When you think of beat ’em up games, classics like Streets of Rage or Final Fight probably come to mind. But the 80s and 90s were packed with arcade cabinets and console releases that have since slipped under the radar. Some of these games pushed the genre forward, others were pure button-mashing fun, and all of them deserve a revisit.

Let’s dust off some quarters and dive into 10 forgotten beat ’em ups you need to play again.

10. Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (1993)

Capcom’s Cadillacs and Dinosaurs was based on the cult comic Xenozoic Tales, and it was as wild as it sounds. You and your crew brawled against thugs, mutants, and yes—dinosaurs—while cruising in stylish Cadillacs. Sadly, this one never got a console release, making it an arcade-only treasure.

9. Ninja Warriors (1987 / 1994 Remake)

This side-scrolling beat ’em up let you take control of robot ninjas cutting through waves of enemies. The 1994 SNES version, The Ninja Warriors Again, polished the formula with smoother combat and multiple playable characters. It’s an underrated cyberpunk classic.

8. Knights of the Round (1991)

Arthurian legends meet arcade brawling. Capcom took King Arthur, Lancelot, and Perceval and turned them into playable characters who could slash and smash their way through medieval chaos. It stood out for its RPG-style leveling system and gorgeous sprite art.

7. Violent Storm (1993)

Konami brought their over-the-top flair to Violent Storm, a futuristic brawler with a punk rock edge. Imagine Final Fight cranked up to 11, with explosive animations and wild enemy designs. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by bigger names at the time.

6. Vendetta (1991)

Also known as Crime Fighters 2, Konami’s Vendetta was gritty, raw, and a bit controversial. You and your gang fought rival thugs across dirty city streets, dodgy alleys, and biker bars. The game had a dark sense of humor and brutal combat that made it unforgettable for arcade goers.

5. Arabian Fight (1992)

SEGA experimented with scaling effects and flashy visuals in Arabian Fight, creating a beat ’em up that felt part cartoon, part action flick. With Arabian Nights-inspired settings, it was unique, but its flashy graphics sometimes overshadowed the gameplay. Still, it’s a rare gem worth rediscovering.

4. Guardians / Denjin Makai II (1995)

A Japanese-exclusive sequel to Denjin Makai, Guardians featured a roster of quirky heroes battling through cybernetic chaos. With deep move sets and co-op play, it felt ahead of its time. Sadly, it never got a proper Western release, leaving many players unaware of its greatness.

3. Night Slashers (1993)

Zombies, vampires, and mutants—Night Slashers was a horror-themed beat ’em up from Data East. Think Final Fight meets Evil Dead. The game was packed with gore (toned down outside Japan), gothic visuals, and three badass heroes ready to rip monsters apart.

2. Captain Commando (1991)

Capcom’s futuristic squad of heroes included a baby genius in a mech suit, a ninja, a mummy, and of course, Captain Commando himself. It was fast, chaotic, and full of personality. While the Captain was once a Capcom mascot, his game has become a forgotten jewel.

1. Alien vs. Predator (1994)

Ask any arcade junkie and they’ll tell you—Capcom’s Alien vs. Predator is one of the best beat ’em ups ever made. You could play as marines or Predators, smashing through swarms of Xenomorphs with explosive weapons and brutal combos. Despite its quality, licensing issues have kept it trapped in arcade obscurity.

The beat ’em up genre may not dominate gaming like it once did, but these forgotten titles remind us just how creative and chaotic the golden era was. Whether you’re fighting mutants, medieval knights, or intergalactic horrors, each of these games deserves another chance in the spotlight.

What’s your favorite forgotten beat ’em up? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your picks!