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
Midnight Fight Express
A former member of the criminal underworld is lured back into “the life” by a mysterious drone claiming they have until sunrise to prevent a citywide criminal takeover together.
Tribal Hunter
An action platformer with size-changing mechanics. Be quick and nimble or large and in-charge!
Sir Whoopass™: Immortal Death
WARNING: This game contains puns, dad jokes, flappy-bird-like-arcade-minigames, breaking of the 4th wall and jabs directed at tryhard-overly-serious-RPGS. Do not play if you hate FUN or would not like to strap in for a Hilarious quest for The Legendary Villain-Beating Artifact™.
Spark the Electric Jester 3
High speed 3D action platformer! Join Spark on his latest adventure.
Pulling No Punches
A classic 2D arcade action game animated frame by frame. Survive a fictional pandemic in a city filled with madness and denial.
MultiVersus
MultiVersus is a free-to-play platform fighter that brings the depth of iconic WB stars to life across the nearly endless possibilities of play.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge reunites Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael as they kick shell in a beautifully realized beat ’em up.
Final Vendetta
Final Vendetta is a hard-hitting action packed beat ‘em up in the vein of classic arcade titles. Featuring stunning pixel art and a thumping soundtrack with exclusive tracks from Utah Saints! Brawl with bad dudes and tough girls as you fight through dangerous environments.
Young Souls
Young Souls is a gorgeous 2D brawler meets story-rich action RPG. Fight hordes of belligerent goblins, level up with hundreds of weapons and accessories, explore, and journey between worlds, as rebellious twins battle their way to save their foster father.
Touhou Mystery Reel
Touhou Mystery Reel is a 2D platformer action game with special combat system. You can experience exciting battles and interesting stories in the game. There will be different endings of the stages. The player has the freedom to choose either to fight the powerful bosses or to take "shortcuts".
Werewolf: The Apocalypse - Earthblood
You are Cahal, a powerful Garou who chose to go into exile after losing control of his destructive rage. He can transform into a wolf and a Crinos, a huge ferocious beast. Master your three forms and their powers to punish those who defile Gaia.
Buck Up And Drive!
There is time to explain, I just don't wanna.
Blind Fate: Edo no Yami — Dojo
Dive into a world that mixes Sci-Fi and ancient tradition. Slash through robots with a trusty katana, use hi-tech implants to navigate the surroundings, dodge enemy attacks, and land devastating finishers. Reclaim the past following the way of the Japanese samurai in the fantastic period of New Edo.
Dragon Fist: VR Kung Fu
First-Person VR kung fu fighter with high-fidelity, physics-based combat, and an artistic style that pays homage to the golden era of martial arts films. Play with friends in Co-Op mode, challenge others in PvP battles, or embark on epic single-player adventures.
Rubber Bandits
Rubber Bandits is a criminally fun multiplayer party game for up to 4 players. With 8 action-packed game modes, players steal, brawl, and dash to the finish line with the most loot to win!
Fights in Tight Spaces
A stylish blend of deck-building, turn-based tactics, and thrilling animated fight sequences in classic action-movie settings. Learn to balance your hand, momentum, and positioning to overcome the odds to defeat your adversaries. Build your deck, control the space and live to fight another day.
FIGHT KNIGHT
FIGHT KNIGHT is a first-person dungeon-brawler! Grid-based dungeon crawling meets action-packed real time enemy encounters. Fight your way through puzzles and enemies to save those trapped in the Tower's eternal night!
SiNiSistar Lite Version
A simple 2D action game centered on themes of masochistic tendencies, yearning for death, as well as despair at being attacked by terrifying beings.
The Legend of Tianding
The Legend of Tianding is a sidescrolling action game about Liao Tianding, the legendary Taiwanese Folk Hero. Explore the dazzling streets of Colonial Japanese Taiwan in the early 20th century.
The Darkest Tales — Into the Nightmare
When a nightmare creeps into reality, the only ones that can help are those whose magical powers we’ve believed in since childhood. A brave teddy bear and his fairy sidekick head to the darker side of “happily ever after” to rescue his owner, Alicia.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Brawl it out with your Nickelodeon favorites in epic platform battles.
MADNESS: Project Nexus
MADNESS: Project Nexus is a third-person Run n' Gun / Beat'Em Up filled with arcade-style action and button-mashing brutality. Gun your way through droves of bad guys in the Story Campaign, or build your perfect killing machine in the neverending onslaught of Arena Mode.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 30th 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 72,958 reviews of which 69,772 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 616 peak concurrent players over the last day.
9.4
69,772
3,186
616
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 124,938 reviews of which 120,116 were positive and 4,822 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.5 out of 10. While seeing 437 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
120,116
4,822
437
players
3. 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 3,139 reviews of which 2,125 were positive and 1,014 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. While seeing 388 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among beat 'em up games based on player count.
