The Guide of Side Scrolling Adventures
The list is in chronological order:


Xanadu (1985 PC 88, MSX, Saturn)
by Falcom


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Second in the Dragon Slayer series
-Side scrolling adventure with top down Hylide style combat
-MAZES!
-Remade for Saturn

More info here!








Metroid series (various platforms starting in 1986)
by Nintendo


Screens

(Metroid-like, Atmospheric, Shooter, Sci-fi)

-Compilation Video
-No explanation is really needed for this classic shooter adventure series







Romancia (1986 PC88, MSX2. Win 98)
by Falcom


Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Third in the Dragon Slayer series (aka Dragon Slayer Jr.)
-Harder than the hardest of wood
-30 minute time limit!
-The king cuts that in half if you talk to him too much!
-A man in a cloud will kill you if you talk to him twice!
-Wonky combat system!
-Cursed items which force you to start over!
-Remade for PC in 99.
-For masochists only!

More info here!








Faxanadu (1987 NES)
by Falcom and Hudson Soft


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Tough as nails
-Side game from the Xanadu/Dragon Slayer series

More info here!





Legacy of Wizard / Dragon Slayer IV (1987 MSX, MSX 2, NES)
by Falcom


Screens

(Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy)

-Video
-Play as multiple characters including a pet dragon, each having a unique characteristic.
-Another tough game
-Mazes, mazes and mazes

More info here!







The Maze of Galious (1987 MSX, NES)
by Konami


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Lots of mazes!
-Also known as Knightmare II: Maze of Galious
-Was later reprogrammed for the PC. You can get it here!

More info here!







Golvellius I & II (1987 MSX, Sega Master System)
by Compile


Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy, TopDown)

-Video
-Seek out Golvellius and rescue the beautiful Princess Rena!
-Contains both top down and side scrolling combat.

More info here!







Dr. Chaos (1987 NES)
by Marionette


Screens

(Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-Richard Moll reprises the undead Vietnam buddy from House!
-Sidescrolling action, intercut with first person navigation
-Very similar to Goonies 2.
-Pretty durn tough!

More info here!





Zeliard (1987 Ms-Dos)
by Game Arts
FREE!


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-By Game Arts! You know, the company that brought us Lunar!
-Play as the Duke!
-Has been labeled as abandonware.
-If you grab a DosBox you can get the game here!

More info here!







The Sorcerian Series (started in 1987 for many consoles)
by Falcom


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Fifth in the Dragon Slayer series.
-Only game on this list to have a part system.
-Probably the most complex of the SSSrpgs on this list
-A 3d version was made for Dreamcast, but looks horrid

More info here!







Goonies 2 (1987 NES)
by Konami


Screens

(Metroid-style, Fantasy, Slasher)

-Video
-It’s Goonies!
-It’s the unofficial sequel to Goonies!
-No truffle shuffle
-Fight evil bugs and pirates with a yoyo!
-Cyndi Lauper music!
-First person sections!
-Varied environments!
-Very similar to Dr. Chaos!
-It’s Goonies!







Simon’s Quest: Castlevania 2 (1987 NES)
by Konami


Screens

(RPG, Atmospheric, Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-First Castlevania RPG
-Not stuck in a castle
-Day and night cycles
-One boss
-Poor translation with vague clues
-Memberable and eerie music







Adventures of Link: Zelda II (1987 NES)
by Nintendo


Screens

(Metroid-style, RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, TopDown, Platforming)

-Video
-It’s Zelda
-I guess the CD-I ones can be added to this list but…nah.







Battle of Olympus (1988 NES)
by Infinity


Screens

(Metroid-style, RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Zelda 2 clone
-Colorful and varied graphics for the NES
-Variety in locations

More info here!








Blaster Master (1988 NES, GB, Genesis)
by SunSoft


Screens

(Metroid-style, Shooter, Sci-fi, TopDown, Platforming)

-Video
-Vehicle combat
-Catchy music
-Top down shooting segments
-Hard difficulty
-Other console followups are not nearly as good

More info HERE







XZR (XZR 1988 on MSX, XZR2 1988 on Genesis, MSX, TurboGrafx CD)
by Renovation Games


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, TopDown)

-XZR1 Video (only the intro) XZR2 Video
-Intriguing plot involving the muslim world and assassinations.
-Take drugs like cocaine, LSD and heroin to help you on your adventure!
-Top down world map that goes side scrolling when in battles or dungeons.
-First game not released outside of Japan.
-Second game released here as Exile

More info here!








