The Best Side-scrolling Games - Page 2

Update : G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra added at rank #24.
11

Dawn of the Monsters (2022)

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85
Review score
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Playstation 5 IOS iPhone Android Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch stadia

Dawn of the Monsters is an action-packed kaiju game that puts you in control of powerful fighters to battle a horde of giant monsters known as Nephilim. Customize your fighter with Augments and unlock devastating Rage Attacks and Cataclysm attacks. Face off against challenging bosses, appreciate beautiful visuals and captivating music, and embark on a riveting story with interesting characters.


What we like:
  • Complex combat system
  • Unique characters with different playstyles
  • Rich story with interesting characters
  • Beautiful visuals and captivating music
What could be improved:
  • Stages start to feel similar after a while
  • Lack of clarity in the ranking system
  • Training room could use more options

  • cooperative
  • beat-em-up
  • 2-player
  • side-scrolling
  • two-player
  • action
  • scroller
  • boss
  • brawler
  • fight
  • beat'em
  • combat
  • combo
  • action-adventure
  • battle

12

Soda Crisis (2022)

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84
Review score
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PC Windows

Soda Crisis is a fast-paced platform shooter game with stunning visuals and excellent ratings on Steam. You play as a mysterious character outfitted with high-tech gadgets and combat skills, using them to get rid of enemies. The game combines hellish gunplay with action-packed platforming, creating an enjoyable and unique experience.

Buy

What we like:
  • Fast-paced gameplay
  • Enjoyable combat
  • Unique art style
  • Powerful electronic soundtrack
  • Variety of tools to overcome difficulties
  • Mini-games for added fun.
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty can be overwhelming for some players
  • Story is somewhat lacking in comparison to visuals and gameplay.

  • side-scrolling
  • scroller
  • platform
  • shoot-em-up
  • runner
  • shooter
  • gun
  • parkour
  • 3d
  • hard-hitting
  • training
  • colourful
  • combat
  • customization
  • action-adventure

13

Heroine Anthem Zero 2: Scalescars Oath (2022)

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82
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Playstation 5

ZERO 2 is an ARPG with intriguing storytelling, an unpredictable battle system, and endless heartfelt adventure. The story includes multiple subtle metaphors for the relationship between God and humans.


  • story
  • metroidvania
  • side-scrolling
  • arpg
  • scroller
  • rpg
  • drama
  • hack-and-slash
  • exploration
  • action
  • post-apocalyptic
  • anime
  • 2d
  • 3d
  • innovative

14

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors (2019)

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79
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

Alluring audio! Pixel art perfection! Beat-em up beauty! Discover how hard a 32,000kg ninja hits with The Ninja Saviours!


  • ninja
  • brawler
  • arcade
  • side-scrolling
  • cooperative
  • remake
  • two-player
  • robots
  • boss
  • classic
  • dystopian
  • retro
  • action
  • online
  • local

15

9 Monkeys of Shaolin (2020)

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78
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch Linux PC Windows

9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a beat-em-up game with deep combat mechanics and varied level designs. The story follows Daokong, a man who joins a Shaolin order to seek revenge on the Japanese pirates that attacked his village. With generous parries, special attacks, seal moves and skill points to customize your abilities, you will feel like an unstoppable warrior!


What we like:
  • Deep combat mechanics
  • Varied level design
  • Generous parries and special attacks
  • Plenty of voice acting options
What could be improved:
  • Relatively short runtime
  • By-the-numbers plot

  • cooperative
  • beat-em-up
  • martial
  • fight
  • pirates
  • side-scrolling
  • local
  • brawler
  • online
  • ninja
  • arts
  • combat
  • old-school
  • hack-and-slash
  • action

16

Natsuki Chronicles (2019)

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78
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

New dramatic horizontal shoot ’em up that takes place in the same setting as Ginga Force. An immersive story that follows protagonist Natsuki. Discover the story of her past as a rookie pilot up to present day with events that are parallel to those in Ginga Force.

Buy

  • shooter
  • shoot
  • horizontal
  • arcade
  • side-scrolling
  • shoot-em-up
  • boss
  • story
  • vertical
  • shoot-ups
  • steadily-paced
  • bullet-hell-type
  • hard-as-heck
  • smoke
  • action

17

Actraiser Renaissance (2021)

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76
Review score
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Android PC Windows IOS iPhone

ActRaiser Renaissance is a video game where you play as God rebuilding human civilization destroyed by evil. With two main parts, simulation and sidescrolling action, guiding and defending your village against monsters is incredibly fun. The challenge ramps up gradually with time, making it addicting. The combat system is competent, with various enemy types, hidden power-ups, and expanded controls. The game is meticulously crafted, genuinely improves on the original game, and maintains the spirit of what made it special. ActRaiser Renaissance is a dark horse to become game of the year and is suitable for players who love simulation and sidescrolling games.


What we like:
  • Fun tower-defense style missions
  • Meticulously crafted simulation and sidescrolling parts
  • Addictive gameplay
  • Great combat system
  • Gradual difficulty ramp-up
What could be improved:
  • The game can be overly easy on normal mode
  • Hard mode is brutally difficult
  • Magic can be overused during boss fights

  • platform
  • city-building
  • remake
  • simulation
  • side-scrolling
  • action
  • boss
  • tower-defense
  • strategy
  • hack-and-slash
  • 2d
  • classic
  • real-time
  • tower
  • rpg

18

Contra Anniversary Collection (2019)

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76
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch

The Contra Anniversary Collection brings this classic Run and Gun franchise back to modern platforms and a new generation of gamers.


  • classic
  • boss
  • side-scrolling
  • shooter
  • run
  • cooperative
  • arcade
  • run-and-gun
  • action
  • platform
  • gun
  • old-school
  • retro
  • hardcore
  • boss-fight

19

Shing! (2020)

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74
Review score
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PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Linux Mac OS

Experience the most exciting and immersive beat-em-up combat system ever – become a kickass ninja and slice some demons in style!


  • beat-em-up
  • demons
  • cooperative
  • ninja
  • fight
  • rogue-like
  • swordplay
  • hack-and-slash
  • 2.5d
  • spectacle
  • scroller
  • character
  • side-scrolling
  • colourful
  • arcade

20

Trek to Yomi (2022)

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72
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Xbox Series X/s Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch

Trek to Yomi is a stunningly beautiful black and white game with smooth combat, multiple story paths and endings, and an engaging storyline. You'll be immersed in the mysterious world of Yomi as you battle through a variety of settings, learning more about the characters and their motivations along your journey.


What we like:
  • Smooth combat system
  • Breathtaking art style
  • Three story paths with multiple endings
  • Engaging storyline
What could be improved:
  • Short playthrough time on normal difficulty
  • Limited attack options in combat

  • side-scrolling
  • combat
  • fight
  • combo
  • boss
  • narrative
  • mythology
  • exploration
  • swordplay
  • classic
  • puzzle
  • kurosawa
  • action-adventure
  • supernatural
  • action

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