Beat 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Beat 'em up.
Latest coverage
Viral Sensation Dead As Disco Brings Music Matched Mayhem to Early Access on May 5th!
Brain Jar Games announced that Dead As Disco, a rhythm-driven beat 'em up that gained viral popularity online, will launch in Early Access on May 5th for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game features music-matched combat, a campaign, customizable music options, and over 30 songs in its original soundtrack.
Lost Castle 2 launches June 11
The side-scrolling roguelite beat 'em up game Lost Castle 2 is set to launch on June 11, exiting its Early Access period. The game combines elements of roguelite progression with beat 'em up combat.
Dead as Disco launches in Early Access on May 5
The neon-drenched, rhythm-based beat 'em up game Dead as Disco is launching in Early Access on May 5. The game features a unique blend of rhythmic gameplay and classic beat 'em up mechanics.
Mad King Redemption – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Mad King Redemption is a 2.5D beat 'em up roguelike featuring four distinct heroes with customizable stats and skill trees. Players battle through a corrupted kingdom, using a blend of traditional brawler mechanics and roguelite progression with randomized elements and permanent upgrades. Beta sign-ups are now open for those interested in experiencing the game's combat and progression systems.
Games Inbox: What is your favourite retro video game format?
Readers discuss their favorite retro gaming formats, with the Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore 64 being popular choices. The discussion also touches on anticipation for upcoming games like The Witcher 4 and Switch 2, as well as the perceived decline of studios like Firaxis.
When I was eleven, Double Dragon was the only game in the world that mattered
The article reflects on the cultural impact of the game Double Dragon, particularly for the author and their classmates at age eleven, coinciding with the creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto's recent death at 64. It highlights how the game's focus on fighting henchmen resonated with the media landscape of 1989, including films like Batman, and became a defining experience for many players at the time.
Absolum Brings Its Unique Brand of Beat ‘Em Up Action to Switch 2 in Q3 2026
Absolum, a beat 'em up with roguelite elements developed by Guard Crush Games, is set to release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in Q3 2026. The game, which previously launched on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, features four distinct characters and a deep combat system. A physical edition is available for preorder through Silver Lining Direct.
Double Dragon and Kunio-kun creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto dies at 64
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the acclaimed creator of the Double Dragon and Kunio-kun (River City) series, has passed away at the age of 64. Kishimoto began his career in the early 1980s and was instrumental in shaping the beat 'em up genre with titles like Renegade and River City Ransom. His work at Technos Japan also included sequels and spin-offs for these popular franchises.
God of War Minigames Return? Mario's Prepping His Own A... | TAG
This article rounds up various gaming news including a Nintendo Switch bundle deal for Super Mario Galaxy, the studio head of State of Decay 3 clarifying that zombie animals from the reveal trailer are scrapped, and predictions of further memory price increases. It also touches on the upcoming The Backrooms movie, discussions about the return of sex minigames in God of War remakes, and a new game called Samson: A Tyndalston Story that aims to fill the Grand Theft Auto 6 itch.
THE REVOLUTION GOES NEXT-GEN: ABSOLUM COMES TO NINTENDO SWITCH 2 ON PHYSICAL
Silver Lining Interactive, in collaboration with Dotemu, Guard Crush Games, and Supamonks, has announced that the roguelite beat 'em up Absolum will receive a full-cartridge physical release on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Pre-orders are now open for the new physical edition, while limited stock of the original Absolum Special Edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch remains available.
Absolum coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Absolum is set to release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in Q3 2026 with a physical cartridge version. The game, already available on the original Nintendo Switch, combines beat 'em up combat with roguelite elements in the fantasy world of Talamh. Developed by Dotemu, Guard Crush, and Supamonks, it features multiple playable characters and a story about overthrowing an oppressive regime.
Absolum Confirmed for Switch 2 Physical Release as Full Cartridge
Dotemu and Guard Crush Games announced that Absolum will receive a physical release for the Nintendo Switch 2, available as a full cartridge for $49.99 in Q3 2026. The beat 'em up game features arcade-style combat, roguelite elements, and an original score by Gareth Coker, Mick Gordon, and Yuka Kitamura. Absolum has already sold over 500,000 units across its current platforms.
Absolum coming to Switch 2
Publisher Dotemu, alongside developers Guard Crush Games and Supamonks, announced that the arcade-style beat 'em up Absolum will be released on the Nintendo Switch. Further details regarding the release date were not provided.
Dead As Disco is Blowing Up - Viral Rhythm Brawler with 300M+ views hits 1M players and has a big announcement at Triple-i Initiative Showcase
The viral rhythm brawler Dead As Disco has surpassed 1.2 million players and garnered over 300 million views across social media. Developer Brain Jar Games, founded by industry veterans, will reveal major news about the game at the Triple-i Initiative Showcase on April 9th. The game features music-synced combat, custom music integration, and a strong emphasis on player creativity.
Double Dragon creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto dies, aged 64
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the acclaimed creator of the Double Dragon and River City Ransom (Kunio-kun) series, has passed away at the age of 64. Kishimoto was a pivotal figure in the development of the side-scrolling beat 'em up genre, with his early work at Data East and later at Technos Japan defining the genre. His son confirmed his passing on April 2, 2026.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion Art Book Showcases the Game’s Bold Comic-Style Vision
An art book titled Marvel Cosmic Invasion: The Art of the Game will be released on August 4 for $30, detailing the development of the retro-inspired Marvel beat-'em-up. The 120-page hardcover features concept art, illustrations, and developer commentary. The game itself is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, with a physical edition releasing April 17.
Double Dragon creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto dies aged 64
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the acclaimed creator of the beat 'em up genre and the iconic Double Dragon series, has passed away at the age of 64. Kishimoto's groundbreaking work on games like Renegade and Double Dragon established the core mechanics of the genre, influencing countless developers and titles for decades. His career began at Data East before moving to Technos Japan, and he later founded his own company, Plophet.
Dead As Disco - Exclusive Arora K-Pop Boss Fight Gameplay
Dead As Disco, a neon-drenched Beat 'Em Up where actions sync to music, will soon enter Early Access on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. The article features exclusive gameplay of the character Charlie battling Arora, a former bandmate and musical legend, in a boss fight.
Obituary: Double Dragon creator Yoshihisa Kishimoto has passed away at age 64
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the acclaimed creator of the Double Dragon and Kunio-kun series, has passed away at the age of 64. Kishimoto began his career at Data East before moving to Technos, where he is credited with creating the foundational beat 'em up titles Renegade and the original Double Dragon. He later founded Plophet Co., Ltd. and continued to contribute to various game projects.
Double Dragon creator and ‘grandfather of the beat 'em up’ dies aged 64
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the influential developer behind iconic beat 'em up games like Double Dragon and Renegade, has passed away at the age of 64. Kishimoto was widely regarded as the 'grandfather of the beat 'em up' genre for his pioneering work at Technōs and Data East, establishing core mechanics that defined the genre.
