The Best Beat ‘Em Ups On PS4 & PS5

Summary

• Modern beat ’em up games on PS4 and PS5 retain the charm and thrills of their arcade ancestors.
• Asterix & Obelix Slap Them All 2 captures the zaney energy of the comics with fan-service and slapstick comedy.
• Streets of Rage 4 is possibly the most polished beat ’em up game ever, with satisfying combos and loads of replayability.

The beat ‘em up genre has been going through something of a renaissance over the past few years, and much of its resurgence has been felt the strongest on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Even if we are well past the golden years of the beat ‘em up, these modern entries still retain all the charm and thrills of their arcade ancestors.

From flashy combos to multiplayer mayhem, these PS4 and PS5 beat ‘em ups do a fantastic job translating the classic arcade fun into your living room while innovating on the classic formula in clever ways.

Updated on March 22, 2025, by Harry Fritsch: If there’s one thing that developers of all sizes like PS4 and PS5 gamers to do, it’s beating up stuff. And eating random food for health. And only progressing the level when the flashing arrow tells you to. There are now so many great beat ‘em ups for these systems, it can be hard to keep track of the ones that are actually worth playing. Thankfully, we’ve collated the best beat-’em-ups you can play on PS4 and PS5, and added a few more to the list.

18

Vengeance Hunters

A Neo Neo-Geo Beat ‘Em Up

While a lot of modern beat ‘em ups commit to an old school style, Vengeance Hunters goes the extra mile by actually being developed to fit within the parameters of the Neo-Geo hardware. This dedication to historical accuracy ensures that the game truly feels like it was plucked straight from the mid-90s and dropped onto modern platforms.

Actually playing Vengeance Hunters reveals a beat ‘em up that revels in a varied character selection and exceptional boss fights. Throw in some fun shoot ‘em up sections, and this game captures the heart and charm of a by-gone era of gaming.

17

River City Girls Zero

The Missing Link

For nearly 30 years, Shin Nekketsu Kōha: Kunio-tachi no Banka never saw the light of day outside of Japan. However, after the success of River City Girls, WayForward and Arc System Works collaborated to finally bring this classic beat ‘em up to English speaking countries as River City Girls Zero.

What makes this localisation special is that it actually features two English translations: one that is a direct retelling of the original game and one that is closer in style to the other River City Girls games. The 16-bit visuals, innovative party-based character system, and surprisingly deep writing have all aged like a fine wine.

16

Fight‘N Rage

A Fast And Fluid Beat ‘Em Up

The beat ‘em up and fighting game genres have always been pretty closely linked, with 2017 brawler Fight’N Rage taking inspiration from both camps. It has the level structure and co-operative gameplay of a beat ‘em up, but a sleek and complex combat system reminiscent of games like Street Fighter.

The result is a terrifically entertaining romp that only gets more satisfying the more you play. Stringing together an epic combo while seeing the gorgeous visuals pop on screen is one of the best feelings you can have on the PS4 or PS5.

15

Brok The InvestiGator

A Point And Click ‘Em Up

Speaking of merging genres, Brok the InvestiGator makes the bold decision to marry together gameplay elements of beat ‘em ups with point and click adventure games. While most of the game plays out like a traditional detective adventure game, there are action segments where you get to punch and kick your way through waves of bad guys.

The most remarkable thing about Brok the InvestiGator is that it never crumbles beneath this ambitious genre-mashing experiment. Throw in an engaging story and an endearing Saturday morning cartoon art style, and you have one of the most unique games for these systems.

14

Final Vendetta

A Throwback To The Classics

While other modern beat ‘em ups seek ways to push their genre forward, Final Vendetta is perfectly content celebrating the past. Almost every detail of this games feels like an intentional throwback to the golden years of the early ’90s arcade beat ‘em ups.

There’s a city under siege from a criminal organisation, a kidnapped sister, and only two bros who can save the day. You know what happens from here. Slick pixel art and even slicker action ensures that Final Vendetta will please any fans of this genre’s roots.

13

Asterix & Obelix Slap Them All 2

When In Rome, Beat Up Everyone You See

Asterix and Obelix returned as video game protagonists in Slap Them All 2, the latest beat ’em up based on the iconic French comics. This adventure sees Asterix and Obelix travelling to distant lands in search of what really happened to the Lutetia Eagle.

With slick mechanics and a cartoony art style that perfectly captures the zaney energy of the comics, Asterix & Obelix Slap Them All 2 is a great time for fans of the series. With plenty of fan-service and all the slapstick comedy you could ask for, there is a lot to love.

12

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons

A Return To Roots For The Double Dragon Series

Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is a prequel to this iconic beat ’em up series that proves to be a clever throwback in more ways than one. It works as an origin story for a young Jimmy Lee and Billy as they battle against the gangs who are terrorising the streets of New York City.

But the game also embraces the series’ retro roots with a pixelated art style and simple action that made Double Dragon so popular back in the day. Rise of the Dragons also pushes the series forward by incorporating roguelite elements that ensure every playthrough serves up something different.

11

River City Girls 2

Turning The Style And Take-Downs Up To 11

River City Girls 2 builds on what made the original such a smash hit, with new playable characters, an expanded moveset, and a fantastic map brimming with enemies to beat down. The anime-inspired aesthetic and soundtrack are as endearing as ever and bring a ton of character into every aspect of the game.

