I **** love Rocket Knight Adventures. Sparkster the Possum is an underrated hero in a severely underrated game. The game is just so good. You know when you play a game and it's just an absolute joy no matter how many times it hands your arse to ya, Rocket Knight Adventures is like that for me. It's frustrating, challenging but the sheer about of fun the game has is second to none. It's just an overlooked platformer for the Mega Drive that was ignored by EVERYONE. It's definitely in my list for the best 2D platformer of all time (the greatest of all time in my eyes is the wonderful Tombi, which I own and can never ever part with). So without further ado, here's my list of the best 2D side scrollers ever devised by man kind.

Dynamite Headdy (Mega Drive/Genesis)
I bloody love this game. Probably Treasure's most overlooked game they've made. Hardly anyone bought this game and the game is very rarely mentioned when people talk about Treasure, but I'm here today to show you how awesome it really is. You play as a puppet with the ability to throw your head at enemies and to use it to navigate around the environment by biting Hangmen. What I love about the game is its sheer variety of levels that Treasure threw in there. Treasure have a habit of doing that and that's why their games **** rock ass. Check out the visuals! Treasure had the Mega Drive do some incredible things. If you have it, or you have the Ultimate Mega Drive/Genesis collection. PLAY IT FOR CHRIST'S SAKE!

Rocket Knight Adventures (Mega Drive/Genesis)
I already mentioned this one. Look at it. Love it. PLAY IT!

Yoshi Island (SNES/GBA)
I think hands down this is the best platformer to have ever come out for the SNES. I know I know, there's Super Metroid but I don't count that game because it's not a typical 2D platformer. Anyways, Nintendo's finest crafted such a perfect platform game that I can't think of any negative to say about it. It's one of those games that just feels right. Ignore the sequel on N64. You know the one, Yoshi's Story. Shudder.

Kirby's Powerbrush (Nintendo DS
Okay so I know this is definitely not a typical 2D platformer, but it's so inventive I couldn't not include it. Playing with the stylus and drawing Kirby's path is a stroke of genius and really ignited the tired franchise once more. I reckon it's the best Kirby game Hal Lab has ever created. I recommend it. Well I recommend all these titles ¬_¬ obviously.

Warioland 4 (GBA)
My favourite Wario game. This was released when Nintendo only kept releasing SNES Mario platformers rather than genuinely new titles. DOn't get me wrong. All 2D Mario platform games made by Nintendo are bona fide cla$$ics, but there's nothing better than playing something completely new. Warioland 4 came to my rescue. Superior sprite work, an awesome soundtrack and a wonderful difficulty curve with some clever mini games and bosses. Nintendo did themselves proud with this game. Worth looking into almost instantly.

Earthworm Jim (SNES Mega Drive/Gensis Mega CD and a whole host of others)
I love Earthworm Jim. I loved the games, the toys and the cartoon shows. It seems Earthworm Jim could do no wrong (Earthworm Jim 3D? Doesn't exist) but the original game that started it all remains the best. Why? Because it's absolutely crazy and is constantly one of the most inventive games ever made. And it was completely daring. How can anyone not laugh at the Bob The Goldfish boss fight? That had me in bits for ages. It's was just completely brilliant. The game was tough but fair and it rewarded you with an ending that gave me a massive smile to this very day. A genuine chaotic masterpiece.

The Art of Theft (PC)
Ben Croshaw's The Art of Theft is one of the best homemade and freely available games I've ever played. I'm not glorifying him or brown nosing him. The game is actually good and harkens back to the good old days of single screen platforming games. The stealth are a little basic, but the story and visuals plus overall fun of it all more than makes up for it. I recommend you download it straight away. Yes, I'm aware it's not a typical 2D platformer but Super Metroid is one of my favourite games of all time and I'm saving that for my next list becuase if you're down to this point you're obviously interested in what I have to say

Tombi (Playstation)

I frigging love this game. I just love it. It's just so out there and my trying to convey just how great it is pointless. Just... just look at it.
You have to play it to appreciate it. Trust me.

All the Marios (Anything by Nintendo)
Need I say more? I ain't gonna bother with pictures here.

Sonic 2 (Mega Drive/Genesis)
Bloody good game. Good game to the very end. Best Sonic game ever. Turning into Super Sonic via Super Sayian way, awesome. Tails sidekick, awesome. Secrets, awesome. The whole game is awesome. Best in the series and franchise.

That'll do me thinks. I do have some more but these are my absolute favourites. I may do something else tomorrow... Hmmm