10 More Exhilarating Action Games To Play!
Streets of Rage isn’t the first beat-em-up game, but its series helped to popularize the genre. This game features fun characters, engaging story beats, and addictive brawler gameplay. Each entry feels better than the last but retains a heart-pumping soundtrack that will keep you engaged with the chaos occurring on screen. The latest entry, Streets of Rage 4, took the world by storm with its enhanced visuals and homage to the game’s iconic cast. It’s a gaming series that will get you in the mood for mass destruction.
If you’ve finished playing Streets of Rage and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Streets of Rage.
Fight ‘n’ Rage
Fight ‘n’ Rage is a beat-em-up game that will bring you back to the genre’s glory days. It has a nice art style, a great cast, and heart-pumping music that will get you in the combative spirit. Players can play the game solo or with up to three players in local co-op play. It takes place in a world enslaved and destroyed by mutants.
Two humans and a mutant rebel plan to overthrow the mutant’s overlord. It’s up to players to assist them in accomplishing their goals. This game’s unique as it features alternative paths, cutscenes, and endings for players to unlock. These depend on the characters you choose and the decisions you make in the game. The characters can perform unique combos and the controls are simplified.
This allows newcomers to hop in without worrying about any skill gaps. Despite the straightforward control scheme, fans shouldn’t expect this game to be a cakewalk. Some enemies will challenge you and make you work for your victory. Nonetheless, if you’re a diehard beat-em-up fan, you’ll enjoy the game’s Speedrun timer and harder difficulty options. With some fun game mechanics, helpful modes, and interesting characters, you’ll develop an admiration for Fight ‘n’ Rage.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
It’d be hard not to find someone who doesn’t know about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These turtles have been fighting Shredder and his cronies for decades, but know when to find time to relax and party hard. While the turtles fascinated people with their entertaining personalities in the tv show, they’ve been a part of several memorable video games too.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a callback to their classic 2D side-scrolling beat-em-up adventures. In it, players can play as Raphael, Michaelangelo, Donatello, or Leonardo and traverse the game’s campaign. You’ll encounter many memorable villains from your childhood from Rocksteady and Bebop to Shredder and Krang.
However, the turtles aren’t the only characters players can look forward to playing as in Shredder’s Revenge. The game also includes Master Splinter, April O’Neil, and Casey Jones as playable characters too. With its beautiful sprite animations, classic TMNT tracks, and addictive gameplay loop, you’re bound to enjoy this magnificent beat-em-up game.
Battletoads
Battletoads is a classic beat-em-up game that no one should forget. Their titles had a high difficulty curve but carried enough heat to warm up an entire room. With its entertaining cast, quirky humor, and satisfying combat mechanics, Streets of Rage fans will enjoy seeing what circumstances these action-packed amphibians get into.
While children today will adore the new take on the beloved creatures, many fans love the challenging nature of the original NES title. At the time, it was praised for its innovative gameplay and its wacky, cartoon-like visuals and characters. The game contained no saving system, which put stress on the player, who only had access to three lives and six hit points.
However, players could replenish their points by feasting on flies. The toads gain access to a variety of attacks players will love using on the battlefield. However, only some were only usable for specific levels. The levels themselves were marvelously designed and put pressure on the player at points. If you’re looking for a beat-em-up game with a challenge, check out the original Battletoads.
Comix Zone
Comix Zone infuses Streets of Rage’s alluring beat-em-up gameplay within the confines of a comic book strip. It’s a marvelous mashup that’ll lead some down memory lane, and one that’s worth your attention. It’s set in a world where a comic book artist named Sketch Turner is working on his series called Comix Zone.
One night, a thunderbolt strikes Comix Zone, allowing his series’s villain Mortus to jump out of the book and into Sketch’s world. Due to not having powers in Sketch’s universe, Mortus drags Sketch to Comix Zone and plans to murder his creator. It’s an intruiging narrative told through classic beat-em-up side-scrolling gameplay.
The game evokes comic book essence from its title cards to its text bubbles. Fans will admire the game’s detail and originality. With some fun gameplay mechanics, a superb soundtrack, and astonishing visuals, this is a beat-em-up gem worth picking up.
Jitsu Squad
Imagine if Marvel Vs Capcom and Streets of Rage had a child. It’s ended up something like Jitsu Squad. It’s a fast-paced tag-team beat-em-up game that will get your blood flowing with its amazing soundtrack, enjoyable gameplay, and remarkable roster. The game features many original characters and some that will have you scratching your head.
The game evokes chaos and wackiness. The characters can perform absurd special attacks that’ll entice you to laugh or smile. The enemies boast great challenges and are fun to defeat alone or with friends in split-screen co-op. The game’s lightning-fast, so there’s never a moment when the gameplay feels sluggish.
