Beat 'em Up
Walk right, punch everyone
Beat 'em ups send players through scrolling stages punching waves of enemies, from Double Dragon to Streets of Rage to modern revivals.
Overview
Beat ‘em ups distil action to its essence: walk forward, punch enemies, don’t die. The genre flourished in arcades where cooperative play and simple controls attracted quarters. Double Dragon and Final Fight established templates that Streets of Rage, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and countless others followed. The genre faded with 3D but has seen enthusiastic revival.
Fast facts
- Core loop: progress through stages, defeat enemy waves.
- Perspective: side-scrolling, slight depth movement.
- Multiplayer: often cooperative, two or more players.
- Defining titles: Double Dragon, Final Fight, Streets of Rage.
- Arcade economics: designed for coin consumption.
Genre conventions
What beat ‘em ups share:
- Limited moves: punch, kick, jump, grab, special.
- Weapon pickups: temporary power increases.
- Boss fights: stage-ending tough enemies.
- Life systems: health bars, limited continues.
Evolution
How the genre changed:
- 1980s: established in arcades.
- Early 90s: console golden age.
- 3D era: evolved into character action games.
- Modern: indie revivals, nostalgic returns.