For many gamers who grew up in the 80s and 90s, ‘beat ’em up’ games were often their first experience with video games. Classics like Street Fighter in arcades and early Nintendo games made the genre so memorable. Recently, we’ve seen a resurgence of these retro-style games, with exciting new titles like 2025’s Marvel Cosmic Invasion leading the way. However, one game that successfully brought back a beloved NES action series is unfortunately being removed from Steam. While players who already own it will still be able to play, it’s always disappointing to see a game disappear from a platform.
The developers of River City Ransom: Underground recently announced some unfortunate news: the game will be removed from Steam because of an issue with its licensing. While the removal process has started, the game is still available to buy for now. If you’ve been wanting to play this 2017 revival of the classic series, it’s best to get it soon.
River City Ransom: Underground Is A Beloved Return to a Cult Classic
I first discovered River City Ransom way back in 1989, and it was such a unique game for the NES! It was part of the Kunio-Kun series, but it really stood out because it felt so open and free to explore – a really early example of that kind of gameplay. It didn’t make a ton of money at the time, but it quickly became a favorite among gamers thanks to its funny moments and just how fun it was to play. It’s awesome that they’ve kept the game alive with remakes over the years, even bringing it to consoles like the Game Boy Advance. It’s a true cult classic!
While originally a part of the Kunio-Kun series, River City Ransom created its own world of River City fighting games. In 2017, River City Ransom: Underground updated the classic gameplay for modern audiences. Though not the most recent River City title, this game stands out because it directly builds on the original River City Ransom – the game that first gained a dedicated following. Now, it’s being removed from Steam permanently.
River City Ransom: Underground was made by Conatus Creative, not the original creators of the series, Arc System Works. Because of this, the game was developed under a license that seems to be running out. It’s unclear why the license couldn’t be extended, but it looks like the game will soon be removed from sale. Once the process is finished, River City Ransom: Underground won’t be available to buy on Steam. However, if you already own the game, you’ll still be able to download and play it like normal.
As of 9:30 AM EST on December 31st, River City Ransom: Underground is still available on Steam, and it’s currently on sale for only $2.99 – a huge 85% discount from its regular price of $19.99. However, the game is being removed from sale soon, and all related images have already been taken down. If you’re a fan of the original River City Ransom or classic beat ‘em up games, you should grab it on Steam before it disappears.
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2025-12-31 18:10