The Greatest Side Scroller Games of All Time
Ever since I started playing games, side-scrolling games have always been my favorite. There's this excitement I get from perfectly timing a jump, leveling up a character, and finally getting through a tough level. Since their inception, side-scroller games have undergone massive levels of advancements, especially in terms of gameplay mechanics and graphics. Over the years, I've played a lot of them. There are so many noteworthy games that I've enjoyed, and I want you guys to try them out, if you can.
So, in no particular order, here's my top side-scroller games of all time!
Super Meat Boy
Super Meat Boy is about a little piece of meat, “Meat Boy”, who must surpass different challenges to rescue his girlfriend, “Bandage Girl”. Cute story, right? But trust me, playing the game isn't cute at all!
This game tested my patience a lot, and this is why I love it. Meat Boy, the character you're playing, is going to die a lot, and I'm not trying to scare you in any way, but that's the plain truth. You'll need to rely a lot on your precision and timing; good thing the controls are very responsive.
The visuals are very simple. It contains a lot of blood splashes and spinning saws, but they're depicted in a not-so-serious way. So it's great for kids too.
One of the best out there, you should give it a shot.
Hollow Knight
This game is a masterpiece. The depth, gameplay, visuals and sound design are top tier. You play as a bug warrior exploring a fallen kingdom, which opens up a world of beautiful designs and an immersive atmosphere. There's something special about how the story slowly unfolds as you progress through the game.
What made me fall in love with Hollow Knight are the visuals and the soundtrack. The dark animation, accompanied by the music, gave me a holistic gaming experience.
If you enjoy getting lost in a game world, I'd recommend you play Hollow Knight.
Super Mario World
This is a classic, and perhaps the most popular on this list. Super Mario World was a big part of my childhood, and honestly, it's one of the reasons why I fell in love with side-scrolling games.
For those who aren't familiar, you play as Mario, travelling across Dinosaur Island trying to save Princess Peach. Each level feels different with so many hidden locations, power-ups and rewards to find. I always got excited whenever I saw a secret path or item.
The colors of the game are very cheerful, and how can we forget about the iconic soundtrack? You can always identify the Super Mario World soundtrack anywhere, which says a lot about how much impact the game has.
Even after all these years, Super Mario World still stands among the best side-scrolling games ever made.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog was one of the biggest games in the 1990s. It was a mastermind created by SEGA.
I remember the first time I played it, the speed of the game hit me right away. Sonic races through loops, jumps and bounces around, and this fast-paced action gives me so much excitement.
It wasn't the easiest game, and yeah, I used to get frustrated when I lost all my rings in one hit. But I always came back.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the best modern platformer games I've played.
The game is about a guardian spirit on a quest to restore balance to the woods. The character, Ori, is initially weak as you begin to get new abilities and power-ups.
The stunning graphics and superior gameplay have made it stand out among the numerous side-scroller games I've played. I understand the hype among gamers. You should play it if you haven't. It's totally worth it.
Despite the years of evolution in the genre, the excitement never leaves. This list is the best of all time, based on my personal gaming experience. I'd love to know what you think about the list.