10 Best 2D games on PS Plus

Many of the latest and greatest games are 3D marvels that push the technical boundaries of our PCs and Consoles. While impressive, only a fool would see them as a replacement for 2D games.

Countless incredible titles are planted firmly in the 2D realm, covering every genre you can think of. If you want to indulge in some side-scrolling action, here’s a selection of the best included with your PS Plus subscription.

10 Worms WMD

A Formula As Old As Time

The Worms games have been around since 1995, offering turn-based strategy gameplay that’s remarkably accessible. Worms WMD is the latest installment in the series, with plenty of modern features and updated visuals.

The core gameplay loop remains unchanged from the original. Teams of worms take turns blasting each other off the map with ridiculous weapons like exploding sheep and bazookas. It’s fun and addictive, and there’s plenty of skill involved.

Whether you’re a fan of the series or a newcomer, Worms WMD is a great entry point to the franchise. There’s enough to keep casual players interested and a lofty skill ceiling if you want to take the game more seriously.

9 Rogue Legacy 2

A Brutal 2D Roguelite

Rogue Legacy 2 is a fantastic adventure game with a hearty dose of humor. As Rogue Legacy 2 is a Roguelite, the map changes each time you play, and death is inevitable. Whenever you die, an heir takes your place, and you can buy upgrades to make your following attempts easier.

There’s a generous assortment of fantasy archetypes, like mages and archers, to play as. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but your heirs often have ridiculous traits to play around. Your next character may be colorblind or have IBS, so they damage enemies with farts!

Underneath all these whacky mechanics is a solid 2D adventure with a unique identity of its own.

8 Towerfall Ascension

Old-School Multiplayer Action

Towerfall Ascension is a fast-paced party game with good old-fashioned couch multiplayer. Gameplay is simple: try and shoot your opponents before they do the same to you, and if you die, you’re out until the next round.

The controls are precise, and landing bow shots on a moving target takes a surprising amount of skill. There are plenty of environmental hazards to mix up gameplay, and the stage is often set for intense 1v1s.

Towerfall Ascension is best played with a group of friends huddled around the screen. If you frequently meet up for local gaming sessions, this is a superb title to add to your list.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

The Turtles Have Never Looked Better

Shredder’s Revenge is easily one of the best Turtles games of all time, offering addictive combat, vibrant pixel art graphics, and the gang’s trademark humor. The franchise is perfect for a 2D arcade beat-em-up and there are plenty of nods to the source material.

Players are spoiled for choice with a respectable assortment of playable characters, and it’s a real treat to face off against iconic foes like Rocksteady and Krang.

You can have tons of fun mindlessly button-mashing through every fight, but battles can be surprisingly nuanced. Shredder’s Revenge is wonderfully accessible and proves there’s still some gas in the tank for the 2D Brawler genre.

6 Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty

This Is How You Do A Remake

Oddworld: New ‘N’ Tasty is a faithful remake of the original Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee on the PlayStation. While the graphics look 3D, the gameplay is strictly on the 2D plain.

New N’ Tasty is a fantastic puzzle platformer that forces you to use your brain and reflexes in equal measure. Abe isn’t a fighter, but he’s surprisingly agile, a trait you can use to your advantage.

Given the opportunity, Abe can possess the minds of his enemies. This mechanic opens up many gameplay possibilities, and the levels are perfectly crafted for Abe’s abilities.

Your journey will take you from industrial meat factories to paramite-infested ruins. It’s a never-ending quest to stay off the menu, and there’s never a dull moment in this quirky 2D adventure.

There’s nothing quite like the Oddworld games, and New N’ Tasty is easily one of the best.

5 Dead Cells

A Genre-Defining Roguelite

Dead Cells is a phenomenal 2D Roguelite with branching paths, stunning locales, and some of the tightest controls in the genre. Combat is fast-paced, with well over 100 weapons to try out.

Your Dodge Roll helps with the blistering pace as you’re briefly invincible while performing it. Avoiding devastating attacks with a well-timed dodge feels incredibly satisfying, and there’s rewarding meta-progression between runs.

Maps in Dead Cells are procedurally generated and encourage exploration. Beware, Dead Cells is savagely difficult, but you’re always getting stronger and earning unlockables even during runs where nothing goes your way.

4 Mega Man 11

Classic 2D Platforming

The Mega Man games are known for their slick controls, savage difficulty, and distinct approach to boss battles. Mega Man 11 is a love letter to the NES and SNES classics. The high-quality 2D platforming you expect from Mega Man is here, complete with a banging soundtrack and creative-level design.

You can tackle stages in any order, and each boss rewards Mega Man with a new ability. This feature makes the game incredibly replayable, as some attacks work better against specific opponents.

Mega Man 11 feels like a game from the 90s in all the right ways. If you’ve never played before, maybe it’s time to experience why the series is so beloved.

Boss battles are a big part of Mega Man, and some of the classics are so tough they are borderline unfair.

3 Undertale

Right In The Feels

Undertale is a stellar RPG with multiple endings, a memorable cast, and a unique combat system. There’s plenty of humor but also some downright tear-jerking sections. Conversations are beautifully written, and you genuinely feel for the characters.

The Underground is a bizarre place, and the world can change so dramatically from screen to screen you never know what’s coming next.

Even battles are notable, as you can talk your way out of combat. You can even talk your way out of Boss Battles, but it’s much tougher than it sounds.

It’s hard to be a pacifist, but if you enjoy RPGs, I daresay you will want to explore everything Undertale has to offer.

2 Terraria

A 2D Sandbox Masterpiece

Terraria is an incredible survival crafting game you can easily spend hundreds of hours on. The game has existed for well over a decade, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it lasted a decade more.

For a long time, Terraria was often referred to as “2D Minecraft,” which is unfair, even though the titles share similarities. Terraria encourages combat, and you can use boss battles to track your progress. You’re always working toward something, whether new gear or a base-building project.

The gameplay loop is addictive, and the 2D-pixel art graphics are beautiful, especially when you start exploring new biomes.

Terraria has something for everyone and even has collab content with other superb games, like Core Keeper.

1 Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition

All The Preparation You Need For Silksong

Hollow Knight is a beautiful Metroidvania with gorgeous graphics, stunning world design, and a haunting soundtrack.

The world of Hallownest comes to life with an incredible hand-drawn art style that stands out against the more popular pixel art. Hallownest is sometimes pretty bleak, but you will find yourself marveling at the background and scenery.

As Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania, exploration is encouraged, and the map opens up as you learn new abilities. You’re left to explore many of the game’s intricacies on your own, and it’s a great feeling when everything falls into place.

Countless Metroidvania’s are on the market, and Hollow Knight rubs shoulders with the best of the genre.