The 2D platformer genre is one of the oldest in gaming, having started out way back in the early 80s. The first ever 8-bit title that showcased platforming gameplay was the 1980 game Space Panic. However, the genre reached true popularity when Nintendo's Donkey Kong came out in 1981 and became a smash hit at arcades worldwide.
Since then, hundreds of other great 2D platformers have been released, many of which became instant classics. However, a few special ones still deserve 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 fewer than 3,000 reviews.
10 Mr. Egg: Adventure
Mr.Egg: Adventure is a 2D side scroller with a beautiful 16-bit art style. In the game, players assume control of a white egg-like character called Mr.EGG, who wields a sword and can throw egg shells at enemies to beat them. Mr.Egg: Adventure also allows players to customize the main character with the coins they pick up around the levels, similar to Super Mario Odyssey.
The one thing that makes this game stand out is the simplicity of the gameplay. This game undoubtedly 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 geometrical shapes as its main gameplay design. This game is a weird mix of Pac-Man meets Pinball with a vibe of the good old 80s. The Steam description explains the game with a short caption: "Rotate, think, wait, jump and rotate the screen," which is what players essentially do.
The game's main character is a Neon Circle that can tumble around and transform into a square to initiate a stop. Players will have to move the levels to progress in Neon Circle, a unique spin on the concept of side scroller games.
8 Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium is a free-to-play 2D platformer offering over 32 different retro games. However, there's a twist, as most of these games cost money. This arcade station game contains classics such as Savage Bees, The Speed Rumbler, Hyper Dyne Side Arms, Black Tiger, and even Street Fighter.
One of the things that makes Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium so unique is the ability to pick and choose which games to buy. Granted, it's cheaper to just buy all 32 as part of a bundle, but those interested in only a handful of the titles or one particular genre can save themselves an awful lot of money by picking them up individually instead.
7 Red Hood Adventure
Red Hood Adventure is one of Steam's cheapest yet most well-polished 2D platformers. It offers a cool spin on the classic Red Riding Hood fairy tale, with players controlling an alternate version of the little girl on a different adventure from the old story. In the game, Red Riding Hood has to get grandma her pies, except the forest is full of hurdles and creatures from beyond.
The game's dark and gritty art style works in its favour and gives it an isolated vibe. Moreover, Red Hood Adventure's animation work is top-notch, which makes the gameplay fluid and fun to play.
6 Sonic Origins
Sonic Origins should need no explanation as most people are already fully aware of the popular blue hedgehog. However, the game is sitting under two thousand reviews months after its release, which makes it a prime candidate for this list. A big reason Sonic Origins went under the rug is due to its early bad reception.
People got turned 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 to be more than that and is in a much better state now than it was at the time of its release. It's a nice 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 far more attention than just the 300 reviews that it currently has on Steam would suggest. It's a 2.5D action-adventure game with elements of hack and slash and lots of platforming. Loopmancer stands out because of 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 woken up from death and is solving the case of the disappearance of a famous female journalist. Loopmancer is a must-play for anyone who loves roguelike titles with fluid gameplay mechanics.
4 REDSHOT
REDSHOT is a 2D Metroidvania with pixel graphics and bullet-time gameplay mechanics. It's a beautifully vibrant game that offers a unique 16-bit art style and fluid animations similar to the popular Nintendo platformers from which the genre takes its name. The most striking aspect of REDSHOT is the environment and world, which seems like a dystopian music album cover with elements of despair and hopelessness.
In the game, players assume control of Jack "Goose" Redshot, who falls on a strange planet surrounded by creepy things. REDSHOT is relatively new but is 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 platforming elements. It most closely resembles Broforce, except with a different character design and less environmental destruction. The game offers fast gunplay and quite a minimal yet beautiful retro art style. In The Last Fighter, players assume control of a lone fighter stuck in a forest with a few weapons.
The game's goal is quite simple. Players must beat the enemies and escape the creepy jungle without failing. There are 15 levels in the game, with five weapons and two major locations for players to explore.
2 SANABI
SANABI is probably the most underrated dystopian sci-fi 2D platformer on Steam from the past year. It's a stylish action-adventure game, with the developers having poured their hearts into building breathtaking pixel art assets. The game is a complete story-driven journey in which gamers assume control of a legendary retired veteran who has a personal vendetta to settle.
SANABI's gameplay stands out due to its timing-based platforming and fast-paced gunplay, which is unlike anything available in any of the game's peers. It also offers an eye-popping visual style that compliments its futuristic ambiance.
1 Catch Me!
Catch Me! is the only multiplayer action 2D platformer game on the list. It's a sports title with a unique PvP mode and a very simple goal. The game requires players to outrun the opponents or catch them while platforming through the exceptional levels.
The fluid gameplay of Catch Me! makes it extremely fun to play tag with friends and strangers who're all parkouring around the map. The multiplayer tag game is new and extremely underrated at the moment. Moreover, it is still an Early Access title on Steam, which explains its relatively affordable price.