The Best Side-scrolling Games - Page 3

Update : G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra added at rank #1.
21

The Legend of Tianding (2021)

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89
Review score
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IOS iPhone PC Windows

The Legend of Tian Ding takes you on a journey into the depths of Taiwanese history and culture, through fast-paced combat and platforming. This game puts its own spin on the legend of Liao Tian Ding, a Taiwanese Robin Hood-like character, while remaining true to his character. With its mix of kung fu combat and platforming, this game is sure to satisfy any itch for an action-packed adventure set in Taiwan's past.


What we like:
  • Fast-paced combat and platforming
  • Rich story based on real events
  • Charming manhua aesthetic
  • Atmospheric soundtrack
  • Freedom to chain abilities in combat & movement
  • Variety of secrets hidden throughout levels
What could be improved:
  • Cutscenes can be too long & unskippable at times
  • Uneven progression with upgrades only available later in the game
  • Difficulty spikes during some boss battles

  • historical
  • platform
  • spectacle
  • fight
  • side-scrolling
  • comic
  • boss
  • martial
  • boss-fight
  • beat-em-up
  • combat
  • scroller
  • action
  • hack-and-slash
  • book

22

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

23

What Comes After (2020)

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81
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X j Playstation 4 Xbox One Playstation 5 Xbox Series X/s

What Comes After is a side-scrolling adventure and a short heartwarming story about learning how to love yourself. Help Vivi in her journey on the train to the afterlife and back. From the creator of Coffee Talk, in collaboration with Rolling Glory Jam, the creator of Rage in Peace.


  • interactive
  • fiction
  • side-scrolling
  • visual-novel
  • conversation
  • adventure
  • conversation-driven
  • story
  • light-hearted
  • cartoony
  • narrative
  • multiple-endings
  • emotional
  • philosophical
  • grand

24

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

25

Jets'n'Guns 2 (2020)

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95
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Jets'n'Guns 2 is a side-scrolling space shooter with insane levels of action and destruction. Travel the galaxies and unleash an arsenal of the deadliest weapons and devices to save the universe from its inevitable doom.


  • shoot-em-up
  • shoot
  • side-scrolling
  • shooter
  • unique-playing
  • scrolling
  • vertical
  • action
  • stage
  • 2d
  • colourful
  • scroller
  • bullet-hell
  • retro
  • local

26

Streets of Rage 4 (2020)

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93
Review score
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Android IOS iPhone Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Streets of Rage 4 is the long awaited fourth entry into the classic Sega franchise. It features a blend of old and new, with classic characters such as Axel and Adam Hunter returning alongside a new main character, Cherry. All characters have unique playstyles, from Axel's powerful punches to Cherry's speedy strikes. There are tons of unlockables to discover and it has an amazing soundtrack.


What we like:
  • Satisfying combat
  • Incredible music and visuals
  • Tons to unlock
  • Simple yet rewarding combat mechanics
What could be improved:
  • Lack of 4 player online
  • Occasionally too easy to get cornered

  • brawler
  • boss
  • classic
  • cooperative
  • retro
  • combo
  • side-scrolling
  • fight
  • beat-em-up
  • arcade
  • online
  • old-school
  • hand-drawn
  • crime
  • combat

27

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

28

Robin (2018)

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86
Review score
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Xbox 360 Xbox One PC Windows

Robin is a short slice of life game that was made to give some visibility to an invisible illness - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.


  • side-scrolling
  • platform
  • fight
  • film
  • electronica
  • animation
  • simulation
  • casual
  • action
  • amusement
  • 1980s
  • supernatural
  • surreal

29

Fight'N Rage (2017)

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90
Review score
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Xbox One Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 PC Windows Playstation 5 Xbox Series X

Fight'N Rage is a classic beat 'em up game with satisfying punches, varied, intelligent enemies, an array of characters with unique playstyles, and reams of fun unlockables. Every hit feels satisfying and the game offers a variety of music styles to keep players entertained.


What we like:
  • Satisfying punches
  • Varied and intelligent enemies
  • Array of characters with unique playstyles
  • Reams of fun unlockables
  • Variety of music styles
What could be improved:
  • Spamming special moves can be too easy if not monitored carefully
  • SP gauge can be difficult to check during intense fights
  • Some tutorial elements are confusing

  • side-scrolling
  • cooperative
  • local
  • classic
  • beat-em-up
  • arcade
  • combo
  • old-school
  • retro
  • martial
  • multiple-endings
  • brawler
  • 2d
  • ninja
  • fight

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