With recent titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge proving that beat 'em up video games are still viable in the modern day, fans of the button-mashing genre can't help but remember some epic titles from the past. With their non-stop excitement and fast-paced action, beat 'em ups are often some of the best games of any era.
From classic arcade ports like Double Dragon to comic book tie-in games like X-Men, beating up the bad guys has never been more satisfying. Though the beat 'em up genre has produced a wealth of great games, only the very best have gamers coming back year after year.
Splatterhouse (1988)
One of the best things about the beat 'em up genre is that it isn't limited to one tone or style, and the variety of games is staggering. Splatterhouse went in a decidedly horrific direction and casts the player as Rick, a young man who is possessed by the spirit of a mask and must make his way through a strange mansion to rescue his girlfriend.
Obviously inspired by some of the biggest horror franchises of its time, Splatterhouse is a treat for the horror hound who loves gaming. On top of that, the over-the-top gore and horrific imagery help the game stand out as one of the most unusual entries in the genre.
X-Men (1992)
Generally regarded as one of the best Marvel games of all time, the X-Men arcade game set the standard for what a great superhero title could be. Playing as one of the X-Men, the player must battle their way through recognizable villains in order to reach Magneto.
Bringing in the bright visuals from the comics and cartoons, the game is a feast for the eyes as well as a downright addictive game to play. The challenge is just enough to keep things interesting, and each playable character offers an experience that is totally different from the others. From Wolverine and Storm to Cyclops and Dazzler, gamers were shelling out quarters to be their favorite mutant hero.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game (2010)
Though it came out alongside the film of the same name, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was so much more than a cheap cash-in. Adopting the retro video game-inspired visuals of the comic books, the player controls Scott as he punches and kicks his way through Ramona's evil exes.
Sometimes praised for being just like the movie, the game is actually a faithful recreation of the original story. Because of this, it is a funny and fast-paced playthrough with a surprising amount of challenge thrown in as well. Inspired by retro gaming, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is just as unforgiving as the classic beat 'em ups of old.
Guardian Heroes (1996)
Not really limited by the usual constraints of the simplistic beat 'em up genre, Guardian Heroes also incorporated other gameplay elements to deliver a more engaging experience. The game's story branched into different paths and saw the player battle their way through hordes of enemies to fight against an evil wizard king.
With RPG elements as a main part of the game, Guardian Heroes was much more rewarding than the repetitive button-mashers that make up the bulk of beat 'em ups. The branching story allowed for multiple playthroughs, and the user's skill was rewarded by upgrades and an escalating difficulty as the game progressed.
Golden Axe (1989)
Stepping into the world of high fantasy, Golden Axe combined beat 'em ups with the burgeoning hack-and-slash style. Crossing the realm of Yuria, the player takes control of a mighty warrior who quests to take down the entity known as Death Adder that wields the titular golden axe.
Unlike the punch and kick attacks of other games, Golden Axe has several weapons as well as magical attacks for a much wider variety. Fantasy has long been a fertile backdrop for video games, and Yuria is a unique realm that was cleverly fleshed out by the lore within the game. Never getting dull, Golden Axe is exquisitely paced to keep users playing for hours on end.
Battletoads (1991)
Though it has a reputation as one of the hardest NES games of all time, Battletoads is still a shining example of what the beat 'em up genre has to offer. The zany and cartoonish game sees the titular amphibians go on a rescue mission after a princess is captured by the evil queen.
The design of the game is eye-catching and original, and the cartoonish move combos are not only fun to use but funny as well. The game's difficulty is legendary, and it is due in large part to the variety of tasks that the player is expected to complete. Besides simply punching through enemies, there are also numerous speed stages that push the user's skills to the very limit.
Double Dragon (1987)
Often regarded as one of the first beat 'em up games to be a hit, Double Dragon laid the groundwork for every side-scrolling button-masher that followed. The game follows a pair of brothers, Billy and Jimmy, as they fight into a rival gang's turf to rescue Billy's girlfriend.
Double Dragon was revolutionary because it eschewed the arena-style levels in favor of a scrolling design that allowed players to progress. The combat is tight and addictive and the wide variety of environmental attacks keeps the simple punches and kicks from getting boring. The arcade version of the game was a smash hit, and it is one of the rare examples of a console port being just as good as its cabinet counterpart.
Final Fight (1989)
Following in the footsteps of Double Dragon, Final Fight took what had come before and made subtle improvements to the formula. Set in the fictional town of Metro City, the story involves three street fighters as they battle through waves of gang members to rescue a young woman.
The controls were some of the smoothest of any beat 'em up from that era, and the vibrant graphics established a visual style that would carry over into the franchise's other games. Though the story is just as one-note as its contemporaries, the pacing and action helped Final Fight establish dominance in the genre.
The Simpsons (1991)
Though The Simpsons has a host of great video games, the legendary arcade game from 1991 is one of the best TV show tie-in games of all time. Only a few years into the show's epic run, the arcade game sees the Simpsons family fight their way across town in order to rescue Maggie.
Each Simpson has their own unique abilities, and the recognizable figures and environs from the show are well-represented. The challenge is appropriately high for an arcade game, but the mastery of the game is still a fun and rewarding experience with none of the frustration factor of coin-based titles. Many Simpsons games have come out since, but none have topped the very first.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
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The tubular teenage heroes of TMNT have been somewhat hit-and-miss in the video game department, but the 1989 arcade beat 'em up Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a smash for the heroes in a half shell. The four turtles set out to defeat Shredder and rescue their friends Master Splinter and April O'Neil from the clutches of the Foot Clan.
Coming at the height of the success of the franchise, the game did an excellent job of incorporating famous villains and enemies from the cartoon series. The visuals are appropriately appealing to match the tone of the show, and the actual gameplay brought the individual turtles to life. Of all the franchises best suited for the beat 'em up genre, TMNT is certainly towards the top of that list.