Side-Scrolling Action RPGs

After 20+ years of gaming, I wanted to find what my favorite game genre niche is.

After looking at mountains of games I have enjoyed over the years, I believe my favorite game genre niche is definitely: Side-Scrolling Action RPGs.

They are few and far between, but are always barrel of fun for me. :D

Let us take a look at a few of these glorious games:

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES) (1988)



Faxanadu (NES) (1989)



Battle of Olympus (NES) (1989)

Cadash (TG16) (1991)



Exile (GEN) (1991)



Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (SNES) (1992)



E.V.O.: Search for Eden (SNES) (1993)



Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS) (1997)



Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA) (2001)



Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA) (2002)



Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA) (2003)



Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS) (2005)

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) (2006)



Odin Sphere (PS2) (2007)



Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) (2008)



Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii) (2009)



MapleStory DS (DS) (2011)




There also have been a few MMO Side-Scrolling Action RPGs

Maple Story (PC) (2005)



LaTale (PC) (2008)



Ghost Online (PC) (2008)



Dragon Gem (PC) (2009)



WonderKing (PC) (2010)



Wind Slayer 2 (PC) (2011)




Anyone know of some more examples of this awesome niche that I could add to this list?

Wow,so you finally found your favourite genre.

I'd say mine is action-adventure.

I can't think of a game to add,sorry.

I was coming in here to say all of the Castlevania games already listed.

Have you checked out Dungeon Fighter Online? That's like an action-RPG with brawler elements incorporated in it.Lot of fun!

Does Terraria fit in this type of genre?

I like this thread.

Favorite game from this little niche would be Order of Ecclesia.

Im right there with you bud. All those NES games were gold.

This may not fit the niche but...

Demon's Crest (SNES)

Sword Master (NES)

Cadash (GEN)

If you liked Exile and still have your Genesis I recommend playing Cadash.

Love, love, love all those Castlevania games. Though, you totally forgot the one that started it all: Castlevania II - Simon's Quest. In fact, I kinda hated the original Castlevania, but my love for Simon's Quest was so great that it actually prompted me to go back and give the original another shot. And while it still didn't come close to Simon's Quest, it helped me embrace the entire series. And, of course, when Symphony of the Night came along, the Castlevania franchise pretty much attained perfection.

I really wish they'd bring back the side-scrolling action RPG genre. Though, I'm thankful for action RPGs in any format. While I appreciate the simplicity of side-scrollers, I really just love my action RPGs in all their various shapes and sizes.

Definitely a small niche, but fun nonetheless. I played nearly all of the Castlevania titles on GBA.

This may not fit the niche but...

Demon's Crest (SNES)

Hubadubalubahu

Demon's Crest, FTW! :)

How about this game:

This may not fit the niche but...

Demon's Crest (SNES)

Sword Master (NES)

Cadash (GEN)

If you liked Exile and still have your Genesis I recommend playing Cadash.

Hubadubalubahu

LOL, I was actually playing Cadash on my Turbo Duo (Hu Card), before I wrote this post.

I have ABSOLUTELY no idea why I didn't put it on the list.

I was LITERALLY just playing it!

:P

Love, love, love all those Castlevania games. Though, you totally forgot the one that started it all: Castlevania II - Simon's Quest. In fact, I kinda hated the original Castlevania, but my love for Simon's Quest was so great that it actually prompted me to go back and give the original another shot. And while it still didn't come close to Simon's Quest, it helped me embrace the entire series. And, of course, when Symphony of the Night came along, the Castlevania franchise pretty much attained perfection.

I really wish they'd bring back the side-scrolling action RPG genre. Though, I'm thankful for action RPGs in any format. While I appreciate the simplicity of side-scrollers, I really just love my action RPGs in all their various shapes and sizes.

thedarklinglord

I guess I need to check out Castlevania II: Simon's Quest then. :)

There were quite a few games (action platformers) I considered adding to this list, but a lot of them were much to light on RPG elements (which I think is quite important).

And yes, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is probably the best of them (side scrolling action RPGs) that I know of. (probably beaten that game 20 times :P )

Action RPGs in general are my favorite, but side scrollers do have a certain feel to gameplay that clicks nicely with me.

Speaking of, my brother-in-law just gave me $15 to buy Dungeon Defenders on PSN last night. I think I played it like 6 hours strait :D lot of fun! (especially muliplayer)

Trine doesn't fit here does it?

Alisia Dragoon

The clone masters over at Gameloft made a DSiWare game called Soul of Darkness, which looks like a Castlevania rip off.

I haven't played it personally, but I'm surprised at the positive reception the game received. Mostly just people saying that we need more Castlevania so this'll do :P

Has anyone played it?

Where is Eternal Daughter? It's freeware, go download it :DBlack_Knight_00

Oh man, I forgot about that game! There's also Cave Story and Akuji the Demon.

Valkyrie Profile? I never got to around playing these games but looks as it's a dominant RPG side-scroller.

Valkyrie Profile? I never got to around playing these games but looks as it's a dominant RPG side-scroller.

enz2

I'm not sure if that one counts, mainly because of the combat. But I guess it could be argued that it does count because of the dungeons. VP's a unique one (and my favourite RPG).

[QUOTE="Black_Knight_00"]Where is Eternal Daughter? It's freeware, go download it :DKing9999

Oh man, I forgot about that game! There's also Cave Story and Akuji the Demon.