The beat ’em up genre is one that I would consider to be largely a flash in the pan. It was pioneered by titles like Kung Fu Master and Renegade. Heads didn’t really turn though until Double Dragon invaded arcades. Following that was Final Fight, Streets of Rage and then a myriad of clones which ushered the genre into huge popularity. Unfortunately the genre slowed down to a trickle with the release of more powerful hardware capable of generating 3D environments and characters. Beat em ups were a casualty of the generation. I’ve waited for decades for developers to step up and re-visit the genre. By and large these new releases have completely failed to recapture the magic. I thought it would be fun to reminisce about my old favorites today. Without further adieu here are my top ten best beat em up games of all time.
#10 – Double Dragon II: The Revenge
While the original Double Dragon was fun at the time of release it suffered from some major gameplay issues. The Revenge by and large fixed these, and the end result is a title that’s ultimately more playable in modern times while still retaining the charm of the early franchise. The original game on the NES didn’t offer multiplayer, but this problem has been fixed in the sequel. Additionally combat has been tweaked to feel less random and unfair, and the upgrade to graphics and music is amazing.
It’s a bit barebones. The package is a bit simplistic when compared to your typical beat em up however Double Dragon II is the best means by which to experience the franchise. It’s also a great way to re-connect with the origins of the genre. The game can be had for cheap too if you’re looking to score it on the NES. Admittedly Double Dragon II is best in the arcades, but good luck finding a cabinet and space in your home to store it!
#9. – The Simpsons: The Arcade Game
Beat ’em ups really flourished in the arcades. Not every one of these had a home console release. The Simpsons: The Arcade game is one of these. I’ve played it more than most the others on this list in the arcades because of this. I was always a huge fan of the franchise. Just thinking about this title reminds me of taking breaks from scarfing pizza to plunk down some quarters and clean up the mean streets of Springfield as one of the four cartoon family members (or all four if you have enough players!) It’s not incredibly inventive though.
Although it features a large pool of characters from the show to choose from you’re mostly facing off against nameless thugs. This can make things a bit repetitious. The stages also do not offer a lot of variety. Still, it’s an amazing tribute to the franchise and a ton of fun even now. This choice might be mostly because of nostalgia, but I still enjoy The Simpsons Arcade even now. Try it out and I’m sure you’ll find it’s surely one of the best beat em up games of all time.
#8. – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
The arcade release is of course much better than the toned down port to the Nintendo Entertainment System. This 8-bit cartridge is the version I grew up with though. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game was actually my very first beat em up. I remember the first time I brought it home from the rental store. I didn’t even have to look at the back of the box because I was absolutely obsessed with the franchise. At the time I also had limited experience with co-op multiplayer, and that’s one of the big reasons this title stands out so much in my memory. Two people can work together and play at the same time? Incredible!
You start out choosing from one of the four turtles and from there you’re thrust into a burning building tasked with rescuing April O’Neil. The stage diversity is the high point here with a great number of different obstacles between each level. This one is a personal entry for me because I recall playing it with my dad (he never played video games except in this instance) in the morning and laughing the day away. Maybe I just consider this one of the best beat em up games because of nostalgia, but that’s perfectly okay by me.
#7 – River City Ransom
This is one of the stranger additions to my list. Beat em up games at the time mostly stuck to the tried and true formula back then. See guys, punch guys, rather rinse and repeat. River City Ransom tried something a little different by featuring an open world structure as well as role playing elements. You travel around the city at your leisure making thugs ‘BARF!’ while collecting money and putting that toward upgrades for your character’s skills. The fighting engine is very simple, and you can bypass most enemies but it’s a surprisingly deep game.
What really enhances the experience is the fact that you can play the entire game with a friend. Multiplayer experiences in games this involving were practically unheard of in the days of the original Nintendo. Diving in to this experience with a friend is an unforgettable experience and the way this game transcends the genre (but still scratches the itch) is amazing. It’s a beat em up but at the same time has trappings of adventure games and even RPGs. River City Ransom has its fair share of fans and skeptics alike, but it’s an undeniable classic.
#6. – Splatterhouse 2
Splatterhouse 2 is a game that never seems to come up in genre discussions. Most people wouldn’t consider this one for a list of the best beat em up games of all time. I’m not like most people though. I’m relatively new to the franchise (I only got into it after I started collecting as an adult) but I had little hope this sequel would be anything of interest. I mean, no one ever talks about it. Could it really be that good? I was absolutely blown away. I loved every second from the title screen to the credit roll.
While the story was wrapped up in the last installment and this new iteration is a bit forced (I usually care about things like this) the gameplay is a perfect evolution of the original. With a few upgrades, of course. It has more interesting environments and an expanded set of weapons . I even loved the new twists and turns in the story, and seeing the original ‘house’ with new areas is amazing. This game oozes atmosphere but has a ton to offer as far as new gameplay conventions go. None of the magic is lost in the sequel, and this is one that has stuck in my mind long after I completed it.
