What is a beat 'em up?

It's the same formula since the 80s; the principle of the good old beat 'em up remains the same: a 2D game, a fixed horizontal scrolling, characters with distinct looks and fighting styles, and endless waves of enemies who balance their mindless aggression with overwhelming numbers.

The character or characters you control defend themselves by punching, by using their reflexes, and by performing 'combos' while sometimes showing strategic thinking. Those are, at least, the original mechanics of the genre, which have obviously evolved a lot since. A soft-RPG aspect quickly came to give breath to mechanics that were sometimes a bit simplistic. We now include in this category some action-adventure games that are a little brutish but very beautiful like Ryse Son of Rome.

Back in the early 1980s, Beat them all were arcade games like others, but the passion for these adrenaline-fueled games exploded in 1987 thanks to a series of titles, major at the time, cult classics today, the Double Dragon series. One of the titles you simply must have played if you want to claim you know gaming!

Then this genre invaded home consoles such as Hammerin' Harry on NES, which mixes beat them all and platforming, becoming a true collectible title nowadays. The cartridges for this game are currently worth several hundred Euros!

Beat them all evolved toward 3D with technological advances like the Astérix XXL series, real best-sellers in France in 2020 or the already cult game Extinction.

Despite its age, the beat them all is not a genre on the verge of disappearing. On the contrary, never have we seen so many successful licenses based on these retro mechanics in the last decade, with two very recent games: the very retro Slaps and Beans and the very pretty Samurai Riot. Both faithful to arcade games. Proof that we still love arcade-style games that don't require deep thinking but quick reflexes! The wheel keeps turning.

Anima: Gate of Memories

Dive deeper into the world of the great RPG, Anima: Beyond Fantasy. A world combining medieval, gothic, and fantasy elements, in which a religious order protects humanity from the forces of darkness. Gate of Memories is an innovative action J-RPG featuring a high-quality narrative that blends the platform, puzzle, and action genres, all with some truly unique artistic direction.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Badland Publishing

Developer: Anima Project

Type : Action, Fighting, Strategy – RPG, Challenging, Teens
Subtitles / Interface : French, English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 20h
Difficulty : medium
Rating : Destructoid : 8/10
The commands are indicated in the game options.
Loading times on this game can take longer than usual.

Play for Free

Ryse: Son of Rome

One of the best-looking games of the decade. Get ready to be immersed in a Rome bathed in fire and blood. The environments are breathtaking to behold, and your inner centurion will be more than satisfied! You can expect plenty of tactical, pacy combat. If you enjoyed the Spartan kills in 300 and the duels in Gladiator, you’ll be more than happy here. An amazing game!

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Crytek

Developer: Crytek

Type : Action, Fighting, Strategy – RPG, Popular games
Audio : English
Subtitles / Interface : English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 9h
Difficulty : medium
Rating :

Games Beat : 86/100
Worth Playing : 8,3/10

The commands are indicated in the game options.
Online multiplayer mode is not available at the moment.
Loading times on this game can take longer than usual.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn

In this decidedly light-hearted beat ’em all, you play as Shaquille O’Neal, one of the greatest basketball players of all time and now… a martial arts master. Jam-packed with references and jibes, Shaq-Fu is an intuitive game that’s easy to pick up and play. And definitely make sure you don’t miss the special chapter with Barak Obama, Barak-Fu. Hilarious!

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Mad Dog Games

Developer: Big Deez Productions

Copyright: © 2018 Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn. Developed by Big Deez Productions and published by Mad Dog Games, LLC. Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn is a registered trademark of Big Deez Productions. All rights reserved.

Type : Fighting, Action, Arcade, Teens, Funny, Popular games
Audio : English
Subtitles / Interface : English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 3h
Difficulty : medium
Rating : Nintendo Life : 7/10
The commands are indicated in the game options.
A gamepad is strongly recommended for an optimal gaming experience.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Bud Spencer & Terence Hill - Slaps And Beans

Heads up fans of Spaghetti Westerns: this 2D retro game is a real vintage gem… Sure to be a hit with anyone who remembers the ’70s and ’80s. From the American West to Miami, the game is made up of fight sequences in which you need to lay down the law with easy to master combos, interspersed with platforming sections and minigames. 100% arcade action.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Buddy Productions GmbH

Developer: Trinity Team SRL

Type : Arcade, Action, Co-op, Fighting, Funny, Multiplayer, Retro, Parents, Teens
Subtitles / Interface : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Danish, Chinese, Japanese
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 4h
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
Rating : Nintendo Life : 8/10
The commands are indicated in the game options.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Asterix & Obelix XXL: Romastered

18 years after it was first released, Asterix & Obelix XXL Romastered is here with another chance to play the first instalment in what became an iconic series. It's got modernised graphics, and a neat new feature: you can switch between the original 4:3 format at the 16:9 remaster whenever the mood takes you. Sometimes you’ll even have to switch between eras to make progress. Original and fun.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Microids

Developer: OSome Studio

Copyright: Asterix® - Obelix® - Idefix® / © 2020 Les Éditions Albert René / Goscinny – Uderzo © 2020 Microids SA. All rights reserved. Published by Microids SA. Developed by OSome Studio. All rights reserved.

