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
Noitu Love 2: Devolution
A century after the legendary boy Noitu Love saved the world from the evil Darns, they rise again, but in a chaos of time-bending mayhem!
Blades of Time
Ayumi, the gorgeous gun and sword-wielding treasure hunter, sets out on a journey to an ancient island in search of new adventures. While rich in bounty, the island is also filled with the magic of Chaos, being at the same time home to blood thirsty monsters.
Shank 2
The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to...
DC Universe™ Online
DC Universe Online is a Free-to-Play, massive multiplayer online action game set in the popular DC Universe. Become one of a new breed of Heroes or Villains and wield incredible powers as you go to war with legendary characters such as Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor and The Joker.
Lugaru HD
Follow Turner, a rebel bunny rabbit with impressive combat skills in his quest to find those responsible for slaughtering his village. Uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving the corrupt leaders of the rabbit republic and the wolves of the nearby lands. Streamlined Combat: Gone are the days of combo memorization and button mashing.
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition
Experience what it’s like to be Batman and face off against Gotham's greatest villians. Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island.
STAR WARS™ - The Force Unleashed™ Ultimate Sith Edition
A game that will show gamers the deepest, darkest side of the Force in a story that puts them on a collision course with Luke Skywalker himself.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2
Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Part 2 delves further into the partnership of Rorschach and Nite Owl before the hero-banning Keene Act. It’s now June 1977, and any day now the passage of the Keene Act will outlaw all masked vigilantes not sanctioned by the government.
Alien Shooter
The endless darkness and the somber, long passages of a military complex have become the abode of evil, thousands of blood-thirsty creatures fill its offices, storehouses and mysterious laboratories. About 1,000 monsters on each map, showing up to 100 monsters simultaneously on one playing screen.
X-Blades
In X-Blades, the player takes on the role of the enchanting heroine Ayumi, who survives a breathtaking dance of blades through the Hordes of Darkness. The long-haired beautiful anime, with her pistol blades and mind-blowing leaps, whirls and swirls from one fantastic level to the next.
Zeno Clash
Zeno Clash is an action/fighting game set in a punk fantasy world. The game is played from a first person perspective and the combat is generally up close and brutal. Experience a deep storyline set in a fantastic world.
Watchmen: The End is Nigh
The lines between good and bad have been blurred and crime and terror run rampant in the streets. The alleys, rooftops and sewers are crawling with criminals and brutal gangs. And now, Underboss — in a daring escape — has broken out of prison and is ruling with vicious darkness.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 124,817 reviews of which 119,996 were positive and 4,821 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
119,996
4,821
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 21,595 reviews of which 20,174 were positive and 1,421 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
20,174
1,421
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 5,497 reviews of which 3,372 were positive and 2,125 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
3,372
2,125
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. Punch Club
Train hard, fight crocodiles and find love. Earn your place in the Punch Club ranks, and discover who brutally murdered your father, in this choose your own adventure boxing management tycoon. Punch Club is a management, pixel graphics and time management game developed by Lazy Bear Games and published by tinyBuild. Released on January 08th 2016 has received 14,739 reviews of which 11,874 were positive and 2,865 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in beat 'em up games.
7.9
11,874
2,865
-90%
10.20€
1.02€
4. 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. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.8
464
99
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
5. 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 #5 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.5
993
113
-88%
13.83€
1.66€
6. 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 #6 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.4
849
111
-87%
18.46€
2.40€
7. 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 #7 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.7
3,347
336
-86%
19.57€
2.74€
8. 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 #8 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.2
708
228
-86%
20.43€
2.86€
9. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons
The Double Dragon brothers return in this fresh addition to the iconic franchise. With roguelite elements, every playthrough is a chance at new action. Tag in with 2 of 4 starter characters or unlock 12 additional characters, each with their own special moves and playstyles. Online & Local Co-op. Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise Of The Dragons is a beat 'em up, local co-op and side scroller game developed by Secret Base and published by Maximum Entertainment and Joystick. Released on July 27th 2023 has received 1,051 reviews of which 897 were positive and 154 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.1
897
154
-85%
24.87€
3.73€
10. 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 #10 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.0
1,051
196
-85%
4.99€
0.74€
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 5,497 reviews of which 3,372 were positive and 2,125 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
3,372
2,125
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 2,601 reviews of which 2,252 were positive and 349 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
2,252
349
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