6.6
2,125
1,014
388
players
4. 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 5,507 reviews of which 3,379 were positive and 2,128 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.1 out of 10. With 305 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
6.1
3,379
2,128
305
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 21,644 reviews of which 20,222 were positive and 1,422 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. With 274 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.1
20,222
1,422
274
players
6. 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 20,352 reviews of which 18,820 were positive and 1,532 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 270 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.0
18,820
1,532
270
players
7. 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 16,457 reviews of which 15,680 were positive and 777 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. With 237 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.3
15,680
777
237
players
8. ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 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! ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS 4 is a anime, hack and slash and beat 'em up game developed by Koei Tecmo and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on March 26th 2020 has received 19,780 reviews of which 18,123 were positive and 1,657 were negative resulting in a rating of 9.0 out of 10. With 205 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.0
18,123
1,657
205
players
9. 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 6,220 reviews of which 5,562 were positive and 658 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 203 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
8.7
5,562
658
203
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 9,547 reviews of which 9,012 were positive and 535 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 195 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played beat 'em up games.
9.2
9,012
535
195
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 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted beat 'em up games.
1. 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 14,769 reviews of which 11,899 were positive and 2,870 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. Featuring a massive 90% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for beat 'em up category.
7.9
11,899
2,870
-90%
10.20€
1.02€
2. Battletoads
• Over-the-top combat with combos and hard-hitting morph attacks • Wild, varied gameplay sequences for all types of gamers • Hand-drawn animation feels like playing a cartoon • Drop-in couch co-op for three players Battletoads is a action, adventure and co-op game developed by Dlala Studios and published by Microsoft Studios and Rare Ltd. Released on August 20th 2020 has received 2,079 reviews of which 1,423 were positive and 656 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 90% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in beat 'em up games.
6.7
1,423
656
-90%
19.99€
1.99€
3. 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 965 reviews of which 854 were positive and 111 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 87% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in beat 'em up games.
8.4
854
111
-87%
18.46€
2.40€
4. 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 3,689 reviews of which 3,351 were positive and 338 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 86% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.7
3,351
338
-86%
19.57€
2.74€
5. 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 1,060 reviews of which 904 were positive and 156 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.1
904
156
-85%
25.07€
3.76€
6. Road Redemption
Road Redemption lets you lead a biker gang on an epic journey across the country in this driving combat road rage adventure. Huge campaign, dozens of weapons, full 4-player co-op splitscreen and online multiplayer. Road Redemption is a vehicular combat, racing and beat 'em up game developed by Redemption Road and Pixel Dash Studios and published by Tripwire Presents. Released on October 04th 2017 has received 12,646 reviews of which 10,404 were positive and 2,242 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.0 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 85% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.0
10,404
2,242
-85%
16.79€
2.51€
7. 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 1,680 reviews of which 1,480 were positive and 200 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 84% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.4
1,480
200
-84%
14.88€
2.38€
8. 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 1,313 reviews of which 1,148 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 #8 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
8.3
1,148
165
-84%
19.88€
3.18€
9. One Finger Death Punch 2
The world's fastest brawler is back. Experience cinematic kung-fu in the most epic stickman fighter ever made. Staying true to the original, you play with only two buttons. Every press matters, do not button mash! One Finger Death Punch 2 is a action, indie and beat 'em up game developed and published by Silver Dollar Games. Released on April 15th 2019 has received 4,402 reviews of which 4,240 were positive and 162 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 83% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
9.3
4,240
162
-83%
6.47€
1.10€
10. Zeno Clash 2
Ghat's story is far from over: Zeno Clash 2 picks up where the deliciously brazen first game left off. After 4 years of waiting, the sequel to the surreal first-person brawler brings more variety in combat and levels, and even more bizarre storytelling into the beguiling world of Zenozoik. Zeno Clash 2 is a action, indie and surreal game developed by ACE Team and published by SEGA. Released on April 30th 2013 has received 1,368 reviews of which 1,067 were positive and 301 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.5 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 80% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for beat 'em up games.
7.5
1,067
301
-80%
14.99€
2.99€
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 30th 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 3,139 reviews of which 2,125 were positive and 1,014 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 388 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
2,125
1,014
388
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 5,507 reviews of which 3,379 were positive and 2,128 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 305, this beat 'em up game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free beat 'em up games on Steam.
6.1
3,379
2,128
305
players
3. 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 2,604 reviews of which 2,255 were positive and 349 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. The game currently holds the #3 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.3
2,255
349
7
players
4. 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 1,858 reviews of which 1,802 were positive and 56 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. The game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
9.2
1,802
56
4
players
5. 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 #5 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
7.6
537
137
3
players
6. 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 810 reviews of which 761 were positive and 49 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.8
761
49
7. 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 399 reviews of which 345 were positive and 54 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.1 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free beat 'em up games on Steam.
8.1
345
54
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 453 reviews of which 361 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
361
92