A Boy and His Blob (1989 NES, GB)
by David Crane



(Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video-Turn you buddy blob into many object with the power of jellybeans!
-From the creator of Pitfall
-Pretty durn tough
-A semi sequel came out on Gameboy
-A remake is coming to Wii but it seems more level based than an adventure game

More info HERE








Cadash (1989 Arcade, TurboGrafx, Genesis/MegaDrive)
by Taito


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy)

-Video
-Originally an arcade game them ported to consoles
-Localization by Working Designs
-Multiplayer
-Choose from four classes: Fighter, mage, priestess, and the almighty ninja !
-Genesis port excluded the priestess and the ninja, making it the greatly, inferior version.

More info here!

Shadow of the Beast series (starting in 1989 on many systems)
by Psygnosis


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-Uber difficult
-Thick in atmosphere with an amazing score by David Whittaker
-Known for its early use of insane parallax scrolling (up to 12 levels!!!)

More info HERE









Gargoyle's Quest series (1990 GQ1 GB, 1992 GQ2 NES, 1994 GQ3 SNES)
by Capcom


Screens

(Metroid-style, Atmospheric, Shooter, Fantasy, TopDown, Platforming)

-GQ 1 Video; GQ 2 Video; Demon's Crest Video
-Play as the troublesome Red Arremer from Ghosts n' Goblins!
-Pretty difficult, but not GnG levels of roughness

More info HERE








Ys III (1989 on many consoles, remade in 2005 for Windows)
by Falcom


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-First and only Ys that was sidescrolling.
-Great music by Mieko Ishikawa.
-Later remade (and rather poorly) for the PS2 ; Video
-Even later remade (and rather greatly) for the PC as a top down game; Video

More info here!







Dragon’s Curse / Wonderboy III (1989 Master System, TurboGrafx)
by Sega


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-Little Nemo style character switching with varied abilities
-Known as Adventure Island on the PC Engine

More info here!








Actraiser (1990 SNES)
by Quintet


Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy, TopDown, Atmospheric, Platforming)

-Video
-An interesting hybrid of side scrolling action, rpg gameplay and god-sim elements
-Music by Yuzo Koshiro
-Side scrolling parts are divided into levels, and have little exploration
-Most exploration is done in the god-sim areas of the game.
-Sequel removed the god-sim elements and was a straight up hack and slash platformer.

More info here!








Wonderboy in Monsterworld (1991 Genesis/Megadrive, Master System, PC Engine)
by Sega and Westone


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-Fifth in the Wonderboy series
-Vibrant spritework
-Fair difficulty
-Varied level design

More info here!






Wizards & Warriors III- Kuros Visions of Power (1992 NES)
by Rare


Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-First game in the series to break from the level structure.
-Become a knight, thief and wizard.
-Though the game is easier than the others, there is no continue system.
-Journey through a vertically built town supported only by a few boards!






Barbarian II (1991 Amiga and Atari ST)
by Pandamonium Entertainment


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-Has that wonderful Psygnosis look
-Sequel to the point and click slasher (not the arcade fighter)
-Play as Hegor the Barbarian

More info here!







Popful Mail (1991 PC Engine CD, 1994 Sega Cd, SNES)
by Falcom



Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Translation by Working Designs
-Good difficulty
-Vibrant graphics and colorful characters
-Personal favorite.
-A villain named Muttonhead

More info here!







Monster World IV (1994 Mega Drive)
by Sega and Westone


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-Semi sequel to the Wonderboy series.
-Has an Arabian setting.
-Spunky, green haired girl as the main character.
-Ride a magic carpet!
-Some of the most vibrant graphic seen on the Mega Drive
-Never released overseas but a tanslation patch is available

More info here!








Legend of Xanadu series (1994 Pc Engine Super CD, Windows 95)
by Falcom


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, TopDown)

-Remake of Xanadu
-Contains Ys top down style battling mixed with side scrolling elements
-Side scrolling has little exploration

More info here!








Super Adventure Island II (1995 SNES)
by Hudson


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-Last (relevant) entry in the Adventure Island series
-First entry to have adventure game elements
-Colorful graphics, varied locations, and big bosses
-Moderate difficulty








Iga Castlevanias (starting on 1997 on many platforms)
by Konami


Screens

(RPG, Metroid-style, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy, Atmospheric, Platforming lol)

-Video
-From Symphony of the Night on, nearly every Castlevania has fused adventure with RPG elements







Princess Crown (1997 Saturn, PSP)
by Atlus


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Prequel to Odin Sphere.
-Gorgeous sprite work for its time.
-Lacks exploration/platforming elements.
-Never released outside Japan

More info here!







Last Imperial Prince (1997 PC-FX)
by NEC


Screens

(Slasher, Fantasy)

-You know, other than this review I can’t find much info on this game. So consider this one really obscure!

Akuji the Demon (2002 Windows)
by Buster (E. Hashimoto)
FREE!


