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Side-view games that still hold up

Everything in profile, and usually heading right

540 games · page 1 of 12

Hollow Knight 2017 Why it still holds upExploring is still the draw: you map the world, beat bosses to gain abilities and use them to reach places that were closed.
Super Mario World 1990 Why it still holds upExploring the world map pays off as much as the levels, with red spots that lead to secret routes, so it is still worth playing today.
Super Metroid 1994 Why it still holds upThe world is still the reason to go back today, made to be explored from its silent, empty start.
Super Mario Bros. 3 1988 Why it still holds upIts level design holds up today because the power-ups change how each level can be crossed, and the difficulty rises gradually toward the eighth world.
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2001 Why it still holds upFast, physics driven fighting that is easy to pick up and frantic with four players keeps it played today.
Ori and the Blind Forest 2015 Why it still holds upOri moves nimbly, and the story is told through play rather than long cutscenes, so it is still a pleasure to control today.
Day of the Tentacle 1993 Why it still holds upIts comic writing and voice acting are the reason to play it now, since in the CD version every line of dialogue is spoken.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018 Why it still holds upEvery fighter from the earlier games is there and rulesets can be saved, so it still offers more than one way to play today.
Inside 2016 Why it still holds upThe puzzles are why it still plays well: they are natural obstacles that make sense in the context of the game, and the wordless boy is expressive enough to carry it.
Tetris 1989 Why it still holds upIts single simple rule is why it still plays well: it is easy to understand, and it gets harder as the speed rises.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps 2020 Why it still holds upThe way the map opens up is still the reason to play: each ability Ori finds sends you back through Niwen by a route that was shut.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 1992 Why it still holds upThe reason to go back is level design that rewards speed without giving up exploration.
Donkey Kong Country 1994 Why it still holds upLevels that keep changing how you move, with vines, barrels, mine carts and animals, and a difficulty that rises steadily, are the reason to play it now.
Shovel Knight 2014 Why it still holds upEasy to learn platforming with modern ideas of risk and reward, on an 8 bit look, is still why it is worth playing today.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow 2003 Why it still holds upIts castle opens up as you gain abilities and its soul system offers many ways to fight, which keeps it worth playing now.
Braid 2008 Why it still holds upOne idea, rewinding time, with a fresh rule in each world, makes every mistake part of solving the puzzle, and that is the reason to play it now.
Metroid: Zero Mission 2004 Why it still holds upIts map still reads clearly: areas linked by doors and elevators and opened by power ups, with statues pointing the way.
Tekken 3 1997 Why it still holds upWhat holds up today is smooth controls and distinct movesets.
Super Mario Bros. 1985 Why it still holds upLevel design, enemy placement and precise physics, with a difficulty that ramps steadily, are why it still plays well.
Slay the Spire 2019 Why it still holds upShort runs where every choice of card or route changes the deck, and visible enemy intent turns every turn into a puzzle, keep it replayable today.
Metroid Fusion 2002 Why it still holds upA mission based layout with a pursuer always close still keeps its six hours moving today.
Mark of the Ninja 2012 Why it still holds upWith every sound and sight line shown, stealth is still a matter of planning today.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 2003 Why it still holds upBecause each brother has a button and presses are timed, every turn of battle still involves timing as well as choosing today.
The Banner Saga 2014 Why it still holds upSupplies, morale and renown carry between fights and choices can kill party members for good, so the caravan and the combat still pull on each other today.
The Banner Saga 2 2016 Why it still holds upUnits that play differently, such as the charging Horseborn and the support focused Ravens, on a grid where position decides fights, still reward planning today.
Metroid Dread 2021 Why it still holds upIt still plays well because of how the map opens up, and because the E.M.M.I. areas turn the exploring into a chase every so often.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 2014 Why it still holds upSimple rules, flat stages on request and the controller each player prefers still let any group play together today.
Streets of Rage 2 1992 Why it still holds upCharacters differ in stats and moves, and each enemy has its own recognizable attack pattern, so learning them still pays off today in fast combat that chains jabs, strings and specials.
Spelunky 2012 Why it still holds upSince every run generates new layouts, success depends on learning the game's rules rather than memorizing a route, and that still asks for attention today.
Super Meat Boy 2010 Why it still holds upVery short levels, unlimited attempts and a near instant restart make every failed try cost seconds, and the replay turns repetition into part of the fun today.

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