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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La-Mulana
LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.
DLC Quest
What happens when DLC practices go too far? An indie developer makes a game that mocks the industry and its foibles, that's what! Defeat the bad guy, save the world and get the girl! But first you'll need to find coins to buy DLC to enable animation, sound and even pausing.
BIT.TRIP Presents... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
Step into rhythmic bliss with Runner2! Best Indie Game winner, Guinness World Record holder, and narrated by Charles Martinet. Unleash vibrant moves and beats in 120 levels!
Waking Mars
In 2097, life is discovered on Mars. When your mission of first contact becomes trapped by a cave-in, you must master the alien ecosystem to survive. Soon you stumble upon more than anyone expected, and with time running out, you will make a decision that determines the fate of a lost planet.
Dead Pixels
A toxic waste spill finds its way into the water supply, causing the recently deceased to rise from their graves. Now it's up to you to blast your way through the hordes of undead if you're going to escape the city. On the way to your rescue, you'll search stores and houses for supplies, and trade with other survivors.
Thomas Was Alone
Guide a group of rectangles through 120 levels, using their different skills together to overcome a series of obstacles in each environment. Discover the human-made story of the first sentient artificial intelligences with Danny Wallace’s BAFTA-winning narration.
Pid
You are stranded on a strange and peculiar planet. It’s time to embark on your journey and find your way home! Explore a gravity defying and challenging platformer with striking visuals and a captivating story that transports you to a world beyond ours.
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams
Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is a blistering hardcore platformer with contrasting worlds.
Fairy Bloom Freesia
Take control of Freesia as she protects Lita Forest by beating the living daylights out of enemies invading the forest!
Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken
Annihilate an evil penguin regime in this cinematic platform adventure game offering full solo and co-op campaigns.
Worms Revolution
Worms™ Revolution is the latest game in the classic turn-based strategy series to come to the PC.
Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit
A crazy action-adventure platformer... In Hell.
Intrusion 2
"This is some of the most fun I've had with a game so far this year, and it will go down as one of the best side-scrolling shooters of all time." - 9/10, Destructoid
They Bleed Pixels
They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic horror.
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
A sci-fi puzzle-platformer of cataclysmic proportions! Evolve from a tiny captive into a world-eating giant. Use your mutant blob powers to devour the pathetic humans and all of civilization!
MapleStory
Join over 260 million players worldwide in MapleStory, the world’s biggest 2D MMORPG adventure! Play now for free.
Awesomenauts
Use your power, show your might! Play this Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game! AWESOMENAUTS combines 2D platforming with team-based strategy and hero based action. Whether you are a new recruit or an intergalactic legend, play AWESOMENAUTS!
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II
The Sonic 4 Saga continues in Episode II with the return of a beloved side kick and fan-favorite villains! Following the events of Episode I, Metal Sonic has returned to form an alliance with Dr. Eggman! To face this new evil, Sonic will have to call upon an old friend to help him save the day!
Lone Survivor: The Director's Cut
In this original and adult psychological survival horror, the masked protagonist must escape from a city ravaged by disease, by any means necessary.
Noitu Love 2: Devolution
A century after the legendary boy Noitu Love saved the world from the evil Darns, they rise again, but in a chaos of time-bending mayhem!
Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
In this Insanely Twisted, 2-D action-adventure game, explore unique environments and battle bizarre creatures.
Rayman® Origins
Experience the magical universe of Rayman with legendary 2D gameplay that has captured the hearts of millions of fans!
Really Big Sky
A super fast, twin analogue shooter for the modern age!
Shank 2
The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to...
Titan Attacks!
As the last surviving tank commander on Earth, single-handedly turn back the evil invading alien army, drive back the Titans across the Solar System, and defeat them on their homeworld... Titan Attacks has the same easy-to-learn and addictive gameplay of the classic arcade shoot 'em up, but is packed full of extras - new features, new...
Fortune Summoners
A massive gameworld to explore with nearly a dozen dungeons to delve into.
Dustforce DX
Take control of a nimble janitor to rid the world of dust and debris.
SATAZIUS
The year is 2051. Location: SATAZIUS, a long-abandoned planet. The cruiser Agano was on patrol when it was attacked and stricken by a confederacy of space pirates that had established a base on SATAZIUS. The pirates attacked the Agano intending to steal the assault ship ‘Trafalgar’ that was stowed aboard the Agano, but the Trafalgar made...
Serious Sam Double D XXL
Pile on the firepower with the revolutionary Gunstacker and fire all your weapons at once in a symphony of destruction!
Alien Hallway
Players measure stamina with a never-ending stream of green creatures within the borders of a special military mission.
BIT.TRIP RUNNER
Experience the rhythmic thrill of BIT.TRIP RUNNER! With its retro charm, simple controls, and award-winning visuals, this classic sets the standard for rhythm gaming. Don't miss the game that started it all in the acclaimed runner series.