There are few industries that have made such tremendous strides forward in every area to the degree that’s been achieved by video games. Each new generation of gaming offers more impressive experiences that make new things possible in incredible ways. The gaming industry continues to endure because it’s not purely new titles with cutting-edge technology that are in demand.

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There’s frequently just as much love for retro platformers and classic sidescrollers that are still challenging and satisfying by modern standards. One of Nintendo’s most important titles is Super Mario Bros., which helped further popularize their burgeoning platforming mascot, but is also a triumph in 2D sidescrolling gaming. Super Mario Bros. holds up to this day, but there are some other sidescrollers, both old and new, that put it to shame.

10 Sonic CD Combines The Fast-Paced Sonic Formula With Time Travel

Sonic CD Palmtree Panic

The games in the original Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy for the Sega Genesis are among some of the best platformers from the 16-bit era. The fast-paced gameplay offers something that’s distinctly different from the Super Mario experience. The Sega CD was an ambitious console that not enough gamers adopted, which means that many of its groundbreaking releases have become underappreciated gems.

Accordingly, the Sega CD’s Sonic CD is actually the best of the older 2D Sonic sidescrollers. The gameplay is just as sharp as in the Genesis games, but there’s a surprisingly complex formula in place that involves going to the past and future of levels. It’s very ahead of its time.

9 Donkey Kong Country 2 Is The Apex Of Rare’s 16-Bit Sidescrollers

SNES Donkey Kong Country 2 Diddys Kong Quest Necky Boss

The Super Mario titles for the Super Nintendo are all iconic platformer sidescrollers, but Rare’s Donkey Kong Country trilogy managed to create just as much buzz. These layered games reclaim the Donkey Kong characters and actively push the platforming genre to new places.

The middle entry in the trilogy, Donkey Kong Country 2: Dixie’s Kong Quest, is the most fulfilling of the games and doesn’t overwhelm the player with too many secrets and collectables. It’s also satisfying that the modern Donkey Kong Country Returns series has been such a faithful throwback to old fashioned, challenging 2D sidescroller action.

8 Super Metroid Is A Moody Science Fiction Sidescroller Masterpiece

Video Games Super Metroid Speed Booster Run

The ongoing Metroid series is another one of Nintendo’s strongest intellectual properties and it’s dominated in both the action-adventure genre, as well as the first-person shooter arena. There’s a strong case to be made for why each Metroid title could be the best in the series, but there’s just so much atmosphere and innovation that’s present within the Super Nintendo’s Super Metroid.

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Subsequent Metroid titles have been more advanced and immersive, but the simplicity in the SNES game’s sidescrolling is an asset to the experience. The worlds in Super Metroid still genuinely feel huge and labyrinthine, but the console’s 2D limitations never feel like a restriction for Samus Aran.

7 Rayman Legends Feels Like Chaotic Art That’s Come To Life

Rayman Legends Rayman Fighting The Giant Mechanical Dragon

Ubisoft's Rayman is a platforming mascot who's made a big impression on the industry, but he's fallen into obscurity over time. 2011's Rayman Origins brought the character back in a big way, and 2013's Rayman Legends only builds upon its predecessor's momentum. Rayman Legends effortlessly transitions into a 2D platformer that looks like an animated movie come to life.

The gameplay is so smooth and intuitive. The rhythm levels that are driven forward by music are also some of the most enjoyable sidescrolling content of the decade. Rayman Legends is proof of what modern sidescrollers can accomplish.

6 Mischief Makers Embraces New Ideas And Tight Controls To Do Something Different

Marina attacks her enemies in the Nintendo 64's Mischief Makers

Mainstream audiences were so taken by the 3D capabilities of the Nintendo 64 that many of the console’s 2D sidescroller efforts were dismissed as old-fashioned and overlooked as a result. Fortunately, games such as Treasure’s Mischief Makers have been reclaimed by audiences and built upon their initial cult followings.

Mischief Makers is in a class of its own through its original gameplay, strange world and characters, and the unusual art style that ties it all together. Mischief Makers feels like as much of a creative step forward for sidescrollers in 1997 as Super Mario Bros. was in 1985.

5 Dynamite Headdy Had The Potential To Be A Sega Genesis Juggernaut

Games Dynamite Headdy Attack Sega Genesis

Treasure is a leading game developer who absolutely thrived during the 16-bit era of the 1990s. Nintendo and Sega both benefited from ambitious Treasure sidescrollers, but one that's endured over the years is Dynamite Headdy for the Sega Genesis. The 1994 game features a protagonist who solves problems and navigates through worlds via an assortment of different heads that he can acquire.

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This unique concept, in addition to entertaining worlds and a theatrical theme, as well as copious hidden content, makes Dynamite Headdy one of the more robust Genesis sidescrollers that's easy to return to and discover something new.

4 Yoshi's Woolly World Is As Gorgeous As It Is Fun

Games Yoshis Woolly World Wii U

Nintendo has taken some creative swings when it comes to the aesthetics and presentation style that surrounds several of its iconic platforming series. Yoshi and Kirby have both received gorgeous makeovers through yarn, craft, and wool worlds. Yoshi’s Woolly World is a standout Wii U title that’s the perfect combination of visuals and gameplay.

It’s far from a situation where this is style over substance. The artistry that’s achieved in the sidescrolling action within Yoshi’s Woolly World is beyond anything that Super Mario Bros. could comprehend.

3 Goemon's Great Adventure Is Humorous Sidescrolling Calamity For The N64

Games Goemons Great Adventure Horse N64

Konami's Legend of the Mystical Ninja action-adventure series has persevered for more than three decades across multiple platforms. The first Mystical Ninja game landed for the Super Nintendo, and two of the more impressive entries in the franchise are for the Nintendo 64.

Legend of the Mystical Ninja 64 is a fully 3D adventure, but its successor, Goemon's Great Adventure, is a 2D sidescroller with 3D elements. Some may have viewed this as a step backwards for the series, but it's such an inventive and enjoyable playformer that flew under the radar for too many people.

2 Kirby: Triple Deluxe Applies a 3D Twist To Sidescrolling Action

Games Kirby Triple Deluxe Win

The Kirby franchise has been with Nintendo for 30 years, and it’s made nearly just as big of a mark as the Super Mario games. Kirby has become quite the versatile platforming series that’s reinvented itself numerous times over for both handheld and home consoles. Similarly, the Kirby games confidently jump between 2D and 3D endeavors, but they’re a series where sidescrolling is still alive and well.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe is one of the most satisfying Kirby titles, and it’s a 2D sidescrolling adventure, albeit one that takes advantage of the Nintendo 3DS’ signature technology. Kirby and enemies can jump in and out of the foreground and background, yet still while sidescrolling.

1 Super Mario World Takes Nintendo’s Signature Sidescroller To The Next Level

Screenshot depicting one of the levels in Super Mario World (SNES); featuring Goombas, Banzai Bill and Mario.

Super Mario Bros. is a totemic sidescroller, but it’s far from the best 2D title in the Super Mario franchise. The Mario games continue to creatively flourish, and they’ve made one of the more seamless transitions from 2D to 3D gameplay. The Nintendo Switch’s Super Mario Odyssey marks an all-time high for the series, but Super Mario World is a testament to how much can be accomplished through sidescrolling level design.

Each Super Mario game grows slightly more complex, but the Super Nintendo’s Super Mario World is such a strong step forward from the NES’ Super Mario Bros. 3. It’s also a sidescroller that’s still just as fun today.