The genre of 2D platformers is one of the oldest in gaming, having started way back in the early 80s. The very first 8-bit title to showcase platform gameplay was the 1980s game Space Panic. However, the genre achieved real popularity when Nintendo’s Donkey Kong came out in 1981 and became a huge success in arcades around the world.
Since then, hundreds of other great 2D platformers have been released, many of which have become instant classics. Still, a few special ones deserve even more attention, especially on a platform like Windows. This deep dive into the Steam store will highlight some of the best and most underrated 2D platformers with less than 3,000 ratings.
10 mr. Egg: Adventure
Mr.Egg: Adventure is a 2D side-scroller with a beautiful 16-bit art style. In the game, players take control of a white egg-like character named Mr.EGG, who wields a sword and can throw eggshells at enemies to defeat them. Mr.Egg: Adventure also allows players to customize the main character with the coins they collect around the levels, similar to Super Mario Odyssey.
The only thing that stands out about this game is the simplicity of the gameplay. This game definitely deserves more attention due to its cheap price tag and cool enemy design.
9 neon circle
Next is neon circle, a unique 2D platformer that uses geometric shapes as its main gameplay design. This game is a weird mix of Pac-Man and Pinball with a vibe of the good old 80’s. The Steam description explains the game with a short caption: “Spin, think, wait, jump and spin the screen”, which players essentially do.
The main character of the game is a Neon Circle who can tumble around and turn into a square to start a stop. Players have to move the levels to progress neon circlea unique twist on the concept of side scroller games.
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium is a free to play 2D platformer with over 32 different retro games. There is a twist, however, as most of these games cost money. This arcade station game features classics like Wild Bees, The Speed Rumbler, Hyper Dyne side arms, black tiger, even street fighter.
One of the things that makes Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium so unique is the ability to choose which games to buy. Admittedly, it’s cheaper to buy all 32 as part of a bundle, but those interested in just a handful of the titles or a particular genre can save themselves a ton of money by picking them up separately instead.
7 Red Hood Adventure
Red Hood Adventure is one of Steam’s cheapest yet most polished 2D platformers. It offers a cool twist on the classic Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale, where players control an alternate version of the little girl on a different adventure from the old story. In the game, Little Red Riding Hood has to get Grandma her cakes, but the forest is full of obstacles and outside creatures.
The game’s dark and gritty art style works in its favor and gives it an isolated feel. Moreover, Red Hood AdventureThe animation work is top notch, which makes the gameplay fluid and fun to play.
6 Sonic Origins
Sonic Origins needs no explanation as most people are already fully aware of the popular blue hedgehog. However, the game is under 2,000 reviews months after its release, making it a prime candidate for this list. A big reason Sonic Origins went under the carpet due to early poor reception.
People were put off by the expensive price tag of the title that only offered a few Sonic classics, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD. However, the game never advertised it as anything more than that and is in much better shape now than it was at the time of release. It’s a fun nostalgic title that deserves more attention, especially from younger players who never got a chance to play these games when they first came out.
5 loopmancer
loopmancer is the most surprising indie title of 2022 and deserves a lot more attention than just the 300 reviews it currently has on Steam would suggest. It is a 2.5D action adventure game with elements of hack and slash and lots of platforming. loopmancer stands out for its stunning visual design, a weird mix of ancient Asian architecture and a futuristic cyberpunk timeline.
In the game, players take on the role of a detective who has somehow awakened from the dead and solves the case of the disappearance of a famous female journalist. loopmancer is a must-play for anyone who likes roguelike titles with smooth gameplay mechanics.
4 REDSHOT
REDSHOT is a 2D Metroidvania with pixel graphics and bullet-time gameplay mechanics. It is a beautifully vibrant game that offers a unique 16-bit art style and smooth animations, similar to the popular Nintendo platformers from which the genre takes its name. The most striking aspect of REDSHOT is the environment and the world, resembling a dystopian music album cover with elements of despair and hopelessness.
In the game, players take control of Jack “Goose” Redshot, who falls on a strange planet surrounded by scary things. REDSHOT is relatively new, but still extremely underrated compared to many of the other great games on Steam.
3 The last fighter
The last fighter is a 2D side scroller hero shooter game with platform elements. It most resembles Broforce, except with different character design and less environmental destruction. The game offers fast-paced firefights and a rather minimal but nice retro art style. In The last fighterplayers take control of a lone hunter trapped in a forest with a few weapons.
The aim of the game is quite simple. Players have to defeat the enemies and escape the creepy jungle without fail. There are 15 levels in the game, with five weapons and two key locations for players to explore.
2 SANABIA
SANABIA is probably the most underrated dystopian sci-fi 2D platformer on Steam in the past year. It is a stylish action-adventure game where the developers have poured their hearts into building breathtaking pixel art items. The game is a completely story-driven journey in which gamers take charge of a legendary retired veteran who must settle a personal vendetta.
SANABIs gameplay stands out for its timing-based platforming and fast-paced firefights, which is unlike anything available in any of the game’s peers. It also offers a dazzling visual style that compliments the futuristic ambiance.
1 catch me!
catch me! is the only multiplayer action 2D platformer on the list. It is a sports title with a unique PvP mode and a very simple goal. The game requires players to outrun or catch the opponents as they platform through the exceptional levels.
The smooth gameplay of catch me! makes it extremely fun to play tag with friends and strangers who are parkouring all over the map. The multiplayer tag game is new and extremely underrated at the moment. Plus, it’s still an Early Access title on Steam, which explains its relatively affordable price.
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