But River City Girls 2 works because it doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel too much. Landing blows still has that satisfying crunchy feel to it and the diverse levels always make you interested in what lies on the other side of the blinking progress arrow.

10

9 Monkeys Of Shaolin

Look And Feel Like A Kung Fu Master

9 Monkeys of Shaolin takes the aesthetic and action of old kung fu movies and translates them into a sleek and stylish beat ‘em up from Sobaka Studio. The gameplay mixes martial arts with magic abilities, giving you plenty of inventive ways to take down the clans of Wokou.

With robust character customization, great cooperative multiplayer, and one of the most striking art styles the genre has ever seen, 9 Monkeys of Shaolin excels at delivering a complete beat ‘em up experience on PS4 & PS5.

9

Mother Russia Bleeds

Brutal And Beautiful In All The Best Ways

Mother Russia Bleeds is set in an alternative 1980s Soviet Union, where the Mafia has taken over the country, and it’s your job to fight back. With brutal, pixelated violence, Mother Russia Bleeds certainly leaves its own (bloody) mark amongst other modern-day beat ‘em ups.

In particular, there is a mechanic in the game that allows you to harness the remaining life force from fallen enemies to boost your own character. It’s the kind of creatively horrific thinking you can expect from a lot of Mother Russia Bleeds, which is a big reason why it’s so much fun to play.

8

Castle Crashers Remastered

The Game That Kickstarted A Brawler Renaissance

When Castle Crashers first launched back in 2008, it signaled the beginning of a beat ‘em up revival that is still being felt to this day. It smartly mixed together classic elements of the genre with modern sensibilities, such as role-playing mechanics, a vast arsenal of weapons, and non-linear level progression, to ensure it was taking the necessary steps forward into the 21st century.

The remastered version of Castle Crashers on PS4 & PS5 retains all the charm and personality of the original while making some improvements to the textures and frame rate. It even includes a new minigame.

7

Young Souls

A Strong Narrative To Justify All The Beating Up Of Enemies

Young Souls pushes the beat ‘em up genre in exciting new directions by stapling on deep RPG mechanics and a gripping narrative to the classic side-scrolling action gameplay you know and love. The result is a game that revels in its own innovation and style, never letting up for its ten-hour playtime.

The journey of Jenn and Tristan is genuinely compelling, and its world-hopping premise adds fuel to the story’s wilder moments. If you and a friend are looking for a beat ‘em up that will suck you in with its world, characters, and plot, then Young Souls is ripe for the picking.

6

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition

Return Of The Prodigal Scott

For a long time, playing Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game was a near impossibility for many gamers. This super quirky Ubisoft beat ‘em up was based on the popular comic series and the Edgar Wright film that came out the same year. It immediately gained a cult following thanks to its colorful pixel art, banging music, and creative gameplay.

Thankfully, after spending a number of years in licensing limbo, the game was finally resurrected in 2021 for modern audiences. The complete edition includes the original game and both of its DLC packs in all their glory.

All The Classics In One Convenient Package

You could argue this is cheating, as Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle is a compilation of seven classic arcade brawlers from the genre’s golden age, but discounting this neon-lit historical artifact would be a mistake.

The seven included games are all worth a play, with classics such as Final Fight standing alongside hidden gems like Battle Circuit. The emulation is near flawless, the difficulty settings are robust, and the online multiplayer allows these games to thrive in a way they never have before.

4

River City Girls

These Girls Just Wanna Throw A Punch

River City Girls is a spunky subversion of the typically masculine-dominated beat ‘em up genre that features two butt-kicking heroines on a mission to rescue their boyfriends who are also the protagonists of the original River City Ransom.

The game is dripping in attitude, with a soundtrack that makes you want to headbang and a soda-pop color palette that never gets old. Oh, and the brawler gameplay is a stack of fun as well.

3

Dragon’s Crown Pro

A Painterly Take On Sword And Sorcery Brawlers

Calling Dragon’s Crown Pro a beat ‘em up feels like calling Super Metroid a platformer. There is so much more going on with this fantasy-action RPG, least of all its ethereal painterly art style.

Dragon’s Crown excels because of the way it completely revolutionizes the sword-and-sorcery gameplay of older brawlers like Golden Axe. The deeper you explore Dragon’s Crown Pro, the more engaged you become with its undeniably satisfying gameplay loop, from its roster of fascinating classes to its vast array of dungeons and boss fights.

2

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

A TMNT Beat ‘Em Up Worthy Of A Cowabunga

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge felt like the triumphant return of one of the genre’s stalwart series. Everything about this game — from its stunning pixel visuals to its expansive character roster — feels like a love letter to fans of the TMNT games of old while still making the necessary innovations to attract a modern audience.

Shredder’s Revenge contains some of the most bombastic levels in any PS4 or PS5 beat ‘em up, and the ability to have up to six people playing at once only elevates the chaotic fun to new heights.

1

Streets Of Rage 4

Proof That Sometimes The Wait Is Absolutely Worth It

Streets of Rage 4 is not just the best beat ‘em up on PS4 and PS5, but possibly the most polished game the genre has ever seen. Every aspect of the game feels so lovingly crafted. It reflects a development team who truly cared about the original series but was also dedicated to making this fourth entry the best possible.

Streets of Rage 4 has almost everything you could ask for from a great beat ‘em up: incredibly satisfying combos, a memorable setting, and loads of replayability as both a single and multiplayer experience.