Beat 'Em Ups

[Marc]

Don't think there ever was a decent version of Dragon Ninja. Computer conversions sucked, and the only console port was for NES - pretty certain anyways, and that was horrible as well.

[ST Dragon]

Best Beat Em Ups for various systems, imo…

Alien Vs Predator – CPS-2
Armored Warriors – CPS-2 – (Bashing Huge Mecha around has never
been so fun)
Asterix - Arcades
Bad Dudes – Dragon Ninja – NES/Arcades
Battletoads – Arcade - (The Big Bad Boot Attack!)
Battle Toads – Double Dragon – SNES / NES /Genesis - (This should have been released for the Arcades! It’s so awesome, huge bosses, great gameplay, music & the plot is hilarious!)
Cadillacs & Dinosaurs – CPS-1
Captain Commando – CPS-1
Double Dragon II – NES
Dynamite Dux – Arcades/AMIGA
Final Fight – (True Classic!) – CPS-1
Golden Axe 1,2,3 – Genesis
Golden Axe – Arcade
Golden Axe: Revenge of Death Adder - Arcade
King of Dragons – CPS-1 - (Great Heroic Fantasy Slash Em Up, better than “Knights of the Round Table” imo…)
King of The Monsters 2 – NeoGeo - (Huge Baddases, fight for world domination, while rampaging through various cities! What could be more than that?
Ninja Combat - NeoGeo
Ninja Warriors Again - SNES
Punisher – CPS-1
Robo Army - NeoGeo
Sengoku 1 - NeoGeo
Sengoku 2 - NeoGeo
Sengoku 3 - NeoGeo
Streets of Rage 1 - Genesis
Streets of Rage 2 - Genesis - (Awesome soundtrack & arcade quality graphics & gameplay. This is as good as it gets on the Geny)
The Crystal of Kings – Arcades/Crystal System
The Simpsons - Arcade
TMNT: Arcade Game – Arcades/NES
TMNT 3 - NES
TMNT 4 – Turtles in Time – Arcades/SNES
Under Cover Cops - Arcades
Violent Storm – Arcades - (If you like Metamorphic Force then you should really try Violent Storm. Awesome beat em up by Konami not mentioned very often)
Warriors of Fate - Arcades
X-Men – Arcades


Also for anyone that’s into Heroic Fantasy Conan/Erlic, etc… will love these:

D & D – Tower of Doom - CPS-2
D & D – Shadow over Mystara - CPS-2
Oriental Legend (plays like D&D) - Arcades
The Legend of Silkroad (and its sequel "the Age of Heroes") - Arcades
Warrior Blade (Rastan Sage 3) - Arcades

By the way...
Guardians / Denjin Makai II that "DaBoss" mentioned previously, looks quite good.
I never knew about it till now. Banpresto is one of my favorite Arcade companies....
I'll be trying this tonight on MAME.

[Recap]

I never knew about it till now. Banpresto is one of my favorite Arcade companies....

Banpresto has rarely developed an arcade game internally, thoe; they just hired other companies such as Pandora Box, Allumer or Gazelle to make the games.


I never understood the love for all those Neo-Geo 3D-action games, by the way. Sure, they're visually stunning, but, gameplay-wise, they were pretty poor and unbalanced, impossible to complete with one credit. Mechanics were quite laughable when you compare them with Capcom's efforts.

[SheSaidDutch]

Streets of Rage Series
Golden Axe Series
Final Fight (Arcade back inthe day)
Cadillacs & Dinosaurs (Arcade back inthe day)

Most played beat em ups GA1 and SOR1 and 2 for me

[ST Dragon]

I never knew about it till now. Banpresto is one of my favorite Arcade companies....

Banpresto has rarely developed an arcade game internally, thoe; they just hired other companies such as Pandora Box, Allumer or Gazelle to make the games.

Interesting...
Then who developed "SDF Macross" (1992) the Vertical Arcade Shooter?
Apparently they did such "good" job with the sound chip encryption, that sound is still unemulated in MAME

And this happens to be one of my all time favorite shooters.

[Recap]

I never knew about it till now. Banpresto is one of my favorite Arcade companies....

Banpresto has rarely developed an arcade game internally, thoe; they just hired other companies such as Pandora Box, Allumer or Gazelle to make the games.

Interesting...
Then who developed "SDF Macross" (1992) the Vertical Arcade Shooter?

NMK.

[chtimi-CLA]

So what do you call Dragonninja then?
Because you DO beat people up after all!

