Best Platformer games / 2D side-scrollers

2D side-scrollers have been around since the dawn of the video game industry and produced some of the most iconic game series out there. In this collection we present you with the 40 best platformer games this long-running video game genre has to offer! Ranging from homages to the classic 16-bit era titles like Sonic Mania to the more modern examples like Ori and the Will of Whisps – there’s truly a lot of options to choose from! Some of these games will invite you to visit stylish 2D levels brought to life through nostalgic pixel art, beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds, and old-school parallax scrolling effects. Not all 2D side-scrollers are linear however, as platformers like the infamous Terraria will offer you a more open-ended sandbox experience that encourages creativity and freedom. Find them all and more among the best platformer games presented below!

Forager Steam Key GLOBAL
Forager Steam Key GLOBAL
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Terraria (PC) Clé Steam GLOBAL
Terraria (PC) Clé Steam GLOBAL
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Limbo Steam Key GLOBAL
Limbo Steam Key GLOBAL
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Hollow Knight Clé Steam GLOBAL
Hollow Knight Clé Steam GLOBAL
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FTL: Faster Than Light Steam Key GLOBAL
FTL: Faster Than Light Steam Key GLOBAL
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Ori and the Blind Forest (Definitive Edition) Steam Key GLOBAL
Ori and the Blind Forest (Definitive Edition) Steam Key GLOBAL
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Ori and the Will of the Wisps (PC/Xbox One) Xbox Live GLOBAL
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (PC/Xbox One) Xbox Live GLOBAL
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My Friend Pedro Steam Key GLOBAL
My Friend Pedro Steam Key GLOBAL
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Human : Fall Flat clé Steam GLOBAL
Human : Fall Flat clé Steam GLOBAL
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Super Meat Boy Steam Key EUROPE
Super Meat Boy Steam Key EUROPE
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Sonic Mania Steam Key GLOBAL
Sonic Mania Steam Key GLOBAL
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Little Nightmares Steam Key GLOBAL
Little Nightmares Steam Key GLOBAL
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Scribblenauts Unlimited Steam Key GLOBAL
Scribblenauts Unlimited Steam Key GLOBAL
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Trine: Ultimate Collection Steam Key GLOBAL
Trine: Ultimate Collection Steam Key GLOBAL
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Starbound Steam Key GLOBAL
Starbound Steam Key GLOBAL
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Dead Cells Steam Key GLOBAL
Dead Cells Steam Key GLOBAL
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Rayman Legends Uplay Key GLOBAL
Rayman Legends Uplay Key GLOBAL
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Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara Steam Key GLOBAL
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara Steam Key GLOBAL
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Undertale Steam Key GLOBAL
Undertale Steam Key GLOBAL
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Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Steam Key GLOBAL
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove Steam Key GLOBAL
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Inside Steam Key GLOBAL
Inside Steam Key GLOBAL
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Cave Story+ Steam Key GLOBAL
Cave Story+ Steam Key GLOBAL
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Hyper Light Drifter Steam Key GLOBAL
Hyper Light Drifter Steam Key GLOBAL
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VVVVVV Steam Key GLOBAL
VVVVVV Steam Key GLOBAL
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Dustforce DX Steam Key GLOBAL
Dustforce DX Steam Key GLOBAL
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SteamWorld Dig Steam Key GLOBAL
SteamWorld Dig Steam Key GLOBAL
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SteamWorld Dig 2 Steam Key GLOBAL
SteamWorld Dig 2 Steam Key GLOBAL
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SteamWorld Heist Steam Key GLOBAL
SteamWorld Heist Steam Key GLOBAL
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Shank 2 Steam Key GLOBAL
Shank 2 Steam Key GLOBAL
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Stealth Bastard Deluxe Steam Key GLOBAL
Stealth Bastard Deluxe Steam Key GLOBAL
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Mutazione Steam Key GLOBAL
Mutazione Steam Key GLOBAL
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Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack Steam Key GLOBAL
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack Steam Key GLOBAL
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Nihilumbra Steam Key GLOBAL
Nihilumbra Steam Key GLOBAL
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Guacamelee! (Gold Edition) Steam Key GLOBAL
Guacamelee! (Gold Edition) Steam Key GLOBAL
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There Was a Caveman Steam Key GLOBAL
There Was a Caveman Steam Key GLOBAL
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Cargo Commander Steam Key GLOBAL
Cargo Commander Steam Key GLOBAL
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Ultimate Chicken Horse Clé Steam GLOBAL
Ultimate Chicken Horse Clé Steam GLOBAL
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A Hat in Time Steam Key EUROPE
A Hat in Time Steam Key EUROPE
Europe
Hell Yeah! Steam Key GLOBAL
Hell Yeah! Steam Key GLOBAL
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No matter what your preferences are, platforming games have something for gamers of all tastes and needs. On one hand, they can be casual, funny, and relaxing like the over-the-top cooperative platforming race that is Ultimate Chicken Horse from the developer Clever Endeavour Games. On the other hand, some 2D side-scrollers are also known for being brutally challenging and unforgiving just like Cuphead – a multiple-award-winning title released by StudioMDHR in 2017. No checkpoint system and punishingly hard boss battles might sound scary at first but the addicting run and gun gameplay together with the 1930s animation-inspired art style make it one of the best platformer games of recent years. Take a pick from this wide selection of great 2D platformers and don’t be afraid to try out something new!