The gaming industry has evolved at a staggering pace over the last few decades. Ultra-realistic graphics, cinematic cutscenes, and massive online worlds now dominate storefronts, but the classic 2D style has never truly faded away. In 2026, many players still find themselves drawn to side-scrolling platformers, moody puzzle adventures, and hand-crafted run-and-gun games simply because gameplay tends to matter more than raw visual horsepower. On PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, a rich library of modern 2D games proves that a smaller visual scope can still deliver unforgettable solo experiences.
Before diving into the individual titles, it helps to see how these games compare. The following table highlights some standout options, their developers, original release years, and the scores they earned from critics.
| Game | Developer | First Release | Noted Metascore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | Team Cherry | 2017 | 85 |
| Inside | Playdead | 2016 | 91 |
| Mark of the Ninja | Klei Entertainment | 2012 | 91 |
| Celeste | Matt Makes Games | 2018 | 91 |
| Cuphead | Studio MDHR | 2017 | 86 |
| Undertale | Toby Fox | 2015 | 92 |
Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania created by Team Cherry and released in 2017. Players control an insectoid warrior known only as the Knight while exploring the fallen kingdom of Hallownest. The ruined world is full of strange bug-like characters, some friendly and others openly hostile. As the Knight acquires new abilities, previously unreachable areas open up, creating a deeply satisfying loop of exploration and discovery. The combat is precise, the atmosphere is haunting, and the boss fights are demanding enough to keep even experienced players on edge. The ultimate goal involves defeating guardians that block access to a sealed temple, which leads to the source of the infection destroying the kingdom.
Inside came from Playdead, the studio behind Limbo, and arrived in 2016. It is a puzzle platformer that places players in control of a young boy navigating a grim dystopian world where death lurks around nearly every corner. What makes the experience so memorable is its restraint. Color is used sparingly, sound is minimal, and the story is told almost entirely through environmental clues. The boy runs, jumps, pushes objects, and solves physical puzzles while avoiding enemies and unsettling machines. Despite the understated presentation, or perhaps because of it, Inside became one of the most acclaimed 2D puzzle games on PlayStation 4.
Mark of the Ninja is a 2D side-scrolling stealth game that set a new standard for the genre. Developed by Klei Entertainment, the game follows a nameless ninja caught between traditional ninja values and the rapid spread of modern technology. Players must move through levels without being detected, using shadows, vents, and silent takedowns to stay alive. The game benefits from a charming cartoonish art style, and its cutscenes feel like animated 2D sequences rather than disconnected cinematics. Originally released in 2012, Mark of the Ninja later received a remastered version that helped bring its tense stealth gameplay to modern PlayStation consoles.
Celeste is often described as a platformer about climbing a mountain, but it is really about something much more personal. Created by indie developer Matt Makes Games and released in 2018, the game follows a young woman named Madeline as she attempts to climb Celeste Mountain while struggling with anxiety and self-doubt. Along the way, she meets strange characters, including a manifestation of her own negative thoughts called Badeline. The platforming mechanics are simple to learn but extremely demanding to master. Every screen feels like a carefully designed puzzle, and the soundtrack pushes players forward through even the toughest sections. Celeste earned a Metascore of 91 on PlayStation 4 and remains one of the most beloved indie platformers of its generation.
Cuphead may look like a cheerful cartoon from the 1930s, but its difficulty is not for the faint of heart. Developed by Studio MDHR and released in 2017, this run-and-gun game follows Cuphead and his brother Mugman after a bad deal with the devil leaves them in serious trouble. The hand-drawn animation and jazzy soundtrack give the game a unique personality, but each boss battle is a demanding test of timing and pattern recognition. Players can tackle the adventure alone or team up in local co-op, with each brother controlled separately. The game earned a Metascore of 86 on PlayStation 4, though many players may remember it more for its wonderfully brutal challenge.
Undertale took the gaming community by surprise when it launched in 2015. Created by Toby Fox, it is a 2D RPG that initially looks like a simple adventure game, but underneath the retro presentation is a creative and emotionally layered design. The story follows a young child who falls into a strange magical world beneath the surface of the earth. While searching for a way home, the child meets a variety of unusual creatures. Combat is not limited to traditional attacks, because players can choose to fight or use a negotiation system that allows them to spare enemies. That one mechanic transforms the entire journey and encourages players to think about consequence in a way few games do. Undertale carries a Metascore of 92 on PlayStation 4.
Does a game need photorealistic graphics to be memorable? These titles prove otherwise. From the silent dread of Inside to the cheerful brutality of Cuphead, modern 2D games continue to deliver some of the most focused and satisfying solo experiences on PlayStation. As of 2026, they remain easy to recommend, especially for players who value tight design, strong atmosphere, and gameplay that respects their intelligence.
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