Best Beat 'em up games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated beat 'em up games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free beat 'em up games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition
The smash-hit stylish action game DMC4 is back and better than ever, boasting new playable characters and game modes!
Kung Fury: Street Rage - Ultimate Edition
The original epic introduction to the eternal KUNG FURY beat ‘em up saga. New stages, and the Hackademy. Both THE ARCADE STRIKES BACK and the A DAY AT THE BEACH campaign.
AKIBA'S TRIP: Undead ＆ Undressed
In Tokyo’s popular ”Electric Town” district, Akihabara, vampires called “Synthisters” walk among us. You must identify and dispose of them the only way you know how – by engaging them in hand-to-hand combat in order to strip them of their clothes so their bodies melt away in the sunlight.
Guns, Gore & Cannoli
Guns, Gore & Cannoli - An over-the-top, comical and fast-paced action game with hand-drawn graphics set in the Roaring Twenties. An all-you-can-shoot fest where you embody Vinnie, a mobster with a mission in a city controlled by gangsters and plagued by zombies. Featuring up to 4-man local co-op.
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow is a fighting game that mixes elements of RPG, simulation and arcade, in an explosive combination to relieve the Beat'em up genre!
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 Empires
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 Empires is part of the "Empires" series, in which you aim to conquer ancient China using both strategy and the one warrior versus one thousand tactical action the WARRIORS series is known for.
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE revisits famous battles from the series through your custom Avatar and other classic characters. New features include the mysterious Toki Toki City, new gameplay mechanics, new animations and many other amazing features!
Magical Battle Festa
TEOS, an agency of holy mages, holds a tournament to find the best magic users in the world to take on a dark threat looming on the horizon. Choose your mage and take to the arena in this fast-paced competitive fighting game that mixes troop formations and fast action.
Guilty Gear X2 #Reload
As humanity endeavored to better themselves, they created the biological marvel known as Gears. Originally intended as the next step of human evolution, they were instead fitted for war and turned against their own creators.
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
The definitive version of the smash hit Metroidvania-style action-platformer, Guacamelee! STCE adds new levels, powers, challenges and refinements to the sprawling, ridiculous, Mexican-inspired adventure of the original Guacamelee! Gold Edition.
Ultra Street Fighter® IV
The world’s greatest fighting game evolves to a whole new level with Ultra Street Fighter IV.
Abyss Odyssey
From indie Chilean developer ACE Team comes a new side-scrolling action adventure game featuring a complex fighting engine in procedurally generated levels that destines its three warriors to battle a different abyss each time! Choose your hero and also learn to possess your enemies in the abyss…
Killer is Dead - Nightmare Edition
Get ready for some seriously stylish action from renowned designer SUDA51. In this exclusive version for PC, players will be slicing, dicing, and shooting as the suave executioner Mondo Zappa. Prepare for the thrill of love and kill in KILLER IS DEAD!
Retro Game Crunch
Retro Game Crunch is a series of 7 games, full of the charm and challenge of the 8-bit generation. Each world feels like an authentic NES classic. A massive genre-spanning collection.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition
"Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends" introduces entirely new levels of fun to the refreshing gameplay vanquishing swarms of enemies with mighty warriors found in "Dynasty Warriors 8."
YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z
Step into a living comic book in this new take on the Ninja Gaiden series. Brandishing his ninja sword and the mecha weapons in his cyber arm, Yaiba slaughters zombies with brutal, over-the-top abandon. Will you slice enemies to pieces, crush them with Yaiba's cyborg arm or just rip off a zombie’s arms to use as nunchucks?
Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae
Take on the role of a warrior maiden forced to hunt down her best friend, who has stolen a sacred demon blade. Immerse yourself in the tale of a deadly feud between two old friends and the demonic sword tearing them apart―told through high-speed action!
Vanguard Princess
Vanguard Princess is a classic 2D fighting game that features an all-female cast each with its own unique fighting style. Choose from ten girls and pair them with a powerful partner to form an unstoppable team. Navigate their journeies in Story Mode or engage in head-to-head battles in Versus Mode.
One Finger Death Punch
Experience cinematic kung-fu battles in the fastest, most intense brawler the indie world has ever seen! With the unique 1:1 response system of One Finger Death Punch, players will feel the immediate feedback of every bone-crunching hit. Pay tribute to the masters using five classic kung-fu styles mixed with additional weapons.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
The first hi-res 2D fighter from the creators of the Guilty Gear series! BlazBlue is a traditional 2D fighter where two characters participate in a duel.
Reaper - Tale of a Pale Swordsman
Enter the world ripe with magic and monsters. Become the Black Swordsman and slay thousands of enemies in an epic action RPG!
Double Dragon: Neon
BRO-TACULAR! Legendary martial artists, Billy and Jimmy Lee return in this creative re-imagining of the classic beat ‘em up, Double Dragon Neon. Fight your way through countless henchmen including Linda and Abobo on your way to rescue the love of your life, Marian!
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action!
Aces Wild is a fast-paced, hardcore, aerial beat 'em up!Engage in insane aerial martial arts combat against countless opponents!It utilizes a 'Wild Meter' which increases the power of your attacks butalso makes enemies more aggressive!
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE
Developed by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory with an all-new action experience. The game seamlessly melds pure action and epic story-telling that surrounds Raiden – a child soldier transformed into a half-human, half-cyborg ninja who...Most played beat 'em up games on Steam
Take a look at the top beat 'em up games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 19th 2025.
1. Yakuza 0
SEGA’s legendary Japanese series finally comes to PC. Fight like hell through Tokyo and Osaka as junior yakuza Kiryu and Majima. Take a front row seat to 1980s life in Japan in an experience unlike anything else in video gaming, with uncapped framerates and 4K resolutions. A legend is born. Yakuza 0 is a story rich, action and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on August 01st 2018 has received 72,834 reviews of which 69,648 were positive and 3,186 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played beat 'em up game, thanks to its 929 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.4
69,648
3,186
929
players
2. Castle Crashers®
Hack, slash, and smash your way to victory in this award winning 2D arcade adventure from The Behemoth! Castle Crashers® is a 2d, online co-op and co-op game developed and published by The Behemoth. Released on September 26th 2012 has received 124,696 reviews of which 119,881 were positive and 4,815 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 803 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among beat 'em up games based on player count.
9.5
119,881
4,815
803
players
3. Sifu
Sifu is a realistic third-person brawler with tight Kung Fu combat mechanics and cinematic martial arts action embarking you on a path for revenge. Sifu is a action, martial arts and difficult game developed by Sloclap and published by Sloclap and Kepler Interactive. Released on March 28th 2023 has received 20,184 reviews of which 18,665 were positive and 1,519 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. While seeing 425 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among beat 'em up games based on player count.
9.0
18,665
1,519
425
players
4. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,113 reviews of which 2,106 were positive and 1,007 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 386 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
6.6
2,106
1,007
386
players
5. Yakuza Kiwami
SEGA’s critically-acclaimed entry that started a legend. Become Kazuma Kiryu, an up-and-coming yakuza who takes the fall for the murder of a crime boss, only to emerge from prison ten years later to a changed world. Remastered from the ground up, now in 4K and uncapped framerates on PC. Yakuza Kiwami is a action, story rich and adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on February 19th 2019 has received 21,522 reviews of which 20,103 were positive and 1,419 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 352 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.1
20,103
1,419
352
players
6. Yakuza Kiwami 2
Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, must face the ambitious Ryuji Goda, the Dragon of Kansai, in an all-out war between two rival yakuza clans. An extreme recreation of one of Yakuza’s most beloved entries, now in stunning 4K and unlocked framerates. There can be only one dragon. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a action, story rich and rpg game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on May 09th 2019 has received 16,410 reviews of which 15,636 were positive and 774 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 304 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.3
15,636
774
304
players
7. Dungeon Fighter Online
Get ready for the ultimate brawl! Dungeon Fighter Online is a classic beat-em up 2D action game with an epic storyline and RPG elements! Choose from 17 diverse classes, and unravel ancient mysteries as you punch, slash, shoot, or summon your way to victory! Dungeon Fighter Online is a free to play, anime and rpg game developed and published by Neople. Released on August 09th 2016 has received 5,488 reviews of which 3,369 were positive and 2,119 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. With 270 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
6.1
3,369
2,119
270
players
8. Yakuza 5 Remastered
Get ready for a Yakuza experience of unprecedented scale! Follow five characters across five Japanese cities, each trying to achieve their dream. The connections between them bring them together, but the conflict that unfolds is nothing any of them could have predicted. Yakuza 5 Remastered is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on January 28th 2021 has received 6,200 reviews of which 5,544 were positive and 656 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 239 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
8.7
5,544
656
239
players
9. Lost Judgment
When a police officer discloses the murder of the student teacher who bullied his son to suicide, the twisted secrets of a Yokohama, high school bleed out. Nothing, in this case, is black and white. Lost Judgment is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on September 14th 2022 has received 7,390 reviews of which 6,989 were positive and 401 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 221 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.2
6,989
401
221
players
10. Judgment
Fight for the truth and uncover the twisted crime running deep beneath the surface of Tokyo. In this legal thriller , the balance between justice and mercy teeters on the edge. Judgment is a action, adventure and beat 'em up game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by SEGA. Released on September 14th 2022 has received 9,477 reviews of which 8,949 were positive and 528 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 219 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.2
8,949
528
219
players
Best deals on beat 'em up games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of beat 'em up games available on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted beat 'em up games.
1. Bravery and Greed
Bravery and Greed is a beat 'em up, roguelite, dungeon brawler for up to four players. Choose from four classic fantasy classes, engage in a deep robust combat system, and play a variety of co-operative and competitive game modes with friends via local, online or both. Get rich, or die trying! Bravery and Greed is a multiplayer, rogue-lite and hack and slash game developed by Rekka Games and published by Team17. Released on November 15th 2022 has received 864 reviews of which 665 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.3 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for beat 'em up category.
7.3
665
199
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Zombie Vikings
From the creators of indie smash hit Stick It to The Man! comes a new one to four-player co-op stab-you-in-the-gut-a-thon. Embark on a dead funny adventure with the Zombie Vikings. A putrid posse sent on a mission through the most epic of worlds to retrieve Odin’s lost eye. Zombie Vikings is a action, adventure and local co-op game developed and published by Zoink Games. Released on December 07th 2015 has received 397 reviews of which 313 were positive and 84 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 92% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in beat 'em up games.
7.4
313
84
-92%
11.99€
0.95€
3. Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues
Choose a side, master your moves, and embrace your destiny in an epic beat 'em up adventure inspired by the hit show. Take control of 8 playable characters with deep movesets, combos, progression, real-time character swaps, ultimate attacks, and much more! Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues is a beat 'em up, martial arts and 2d fighter game developed by Flux Games and published by GameMill Entertainment. Released on January 05th 2021 has received 563 reviews of which 464 were positive and 99 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in beat 'em up games.
7.8
464
99
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
4. Megabyte Punch
Megabyte Punch is a fighting/beat ‘em up game in which you build your own fighter! As you travel through different environments, you battle other creatures to get their parts. Parts have their own powers and bonuses, like gun arms for a shoot ability or powerful hips for a devastating pelvic thrust attack. Megabyte Punch is a adventure, local multiplayer and platformer game developed and published by Team Reptile. Released on October 15th 2013 has received 1,106 reviews of which 993 were positive and 113 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 88% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.5
993
113
-88%
13.83€
1.66€
5. Troublemaker
Grab a backpack, boxing tape, and focus on what high school is all about: Beating the ever loving crap out of one another! Troublemaker blends favorite action-adventure-beat-'em-up elements from the strongest traditions in the genre. Troublemaker is a adventure, beat 'em up and action rpg game developed by Gamecom Team and published by indie.io. Released on March 31st 2023 has received 960 reviews of which 849 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 87% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.4
849
111
-87%
18.46€
2.40€
6. Going Under
Going Under is a satirical dungeon crawler about exploring the cursed ruins of failed tech startups. As an unpaid intern in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia, you’ll wield office junk as weaponry as you make your way through the offbeat procedural dungeons beneath your company campus. Going Under is a action roguelike, dungeon crawler and beat 'em up game developed by Aggro Crab and published by Team17 Digital. Released on September 24th 2020 has received 3,683 reviews of which 3,347 were positive and 336 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.7
3,347
336
-86%
19.57€
2.74€
7. Unruly Heroes
LET'S KUNG FU THEM ALL! Play solo or co-op and take control of four unlikely heroes that battle a diverse lineup of enemies, show off your Kung-Fu skills and journey west across stunning different environments in order to hunt for the scattered remnants of the Sacred Scroll. Unruly Heroes is a action-adventure, beat 'em up and action game developed and published by Magic Design Studios. Released on January 23rd 2019 has received 936 reviews of which 708 were positive and 228 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.2
708
228
-86%
20.43€
2.86€
8. Final Exam
Jump into the frenzied action and the whacky humor of a pure 2.5D side-scroller! While they were going to their old high school for what was supposed to be the party of their life, four long-time friends end up in a ghost town full of monstrous creatures. Final Exam is a action, indie and co-op game developed by Mighty Rocket Studio and published by Focus Entertainment. Released on November 05th 2013 has received 1,247 reviews of which 1,051 were positive and 196 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.0
1,051
196
-85%
4.99€
0.74€
9. Mr. Shifty
Teleport, shift through bullets, and master lightning-fast takedowns in an all new kind of action game from tinyBuild and Team Shifty! Mr. Shifty is a action, indie and adventure game developed by Team Shifty and published by tinyBuild. Released on April 13th 2017 has received 1,678 reviews of which 1,479 were positive and 199 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.4
1,479
199
-84%
14.88€
2.38€
10. Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle
Relive the glory days of cooperative arcade games with the Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle! This comprehensive collection includes seven classic titles, each with various multiplayer options and online capabilities! Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle is a beat 'em up, arcade and action game developed and published by CAPCOM Co. and Ltd.. Released on October 10th 2018 has received 1,315 reviews of which 1,150 were positive and 165 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.3
1,150
165
-84%
19.88€
3.18€
Free beat 'em up games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play beat 'em up games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 19th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play beat 'em up games.
1. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,113 reviews of which 2,106 were positive and 1,007 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 386 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free beat 'em up games on Steam.
6.6
2,106
1,007
386
players
2. Dungeon Fighter Online
Get ready for the ultimate brawl! Dungeon Fighter Online is a classic beat-em up 2D action game with an epic storyline and RPG elements! Choose from 17 diverse classes, and unravel ancient mysteries as you punch, slash, shoot, or summon your way to victory! Dungeon Fighter Online is a free to play, anime and rpg game developed and published by Neople. Released on August 09th 2016 has received 5,488 reviews of which 3,369 were positive and 2,119 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 270, this beat 'em up game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free beat 'em up games on Steam.
6.1
3,369
2,119
270
players
3. Arisen Force: Life Devotee
Enjoy a free-to-play, stylish action combat experience as you explore a chapter storylines from Journey to the West. Arisen Force: Life Devotee is a action, action rpg and beat 'em up game developed and published by Lemport. Released on November 24th 2024 has received 1,827 reviews of which 1,771 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
9.2
1,771
56
45
players
4. Rumble Club
Punch your friends for free! Battle solo or squad up in clumsy chaos across an ever-changing slate of game modes with up to 20 players. Rumble Club is a co-op, multiplayer and battle royale game developed and published by Lightfox Games and Inc.. Released on April 23rd 2024 has received 674 reviews of which 537 were positive and 137 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
7.6
537
137
12
players
5. Holo X Break
Fight your way through endless waves of holoX's minions! Gear up with all sorts of equipment and items in this action packed beat-em-up to reach the 5 bosses of hololive's "holoX", and put a stop to their plans! Holo X Break is a action, beat 'em up and pixel graphics game developed by KayAnimate and published by holo Indie. Released on March 29th 2024 has received 2,600 reviews of which 2,250 were positive and 350 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.3
2,250
350
10
players
6. KIBORG: Arena
Fight for cash and glory in a prison planet’s Coliseum in this free prologue to KIBORG, the fast-paced action rogue-lite with brutal, cybernetic-enhanced combat. KIBORG: Arena is a action roguelike, hack and slash and beat 'em up game developed and published by Sobaka Studio. Released on August 13th 2024 has received 398 reviews of which 344 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.0
344
54
1
players
7. Fights in Tight Spaces (Prologue)
Play the first mission of Fights in Tight Spaces for free! A stylish blend of deck-building, turn-based tactics, and thrilling fight sequences in action-movie settings. Learn to balance your hand, momentum, and positioning to overcome the odds to defeat your adversaries. Full game OUT NOW. Fights in Tight Spaces (Prologue) is a deckbuilding, strategy and turn-based tactics game developed by Ground Shatter and published by Raw Fury. Released on December 14th 2020 has received 809 reviews of which 761 were positive and 48 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.8
761
48
8. Metamorphos
Take on the role of the temple’s guardian, awakened to cleanse the temple from an evil force corrupting it. Fight and dodge your way through a series of corrupted denizens, wildlife, and guardians to confront Nafaset, the Defiler, and restore the blessed oases. Metamorphos is a hack and slash, souls-like and beat 'em up game developed by Spicy Dice Studios and published by DigiPen Institute of Technology. Released on May 08th 2021 has received 451 reviews of which 359 were positive and 92 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
7.5
359
92