Saturday, 11th January 2025

Beat 'em ups: what are they?

A beat 'em up video game, often referred to as a brawler, is a subgenre of action games that emphasizes close-quarters combat against waves of enemies. In these games, players take control of a character who must fight through hordes of opponents, using hand-to-hand combat techniques or wielding melee weapons. The focus is on continuous, fast-paced action, where survival depends on skillful fighting and the ability to manage multiple adversaries at once.

Typically, beat 'em up games feature side-scrolling or 2D gameplay, where players advance across the screen, moving from one area to the next while encountering waves of enemies that increase in difficulty. Progressing through various levels or stages, the primary goal is to defeat all the enemies on-screen to advance further. The genre often includes boss battles that provide additional challenge and serve as climactic points in the gameplay.

To add depth to the combat, these games usually offer a wide variety of moves, including punches, kicks, throws, and combos. Some beat 'em ups include special abilities or power-ups that enhance the player's combat effectiveness, adding a layer of strategy to the fast-paced action. Additionally, many games in this genre allow for cooperative multiplayer modes, where two or more players can team up to take on the enemy forces together, creating a shared experience of battling through waves of enemies.

Classic titles in the beat 'em up genre are Karateka, Double Dragon, Golden Axe, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Find out more about Golden Axe