What is the best verison of Dragonninja?
Ever released on a DATA EAST compilation? No? It's about time they did!

if you insist but i won't argue more about it after (anyway all those genre definitions are a matter of convention).
i call it nothing special, it's just a side-scrolling action game, sub-category of short-ranged attack ones, like green beret. would green beret be a beat-them up if you punched instead of knifing (everything else being the same)? sure you don't beat people up, but the gameplay is exactly the same, only the attack animation is different. what has a significant gameplay difference is games like double dragon (because of the other dimension you can move in).

i can't think of any dragonninja port, and i think data east has shut down a few years ago.

[SheSaidDutch]

I agree with you chtimi that 1 plane type games are not classed as beat em ups

[Recap]

I agree with you chtimi that 1 plane type games are not classed as beat em ups

According to the term's origin, they are, as much as Street Fighter is. That's why I use "3D-action games" to differentiate.

[SheSaidDutch]

I agree with you chtimi that 1 plane type games are not classed as beat em ups

According to the term's origin, they are, as much as Street Fighter is. That's why I use "3D-action games" to differentiate.

3D as in 3rd plane

[DaBoss]

Just out of curiosity, is "the age of heroes" available on mame? I'm referring to the one that is supposed to be the sequel to "legend of silkroad".

BTW, anyone want to talk tiers?

[DaBoss]

BTW, good find on "the crystal of kings". I had no idea about that game.

[thesuperkillerxxx]

No Love for Captain America and the Avengers ??

it even has shmuppy stages...

I always had a soft spot for it... "I CAN"T MOVE" Comedy Gold

[DaBoss]

For pure comedy, few beat the X-Men arcade game. Magneto has some of the funniest quotes I've seen in a game. "X-Chicken!", or "Come to DIE!" His bad grammar hits its zenith with the unforgettable "Kill you!"

[ST Dragon]

So what do you call Dragonninja then?
Because you DO beat people up after all!

What is the best verison of Dragonninja?
Ever released on a DATA EAST compilation? No? It's about time they did!

if you insist but i won't argue more about it after (anyway all those genre definitions are a matter of convention).
i call it nothing special, it's just a side-scrolling action game, sub-category of short-ranged attack ones, like green beret. would green beret be a beat-them up if you punched instead of knifing (everything else being the same)? sure you don't beat people up, but the gameplay is exactly the same, only the attack animation is different. what has a significant gameplay difference is games like double dragon (because of the other dimension you can move in).

i can't think of any dragonninja port, and i think data east has shut down a few years ago.

Well...
There are 3 types of Beat Em Ups.

1-on-1
Perspective
Platform

1-on-1: Street Fighter II, Fatal Fury, KOF, etc...

Perspective: Final Fight, Punisher, AVP, Streets of Rage Series

Platform: Bad Dudes/Dragon Ninja, 2-Crude Dudes/Crude Buster, Ninja Warriors Again.

The difference between Platform & Perspective Beat Em Ups, is that in perspective you also move your player in the Z-Axis & they're "Pseudo 3D" Where as in Platform Beat Em Ups, you only move in X,Y Axis view & you jump on platforms.

Just out of curiosity, is "the age of heroes" available on mame? I'm referring to the one that is supposed to be the sequel to "legend of silkroad".

BTW, anyone want to talk tiers?

Yes, Age of Heroes is the sequel of "The Legend of Silk Road" but its not currently emulated by MAME as its not very widely known I'm Afraid.

The only links I could find are these:

http://www.uniana.com/am/prod/?block=0&page=3
http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/p ... oes_5.html

"The Age of Heroes" not that many people know about it (not even unmamed site) because it was made by a Korean company called UNICO now renamed UNIANA. If you look at the company’s website they will list it. I’m trying to get the word out on this game to people (like you) so they can spread it around and get it recognized so it can be emulated, because it’s a good game (better than it’s prequel).
The game has 4 simultaneous players, 8 way D stick, 4 buttons and combination attacks

Another cool Beat Em Up set in Ancient/Medieval Asia, with badass Asian Warriors, is Knights of Valor.
It’s emulated by Mame & Nebula but with imperfect sound I'm afraid.

Yeah, The Crystal of Kings is an awesome game. Probably the best graphics one can see in a Beat Em Up. It demonstrates what the Crystal System was capable of, if it had the proper support.

For pure comedy, few beat the X-Men arcade game. Magneto has some of the funniest quotes I've seen in a game. "X-Chicken!", or "Come to DIE!" His bad grammar hits its zenith with the unforgettable "Kill you!"

