SIDE SCROLLING GAMES
Explore our collection of Side Scrolling games. From classics to new releases, find your next favorite game.
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Showing games 451 - 500 of 672
Side Scrolling Games
Side scrolling games place you in a world that moves from left to right, sometimes up and down, as you guide your hero across a 2D stage. This perspective first wowed arcades in the late 1970s, then became a household favorite with titles like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. Their easy to read layouts and simple controls helped shape video gaming for decades.
The core loop is clear. You move, jump and attack while the camera follows from the side. Tight controls and readable visuals make each leap or dodge feel fair. Power ups and hidden paths reward curiosity, adding a gentle layer of exploration that keeps the action fresh. Progress feels constant, whether you clear a tricky gap or defeat a towering boss.
Side scrolling is more than platforming. Beat em ups let friends clean up city streets together, run and gun shooters test reflexes with walls of projectiles, and Metroidvania adventures open new zones once you earn fresh abilities. Modern indie hits like Hollow Knight and Celeste mix classic movement with rich stories, proving the style still evolves.
Players flock back for skill building, nostalgia and social fun. Speedrunners chase perfect times, parents share childhood favorites with kids, and newcomers enjoy polished art that ranges from chunky pixels to hand painted scenes. No matter the look, the side view delivers clear action and instant thrills.
What is Kongregate?
Looking for the best place to play free online games? Kongregate offers thousands of games across genres, from action-packed shooters to immersive role-playing adventures. Whether you enjoy competitive strategy games, fast-paced arcade thrills, or relaxing puzzles, we have something for every gamer.
Kongregate is also a hub for indie developers, featuring unique games you won’t find anywhere else. Support independent creators and explore hidden gems that redefine online gaming. New titles are added weekly, so there’s always something fresh to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What defines a side scrolling game?
- A side scrolling game shows the action from the side and scrolls mainly left or right as you move the character through the level.
- Are all side scrollers strictly 2D?
- Most are 2D, but some use 3D graphics while keeping movement on a flat plane. These are often called 2.5D games.
- Why are side scrolling games still popular?
- They offer clear goals, quick controls and short learning curves, making them easy to pick up yet hard to master.
- Which sub genres use side scrolling?
- Platformers, beat em ups, run and gun shooters, Metroidvania adventures, puzzle platformers and endless runners all fit the format.
- What was the first side scrolling video game?
- Sega's Bomber from 1977 is widely considered the first, laying the groundwork for later hits like Defender and Super Mario Bros.
Play the Best Side Scrolling Games!
- Dakar Racing
Buy and upgrade cars to compete against AI opponents in this fast paced desert racing game!
- Bugongo
In *Bugongo* you play as a little green dragon who is desperately trying to chase and at the same...
- Another 500 Stars
A thank you for everyone who played the first game. I thought Tony deserved a more heartwarming ...
- Nightmare Runner 2
Grab your machine gun and blast through hordes of monstrous creatures to escape this nightmare wo...
- Crypt Dash
Escape the gloomy crypt! Running game with upgrades, achievements and two game modes. Infinite m...
- AI Vendetta
Take on the AI Droids in the brand new take on a classic arcade genre. Destroy the scenery and sc...
- MADFIST Retro
Play MADFIST Retro to tests your reflexes. An awesome timekiller. This 8-bit version of MADFIST i...
- Shadow Of Mummies
Shadow of mummies is an action pack game, side scroll shooting game with excellent pixel art grap...
- World of Mutants
The world of mutants was captured by the incredible army of aliens. The blood-thirsty super creat...
- Slow Slaw
Little cyberpunk game with experimental mechanic.