The game’s TAG TEAM mode allows players to switch between playable characters on the fly. This way it doesn’t interrupt your sparring sessions with enemies. The game features some insane super attacks that’ll allow you to become invincible for a short time. This allows players to deal lethal combos and damage to their adversaries. With charming cartoon-like visuals, epic gameplay, and great humor, this game’s worth your hard-earned money.
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game has its issues, but delivers a swell time for beat-em-up enthusiasts and fans of the graphical novel series. In it, players control Scott Pilgrim who goes on a date with a girl named Romona Flowers. To continue dating Ramona, Scoot must defeat the League of Seven Evil Exiles.
He’ll need to overcome numerous foes if he hopes to win back his love interest. While the narrative doesn’t offer anything too enticing, fans will love this game for its gameplay. Every area features multiple villains and merciless bosses for you to overcome. The game includes some AOE and summons to make things interesting. With its mesmerizing graphics, quirky dialogue, and compelling gameplay, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: The Game is worth purchasing.
Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers is a fun 2D action adventure where you’ll be hacking and slashing your way through multiple enemies. You can play with other players locally or online. There are over 25 characters for you to collect and 40 weapons that you can use against enemies. As you advance through the game, you’ll unlock new attacks, making the game feel rewarding to newcomers.
Players can adjust their characters’ defense, magic, strength, and agility stats to their liking. Along the way, you can pick up cutesy animal allies with distinct abilities who’ll aid you on your quest. Castle Crashers includes some serious game modes for you try out like Insane and Arena modes. If you’re a fan of quirky beat-em-up games with gorgeous visuals, Castle Crashers is worth checking out.
River City Girls
River City Girls is a modern beat-em-up game developed by the folks at WayForward and published by Arc System Works. This game follows two girls named Misako and Kyoko who must save their boyfriends Kunio and Riki from strange criminals. Fans control either girl and must overcome a slew of opponents by using grand martial arts techniques.
The game features multiple levels for players to traverse and fight enemies in. They all look astonishing and have great scenery which adds to players’ immersion in the world. As you advance through River City Girls, you’ll collect many power-ups, skills, and weapons to clobber enemies with. The game boasts incredible combo potential, making the gameplay feel exciting.
Players can tackle the game alone or with a friend in co-op play. The dialogue is amusing and the game’s anime-styled cutscenes, manga story panels, and an epic soundtrack will appeal to many hardcore anime fans.
The TakeOver
With how iconic Streets of Rage is for beat-em-up enthusiasts, it makes sense for smaller developers to take inspiration from titles that popularized the genre. The TakeOver is one of those indie beat-em-up games that capture the excitement fans had for classics like Streets of Rage and Final Fight. The game features music from many musicians and content creators alike.
From legends like Yuzo Koshiro to YouTube creators like Little V Mills, you’re bound to have an exhilarating time battling enemies while listening to their heart-pumping music. This game offers high-resolution character sprites that fight behind real-time backdrops that look visually impeccable. The combat system in this game is incredible and allows players to link punches and kicks in neat ways.
Whether you want to stun or launch foes into the air, is up to you. If you can maintain a combo for a good chunk of time, you can perform a super attack that’ll leave your opponent crying for his mother. The game includes some fun modes like Arcade, Survival, and Challenge to give you something else to do.
Mayhem Brawler
Comix Zone isn’t the only comic book-styled beat-em-up game you can seek your teeth into. Mayhem Brawler is another fabulous beat-em-up with an urban fantasy theme and comic book-styled graphics. The music is on par with the tracks you’d find in Streets of Rage and the game can be played solo or in co-op.
In it, players must help popular patrol officers named Dolphin, Star, and Trouble defeat numerous enemies who want to cause trouble in their city. As you advance through the game, you’ll encounter strong adversaries that will put you in a tight spot. However, the game gives you the power to perform many combos and use your special abilities to overcome these threats.
You’ll encounter all types of foes from carnivorous werewolves to street thugs. The game’s comic book-inspired backgrounds are hand-drawn and look astonishing. You may find yourself getting lost in the detail of how great this game looks. For those curious, Mayhem Brawler’s storyline is fully voiced and the acting is superb. If you’re looking for a wonderful beat-em-up gem to play after Streets of Rage, pick this one up.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Streets of Rage.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
I’m torn, love the article because when you click on these best brawler links on Google you get some with dynasty warriors come up etc. You guys knew what you were talking about. On the other hand I’m sad because I was hoping to find a new game to try 🙁
Raging justice would get an honorable mention from me as well as (not so much) cobra kai