#5. – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time
I always assumed the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were no longer a thing by the time the Super Nintendo released. It wasn’t until a decade later that I learned Konami had kept the spirit alive in the early days of the console. I was one of the few who completely missed the boat. Turtles In Time was one of the first great beat em ups on the Super Nintendo. While it originated in the arcades most people remember the 16-bit port and for good reason.
I was worried at first that it was a mere showcase of the capabilities of the platform. While it does show off a myriad of once impressive graphical effects the gameplay is amazing. Reaching the areas just before the final boss with Shredder watching you fight his minions in the foreground is something you won’t soon forget. It doesn’t hurt that this also has one of the greatest soundtracks on the archaic hardware. I really regret missing out on this release. It definitely holds its own against the best.
#4. – Streets of Rage 2
I will probably take some flack for this but here goes. I’m not as big a fan of Streets of Rage 2 as most retro gamers are. Yes, it has fantastic level design and a great fighting engine with memorable set pieces and a fantastic art style and soundtrack. I just have no nostalgia attached to this game. I was first introduced to it in the Sega Dreamcast Smash Pack and while I instantly loved it I knew at the time I would have preferred to play any number of other games.
What sets this one apart is the fact that you have four characters to choose from with a variety of differing stats, but they’re all largely forgettable except for perhaps Skate. There were a lot of genre tropes at the time and Streets of Rage II certainly didn’t try to avoid them. Everyone else seems like Final Fight rejects in my opinion. The main reason this one scores so well is because of the atmosphere. It’s pure 90s through for through, and that with the solid gameplay engine and amazing soundtrack (by Genesis standards) is what make this one a true bonafide classic through and through. The style, graphics and stage diversity are what propel this one up as one of the best beat em up games around.
#3. – Splatterhouse
This was the surprise game of a lifetime. I didn’t the original Splatterhouse for the first time until a few years back, but this is one of the biggest impressions a video game has ever made with me. I’m a huge fan of horror films, and this managed to bring me back to the first time I watched some of my favorites. The atmosphere is something truly special.
The gameplay is pretty simple; you play a hockey mask bearing fellow named Rick whose girlfriend was kidnapped by an army of the undead. You have to punch and jump kick your way through a mansion to rescue her. All this while contending with an army of ghouls and ghastly monsters. The stage design is extremely on point with a myriad of obstacles that constantly changes. The real high point is that this game offers up some of the most memorable boss fights of all time. I would seriously have to try to forget the dual chainsaw wielding baddie and the stress he caused me. The final stage and the scenario involving it is one of the most memorable moments in all of video games for me.
#2 – Final Fight CD
Final Fight has always held a special place in my heart. I love everything from the protagonists and the enemies (who could ever forget Andore based on Andre the Giant?) to the stage designs and super basic but smooth gameplay. I remember playing it in the arcades as well as with my best friend in third grade on his Super Nintendo. The first home port on the aforementioned home console was a mess unfortunately. It didn’t even offer multiplayer.
Capcom didn’t release a version for the Sega Genesis unfortunately. What most retro gamers don’t realize is that they instead did so on the Sega CD add on. The problem is no one owned this expensive hardware. I remember the first time I fired this one up and I was amazed because it matched the arcade release in content. What’s really neat is that it even features an exclusive redbook soundtrack (which is one of the greatest video game soundtracks of all time). This is such a special game, and an incredible unforgettable version of it. If you want to play the original Final Fight as far as I’m concerned this is the definite release of a true classic. The arcade version is fun no doubt. This is better. Final Fight CD is truly one of the best beat em up games of all time.
#1 – Guardian Heroes
Raise your hand if you own a Sega Saturn. Oh no one? I’m not surprised. Sega made a lot of mistakes with their 32-bit console. The biggest was the the focus on 2D sprite based games. They later shoehorned in 3D capabilities and the end result wasn’t pretty.. I opted for both Nintendo and Sony consoles that generation, but as it was closing got a Sega Saturn from one of my friends and discovered one of the best libraries to stand the test of time. Unfortunately all of the best games are incredibly rare, and that’s the case with Guardian Heroes.
This was developer Treasure’s first title in the genre, but it has their signature quality and character. I’ve never played such a feature rich beat em up as this one but it came out at a time when most players just didn’t care anymore about the genre which is a real shame because this is the absolute best one of all time. Featuring a huge character roster, branching paths in the story, and a solid gameplay engine Guardian Heroes is really something special. Furthermore it even has a fighting game mode! Nothing else compares; this is truly the best beat em up games of all time and probably will always be so.
Looking for more lists? Check out our ultimate guide to the best Famicom/NES imports.
