First Steps with Unity: Platformer

Build a Platformer inspired by classic Mario, with a deeper dive into game elements and level design

New

Created byShachar Oz

Last updated 4/2026

English

What you'll learn

Build a complete gameplay cycle with Unity
Implement platformer movement using Rigidbody, including jumping, collision handling, and camera follow systems
Design and build gameplay mechanics such as collectibles, enemies, and interactive objects using prefabs and colliders
Use multiple colliders and triggers to create complex interactions like enemy damage, head-stomp logic, and reward systems
Use object instantiation to spawn the various game objects
Replace simple graphics with real 3D models
Manage game flow with level restart, scene loading, and end-of-level triggers using Unity scripting

Course content

7 sections • 19 lectures • 3h 7m total length

Introduction: Platformer2:34
The focus of the project is on developing the game elements and mechanics. We will develop the following game elements:
Star that gives scoring,
Mushroom that gives lives,
Enemy that takes lives but can be destroyed if the player jumps on its head.
We will have a level management mechanism to reload level after a strike, and when reaching the end of the level we will load the next.
Big emphasis on physics and having more than one collider on a game object.

Get yourself familiar with the genre of Platformer before you start: watch Jetpack Joyride and Mario gameplay videos.

Platformer: Set up environment8:55
Set up the environment
Player movement
Colliding with walls
Platformer: Jumping with rigidbody19:23
Diving deeper into Rigidbody and understanding how to use it to jump.
Platformer: Movement with rigidbody6:52
We will switch the movement mechanism we used so far and use rigidbody also here.
This would solve an irritating bug.
Platformer: Camera view4:11
Set up the camera to follow the player wherever they go

Platofrmer: Coin game element10:58
Creating the game element logic
Adding prefab
Replacing the 3D visual model
Platformer: Mushroom of life7:26
The LifeMushroom would be a collectible that gives lives to the player upon collecting.
Set up the game mechanics
Write the code
Fix bugs
Add 3D visual model
Platformer: Explodable box game element23:43
The TreasureBox (or ExplodableBox) would provide the player with a reward coming out of the top part, once player hits it from the bottom.
Set up the game element
Write the code
Fix bugs with the trigger placement
Add 3D visual model
Platformer: Mushroom inside box22:47
When bumping this box, a LifeMushroom will come up from the top end
Add the mushroom inside
Use another collider to trigger the box effect
Control the Mushroom activation process
Solve bugs
Platformer: Enemy game element35:39
Enemy would damage the player if they hit from either side, but would be killed if the player hits them on the head.
Write code, and add a second collider
Create a knockback effect with rigidbody
Add 3D visual model

Requirements

Basic Unity familiarity is recommended, but the course walks through implementation step by step and is suitable for beginners

Description

Remember Mario? Let's build such a gameplay !

Build a complete platformer experience while focusing on the systems and design patterns behind one of the most iconic game genres. In this course, you will recreate core mechanics inspired by classic platformers, developing everything from player movement to interactive game elements, while following a real-world workflow from prototype to a functional game.

You’ll start by setting up the environment and implementing player movement using Unity’s Rigidbody system, including jumping, collision handling, and a side-view camera that follows the player. From there, the course shifts into structuring your scene and organizing your hierarchy—an essential step for keeping projects scalable and maintainable.

A major part of the course is dedicated to building gameplay elements. You’ll implement collectibles like coins and life mushrooms, interactive objects such as treasure boxes, and enemies with more advanced behavior—using multiple colliders to differentiate between damaging the player and being defeated. This introduces practical use of triggers, physics interactions, and layered game logic.

You’ll also handle game flow by implementing level completion triggers, restart mechanics, and scene loading, creating a full gameplay loop. Along the way, you’ll iterate on level design, fix real bugs, and structure your scene for reusability.

This course is part of the FLUX Unity Club, so you’re not working in isolation. We are a community focused on Unity developers on all levels, where you can ask questions, share progress, and get personalized support as you continue building beyond this project.

If you don't have Unity installed yet or still need even more basic assistance, please don't hesitate to take our FREE course, First Steps With Unity: Installation and Core Skills. It was made especially for that situation.

Who this course is for:

Developers learning Unity who want hands-on experience building gameplay systems, and interested in classic platformer mechanics
Developers learning Unity who want to understand physics-based gameplay systems in practice

First Steps with Unity: Platformer

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 3min

Platformer: Player movement4 lectures • 39min

Platformer: Gameplay design, level design and scalability3 lectures • 7min

Platofrmer: Game objects development5 lectures • 1hr 41min

Platformer: End of level handling3 lectures • 16min

Platofrmer: Solving bugs and optimization2 lectures • 18min

Course Summary1 lecture • 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: