The Best Beat-em-up Games for Nintendo Switch

Update, : PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe added at rank #18.
1

River City Girls 2 (2022)

View Similar Games
79
Review score
Logo of River City Girls 2 Screenshot of River City Girls 2 Screenshot of River City Girls 2 Screenshot of River City Girls 2

Xbox One PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X

Get ready for an all-new adventure with River City Girls 2! Team up with friends for local or online co-op and pound punks with new abilities including guard-crush attacks and lift-off combos. Level up to earn new moves, buy items, and recruit defeated foes and hired heavies to help you along the way. With enhanced combat, bigger areas to explore, surprise cameos, and an epic soundtrack, you'll be brawling until your enemies yell "BARF!"

Buy

Pros:
  • Side quests include mini-games for diversity
  • Multiplayer options available for local and online play
  • Destructible background objects for added fun
  • Offers solid beat 'em up mechanics with light RPG mechanics
  • Unique enemy recruitment system that allows players to personalize their play style
Cons:
  • Unbalanced boss battles
  • Lack of enemy variety
  • Technical issues with FPS and multiplayer

  • beat-em-up
  • brawler
  • anime
  • cooperative
  • pixel
  • boss
  • rpg
  • fight
  • local
  • collectathon
  • comic
  • boss-fight
  • arts
  • action
  • book

2

Streets of Rage 4 (2020)

View Similar Games
90
Review score
Logo of Streets of Rage 4 Screenshot of Streets of Rage 4 Screenshot of Streets of Rage 4 Screenshot of Streets of Rage 4

Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 PC Windows Mac OS Linux stadia IOS iPhone Android

Streets of Rage 4 is the long awaited fourth entry into the classic Sega franchise. It features a blend of old and new, with classic characters such as Axel and Adam Hunter returning alongside a new main character, Cherry. All characters have unique playstyles, from Axel's powerful punches to Cherry's speedy strikes. There are tons of unlockables to discover and it has an amazing soundtrack.

Buy

Pros:
  • Satisfying combat
  • Incredible music and visuals
  • Tons to unlock
  • Simple yet rewarding combat mechanics
Cons:
  • Lack of 4 player online
  • Occasionally too easy to get cornered

  • brawler
  • boss
  • cooperative
  • beat-em-up
  • combo
  • retro
  • classic
  • side-scrolling
  • fight
  • old-school
  • arcade
  • online
  • hand-drawn
  • crime
  • combat

3

The friends of Ringo Ishikawa (2018)

View Similar Games
100
Review score
Logo of The friends of Ringo Ishikawa Screenshot of The friends of Ringo Ishikawa Screenshot of The friends of Ringo Ishikawa Screenshot of The friends of Ringo Ishikawa

Xbox One Mac OS Nintendo Switch PC Windows

The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa is a unique and inscrutable narrative-brawler that explores the lives of high school seniors contemplating their future after graduation. You play as Ringo and take part in 2D brawler-style combat, buy food and books to replenish your health and stamina, attend classes, study, work part-time jobs and train at the gym.

Buy

Pros:
  • Unique experience full of freedom
  • Cool pixelated graphical style
  • Atmospheric soundtrack
  • Discover routines in the town
  • Follow them and learn different actions you can take
Cons:
  • No tutorials or hints provided
  • No world map or quest markers given
  • Combat could feel more responsive

  • beat-em-up
  • brawler
  • 1980s
  • martial
  • arts
  • rpg
  • open-world
  • pixel
  • scroller
  • atmospheric
  • drama
  • sandbox
  • anime
  • brawler-type
  • 2d

4

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 (2020)

View Similar Games
91
Review score
Logo of ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 Screenshot of ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 Screenshot of ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 Screenshot of ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4

ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 is the latest evolution of PIRATE WARRIORS action! Based on the concept of "experiencing a real ONE PIECE battlefield," buildings will come crashing down during the action and attacks will throw up smoke and dust, placing you in the thick of the ONE PIECE world!


  • beat-em-up
  • anime
  • pirates
  • hack-and-slash
  • split-screen
  • pvp
  • fight
  • cooperative
  • musou

5

Final Vendetta (2022)

View Similar Games
74
Review score
Logo of Final Vendetta Screenshot of Final Vendetta Screenshot of Final Vendetta Screenshot of Final Vendetta

Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Linux

Final Vendetta is an arcade-style throwback inspired by the 16 and 32-bit-era of gaming. It features large, gorgeously animated character sprites, true-to-the-era hand-drawn pixel art backgrounds and timeless old school flourishes. Perfectly combining elements from Final Fight and Streets of Rage 2 with generous dashes of NEO GEO style, Final Vendetta is a master class in kicking ass!


Pros:
  • Classic visuals and gameplay
  • Coop play for up to two players
  • Challenging bosses
Cons:
  • Limited lives on Easy or Hard mode
  • Some cheap enemy attacks and grabs

  • beat-em-up
  • arcade
  • boss
  • pixel
  • classic
  • brawler
  • old-school
  • soundtrack
  • fight
  • side-scrolling
  • retro
  • combo
  • cooperative
  • scroller
  • arts

6

Jitsu Squad (2022)

View Similar Games
81
Review score
Logo of Jitsu Squad Screenshot of Jitsu Squad Screenshot of Jitsu Squad Screenshot of Jitsu Squad

Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows

Jitsu Squad is a four-player co-op fighting game inspired by the Marvel vs Capcom series. The players take on the role of four heroes on a mission to thwart an evil sorcerer’s ambitions and retrieve a powerful demon's soul stone. With beautiful hand-drawn visuals and an over-the-top chop socky soundtrack, this game will have you feeling like you're playing in one of your favorite Saturday morning cartoons.


