The Best 2D Games

Update, : Kalinur added at rank #4.
1

Katana ZERO (2019)

View Similar Games
97
Review score
Logo of Katana ZERO Screenshot of Katana ZERO Screenshot of Katana ZERO Screenshot of Katana ZERO

PC Windows Xbox One Mac OS Nintendo Switch

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.


  • platform
  • 2d
  • pixel
  • cyberpunk
  • assassin
  • violent
  • instant-death
  • manipulation
  • time
  • hack-and-slash
  • story
  • action
  • ninja
  • fast-paced
  • gore

2

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef (2022)

View Similar Games
76
Review score
Logo of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef Screenshot of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef Screenshot of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef Screenshot of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef

PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is a side-scrolling shooter with a generous helping of verticality, wherein you play as a gleeful greenskin seeking revenge after being wronged by his boss. You'll trek across the surface of Luteus prime, encountering native Orks and cutting through them on your mission with all manner of ramshackle munitions at your disposal. Plus, its price point does wonders for forgiving that it isn't an 18-hour epic adventure.


Pro:
  • Generous checkpoints and gun store
  • Variety of denizens to oppose you
  • Colossal combatant bosses lifted from the Warhammer 40
  • 000 universe
  • Up to four players in its co-op space
  • Unique abilities and passive bonuses to change gameplay experience
Cons:
  • Short game length (2 hours)
  • Abundant load screens

  • shooter
  • twin-stick
  • 2d
  • warhammer-40k
  • cooperative
  • platform
  • pvp
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • cartoony
  • beat-em-up
  • bullet-hell
  • hand-drawn
  • scroller
  • side-scrolling

3

Dad's Monster House (2021)

View Similar Games
93
Review score
Logo of Dad's Monster House Screenshot of Dad's Monster House Screenshot of Dad's Monster House Screenshot of Dad's Monster House

Xbox One Xbox Series X PC Windows IOS iPhone Mac OS

Dad's Monster House is a hand-drawn puzzle game featuring horror and fantasy. It tells the story of Carlos' journey after he receives a distress call from his father, pleading for him to return to his old home and rescue his dad.

Buy

  • 2d
  • adventure
  • puzzle
  • rpg
  • fantasy
  • hand-drawn
  • seek-and-find
  • wonderland
  • frankenstein
  • featuring
  • casual
  • comic-book
  • surrealist
  • horror
  • platform

4

Kalinur (2023)

View Similar Games
97
Review score
Logo of Kalinur Screenshot of Kalinur Screenshot of Kalinur Screenshot of Kalinur

Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Defeat the mage Kalinur and bring peace back to the kingdom in this mini metroidvania with a lot of action.


  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • swordplay
  • retro
  • fantasy
  • platform
  • demons
  • pixel
  • dark
  • adventure
  • exploration
  • medieval
  • action
  • nonlinear

5

Nuclear Blaze (2021)

View Similar Games
87
Review score
Logo of Nuclear Blaze Screenshot of Nuclear Blaze Screenshot of Nuclear Blaze Screenshot of Nuclear Blaze

PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Nuclear Blaze is a unique 2D firefighting game from the creator of Dead Cells, with all the devastating backdrafts, exploding walls and sprinklers you could expect. Fight your way through a mysterious facility and try to keep the blaze under control.

Buy

  • platform
  • 2d
  • action-adventure
  • mystery
  • scroller
  • exploration
  • atmospheric
  • pixel
  • colourful
  • rogue-like
  • action
  • investigation
  • full-blown

6

Ghost Song (2022)

View Similar Games
78
Review score
Logo of Ghost Song Screenshot of Ghost Song Screenshot of Ghost Song Screenshot of Ghost Song

PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One

In Ghost Song, discover the secrets of the mysterious moon of Lorian while battling strange creatures and customizing your battlesuit. With stunning 2D graphics and a haunting story, Ghost Song is an adventure game you can't miss.


Pro:
  • Beautifully crafted game with eerie atmosphere
  • Unique paths to explore and interesting boss fights
  • Good dialogue and compelling story
  • Fluid and fun combat with unique modification combos and weapons
  • Moving main character with personal stories
Cons:
  • Excessive backtracking and frustration without enough fast travel locations
  • Limited replayability and short-lived experience
  • Some creative decisions fall flat
  • Nearly non-existent story that lacks item description
  • Lack of depth and tactics in combat, and poor damage output

  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • platform
  • boss
  • hand-drawn
  • sci-fi
  • atmospheric
  • scroller
  • exploration
  • boss-fight
  • metroid
  • horror
  • dark
  • robots
  • controller-support

7

Donut Dodo (2022)

View Similar Games
89
Review score
Logo of Donut Dodo Screenshot of Donut Dodo Screenshot of Donut Dodo Screenshot of Donut Dodo

Nintendo Switch PC Windows

If a long lost arcade game from 1983 resurfaced today, it would be Donut Dodo - a classic 2D platformer from the golden era, tough as nails and challenging for the whole family! Ready to top the high score table?

Buy

  • arcade
  • attack
  • score
  • 2d
  • 1980s
  • platform
  • chiptune
  • linear
  • funny
  • retro
  • cartoony
  • old-school
  • pixel
  • action
  • sprite-work

8

Nocturnal (2023)

View Similar Games
76
Review score
Logo of Nocturnal Screenshot of Nocturnal Screenshot of Nocturnal Screenshot of Nocturnal

Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Android Playstation 4

After years of traveling, Ardeshir finds his native island covered in a mysterious fog. Carve your way with fire and steel to find out what happened to your people in this action-platformer game. You’re the only one who can discover the secrets that lie beyond the Mist.


  • platform
  • scroller
  • soundtrack
  • 2d
  • linear
  • narration
  • action-adventure
  • mystery
  • hand-drawn
  • dark
  • puzzle
  • demons
  • exploration
  • combat
  • eroge

9

Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- (2021)

View Similar Games
86
Review score
Logo of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Screenshot of Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-

Playstation 4 PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5

Play as Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War ~Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth~, a thrilling 2D action-exploration game. Using your sword and bow, fight against enemies and level up your elemental spirits to gain new abilities. With beautiful graphics and an engaging story by the original creator, both longtime fans and new players will enjoy this Metroidvania-style adventure.


Pro:
  • Fantastic gameplay and puzzles
  • Beautiful 2D sprites with great animations
  • Good music
  • Backtracking is not a chore
  • Smooth and responsive controls with continuous influx of new weapons and spells
Cons:
  • Extremely short gameplay for completionists
  • Grating music at times
  • Potentially difficult fights

  • "
  • action-exploration
  • novel
  • pixel
  • metroidvania
  • anime
  • exploration
  • boss
  • 2d
  • fantasy
  • beat-em-up
  • ikaruga
  • rpg
  • boss-fight
  • platform

10

Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 (2022)

View Similar Games
75
Review score
Logo of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 Screenshot of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 Screenshot of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2 Screenshot of Gunvolt Chronicles: Luminous Avenger iX 2

Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X

Break into the new apeX of 2D action! INTI CREATES is proud to present new apeX of cutting-edge 2D action with Luminous Avenger iX 2!


  • boss
  • 2d
  • platform
  • robots
  • action-adventure
  • combo
  • action
  • scroller
  • sci-fi
  • melee
  • pixel
  • anime
  • retro-tinted
  • boss-fight
  • fantasy

Not seeing your game?