Second only to blasting various invaders out of the recesses of deep space, there are few classic arcade experiences more beloved than bashing the living daylights out of 16-bit villains and henchmen for only a few quarters. Beat-em-up games have been a gaming pastime since the days of the NES, and players still have an appetite for them.
But even in the age of console ports, re-imaginings, and remasterings, some beloved titles have yet to see a port outside of an arcade cabinet or a vintage console. From forgotten favorites to coin-op classics, there are plenty of beat ’em ups that need a major comeback.
10 Final Fight
If there’s one beat-em-up title that all in the genre pay homage to, it’s Final Fight. Cody, Guy, and Hagar might have various console ports, but very little has been seen of them since the ’90s.
If the likes of Streets of Rage can get a fourth entry, why hasn’t Final Fight been brought back to the mainstream media as well? It’s high time the genre remembered where its origins lie and brought it back for a new generation of players.
9 Splatterhouse Series
Essentially, Splatterhouse fits all the criteria for a proper action-packed title. It has the player take up the role of a muscle-bound protagonist with the ability to pick up various weapons and dispense 16-bit beatings across a wide variety of horror-inspired enemies. What more does one need?
While the game did receive a gruesome and gory remake, it was far from want the original set out to be. Of all the games on this list, this one definitely needs an update.
8 The Simpsons
While some consider The Simpsons: Hit and Run to be the best game featuring Springfield’s favorite family, those who spent long hours in the arcades disagree. Simply titled The Simpsons, this beat ’em up sees Marge, Homer, Bart, and Lisa on a quest to rescue baby Maggie from the clutches of Mr. Burns.
The combat is crunchy, but goofy at the same time. It has a bouncy cartoon feel that many others in the genre simply lack. Why on earth hasn’t this gotten a modern port?
7 Magic Sword
True arcade lurkers will no doubt be familiar with Magic Sword, and they will also know the desire to see this game brought back. While it did receive a port to the PS3, a true remake is very much in order.
It’s a fantasy brawler, but with a twist. Along with power-ups and new weapons, the player character can pick up allies such as ninjas, wizards, and beastmen to help them defeat the massive monsters the game has to offer.
6 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series
New York City’s heroes in a half shell are no strangers to the arcade scene, having several entries in the genre featuring Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo taking on the forces of Shredder and the Foot Clan.
The turtles themselves have had reboot after reboot, but nothing for their arcade series. Sure, they can get guest appearances in Injustice but not a simple beat-em-up outing? What’s wrong with this equation?
5 Batman Returns
The 90s were a simpler time, weren’t they? Before the Caped Crusader was sleuthing about Arkham Asylum, he was doing what he does best on the streets of Gotham City. Kicking the absolute crud out of a posse of clowns.
Inspired by the Tim Burton film of the same name, Batman Returns had players take to the streets as Batman to deliver some justice to the fiendish pairing of Catwoman and the Penguin. Dark and action-packed, it was everything fans wanted a Batman game to be.
4 Captain America And The Avengers
Batman wasn’t the only superhero that got in on the arcade action, Marvel had a whole slew of beat-em-up titles. One can never go wrong with the Avengers, and the studio knew that for a fact. Enter this game with a healthy selection of comic-book favorites.
3 X-Men: The Arcade Game
Of all the classic Marvel games that need a modern re-release, this one probably takes the cake. This arcade favorite is known for its fine selection of heroes, enemy types, bosses, and campy English translation. Joking aside, it truly is a titan of the genre.
From Wolverine to Nightcrawler, fans have their pick of classic X-Men characters with their own set of unique powers and combos. A simple fare, but one that gamers have been wanting back for ages.
2 Aliens Vs. Predator
Before the tragic 2010 attempt at an AVP video game, there was this arcade-cabinet masterpiece. Not only could players play as two types of Predator, but the human characters even got some impressive cybernetic upgrades to keep the game interesting.
Bombastic and over-the-top this game might be, but if blasting and slicing one’s way through hordes of xenomorph hybrids isn’t a good time, it’s hard telling what is. Sometimes, the simplest approach is the most successful.
1 Maximum Carnage
In all honesty, it was brutally difficult giving this one a spot over X-Men, but how many beat ’em ups allow gamers to play as both Spider-Man and Venom? Not only is this Sega superhero brawler sharp and stylish, but it’s a fun outing that makes brilliant use of the comic-book aesthetic.
Everything in this game feels like it was ripped straight from the comics, including the cutscenes and guest appearances from the likes of Captain America, Firestar, and Iron Fist. What’s wrong with a little fanservice now and again?
NEXT: Spider-Man Miles Morales: 5 Ways It’s Better Than Marvel’s Spider-Man (And 5 Ways It’s Not)
