case you enjoyed collecting stars, coins, or anything else in a game, you should know well the appeal of the collectathon genre.

So, why are these games so darn addictive? Why do players spend hours exploring every nook and cranny of the game world just to complete our collection? Let’s dive into what really makes this genre so robust and popular. What are the core characteristics of this genre? It’s time to take a fun dip into collectathons!

What is Collectathon?

Collectathon is basically a genre of video game where the whole point is to collect the maximum number of items available in the game. Instead of being pushed to just move on to the end of the level, players are motivated to explore and find secret places to look for as many items as possible. These items found most times are crucial to advancement. Such items unlock new levels, abilities, or even rewards. Collectathons tend to be built into expansive open worlds where the player is free to wander around. They’re highly rewarding of curiosity, so great for players who enjoy exploring and finding every last item.

The collectathon genre arguably began in the late 1990s with Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie, which mixed platforming with elements of exploration. While this genre blended some elements of exploration, its twist was added through completion objectives. Collectathons feel satisfying because there’s always something to find or another challenge to complete.

Collectathons created an enormous fan base in the last decades. It’s fun, light, and exciting with colorful worlds and cute heroes-thats the reason the players enjoy the genre. Recent years saw the return of collectathons as indie developers, together with big studios, presented new releases under the influence of such games. Overall, not much had changed with the basic idea of collectathons-exploration, gathering, and enjoying the ride.

Gameplay

In a collectathon, gameplay is exploration and discovery. Players roam large open areas covered in secret areas, hidden items, and so on; every level is a journey to find everything the world has in store for you, and it will feel like this: new rewards are waiting around every corner.

Collectathons are generally very free-form games. The requirements for playing linear games are one-way paths; however, collectathons encourage wandering, backtracking, and even taking different routes. This freedom allows you to explore without constraints, to look for hidden items, or find creative ways to reach tricky locations. It is just a style of gameplay that should be instilled with curiosity and patience.

Mostly, you do not get the same thing over and over again; rather, you will be searching for different types of collectibles with their own purposes. Some unlock new abilities whereas others open secret areas and still let you move on to higher levels. In such a way, play remains fresh and richly layered in this respect at each level.

Collectibles that can be collected only by jumping at a strategic position to get right, at the right moment, or by solving a small-sized puzzle could make it challenging but not much; allow the game to open up to everyone. Mastering movement and creatively exploring is all about it. Finishing a collectathon means discovering every inch of the game world, completing the game 100%, and experiencing the delight of truly finishing a game.

Best Collectathon Games

5. TCG Card Shop Simulator

TCG Card Shop Simulator is a game where you need to control your own card shop. Here, you begin by stocking booster packs on shelves and setting prices. You are allowed to open the packs yourself in order to find those rare cards — either sell them for profit or retain them in the collection. The shop will start to grow once you hire staff, host card game events, and make improvements to make the shop more welcoming. The idea behind all this is having a hot shop that card enthusiasts love to visit.

4. My Singing Monsters

My Singing Monsters is a game in which you collect and raise funny monsters, each with different musical sound. Here, you collect funny monsters and raise them. Each of the monsters breeds and gets a different musical sound when combined with others in your island. It’s very relaxing and you build a musical world full of singing monsters.

3. Spyro Reignited Trilogy

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a remake of the original classic Spyro the Dragon games. You play as Spyro, a small purple dragon who travels through hugely bright, colorful worlds. Your main goal is gem collecting, rescuing other dragons, and defeating enemies. Each level holds secret places to find items that you can glide, charge, or breathe fire to reach. From there, you can unlock new areas to explore based on the items you collect.

2. Yooka-Laylee

Yooka-Laylee is a bright, fun platformer in which you explore big, open worlds full of items to collect. You will run and jump to unlock new moves in order to reach some hidden areas or secrets. In this game, you can choose which worlds to expand, thus adding more places to explore and more challenges. Every level has a lot of quirky characters, bosses, and mini-games. Your objective would be the collection of Pagies which unlock new worlds and extend the adventure.

1. A Hat in Time

A Hat in Time is a beautiful, colorful collectathon platformer. You get to play as Hat Kid, a little girl who goes around collecting Time Pieces. There’s a tremendous amount of unique worlds that you get to traverse, full of quirky characters, hidden secrets, and fun challenges galore. Players can jump, climb, and roam about picking up collectibles to unlock new skills. The controls are super smooth, so it honestly feels like you’re actually moving, and the game’s packed with charm, humor, and some really cool exploring!

So, what do you think? Have you tried any of these collectathons? Let us know on our socials here!