The Best 2D Games for Xbox Series X

Update : Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore added at rank #43.
1

Anomaly Agent (2024)

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90
Review score
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Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Nintendo Switch

ANOMALY AGENT is a cyberpunk action-platformer featuring fluid combat, a time-bending story, quirky characters and a catchy synthwave soundtrack! Punch or shoot through mobs of enemies, impact the story with your choices and stop the anomalies before the world plunges into chaos!


  • cyberpunk
  • 2d
  • platform
  • action-adventure
  • pixel
  • scroller
  • sci-fi
  • hack-and-slash
  • conversation
  • choices
  • action
  • fight
  • colourful
  • side-scrolling
  • 1980s

2

Kalinur (2023)

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97
Review score
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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

3

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

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76
Review score
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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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

4

Dad's Monster House (2021)

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93
Review score
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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.


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

5

Ghost Song (2022)

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78
Review score
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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.


What we like:
  • 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
What could be improved:
  • 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

6

Nocturnal (2023)

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76
Review score
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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

7

One Hand Clapping (2020)

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84
Review score
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stadia Android PC Windows IOS iPhone Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch

One Hand Clapping is a vocal 2D platformer. Solve puzzles, by singing or humming into your microphone, and find confidence in the power of your voice as it changes the world around you.


  • platform
  • rhythm
  • 2d
  • music
  • voice
  • puzzle
  • control
  • experience
  • education
  • family-friendly
  • colourful

8

Marsupilami: Hoobadventure (2021)

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87
Review score
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Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch PC Windows Mac OS Playstation 5 Xbox Series X

Discover the Marsupilamis as you have never seen them before in an adventure full of surprises!


  • platform
  • colourful
  • comic
  • 2d
  • scroller
  • family-friendly
  • book
  • action-adventure
  • adventure
  • cartoony
  • funny
  • dinosaurs
  • comedy
  • anime
  • exploration

9

Afterimage (2023)

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75
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Xbox Series X/s

Afterimage is a Metroidvania game where you play as Renee, a young girl who survived an attack and sets out on a journey to regain her memory. Battle fierce enemies and explore the ruins of Engardin with over 200 different equipment options and deep RPG mechanics, crafting a unique gameplay experience. The stunning hand-drawn art style and original orchestral soundtrack add to the immersive experience.


What we like:
  • Smooth and responsive combat
  • Excellent exploration and enormous map
  • Exciting weapon and skill progression
  • Varied enemy design
  • Nice visuals and relaxing soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty ramp-up can feel abrupt and inaccessible areas can be frustrating
  • Lack of minimap can be inconvenient
  • Poorly made quests and bad progression system
  • Poorly designed boss fights except for a few

  • metroidvania
  • platform
  • souls
  • boss
  • hand-drawn
  • 2d
  • exploration
  • rpg
  • anime
  • multiple-endings
  • scroller
  • lore
  • action-adventure
  • hack-and-slash
  • combat

10

COGEN: Sword of Rewind (2022)

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73
Review score
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Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox Series X Xbox One Nintendo Switch

Rewind, rethink, redo. COGEN is a brand-new kind of 2D action game where there's no time for death.


  • manipulation
  • dynamic
  • 2d
  • souls
  • swordplay
  • time
  • tutorial
  • attack
  • score
  • metroidvania
  • scroller
  • futuristic
  • narration
  • mech
  • platform

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