Pros:
  • Varied characters
  • Super transformations and screen filling super attacks
  • Visually stunning graphics
  • Entertaining soundtrack
  • Variety of enemies and bosses
Cons:
  • Difficulty distinguishing between characters in multiplayer mode
  • Limited number of puzzles
  • Not difficult even at the end

  • ninja
  • beat-em-up
  • 1990s
  • scroller
  • cooperative
  • hack-and-slash
  • fight
  • character
  • swordplay
  • 2d
  • comedy
  • superhero
  • old-school
  • retro
  • linear

7

9 Monkeys of Shaolin (2020)

View Similar Games
78
Review score
Logo of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin Screenshot of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin Screenshot of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin Screenshot of 9 Monkeys of Shaolin

PC Windows Xbox Series X Mac OS Linux Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4

9 Monkeys of Shaolin is a beat-em-up game with deep combat mechanics and varied level designs. The story follows Daokong, a man who joins a Shaolin order to seek revenge on the Japanese pirates that attacked his village. With generous parries, special attacks, seal moves and skill points to customize your abilities, you will feel like an unstoppable warrior!

Buy

Pros:
  • Deep combat mechanics
  • Varied level design
  • Generous parries and special attacks
  • Plenty of voice acting options
Cons:
  • Relatively short runtime
  • By-the-numbers plot

  • cooperative
  • beat-em-up
  • martial
  • fight
  • pirates
  • side-scrolling
  • local
  • brawler
  • online
  • ninja
  • arts
  • combat
  • old-school
  • hack-and-slash
  • action

8

River City Girls Zero (2022)

View Similar Games
73
Review score
Logo of River City Girls Zero Screenshot of River City Girls Zero Screenshot of River City Girls Zero Screenshot of River City Girls Zero

Xbox One PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X

River City Girls Zero is a spin-off of the Kunio-kun franchise where you play as Misako and Kyoko, fighting their way to rescue Kunio and Riki. Featuring great visuals, superb character designs, and a fantastic soundtrack, River City Girls Zero offers local co-op support with extras like manga-style animated self-aware cutscenes, an opening video, new music and more.

Buy

Pros:
  • Great visuals
  • Superb character designs
  • Fantastic soundtrack
  • Local co-op support
  • Extras like manga-style animated cutscenes
  • New music
Cons:
  • No difficulty modes
  • No online play
  • Limited display options for aspect ratios

  • beat-em-up
  • cooperative
  • brawler
  • anime
  • action-translated
  • spin-kicking
  • pixel
  • fight
  • local
  • boss
  • motorbike
  • crime
  • retro
  • combat
  • classic

9

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms (2022)

View Similar Games
72
Review score
Logo of River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Screenshot of River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Screenshot of River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Screenshot of River City Saga: Three Kingdoms

Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch PC Windows

River City Saga: Three Kingdoms is a modern take on the classic River City Ransom series, combining it with Romance of the Three Kindgoms to create an exciting beat-em-up adventure. Fight your way through hordes of enemies and upgrade your character with weapons, food, armor or special moves by visiting stores in towns. Interact with NPCs and progress through a six chapter story full of dialogue and comedic timing. Enjoy local or online co-op for up to two players and bonus modes like China Heroes.


Pros:
  • Fun beat-em-up gameplay
  • Upgradeable characters
  • Local or online co-op for up to two players
  • Bonus modes like China Heroes
  • Full gallery with character bios and music gallery
Cons:
  • Clunky controls
  • Difficult platforming levels in some areas
  • Very long story dialogue

  • beat-em-up
  • spectacle
  • 2d
  • historical
  • old-school
  • destruction
  • brawler
  • fight
  • platform
  • comedy
  • retro
  • pve
  • family-friendly
  • anime
  • controller-support

10

River City Girls (2019)

View Similar Games
100
Review score
Logo of River City Girls Screenshot of River City Girls Screenshot of River City Girls Screenshot of River City Girls

PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch Playstation 5

Step into the shoes of Kyoko or Misako in River City Girls, a beat 'em up extravaganza! With its vibrant pixel-art, riveting manga story panels, and catchy synth-pop soundtrack, you'll enjoy every punch, kick, and combo you unleash on the bad guys. This wild, action-packed adventure is a nostalgic trip filled with humor, stunning art, and epic gameplay.


Pros:
  • Excellent quality OST and pixel graphics
  • Hilarious writing with matching voice acting
  • Fun co-op mode
  • Beautiful hand-drawn animated cutscenes
  • Engaging gameplay and music atmosphere
Cons:
  • Poor AI leading to repetitive combat
  • Slow recovery of downed enemies disrupts combo flow
  • Limited DPS through aerial combos
  • Lack of control customization

  • brawler
  • cooperative
  • anime
  • beat-em-up
  • fight
  • boss
  • pixel
  • boss-fight
  • rpg
  • local
  • retro
  • couch
  • combat
  • side-scrolling
  • classic

Not seeing your game?