Best Side Scroller Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,505 Side Scroller games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Side Scroller game rankings were last updated on 1/12/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Free side scroller games on Steam
- Best side scroller Steam Deck games
- Best side scroller Linux games on Steam
- Best side scroller Steam games for Mac OS
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Celeste
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.
Celeste holds the #1 spot for "best Side Scroller game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 134,539 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 131,074 positive reviews and 3,465 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 1/25/2018 |
| Franchise | EXOK Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Maddy Makes Games Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 504230 |
2. Hollow Knight
Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.
Hollow Knight has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 517,937 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 501,975 positive reviews and 15,962 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 2/24/2017 |
| Developer | Team Cherry |
| Publisher | Team Cherry |
| Steam App Id | 367520 |
3. BattleBlock Theater®
Welcome to BattleBlock Theater! You’ve got no where to go but up...on stage. Play single player or co-op to free your friends and save Hatty Hattington! Jump, solve and battle your way through a mysterious theater inhabited by highly technological felines.
BattleBlock Theater® has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 72,160 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 70,149 positive reviews and 2,011 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 5/15/2014 |
| Franchise | The Behemoth |
| Developer | The Behemoth |
| Publisher | The Behemoth |
| Steam App Id | 238460 |
4. SANABI
SANABI is an exhilarating stylish dystopian action-platformer. Play as a legendary retired veteran and use your signature prosthetic arm to jump over cliffs and skyscrapers, zip through bullets and traps and defeat powerful enemies.
SANABI has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,631 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,536 positive reviews and 1,095 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play SANABI on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 11/8/2023 |
| Franchise | NEOWIZ |
| Developer | WONDER POTION |
| Publisher | NEOWIZ |
| Steam App Id | 1562700 |
5. Broforce
Broforce is an action-packed side-scrolling run ‘n’ gun ode to freedom, putting you in control of an under-funded, overpowered paramilitary organization dealing exclusively in excessive force.
Broforce has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 59,997 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 58,163 positive reviews and 1,834 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Broforce on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 10/15/2015 |
| Franchise | Free Lives |
| Developer | Free Lives |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 274190 |
6. Cuphead
Cuphead is a classic run and gun action game heavily focused on boss battles. Inspired by cartoons of the 1930s, the visuals and audio are painstakingly created with the same techniques of the era, i.e. traditional hand drawn cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and original jazz recordings.
Cuphead has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 201,667 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 194,096 positive reviews and 7,571 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 9/29/2017 |
| Developer | Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. |
| Publisher | Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 268910 |
7. The Expendabros
The Expendabros have assembled and set their sights on the forces of ruthless arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks in the forests of Eastern Europe.
The Expendabros has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,232 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,720 positive reviews and 512 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 8/5/2014 |
| Franchise | Free Lives |
| Developer | Free Lives |
| Publisher | Devolver Digital |
| Steam App Id | 312990 |
9. Your Only Move Is HUSTLE
Master your technique, execute flashy combos, and outsmart opponents across the world, frame-by-frame. Slow down the clock to fine-tune your fighting style in this innovative, turn-based combat simulator. Pulverize your friends and choreograph spectacular fight scenes. No training mode required.
Your Only Move Is HUSTLE has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 37,966 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 36,611 positive reviews and 1,355 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $3.49 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Your Only Move Is HUSTLE on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
10. Mark of the Ninja
In Mark of the Ninja, you'll know what it is to truly be a ninja. You must be silent, agile and clever to outwit your opponents in a world of gorgeous scenery and flowing animation. Marked with cursed tattoos giving you heightened senses, every situation presents you with options.
Mark of the Ninja has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Side Scroller games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,854 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,378 positive reviews and 476 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Developer | Klei Entertainment |
| Publisher | Microsoft Studios |
| Steam App Id | 214560 |
More Side Scroller Games
Explore even more rankings for the 100 best Side Scroller games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,728 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 10,301 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 98 | 5/15/2014 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 140 | 11/8/2023 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 122 | 10/15/2015 | 95 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,851 | 9/29/2017 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 9 | 8/5/2014 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4 | 11/15/2021 | 95 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 0 | 2/2/2023 | 94 | $3.49 | Steam Charts | |
| 4 | ??? | 94 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
 | 130 | 6/25/2024 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 9 | 4/3/2024 | 94 | $6.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 32 | 2/14/2018 | 94 | $8.44 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1 | 7/27/2022 | 94 | $15.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 214 | 4/27/2016 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 21 | 6/20/2019 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 11/19/2020 | 93 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 26 | 6/25/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 0 | 4/1/2021 | 93 | $5.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 253 | 10/13/2022 | 93 | $24.99 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 12). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 12). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 6). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 9). BattleBlock Theater® on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 6). SANABI on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 6). Broforce on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 8). Cuphead on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 6). The Expendabros on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, October 25). 100 hidden frogs on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 23). Your Only Move Is HUSTLE on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, December 23). Mark of the Ninja on Steam. Steam Store.