5 Best Arcade Beat ‘Em Ups of the 1980s, Ranked

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Beat ’em up games became incredibly popular in the 1990s, but the genre actually started in the late 1980s with a few standout titles. These early games were easy to learn, featured engaging stories and a variety of playable characters, and were simply a lot of fun. The ’80s offered many great choices, so we’ve reviewed the most well-known and ranked the top five based on what critics thought when they first came out, how popular they were, and how enjoyable they still are to play today.

5) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Man, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game is where it all began for me! It came out in 1989, and while I loved the comics, this game was totally based on the awesome 1987 cartoon. You get to play as all the turtles I grew up with, and it’s packed with references to the show, plus it has its own story. It was a huge deal back then, really kicked off the whole TMNT franchise, and honestly, it’s one of the best beat-’em-ups of the 80s. It even inspired a ton of great games that came out in the 90s!

4) Final Fight

Originally released in arcades in 1989, Final Fight was a huge success. It quickly became one of the best-selling games of the year, with over 30,000 units sold worldwide. Players choose from three different fighters to battle their way through Metro City and rescue Jessica from the Mad Gear Gang. Final Fight launched a popular franchise and is still considered a classic beat-’em-up title. The game’s success continued with the NES version, selling over 1.5 million copies.

3) Ninja Gaiden

Most people remember Ninja Gaiden from the Nintendo Entertainment System, but the original game actually debuted in arcades in 1988. This classic beat-’em-up launched a hugely successful franchise. If you haven’t tried the arcade version, it’s well worth playing – it’s quite different from the NES game and a lot of fun! You control a ninja on a quest to stop an evil cult leader, who is a descendant of Nostradamus and plans to bring about the end of the world. The arcade version supports up to two players, letting you and a friend play as ninjas with different colored outfits, and it remains one of the best games of its kind from the 1980s.

2) Double Dragon

Okay, so everyone always argues about which is better, Double Dragon or Double Dragon II: The Revenge. Critics actually liked the first one more, so that’s why it’s on this list instead of the second. Honestly, it’s a total classic beat-’em-up – you and a friend can team up and just punch your way through waves of bad guys and tough bosses. Double Dragon was one of the first games to really make the beat-’em-up genre work, proving people loved it. It kicked off a whole series that lasted for years, and even got a revival with Double Dragon IV back in 2017.

1) Golden Axe

Released in 1989, Golden Axe was a huge hit for Sega. The game takes place in a fantasy world where the villain Death Adder has kidnapped the King and his daughter. Three warriors embark on a quest to rescue them and reclaim the legendary Golden Axe. Players could choose from three unique characters, each with their own weapons and skills. With upgrades and RPG-like features, it was a remarkable game for its time and remains one of the most popular and enjoyable beat-’em-ups of all time. I especially remember it fondly as the first arcade game I ever finished!

What’s your all-time favorite beat-’em-up game from the 1980s? Share your pick in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-25 16:12