I didn't notice this because I beat it at the arcades back in 1992 & was too focused on the gameplay.
I'll have to check that for a laugh...

Battle Toads - Double Dragon is one of the coolest & funniest beat em ups ever!
It has some hilarious quotes!
The 1st time I saw/read this stuff, I couldn't stop laughing!

"Abobo Not Like Intruders! I'm Gonna Beat You Up!"
This is so hilarious!



And this dialogue is just so funny!

[DaBoss]

Yeah, Knights of Valour is a great one. Definitely play Knights of Valour Plus over the original, though. I wish they had Superheroes emulated ":^("

[alpha5099]

I agree with you chtimi that 1 plane type games are not classed as beat em ups

According to the term's origin, they are, as much as Street Fighter is. That's why I use "3D-action games" to differentiate.

Seems like using "beat 'em up" to describe fighting games is more of a European thing, at least British. Several people on other forums have questioned the logic behind dividing them into two genres, saying on can be called "scrolling beat 'em ups" and the other "tournament beat 'em ups." Isn't it simpler to just acknowledge that the two branches have diverged enough to be rightfully considered two genres? Street Fighter's a fighting game, Final Fight's a beat 'em up, and never the twain shall meet.

[Recap]

I agree with you chtimi that 1 plane type games are not classed as beat em ups

According to the term's origin, they are, as much as Street Fighter is. That's why I use "3D-action games" to differentiate.

Seems like using "beat 'em up" to describe fighting games is more of a European thing, at least British. Several people on other forums have questioned the logic behind dividing them into two genres, saying on can be called "scrolling beat 'em ups" and the other "tournament beat 'em ups." Isn't it simpler to just acknowledge that the two branches have diverged enough to be rightfully considered two genres? Street Fighter's a fighting game, Final Fight's a beat 'em up, and never the twain shall meet.

Where would you put the likes of Guardian Heroes or Dadandarn then? I don't think they've diverged enough to speak about different genres, if you ask me, but if you want to differentiate you just cannot use "beat'em up" or "fighting game", since those two terms mean exactly the same.

[DaBoss]

Anyone wanna talk tiers?

I'll start wth the Final Fight Arcade.

I would rank the characters in this order, from best to worst:

Haggar
Cody
Guy

From what I've played (which isn't that much actually, but I'm just trying to get the conversation started with a game everyone has at least played), this is the ranking.

Haggar is one of the best big guys in any beat em up because his strength in this game REALLY shows. His jumping piledriver does an insane amount of damage, and his punch combo just murders. If you're good, then his speed shouldn't be too big a problem. Oh, and his jumping attacks have very nice range.

Cody's ability to use the knife seems to be pretty important, considerinig that knives appear so much. Otherwise, he's the same as Guy, except stronger and slower.

Guy has the best jump attack. Other than that, he's the fastest, but also the weakest. Unfortunately, I believe that being weak in this game really hurts his game.

Now again, I haven't played this much, but I wanted to get the conversation started. I may be very wrong on my rankings, so I would like to hear others' opinions. After we rank the characters in this game, we can move on to others.

BTW, on one credit, I've been able to reach stage 5, but the section with the alternating flames coming from the ground wrecks me every time ":^(" And I use Guy, btw.

[azmun]

Where would you put the likes of Guardian Heroes or Dadandarn then? I don't think they've diverged enough to speak about different genres, if you ask me, but if you want to differentiate you just cannot use "beat'em up" or "fighting game", since those two terms mean exactly the same.

Not really sure about Dadandarn (never heard of the game) but I would consider Guardian Heroes definitely a beat-em up. It may have some elements from other genres (RPG with the experience points, storyline, etc. and Figthing with the variety of moves and versus mode).

I think the differences are that 2d (not 3d) beat-em ups are either a dead or dying genre. Also, in fighting games you don't go up against many computer controlled enemies.

[Recap]

Not really sure about Dadandarn (never heard of the game) but I would consider Guardian Heroes definitely a beat-em up. It may have some elements from other genres (RPG with the experience points, storyline, etc. and Figthing with the variety of moves and versus mode).

I think the differences are that 2d (not 3d) beat-em ups are either a dead or dying genre. Also, in fighting games you don't go up against many computer controlled enemies.

Guardian Heroes plays in a 2D plane (well, actually, three), and its mechanics are essentially the ones of any standard vs. game. The fact of fighting many CPU enemies (what about when you fight a boss?) doesn't differentiate the gameplay as much as the reach-the-end-of-the-stage thing, actually.

