Beat 'em ups (aka brawlers)
A beat 'em up video game, also known as a brawler, is a genre of action video games that focuses on close combat fighting against multiple enemies. In these games, players control a character who must battle through hordes of enemies using hand-to-hand combat or melee weapons.
Beat 'em up games often feature side-scrolling or 2D gameplay. Players move across the screen, progressing through levels or stages, while encountering waves of enemies. The primary objective is to defeat all the enemies and progress further in the game.
These games usually provide a variety of moves and attacks, including punches, kicks, throws, and special abilities or power-ups. Sometimes, beat 'em ups allow cooperative multiplayer, where two or more players can join forces to fight enemies together. Classic examples of beat 'em up games include Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Most popular beat 'em up games
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Altered Beast
DOS1990 Sega
Altered Beast is a classic side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Sega. It was originally released in arcades in 1988 and later ported to various home consoles, including the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.Players control a resurrected centurion who battles through five levels filled with undead creatures and other mythical beas...
Axe of Rage
DOS1989 Palace Software
If Conan had a bad day and took it out on a few dozen goblins, you'd get something close to Axe of Rage. This 1989 DOS hack-n-slash isn't exactly subtle—you're a barbarian, there’s an evil warlord, and everything must be cleaved in two. The animations might remind you of a flipbook made by an angry teenager, but there's charm in its awk...
Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja
DOS1988protected Data East
Are you a bad enough dude to rescue the president? If that line doesn’t make you want to punch a ninja through a hotdog stand, nothing will. Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja is peak 80s: mullets, muscles, and more side-scrolling beatdowns than a Chuck Norris fan convention. It's cheesy, it's repetitive, and yes — it's absolutely glorious.
Bad Street Brawler
DOS1987 Beam Software
Bad Street Brawler is a beat 'em up video game developed by Beam Software and published by Mindscape. Originally released for the Commodore 64 in 1987 and later for other platforms. The game features Duke Davis, a former punk rocker turned vigilante, as the protagonist. In "Bad Street Brawler," players guide Duke through various urban environm...
Batman Returns
DOS1992 Spirit of discovery
Just like the movie, Batman Returns (1992) is dark, gritty, and full of dudes in clown makeup getting punched in the face. You play as the Caped Crusader in a beat-‘em-up side-scroller that delivers satisfying combos and a surprising amount of bleak holiday cheer. It’s Gotham at its weirdest, Tim Burton style. One moment you’re sw...
Beats of Rage
DOS2003freeware
Beats of Rage is what happens when fans of Streets of Rage decide to stop waiting for Sega and just build their own game—with a side of King of Fighters for flavor. This DOS beat 'em up is so full of punches, kicks, and pixel-blood that you can practically hear a '90s arcade groaning in approval. It’s got more combos than a fast-food me...
Blade Warrior
DOS1991 Image Works
Blade Warrior (1991) is a side-scrolling beat 'em up that looks like it was illustrated entirely in heavy metal album covers. You’re a silhouette of rage, cutting through demonic hordes in a world where nobody believes in color. It’s stylish, moody, and borderline impossible at times. The controls are a bit stiff, but that’s just ...
Bob Winner
DOS1986 Loriciels
Ah, Bob Winner (1986, DOS), the game that asks: what if Indiana Jones had a cousin who got lost in a side-scroller? You play as the titular Bob, an adventurer who walks like he’s late for a dinner date and punches wildlife like it owes him money. There’s a story somewhere—something about treasure and evil—but mostly you&rsqu...
Bushido
DOS1983 Ebenel enterprises
Comix Zone
Windows XP/98/951995 Sega
Comix Zone is a peculiar science fiction and superhero themed action game.It was developed and released by Sega in 1995 for Windows and other platforms. What makes Comix Zone different from other similare titles is that the game world is framed like a comic book.
Cougar Force
DOS1990 Coktel Vision
Crime Wave
DOS1990 Access Software
Double Dragon
DOS1988 Technos Japan
Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone
DOS1992 East Technology Corp.
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
DOS1988 Technos Japan
Fallen Angel
DOS1989 Emerald Software
Golden Axe
DOS1991 Sega
Golden Axe is a classic arcade game developed by Sega and released in 1989. It's a side-scrolling beat 'em up game set in a fantasy world where players choose one of three characters: a barbarian, a dwarf, or an amazon, each with their own strengths and abilities.The game follows the quest of these heroes to rescue the King and Princess of Yuria fr...
Hulk
Windows XP/98/952003 Radical Entertainment
Ikari III: The Rescue
DOS1990 SNK Corporation
International Ninja Rabbits
DOS1991 Flair Software
Karateka
DOS1986 Broderbund
Karateka is a martial arts themed action / fighting game released by Broderbund in 1986 for DOS. Karateka is the first game designed by Jordan Mechner, the father of the Prince of Persia franchise. Karateka was also published for Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, C64, MSX, NES, ZX Spectrum.
Last Action Hero
DOS1993 Psygnosis
Lorna
DOS1990NSFW Topo Soft
Ninja
DOS1986 Acclaim Entertainment
Ninja Gaiden
DOS1990 Tecmo
Ninja Gaiden, released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and later to other platforms, is a side-scrolling action-platformer developed by Tecmo. It follows the story of Ryu Hayabusa, a skilled ninja on a quest for vengeance and justice.In the game, players control Ryu as he battles through six acts, each divided into several stage...
Ninja Gaiden 2: The Dark Sword of Chaos
DOS1990 Tecmo
Ninja Rabbits
DOS1992 Villa Crespo Software
Onslaught
DOS1990 Arc Developments
Renegade
DOS1988 Technos Japan
Robocop
DOS1989 Data East
Robocop is an abandoned beat 'em up / run and gun shooter game developed and released by Data East in 1989 for a number of platforms, including DOS. Robocop is a conversion from an arcade game released by Data East in 1988 and it was based on the movie of the same name, Robocop, by Paul Verhoeven. Your goal is to get to the final boss by shoot...
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