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy)

-Video
-Kinda reminds me of Kid Dracula
-Grab for free HERE









Eternal Daughter (2002 Windows)
by Blackeye Software
FREE!


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Free indie game! Grab it HERE
-Made with Multimedia Fusion
-From the creator of Aquaria

More info HERE









Mega Man Zero, NT, and ZX series (Zero 2002 on GBA, NT 2003 on GC, ZX 2006 on DS)
by Capcom


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Shooter, Sci-fi, Platforming)

-Zero Video; NT Video; ZX Video
-MMZero is more like the classic series but with more emphaisis on exploration and character building.
-MMNT has character building as well as an extensive item gathering element
-MMZX is more like Zero but with more of an open world exploration







Maple Story(2003 Online PC)
by Wizet


Screens

(MMO, RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-An online Korean SSSrpg.
-Play with your friends online!
-Play with the idiots online!
-Apparently it’s free!
-DS version is supposed to be a more straight forward SSSrpg.

More info here!








The Spirit Engine series (2003 Windows)
by Natomic Studios


Screens

(RPG, TurnBased, Fantasy)

-Video
-Indie developed
-Side scrolling turn base RPG
-Created with Multimedia Fusion
-Grab the game and demo HERE

More info HERE








Cave Story (2004 Various platforms)
by Studio Pixel
FREE!


Screens

(Metroid-style, Shooter, Sci-fi, Platformer)

-Video
-Catchy soundtrack
-Charming world
-Enhanced version coming to the Wii!
-Grab for free HERE

More info HERE









Ainevoltas series (2005 Windows)
by SilverNova
FREE!

Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Indie developed
-Grab for free HERE









Knytt series (2006 Windows)
by Nicklas Nygren
FREE!


Screens

(Metroid-style, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Atmospheric, Platforming)

-Video
-What it lacks in graphics it makes up for in thick 'n delicious atmosphere
-Has an extensive game editor
-Download for free HERE

More info HERE









Aquaria (2007 Windows, Mac)
by Bit Blot


Screens

(Metroid-style, Shooter, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-Created by Derek Yu of Eternal Daughter
-Under water exploration!
-Soothing atmosphere
-Comes with a game editor

More info HERE








Final Vision (2007 Windows)
by Alspal
FREE!

Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy)

-Video
-Indie developed
-Grab for free HERE








Hurrican (2007 Windows)
by Poke53280
FREE!


Screens

(Shooter, semi Metroid-style, Sci-fi, Atmospheric, Platforming)

-Video
-Excellent tribute to the Turrican series
-Weapon building
-Comes with a game editor
-2nd place winner of the Indie Game Showcase contest 2008
-Grab for free HERE








La Mulana (2007 Windows)
by GR3 Project
FREE!


Screens

(Metroid-style, Slasher, Fantasy, Platforming)

-Video
-Freeware PC game
-Tribute to The Maze of Galious
-A whip wielding adventure!
-Download the game here!
-An enhanced version is coming to the Wii!

More info here!








Odin Sphere (2007 PS2)
by Vanillaware


Screens

(RPG, Slasher, Fantasy, Atmospheric)

-Video
-Stunning hand drawn animation
-Limited in exploration
-Play through five characters








Super Paper Mario (2007 Wii)
by Nintendo


Screens

(RPG, Platforming, Slasher, Shooter, Fantasy)

-Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flQTSrq7n_A
-Platformer RPG starring a short, fat plumber
-Play as multiple characters
-Able to switch the view from 2d to 3d on the fly
-Easy difficulty








Iffermoon (2008 Windows)
by ScottGames
FREE!


Screens

(Fantasy)

-Indie developed
-Grab for free HERE






COMING SOON!

Shadow Complex (2009 XBLA)
by Chair Entertainment
-Video







Dust
by Noogy
-Video






Legend of Iya
by Darkfalzx
-Video










Muramasa: The Demon Blade (2009 Wii)
by Vallinaware
-Video




MassimoRE
- shameless plug :-/

We still don't know much about the gameplay, but it's possible that Fez
might fit into this category as well. It seems like there will be
puzzles relating the 2D and 3D planes, but there have also been screens
depecting the Fez character talking with other characters, so maybe
there are adventure elements as well.

While we're talking about indies, there's also the heavily Cave Story
influenced "The Underside" which I believe is still in development.

Demon's crest is like moving art. such amazing pixel art and beautiful
music. any random screen still from that game is just gorgeous

Does E.V.O. Search for eden fall into this category? you don't really
backtrack, but you don't really in some of the games posted in the OP
either...

I think so. And if it does, then Blackthorne needs to be mentioned as well.



[edit] Also this:



The Lost VikingsStrider (NES version)



Clash at Demonhead (NES)



Lord of the Sword (Master System)

Altered Beast, holla!

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371433