Type : Arcade, Action, Fighting, Kids, Platformer, Teens, Popular games
Audio : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Subtitles / Interface : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 11h
Difficulty : medium
The commands are indicated in the game options.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Asterix & Obelix XXL 2

Our irreducible Gauls are back to rescue Panoramix (again). To do so, you’ll need to solve simple puzzles as well as, of course, sending legionnaires flying by the XII! The gameplay is straightforward and the puzzles won’t give you a headache, so it’s the perfect game to help you unwind. See if you can spot the references to Pacman, Sonic, and Splinter Cell… Keep your eyes peeled!

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Microids

Developer: OSome Studio

Copyright: Asterix® - Obelix® - Ideﬁx® / © 2018 Les Éditions Albert René / Goscinny – Uderzo ©2018 Anuman Interactive SA. Published by Anuman Interactive SA. Microïds is a registered trademark of Anuman Interactive SA. All rights reserved. Developed by Osome Studio.

Type : Arcade, Action, Fighting, Kids, Platformer, Teens, Popular games
Audio : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian
Subtitles / Interface : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Chinese, Korean
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 10h
Difficulty : medium
Rating : Playstation Lifestyle : 7/10
The commands are indicated in the game options.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 - The Crystal Menhir

While the third instalment is primarily about dishing out slaps, gratuitous violence won’t always be the best solution. Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 is also about puzzles and outlandish challenges, and you’ll need to prove your dexterity and wits to overcome certain obstacles. Fortunately, there’s a two-player co-op mode that makes the game, just like the potion, magic!

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Microids

Developer: OSome Studio

Type : Co-op, Action, Arcade, Family, Fighting, Kids, Multiplayer, Teens, Popular games
Audio : English, French, German, Italian, Russian
Subtitles / Interface : English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 10h
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
The commands are indicated in the game options.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Die For Valhalla

Set off to conquer Scandinavia in this game that’s a cross between a beat ’em all and a rogue-lite! Dispatch hordes of enemies by rushing in headlong, or observe their weak points before wiping them out: the choice is yours! One thing is certain, Odin’s Kingdom is waiting for you!

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Monster Couch

Developer: Monster Couch

Type : Fighting, Action, Arcade, Co-op, Indie, Multiplayer, Strategy – RPG, Teens
Audio : English
Subtitles / Interface : English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 7h
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 to 4 Players
Rating :

The Xbox Hub : 4/5
Nintendo World Report : 7,5/10
Nintendo Life : 7/10
Game Spew : 7/10

The commands are indicated in the game options.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Samurai Riot

A real homage to the beat ’em alls of the 1980s (think Double Dragon), this French game is a real gem. You’ll be playing as two warriors with very different fighting styles: one a nimble ninja, the other a powerful samurai. You’ll also be asked to make moral choices, decisions which determine which level you’ll play next. It’s also great to look at and 100% hand-drawn.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: Wako Factory

Developer: Wako Factory

Type : Fighting, Action, Co-op, Indie, Multiplayer, Teens
Audio : English
Subtitles / Interface : French, English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 8h
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
Rating : Movies Games And Tech : 7/10
The commands are indicated in the game options.
A gamepad is strongly recommended for an optimal gaming experience.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Double Dragon Trilogy

This beat ’em all harkens back to the good old days when video game arcades were still a popular destination. This is your chance to complete the three instalments in the cult '80s/'90s trilogy. There’s no convoluted combos to memorise here, just a good old-fashioned punch up.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: DotEmu

Developer: DotEmu

Type : Retro, Arcade, Action
Subtitles / Interface : French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Total duration : 3h
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
Rating : Kick My Geek : 8/10

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Blade Master

This game will be a hit with fans of retrogaming. It’s the classic story where you need to rescue a young woman who’s been kidnapped by the bad guys. It’s a trip down memory lane that will take you right back to the 1980s.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: DotEmu

Developer: DotEmu

Type : Retro, Action
Subtitles / Interface : English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Difficulty : hard
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
To insert coins, please press the "C" key on your keyboard or the "Start" button on your gamepad.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Hammerin' Harry

There’s nothing like a bit of nostalgia! Hammerin’ Harry is a retro game that’s hugely popular in Japan. It’s a gentler kind of Metal Slug that combines platform and action gaming. You play as a carpenter whose home has been demolished by the bad guys. Your job is to track them down and see that justice is served! Kids love this straightforward, fun game.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: DotEmu

Developer: DotEmu

Type : Retro, Arcade, Action
Subtitles / Interface : English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Competition, 2 Players, Round by round
To insert coins, please press the "C" key on your keyboard or the "Start" button on your gamepad.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free

Undercover Cops

An arcade game that remains loads of fun. In 2042, as Dr Clayborn is planning to drop a nuclear bomb on New York, three undercover cops arrive to arrest him. The game is split into five timed levels in which you’ll need to take out hordes of enemies before defeating a boss. The gameplay indulges in some of the purest brawling we’ve seen, and boy, does it feel good.

Age
Availability
Players
Playability

Publisher: DotEmu

Developer: DotEmu

Type : Retro, Arcade, Fighting, Action
Subtitles / Interface : English
Session duration : 10 - 30 minutes
Difficulty : medium
Multiplayer mode : Local, Cooperation, 2 Players
To insert coins, please press the "C" key on your keyboard or the "Start" (select) button on your gamepad.

Play instantly on all your screens

More than 1000 Games included in your subscription. No downloads. New titles added monthly.

Play for Free