Best Side Scroller Games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated side scroller games.
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Touhou Blooming Soul
Follow Hata no Kokoro as she explores and defeats enemies on the stage of Gensokyo. The game contains many randomized elements such as items, skills and maps. Players can utilize a variety of different playstyles, making each run uniquely different from the last.
Fickle Card Legend
A side-scrolling, non-turn-based card battle game. Level up, collect gear, and challenge stages and bosses with a unique card-clash combat system. Designed for the '80s generation who are tired of modern generic titles. No AFK, no easy wins. New-gen players, choose wisely.
Light Up The Town
Light Up The Town is a cozy, casual holiday game for all ages. Play as Bean, a precocious young ferret, and explore the town of Bellflower, Colorado as you hang up festive string lights around to spread holiday cheer. Click to throw a light or decoration; the only limit is your imagination.
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
A cosmic battle awaits! Choose between 15 Marvel Super Heroes in this frenetic action beat ‘em up to fight against the deadly Annihilation Wave threatening the galaxy. From New York City to the depths of the Negative Zone, the future of the Marvel Universe will be fought for across the stars!
Alice's World
Alice's World is a story-driven 2D adventure puzzle game. Amidst desolate ruins and deserted cities in a world filled with death, the young girl Alice hears "your" voice from in front of the screen. You must guide her forward, solve the mysteries, and reach the top of the tower.
Neon Inferno
NYC 2055: a city beyond salvation. Blast your way through this dense cyberpunk jungle in NEON INFERNO, an explosive fusion of 2D run-and-gun and gallery-shooter, and help the Family dominate its streets!
Wall World 2
The adventure in the mysterious world of the Wall continues! Pilot your robospider into its depths, uncover lost artifacts and technologies, upgrade your exosuit and spider, and battle the horrors lurking in the dark. Unravel the mysteries buried in the depths of the Wall!
Possessor(s)
Possessor(s) is a fast-paced action side scroller with combat inspired by platform fighters, a story told through dangerous characters, set in a deep interconnected world ready for exploration.
Battle On! Hero Academy
Welcome to Battle On! Hero Academy! In this desktop idle game, you are the dean. Recruit heroes and plan their careers from swordsmen to paladins. Your heroes battle and grow. Reap the rewards, then lead your upgraded team against epic bosses. Enjoy deep strategy and satisfying idle progression!
Platypus Reclayed
22 years after its first appearance, the iconic Platypus is coming back, featuring updated gameplay, new weapons and additional content. Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding action of this fast, frantic, and incredibly fun arcade-style shoot-em-up!
Chrono Gear: Warden of Time
Turn back the clock and fight to repair Time itself in this cinematic action platformer with fast sword combat and time-based powers. You are the Warden of Time, Ouro Kronii - be proud and fight hard!
Star Fire: Eternal Cycle
Star Fire is a love letter to classic arcade side-scrollers, reimagined with roguelite progression, modern action polish, and that “just one more run” itch. It’s fast, punchy, and all about no-pressure fun with tight combat, slick movement, and endless ways to cause chaos.
Kaelaverse: Pemascape
Kaela Kovalskia of Hololive ID has gone missing! Play as her army of assistants, the Pemaloe, and set off to explore caves, dungeons, and mazes and discover the truth about Kaela's whereabouts!
SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance
The iconic SHINOBI returns in an all-new 2D action platformer with a unique hand-drawn look created by the team behind the hit brawler Streets of Rage 4.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
In this challenging, fast-paced roguelite, every death is a unique chance to rewrite fate, save Persia or die trying. Master fluid, acrobatic combat and parkour as you explore your kingdom to right your wrongs!
NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound
A brand-new side-scrolling entry to the NINJA GAIDEN series from the team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure.
Primal Planet
Unveil a heartfelt story of family, dinosaurs, and UFOs! Craft, upgrade, and survive in a realm of primeval predators, savage tribes and... ancient aliens. Rise from a humble cave dweller to the planet’s last hope — alone or in local co-op. Welcome to the dinovania!
Flower in Us
Flower in Us is a short, story-driven mystery adventure that invites players to unravel hidden secrets.
Advent NEON®
Hyperactive 2D action platformer with wicked fast attacks, omnidirectional dashing, and time-freezing! Play well enough to transform and unleash 100% power!
Drill Core
Corporate greed meets strategic planet-mining in Drill Core! Drill to the heart of planets while managing workers, researching cutting-edge tech, and fortifying against alien attacks. Will you prioritize efficiency and risk your workers' safety, or focus on defense for survival?
PATAPON 1+2 REPLAY
PATAPON is an action adventure where players use the rhythm of 4 Mystical Drums to command cute and mysterious eyeball-like creatures known as Patapons. As the player, you are the God of the Patapons and lead them on a grand adventure to Earthend!
Chronicles of the Wolf
Hunt the legendary Beast of Gévaudan in Chronicles of the Wolf! Step into the boots of Mateo Lombardo in this epic adventure featuring brutal bosses, vast castles, and secrets to uncover. Narration by the legendary Robert Belgrade and other special appearances!
DragonLoop
Dragon Loop is a metroidvania combining time travel and branching map design. Explore the large open world in a five day loop, opening up new worldlines. Explore a 2D, hand-drawn world, engage in fast-paced battles, and retrieve memories to shape the future.
Three Kingdoms Mushouden
Set on the eve of the Yellow Turban Rebellion (AD 182), you can play as an original character or a historical warlord, building forces and forging alliances. Whether you choose to be a lone wanderer or rally famous generals, use your knowledge and wisdom to reshape history!
Nice Day for Fishing
The world needs you Adventurer! Embark on an RPG pixel adventure where you’ll play as Baelin the humble fisherman, who must rise-up to become the hero of Honeywood. Battle fish with precision timing and magic spells, upgrade your abilities, defeat evil and rebuild Honeywood.
Nitro Express
Nitro Express is a 2D side-view gun action game where cute pixel-art girls shoot assault weapons with 360° free aiming in the streets of Japan!
Doloc Town
Doloc Town is a cozy pixel-art farming simulation set in a post-apocalyptic world. Build your dream farm from scratch and explore this mysterious wasteland. Harvest, plant, build, and uncover the untold stories of this forgotten land.
Warfare Legacy Collection
Warfare 1917 and 1944 return, fully remastered with enhanced visuals, full-screen support, and custom battles. Warfare Legacy Collection also Includes the Battle of the Bulge, a brand-new campaign set during WWII’s final offensive with all-new missions, snowy maps, and intense front-line action.
Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree
Slay your way in Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, an epic action RPG set in a dark fantasy world. Battle monsters, master six unique Classes, craft hundreds of useful items, and explore the secrets of an expansive, interconnected world.
Into the Dead: Our Darkest Days
Texas, 1980. Walton City has fallen to a zombie outbreak. Lead a band of desperate survivors from refuge to refuge by scavenging, crafting, and fighting in a relentless struggle for survival. Plan wisely, stick together, and — above all — keep moving if you want to make it out alive.
The Happyhills Homicide 2: Out For Blood
He is back. Once again take control of mass serial killer John Wade. Six years later, the infamous Pale Grin resurrects from the grave to terrorize the broken town of Happyhills. This time he has more on his mind than simple killing.