PixelJunk SideScroller

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Oct 25, 2011
PixelJunk SideScroller Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 23 Ratings

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  • Summary: Q-Games, developer of the award-winning PixelJunk series, returns this summer with a nostalgic take on the series with its new side-scrolling shooter, PixelJunk SideScroller. Based on the unlockable stage from PixelJunk Shooter 2, PixelJunk Sidescroller is a complex and dynamic fluidQ-Games, developer of the award-winning PixelJunk series, returns this summer with a nostalgic take on the series with its new side-scrolling shooter, PixelJunk SideScroller. Based on the unlockable stage from PixelJunk Shooter 2, PixelJunk Sidescroller is a complex and dynamic fluid simulation system, which fills the game world with flowing liquids and hazardous gases, while putting a new spin on arcade shooters. Blast holes in walls or use your ship itself to drill past scorching hot magma. The fluids react in real-time to the player’s actions and to other liquids, creating unique and exciting situations with every play. … Expand

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Gamescom 2011: PixelJunk SideScroller - Official Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. TotalPlayStation
    Nov 22, 2011
    100
    At times incredibly challenging, yet never frustrating, that's the addictive nature of Sidescroller in a nutshell. It's one of the most memorable bite-sized games I've played in one of the best years videogames have seen in a while.
  2. Destructoid
    Oct 31, 2011
    90
    Along with Deathsmiles and Gradius V, SideScroller is one of the few side-scrolling gems of the past decade.
  3. Vandal
    Dec 12, 2011
    80
    A great game, which is very approachable at first, but then spikes in difficulty. It has a special charm that veteran players will love and appreaciate. Its gameplay is robust, modern and full of references to previous entries, but also includes some classic elements.
  4. Game Informer
    Nov 4, 2011
    78
    With the exception of the high production values, I feel like I've played a lot of games like PixelJunk SideScroller before. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does feel like a departure for a studio that I normally look to for unusual and exciting innovations. For anyone looking to enjoy an old school shooter with a few surprise twists, Q-Games delivers the goods.
  5. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 2, 2012
    74
    PixelJunk has become a synonym for great PSN-games, but this time round it's better to check out the demo first. Visually this is a stunner, but when it comes to gameplay this is a lot simpler than we are used from previous PixelJunk-games. Just fly and shoot. [December 2011, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Level7.nu
    Nov 14, 2011
    70
    Pixeljunk Sidescroller flirts with the golden days of arcade gaming. Vector based visuals gives the game a unique look, and the challenging gameplay demands concentration and fast reflexes.
  7. The A.V. Club
    Nov 7, 2011
    58
    SideScroller is like a butter knife from a master bladesmith, a meticulous game whose modest ambition only hints at its creators' talent.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. airsick
    Oct 29, 2011
    10
    Classic side scrolling shooter gameplay with the usual Pixel Junk polish. Not every game they make is a masterpiece but every single one isClassic side scrolling shooter gameplay with the usual Pixel Junk polish. Not every game they make is a masterpiece but every single one is worth your time and money. This latest effort once again puts terrific audio and video at the forefront. The gameplay doesn't break any ground, but it's fun and solid. I was shocked at how low IGN rated it. Are they jaded, biased, or just ignorant?… Expand
  2. camiwaits
    Oct 27, 2011
    10
    Pixeljunk Shooter is a classic space shooter game with a few tricks up it's sleeve. It engages you with great visual flair inspired by thePixeljunk Shooter is a classic space shooter game with a few tricks up it's sleeve. It engages you with great visual flair inspired by the earlier video games (the display screen even looks like an old tv) and a fantastic soundtrack by usual collaborators High Frequency Bandwidth. The gameplay consists of shooting down waves of enemies, while avoiding dangerous fluids like fire and acid, among other environmental hazards like lasers and spikes. At the end of each of the three acts you face a screen-filling boss, that requires you to recognize their attack patterns to overcome, said battles are one of the highlights of the game.

    One of the coolest things about the game is seeing how recognizable enemies from Pixeljunk Shooter 2 are reintroduced to a different genre. You'll see a lot of familiar faces and scenarios (granted, in a different art style) and that will probably bring a smile to your face. However, if you're not familiar with the previous games, the references will go right over your head.

    To summarize, Sidescroller is a pretty good space shooting game with a lovingly created art style, that is specially charming for people who love the Pixeljunk Shooter series. The only negative aspect about it is it's very short lenght, but i think people who enjoy the genre or the precursors of this game will feel they got their money worth.    … Expand
  4. 48448
    Nov 12, 2011
    9
    Amazing game. The only thing I didn't like was the color scheme for Hard Mode. But other than that the gameplay, art design and music are allAmazing game. The only thing I didn't like was the color scheme for Hard Mode. But other than that the gameplay, art design and music are all wonderful.… Expand
  5. Notlob
    Oct 27, 2011
    9
    It's like the 80's made love to the 26th century and produced an arcade game. This game is such a labor of love to side-scrollingIt's like the 80's made love to the 26th century and produced an arcade game. This game is such a labor of love to side-scrolling shoot-em-ups it's almost impossible to play this without a smile. It's challenging, inventive, and has has a sense of style beyond almost all other games on the market. It's the little touches like the slight burned in PJ logo while you play, the constant smooth 60fps action, and brilliant level design (OK that last point isn't so little) that push this game from a competent/good shooter to a great one. Bravo Pixeljunk team, you remain one of the most consistently great developers this gen. Needless to say I'm a fan.… Expand
  6. Wesbi
    Oct 27, 2011
    9
    PixelJunk Sidescroller is just a touch short but pure fun all the way through, and hard mode is very cool. I'm not sure IGN got that far...PixelJunk Sidescroller is just a touch short but pure fun all the way through, and hard mode is very cool. I'm not sure IGN got that far... PixelJunk wins again.… Expand
  7. TheBrak
    Feb 23, 2014
    8
    There is not much to say about pixeljunk sidescroller. it has great leveldesign,music and visuals. The game is a bit short but the price isThere is not much to say about pixeljunk sidescroller. it has great leveldesign,music and visuals. The game is a bit short but the price is low and it does not feel like there is something missing.… Expand
  8. nekrobator
    Feb 15, 2012
    6
    I felt quite ripped off, it was fun for the tiny amount of time it lasted, but it certainly doesn't compare to the pixeljunk shooter titles.I felt quite ripped off, it was fun for the tiny amount of time it lasted, but it certainly doesn't compare to the pixeljunk shooter titles.
    If you do get this game don't play it on casual, even if you are dying constantly on normal thats because you are meant to die alot to make the game last a decent amount of time. I am currently going through the game again on normal and its more satisfying even though there is lots of cheap deaths and areas with too long between checkpoints.
    Its a decent game but they are charging far too much for something so small and simple, wait for a sale and if you don't have pixeljunk shooter 1 and 2, definitely get them first.    … Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best PS3 Game of 2011