Good Response to e4

French Defense is very good for black. So long as you don't accept any gambits you should equalise the game fairly quickly.

There are several good responses to 1 e4.  Look at what the world champions played as black against 1 e4 and you will have your answer....

Center Counter Defense

1 e4 d5

The Scandinavian defense you mean.

D5 is strong because you are threatening the white pawn and your queen is protecting your pawn. Also Nf6 is a good move if followed by black D5 but white can simply go to E5; threatening your knight and getting out of danger! Hope this helps!

I play e5. But I have seen an over abundance of Italian games lately, so I might be switching to something more exciting. Also, way too many people are trying to play the Lopez like Carlsen, now... also leading to not-so-exciting positions :(

Maybe back to the elephant gambit

scandinavian gambit is open and aggressive e4 d5 exd5 and instead of qxd5 nf6

c6, c5, d5, d6, e6, e5, g6, Nf6, maybe Nc6 and b6...

U can chose between all of these moves to answer 1.e4, and in each of them u have many viable alternatives...

The better move will be the move u like and know more...

Resign.

A seriously underrated opening is 1..Nc6. If white plays 2. Nf3, black can always play 2..e5 if he wants bad transpose back into a king pawn game.

1...f5!!

Try the Scandinavian Defense: 3...Qd6 Variation, aka Gubinsky-Melts Variation. For the inside story join us at http://www.chess.com/groups/view/scandinavian-defense-3qd6-variation