Free Side Scrolling Games Online
112 games in total. Page 1 of 4
Side scrolling means the screen follows your character left to right, with the world sliding past as you run, jump or shoot. It is one of the oldest ideas in gaming, and it still fills the browser with runners, platformers, shooters and sports toys. Everything on this page is free and plays without a download.
Running, jumping and shooting The running side includes Subway Runner, where reflexes and quick decisions carry you along. Platformers such as Little Dino Adventure Game and Jungle Jim give you a character to guide through obstacles, with the satisfaction of reaching the end of each stage. Run Gun Robots belongs to the shooter group, where you move and fire at the same time, and the pace is higher.
The tag is also applied to puzzle, music and sports titles that happen to scroll, so the categories are a better guide. Arcade, Ninja, 3D, Ball, Football and Kids are the labels you will see most.
If you want a calm experience, choose an adventure platformer and explore at your own pace. If you want adrenaline, try a runner or a shooter, where speed and reactions decide your result. Short levels make it easy to keep trying, and checkpoints, where a game offers them, let you recover from mistakes. A keyboard gives the cleanest control for precise jumps. Phones can handle runners that need only taps and swipes, and games load in seconds with nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
What does side scrolling mean?
The view moves sideways as your character travels across the level. You usually run, jump and avoid obstacles while the screen follows you.
Which side scrolling games are easiest?
Simple runners and short platformers are the easiest, since they use one or two controls. Shooters and ninja games demand quicker reactions.
Can I play with a touch screen?
Yes, many support taps and swipes. Games with precise jumping often feel better with a keyboard.