The Side Scroller Zone
Games where the action moves primarily across the screen from side to side.
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Latest Standouts
Recent releases that landed well, newest first, filtered to games with enough reviews to trust the score.
Soul's Remnant - Soul's Remnant is a 2D platformer MMORPG focused on social gameplay and exploration! Customize your character, and conquer dungeons and bosses in this mysterious world. Play with friends or make new ones - just watch out when night falls!
Aug 13, 2026
Infinitevania - A metroidvania that combines the visual style of classic retro games with the fluid gameplay of modern titles. Explore different worlds, face challenging enemies and bosses, and absorb their powers to destroy the Core of Infinitevania.
Jul 24, 2026
Deer & Boy - A runaway boy meets a lost fawn, and together they cross a quiet, dangerous world. Solve puzzles, climb, and slip past threats as your companion grows from a fragile newborn into a powerful deer. What you cannot do alone, you learn to do together.
Jun 23, 2026
Sister Ray - 2D RPG about the brutal daily life of Ray - an artist struggling with addiction, who takes care of her little sister. Look after your condition - no one should know about the addiction. Improve your skills, sell paintings, do everything to ease the withdrawal. Survive and look for a way out.
Jun 1, 2026
Creepy Tale: Snow Child - An explosive mix of action and mystery, seasoned with black humor and a sinister atmosphere. Journey into Hell alongside a brave boy named Blizzy and defeat Evil itself. Save the world and become a hero. But at what cost?
May 14, 2026
HOLY GRAIL for DUMMIES - HOLY GRAIL for DUMMIES is a colorful and absurd action-platformer about Buckethead, a hero past his prime, in a world that, let's be honest, has seen better days...
May 8, 2026
Alien Strike: Blasting the Intruders - Slide, jump and shoot in 8 directions in this explosive Run 'n Gun for up to 3 players! Swap weapons in real time, activate insane specials and take on alien bosses in an action-packed invasion of retro mayhem!
May 7, 2026
TetherGeist - TetherGeist is a challenging precision platformer that rewards practice and perseverance. Guide Mae and her axolotl spirit, Bao, on a wholesome coming-of-age pilgrimage while mastering Astral Projection, a tether that links Mae to her spirit and is the source of her strength.
May 7, 2026
Mining Merchant - Mining Merchant is a relaxing mining and shopkeeping adventure game. Mine by day to uncover rare ores and gems, then craft jewelry to sell in your shop by night. Rebuild your uncle’s business solo or in co-op and uncover the mystery behind the nightly earthquakes.
May 1, 2026
On Sale Now
Discounted 25% or more right now, limited to well-reviewed games, steepest cuts first.
The Way - Journey to another planet and discover its secrets in order to bring your loved one back to life. Experience an adventure, inspired by old school classics like Another World, Heart of Darkness and Flashback.
May 20, 2016
TTV2 - TTV2 is an arcade retro hardcore maze wanderer minigame, sequel to Trip to Vinelands.
Sep 11, 2017
Alwa's Awakening - Use your magic staff and progress through a large interconnected world where you'll solve puzzles, fight enemies and defeat bosses in order to help free the land of Alwa. Explore and uncover the secrets by using your platforming skills in this challenging and charming 8-bit adventure game.
Feb 2, 2017
Toki - The return of the wacky monkey!Toki sets off on a new adventure! The cult action/platform game originally released on arcade machines in 1989 is back with a super-simian new version, featuring all-new hand-drawn graphics and re-orchestrated music!
Jun 7, 2019
Regions Of Ruin - Regions of Ruin is a 2D pixel side-scrolling RPG with town-building, where you explore, fight and build into an open world that progressively challenges you and your settlement, and threatens the extinction of the dwarven race.
Feb 5, 2018
PLANET ALPHA - PLANET ALPHA, a beautiful alien world filled with mystery and danger. Pursued by relentless enemies, you must harness the power of night and day as you struggle to survive.
Sep 4, 2018
METAL SLUG 2 - “METAL SLUG 2”, the 2nd entry in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game returns to the battlefield on the Steam gaming platform!
Apr 14, 2016
METAL SLUG - “METAL SLUG ”, the very first title in SNK’s legendary 2D run & gun action shooting game series where all began, returns to the missions on the Steam gaming platform!
Jun 25, 2015
METAL SLUG X - “METAL SLUG X”, one of the most highly praised titles in the series among Metal Slug fans for its refined balance and game volume, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!
Oct 2, 2014
METAL SLUG 3 - “METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!
Feb 14, 2014
Worms Reloaded - Ten years on from Worms™ Armageddon and the turn-based comic mayhem continues in Worms™ Reloaded, an all-new edition available for PC through Steam.
Aug 26, 2010
Blasphemous 2 - The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle once and for all.
Aug 24, 2023
Top Rated
Defining examples of the genre, all rated 85%+ across 1,000+ reviews.
A Taste of the Past - What do you do when you lose someone you love? A Taste of the Past is an emotional sidescroller about reconnecting with your Chinese culture while navigating a train to the afterlife. Featuring a wholesome story, cooking minigames, and hope.
Mar 11, 2022
Broforce - Broforce is an action-packed side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun ode to freedom, putting you in control of an under-funded, overpowered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.
Oct 15, 2015
Mark of the Ninja - In Mark of the Ninja, you'll know what it is to truly be a ninja. You must be silent, agile and clever to outwit your opponents in a world of gorgeous scenery and flowing animation. Marked with cursed tattoos giving you heightened senses, every situation presents you with options.
Touhou Luna Nights - Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action. Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.
Feb 25, 2019
Touhou Hero of Ice Fairy - Touhou Hero of Ice Fairy is an indie game developed by GAMEPULSE.Step into the shoes of Cirno, the Hero of Ice, as she embarks on a journey against evil, liberating Gensokyo and saving her dear princess.
Apr 3, 2024
Dungeon Munchies - Hunt down monsters to cook and eat them! You’ve been revived in a massive underground complex and you must leave this bizarre facility. Aided by the undead Necro-Chef Simmer, you must stay safe, get fed, find a way to get out
Jul 27, 2022
Thank Goodness You're Here! - Thank Goodness You're Here! is an absurd comedy slapformer set in the bizarre Northern English town of Barnsworth. As a traveling salesman, take the time to see the sights and meet the locals, who are very eager to give you a series of increasingly odd jobs…
Aug 1, 2024
The Pedestrian - I can see the signs in my sleep now, always guiding me closer. Will this really work? Have we almost achieved the impossible?
Jan 29, 2020
Tukoni: Prologue - Tukoni: Prologue is a point-and-click puzzle adventure, based on a series of award-winning books by the Ukrainian artist Oksana Bula. Play as Tukoni, the forest spirits, as you meet unique characters, solve captivating puzzles, craft new items, and explore a magical world filled with kindness.
Nov 19, 2020
Tribal Hunter - An action platformer with size-changing mechanics. Be quick and nimble or large and in-charge!
Aug 21, 2022
Iron Meat - Iron Meat is a run-and-gun arcade shooter that immerses players in an apocalyptic future overrun by "The Meat," an iron-ravenous mass mutating everything in its path. Blast your way through retro-inspired stages and bosses to uncover the shocking horrors behind secret experiments on the Moon.
Sep 25, 2024