FYI, Guardian Heroes is classified originally as a "taisen kakutou RPG". "Taisen kakutou" is the term to refer to Street Fighter-type games.

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

[Turrican]

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

I noticed this too. Apparently, european and US gamers have slightly different vocabulary on this matter.

Here in Italy, Street Fighter II is a beat'em up. Final Fight on the other hand can still be called simply beat'em up, but is more often referred to as "scrolling beat'em up".

In the US Street Fighter games are called "fighting games", and the term beat'em up is strictly limited to the Final Fight type. Or so I understood, speaking with Twitchdoctor once.

I hope this helps avoid confusion. How do you say in the rest of europe?

[SheSaidDutch]

I've always have gone by

Street Fighter- VS Fighter or Fighting

Final Fight,3 planes- Beat em ups

[sethsez]

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

In America, it does, which is why Americans refer to them as such.

if you want to differentiate you just cannot use "beat'em up" or "fighting game", since those two terms mean exactly the same

Not really. A fight implies equal (or at least similar) skill on both sides of the encounter. Beating someone up implies that the advantage is heavily skewed.

A bully beats up a little kid. Two men get into a fight.

In beat 'em up games, your advantage is ridiculous compared to any individual enemy. In fighting games, you're pretty evenly matched. Hence, the differentiation between the terms.

[alpha5099]

if you want to differentiate you just cannot use "beat'em up" or "fighting game", since those two terms mean exactly the same.

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

I noticed this too. Apparently, european and US gamers have slightly different vocabulary on this matter.

Here in Italy, Street Fighter II is a beat'em up. Final Fight on the other hand can still be called simply beat'em up, but is more often referred to as "scrolling beat'em up".

In the US Street Fighter games are called "fighting games", and the term beat'em up is strictly limited to the Final Fight type. Or so I understood, speaking with Twitchdoctor once.

I hope this helps avoid confusion. How do you say in the rest of europe?

Yep, that's how it works. They are different genres, and the two terms do not mean the same thing, in the US at least.

All I'm saying is, we could avoid all this needless confusion and endless discussion if we agreed on terms. Obviously I'm biased toward my own vocabulary, but I consider it far simpler to have two terms for two related genres than one ambiguous term for two related genres.

And I'd consider Guardian Heroes a beat 'em up, although I think Comix Zone is a beat 'em up too, so 3D movement is obviously not a rule in my book.

[DaBoss]

Wow. I guess finding the definition of "beat em up" is more interesting than talking strategy ":^)"

[ST Dragon]

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

I noticed this too. Apparently, european and US gamers have slightly different vocabulary on this matter.

Here in Italy, Street Fighter II is a beat'em up. Final Fight on the other hand can still be called simply beat'em up, but is more often referred to as "scrolling beat'em up".

In the US Street Fighter games are called "fighting games", and the term beat'em up is strictly limited to the Final Fight type. Or so I understood, speaking with Twitchdoctor once.

I hope this helps avoid confusion. How do you say in the rest of europe?

Beat Em Ups.

1-on-1
Perspective
Platform

[Recap]

Beat Em Ups.

1-on-1
Perspective
Platform

Right. I'd speak about "3D" and "2D-action" instead of "perspective" and "platform" (since you usually have perspective in 2D-action games and no necessarily platform elements), but that's what the term means according to its origin in British media. US people here seem to forget that if they use the term these days it's because they imported it from the UK thinking (wrongly) that it was used only for Final Fight-type games. I thought they used "brawler" instead, since they seem to love "-er" words to call gaming genres, thoe.

[Rob]

And again, "beat'em up" doesn't refer only to Final Fight-type games.

In America, it does, which is why Americans refer to them as such.

if you want to differentiate you just cannot use "beat'em up" or "fighting game", since those two terms mean exactly the same

Not really. A fight implies equal (or at least similar) skill on both sides of the encounter. Beating someone up implies that the advantage is heavily skewed.

A bully beats up a little kid. Two men get into a fight.

In beat 'em up games, your advantage is ridiculous compared to any individual enemy. In fighting games, you're pretty evenly matched. Hence, the differentiation between the terms.

And also take note of the little "'em." Them. Beat them up. Like shoot em ups, the hoards of fodder enemies = them.

[Recap]

And also take note of the little "'em." Them. Beat them up. Like shoot em ups, the hoards of fodder enemies = them.

Pointless. "Em" = "all of your rivals in a vs. fighting game". If you fight them separately is not relevant.



I'm not denying that "beat" implies a clear "advantage", but that just was not considered when the term originated.