Originally Posted by
old_skoolin_jim
Popful Mail is a fantastic example of this type of game as well, if you can get ahold of it for the Sega CD somehow- great 2d action and Working Designs' trademark mid-90s sense of humor.
I second the voting for Wonder Boy 3 The Dragon's Trap (or Dragon's Curse on TG-16), and a hearty thumbs-up to Wonder Boy in Monster World on the Genesis/MD.
Ys 3 is pretty decent too; and it's on SNES and Genesis.
Also, these are technically traditional RPGs, but Valkyrie Profile 1 & 2 play like side-scrolling action-RPGs anytime you're not in battle.