The Top 10 Side Scrolling Beat-Em-Ups

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Socoder -> Misc Gaming -> The Top 10 Side Scrolling Beat-Em-Ups
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 15:06
Hotshot	#10: Captain Commando (ARC) A rather obscure title that is a rare find in arcades (perhaps due to the rareness of arcades themselves). Captain Commando features four good characters, all commandos, Captain, Baby, Ninja, and Mummy. The game featured beautiful backgrounds and surprisingly deep gameplay. Only this game's low replay values keeps it from climbing the list. #9: Golden Axe (GEN) If there was ever a beat-em-up you played with a friend out of necessity, it was Golden Axe (well, it would actually be Battletoads, by whatever). This game was almost impossible to complete alone. When playing with a friend the game really opened up and had some great features. Playing as a warrior, dwarf or valkrie, the player could ride animals, cast magic, or just hack away. This game also featured a shorter version for gamers on the go, which was convenient. #8: Streets of Rage (GEN) The rare case of the original being completely outdone by the sequel applies here, but Streets of Rage is by no means a bad game. There was 3 good, balanced characters, a lengthy quest, and great bosses. The ability to call in the SWAT Team to dispatch your enemies was fun as well, and there was good strategy in deciding when to use the limited supply. #7: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist (GEN) The people who didn't have a SNES got Hyperstone Heist. And while it didn't feature the great enemies and locations that Turtles in Time had, it was still a great game. You and a friend each controlled a turtle as you progressed from the sewers to the final showdown with Shredder inside the Technodrome. A lot of fan favorite characters, such as Krang, appeared, but a sized down cast and somewhat repetitive enemies towards the end of the game dropped this game into a solid second place behind it's SNES brethren. #6: Double Dragon (NES) For the most part, this is the granddaddy of all side scrolling beat-em-ups. As Billy Lee, it's your job to kick butt and take some names as you quest to rescue your kidnapped girlfriend. Having a friend join in just adds to the fun. This is also when of the more believable beat-em-ups, and it also features the airplane level, which is the greatest level in a beat-em-up ever. Stay away from the door as it opens to suck enemies and you to your doom. #5: Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (SNES) The single hardest game of all time. I can't even give a full review of the game, since I never beat it. If you want to see pure hell injected with adrenaline, attempt the speeder bike level, if you can even reach it. While it is possible for a game to be too hard, this game is just so much damn fun it ceases to be frustrating. You and your friends will be laughing and crying at the same time. #4: The Simpsons (ARC) It sad that this game is so rare, because it's a classic. Playing as Homer, Bart, Lisa, or Marge, its up to you to save Maggie. You'll be pumping coins into the machine for "Just one more life", and before you know it, you'll be broke. If you ever find an arcade that has this machine, set aside at least five bucks for it, its the best arcade beat-em-up ever. #3: River City Ransom (NES) A revolution in the beat-em-up genre, River City Ransom was the first to feature RPG elements for building up your character. This led to the first true feeling of a customized character, at least within the constrictions of the game. Beating the game with a guy you feel you developed is a great feeling, not to mention the game featured some of the best actual gameplay of the genre. #2: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (SNES) Hailed by many as the best beat-em-up ever, Turtles in Time definitely makes a strong case. A great cast of characters, featuring the best of the best of the TMNT crew, and slick graphics stick this a peg above the Genesis version Hyperstone Heist. Few moments in gaming are as great as picking your favorite turtle, teaming up with a friend, and laying waste to Bebop and Rocksteady. #1: Streets of Rage 2 (GEN) Here it is, the greatest side scrolling beat-em-up of all time. Though the true holder of the spot is debated by many, Streets of Rage 2's four balanced yet completely different characters give it the slight edge of Turtles in Time and it's four heroes who play basically the same. You can go with Skate for blinding speed and Max for crushing power, while Axel and Blaze are more balanced, with each character leaning slightly towards power and speed respectively. Along with a buddy, you will topple original enemies in exotic and fun locales, all leading up to the final showdown with the absolutely insane Mr. X. This game is nearly 15 years old, much like all the others on the list, but this game has stood the test of time best. As evidenced, the vast majority of side-scrolling beat-em-ups appeared during the 8 and 16-bit eras. Today, it seems, games like The Bouncer rely to heavily on visual flair and gameplay suffers. It seems like the side-scrolling beat-em-up is going the way of the Dodo, which is a shame. Hopefully, the Nintendo Revolution will open the eyes of younger gamers to some of the earlier titles, though sadly the Genesis titles may fall by the wayside.
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 15:12
Jayenkai	If you're going to copy + paste someone else's work, the least you could do is give them credit. Source : Author, TimJab -=-=- ''Load, Next List!''
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 15:15
Hotshot	thanks jay
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 15:25
Hotshot	My top 10 Side scrolling beat up are 1 ) The Punisher 2 ) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade) 3 ) Final Fight 3 ) Street of Rage 2 4 ) Captain Commando 5 ) Golden Axe 6 ) P.O.W 7 ) Knights of the Round 8 ) Alien vs. Predator 9 ) Dungeons & Dragons 10) Double Dragon WHAT your?
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 15:28
Jayenkai	I can't remember actually bothering to play any particular 10 for more than 5 seconds before going "Ugh.. Another Double Dragon Clone".. So.. 2. Turtles Arcade, played whilst on holidays with a mate. Cracking multiplayer. 1. Double Dragon. And, that's pretty much it. -=-=- ''Load, Next List!''
Thu, 28 Feb 2008, 16:56
Fluke	I'll just mention my favorite - Cadash. Sort of a side scrolling fantasy platformer/beat-em-up/rpg lite.
Fri, 29 Feb 2008, 01:01
Mog	Cadash Kicks Ass... I loved that game KoTR for SNES is also a good game. -=-=- I am Busy Mongoose - My Website Dev PC: AMD 8150-FX, 16gb Ram, GeForce GTX 680 2gb Current Project: Pyroxene
Fri, 29 Feb 2008, 14:06
power mousey	I did like the Simpsons. Of course, my favorite character to play was Marge and her vaccum cleaner. A few other favorites were Golden Axe, Ghosts n Goblins, Dungeons and Dragons, and Altered Beast. Other than those...it was just Street Fighter, and lots of pinball games too.
Fri, 29 Feb 2008, 18:20
mike_g	Revenge of Shinobi FTW!
Wed, 21 May 2008, 12:47
LostUser	The NES' version of Double Dragon 2: The Revenge is better than any other version of DD2. It has ninjas, that helicopter scene where people get sucked out and lots of other stuff.