Best Side Scroller

Contra 4 is a classic run-and-gun action game developed by WayForward and published by Konami for Nintendo DS. Released in 2007, it’s notable for its challenging gameplay and side-scrolling perspective within the established Contra series. The game appeals to fans of retro gaming, particularly those...

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is a modern action game reviving the classic series’ signature hack-and-slash gameplay. Developed by The Game Kitchen, it utilizes 2D side-scrolling with detailed pixel art graphics. This title appeals to fans of challenging combat and precise movement within the established...

Joust is a classic 1980s arcade platformer developed by Williams Electronics. Players control knights riding birds and compete in side-scrolling action against other knights on buzzards. The game’s unique combat system, relying on precise maneuvering and aerial attacks, made it a popular and challen...

Broforce is a 2015 side-scrolling action game created by Free Lives and released by Devolver Digital. It features players controlling “bros” inspired by action movie characters who navigate destructible levels to rescue their counterparts. The gameplay involves run and gun mechanics within these env...

Kirby’s Dream Land 2 is a classic platformer developed by HAL Laboratory for the Game Boy. Released between 1995 and 1996, it presents players with charming side-scrolling levels where they control Kirby to solve puzzles and navigate environments. The game’s enduring appeal makes it suitable for fam...

Rastan is a hack-and-slash action game developed and published by Taito for arcades in 1987. The player controls a barbarian warrior who battles through five fantasy-themed side-scrolling stages filled with enemies, traps, and bosses. Along the way, the character can collect and upgrade various weap...

Moon Patrol is a 1982 arcade game where players control a lunar rover navigating a scrolling landscape. The player maneuvers horizontally while jumping over obstacles and utilizing upward-firing bullets for defense against aerial threats. Progress involves reaching checkpoints and ultimately complet...

Kung-Fu Master is a 1984 beat ‘em up developed by Irem, originally designed by Takashi Nishiyama. The game draws heavily from Hong Kong martial arts films, particularly “Wheels on Meals,” and incorporates elements of Bruce Lee’s “Game of Death.” It blends side-scrolling action with shoot ‘em up game...

"Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi" is a side-scrolling action game released for the Sega Genesis console in 1990. Developed by Sega, the game follows a ninja protagonist as he battles a terrorist organization across various urban levels. It is notable for introducing a gameplay mechanic where th...

Door Kickers: Action Squad is a side-scrolling action game developed by PixelShard with KillHouse Games and released in 2018. Players choose from police operatives with different weapons and abilities, breach buildings, rescue hostages, and confront armed enemies across compact stages. Unlike the to...

Mario Bros. is a 1983 arcade platformer created by Nintendo, designed by Miyamoto and Yokoi. Players control Mario and Luigi as they battle sewer-dwelling enemies like turtles and crabs through New York City. The Famicom/NES version marked Intelligent Systems’ first game development for the franchis...

Claw is a 1997 action-adventure platformer developed by Monolith Productions. The game features a pixelated, side-scrolling adventure centered around a pirate cat character. Players navigate challenging levels, battling enemies and solving puzzles to recover an ancient amulet. Claw’s notable difficu...

Genpei Tōma Den is a 1986 hack-and-slash arcade game developed by Namco, where players control a slain samurai seeking revenge across feudal Japan using a cursed katana.

Adventure Island 3 is a side-scrolling platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, released in 1992. Developed by Now Production, it follows Master Higgins as he pursues aliens who have captured Jeannie Jungle across multiple islands. He relies on assistance from dinosaur companions during...

Awesomenauts is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed by the Dutch studio Ronimo Games and originally released in 2012. Unlike traditional isometric MOBAs, the game is presented as a 2D side-scrolling platformer where teams of three players battle to destroy the opposing team...

Tails Adventure is a 1995 metroidvania for Game Gear starring Miles “Tails” Prower. It offers a non-linear adventure across Cocoa Island demanding strategic exploration and combat. Notable for its deliberate pace contrasting with faster Sonic games, it’s appealing to fans of classic platformers and...

Super Mario Run is a mobile platformer developed by Nintendo. It's notable for pioneering auto-running mechanics within a flagship franchise and offering accessible side-scrolling action. The game is designed primarily for casual players including families and individuals seeking engaging puzzle gam...

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D is a tactical action game available on Nintendo 3DS. It recreates the popular “Mercenaries” modes from Resident Evil 4 and 5, offering challenging side-scrolling combat scenarios. Players control squads of characters attempting to complete objectives against relentl...

Shinobi is a 2011 hack-and-slash game by Griptonite Games for the Nintendo 3DS, notable for its challenging side-scrolling action and integrated use of touch-screen magic attacks.

Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars was a 1986 arcade platform game created by Sega and initially released in Japan. It featured side-scrolling gameplay with players controlling either Alex Kidd or Stella to navigate levels under timed constraints. A Master System port followed in 1988, expanding the game’s a...

Shinobi Legions is a 1995 hack-and-slash game for the Sega Saturn, notable for its extensive use of live-action, digitized actors to create its cinematic, anime-style cutscenes.

Titus the Fox: To Marrakech and Back is a side-scrolling platform game created for Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, and MS-DOS. Initially released in 1991 as Lagaf': Les Aventures de Moktar — Vol 1: La Zoubida, it was later rebranded with Titus’ mascot in 1992. The game's development was overseen by Ti...

Hyper Universe was a South Korean side-scrolling MOBA by Cwavesoft and Nexon, released on Steam in 2018 and distinguished by 2D platform-style lanes.

Captain Silver is a 1987 arcade hack-and-slash game by Coreland, notable for its pirate theme and significant gameplay differences between the Master System and NES console ports.