Kaze and the Wild Maskwas released in March 2021 to a warm reception from fans and critics; the side-scroller currently has a Steam score of Very Positive and Metascores between 79 and 83. Like many side-scrolling platformers released after 1994,Kaze and the Wild Maskhas many similarities to the classic SNES gameDonkey Kong Country.Similarities include the challenging bonus screens as well as crossbows, which fire players around the level, similar toDonkey Kong’s barrels. The game also has a similarity toCrash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Timewith the inclusion of masks, which give players abilities such as swimming and wall climbing.
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Those who playKazeand enjoy it are in luck, as there are tons of other excellent side-scrolling platformers, new and old, that can offer a comparably enjoyable gameplay experience.
10Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Considering how much influence theDonkey Kongfranchise has had onKaze and the Wild Mask, it makes sense to kick the list off with one of the series' releases. Although SNES' classicDonkey Kong Countryhad the most influence on the platforming genre,Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freezemakes this list as the game does a fantastic job of modernizing the classic formula while staying true to the series' roots. The game was initially released exclusively on the Wii U, though like many games on the disappointing console, it has since come to the Nintendo Switch.
9Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair
Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lairis another game that takes heavy influence fromDonkey Kong Country.Following a lackluster reception to the originalYooka-Laylee,Playtonic Games and Team 17 decided not to rest on their laurels and took the series in a completely different direction with the sequel.
The Impossible Lair’s main strength is how packed the game is. Not only does the overworld have tons of secrets to uncover, but each level is filled with T.W.I.T. coins, quills, and more to search for, adding an extra layer of depth to the game’s excellent platforming gameplay.
8Rayman Legends
When Ubisoft teamed up their mascot platformerRaymanwith a bunch of crazy rabbit-like creatures for acollection of party games, it seemed as though the character’s days as a platformer were over. However, the limbless hero made a grand return to the platforming scene in 2011 withRayman Origins.The game was the first main series entry sinceRayman 3: Hoodlum Havocin 2003, and it immediately became recognized as one of the best modern side-scrollers.
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Rayman Origins' success unsurprisingly led to a sequel.Rayman Legendshit stores just under two years afterOriginsand impressively managed to find ways to improve upon its already excellent predecessor.
7Hollow Knight
The Metroidvania genre made a surprise return to the forefront of the gaming industry during the eighth generation of home console. This was predominantly thanks to critically acclaimed titles likeGuacamelee! 2,Owlboy,and of course,Hollow Knight,which helped show that the classic genre had a place in modern times.
Hollow Knightbecame one of the gaming industry’s most talked-about releases when it first came to PC in 2017, thanks to its meticulously designed map,memorable boss fights, and a fantastic range of abilities for players to unlock.
6Ori and the Will of the Wisps
One other metroidvania title that has helped revitalize the genre is Moon Studios’Ori and the Will of the Wisps.The game takes an opposing approach to art style to Team Cherry’sHollow Knight,with its stunning nature-inspired visuals that are constantly adapting to befit the corresponding story’s mood and tone perfectly.
The game’s protagonist, Ori, is one of the most enjoyable playable characters to control on this list. The small, bunny-like creature is nimble and can dart around the screen in seconds, yet their attacks feel weighty and powerful.
5Super Meat Boy
In 2010, the year thatSuper Meat Boywas released, new platforming games were hard to come by. Many studios had left their mascot platformers behind, feeling the genre was too limited and linear for the changing trend of more open and vast games.
Instead of trying to compete with AAA open-world games, Team Meat started a trend that is still persistent in the platforming genre today. The studio kept the contained, individual-level structure that people loved about classic platformers while simply reducing the game’s price to stay competitive with open-world adventures.Super Meat Boywas also unique for its punishing but fair difficulty, which was compensated for with a generous checkpoint system which is now a common feature in the genre.
4Cuphead
From one ofthe gaming industry’s most challenging platformersto another, Studio MDHR combined its heart-warming visuals inspired by 1930s cartoons with some of the most difficult boss fights that the genre has ever seen. Along with the wonderful art design,Cupheadalso stands out for its run and gun gameplay, adding extra challenge to the game as players need to figure out where they’re firing as well as where they’re jumping.
A DLC for the game titledThe Delicious Last Coursewas originally slated to release back in 2019, though it has been subject to numerous delays, and it is now unclear when it will arrive.
3Braid
2008’sBraidis recognized today as one of the pioneers in taking indie gaming into the industry’s public eye.Braiddifferentiates itself from the other entries on this list by emphasizing puzzle-solving and implementing a thought-provoking story, something that was very uncommon in the platforming genre at the time.
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The game’s puzzles are where the core quality of the game lies. Thepuzzles will test players' critical thinkingmore than their platforming skills, as players must figure out how to manipulate time to earn them the numerous puzzle pieces.Braidwas designed by Jonathan Blow, who also directed and designed the critically acclaimedThe Witness.
2Celeste
Similar toBraid,2018’sCelestedifferentiates itself from most platformers by implementing an in-depth narrative.Celeste’s story centers around Madeline and her battle against her inner demons (often literally) as she tries to climb a dangerous mountain.
Celestecan easily be categorized alongsideCupheadandSuper Meat Boyin terms of its difficulty. The main story is brutally difficult to beat, yet it only scratches the surface of the challenges that the game offers. To 100% complete the game, players also need to collect strawberries that often require extremely skilled platforming, along with crystal hearts that can feel almostimpossible to find without a guide.
1Super Mario World
Although this list has predominantly looked at modern titles, it’s hard to compile recommended side-scrollers without including arguably the greatest side-scroller of all time,Super Mario World.The game was initially released in 1990 and, in many people’s eyes, came close to perfecting the side-scrolling formula that had been so popular in the 80s. Incredibly, the game doesn’t feel out of place compared to the modern games on this list, as its fine-tuned gameplay, well-crafted levels, and iconic visuals ensure thatSuper Mario Worldis still one of the best side-scrolling platformers available over 30 years after it first hit stores.
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