Beat 'em up
Ongoing coverage on Beat 'em up.
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Coming Out in gaming this week — May 4, 2026
Several new games are set to release in the week of May 4, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Titles include the rhythm-action game Dead as Disco, the narrative simulation Wax Heads, and the action RPG Alabaster Dawn, all launching in early access. Other notable releases include the first-person adventure WILL: Follow The Light and the narrative adventure Mixtape.
Scott Pilgrim EX Review | TheXboxHub
Scott Pilgrim EX is a beat 'em up developed by Tribute Games and series creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, offering a faithful continuation of the beloved IP. The game features accessible controls, varied enemy types, and a fun, albeit shallow, story that serves as a vehicle for its enjoyable gameplay. Despite some repetitive quest design and occasional backtracking, the vibrant pixel art, stellar soundtrack by Anamanaguchi, and satisfying combat make it a joyful experience for both new players and long-time fans.
Roguelike Beat ’Em Up 'River City Saga: Journey to the West' Sets June Release Date Covering the Events of
Arc System Works announced that the roguelike beat 'em up River City Saga: Journey to the West will be released on June 4, 2026, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game blends side-scrolling combat with roguelike progression, featuring over 80 unlockable 'Secret Skills' and three distinct combat styles.
Breakdown: Silent Riot – A Brutal, Narrative-Driven Beat ’Em Up Set in a Decaying Eastern European City
Breakdown: Silent Riot is a narrative-driven beat 'em up set in a decaying Eastern European city, featuring brutal, precision-based combat and a psychological descent for the protagonist, Mark. The game emphasizes close-quarters brutality and meaningful weapon variety, with a condensed, intense experience lasting 5-6 hours. It is scheduled for release on Steam in Q3 2026.
River City Saga: Journey to the West launches in June
Arc System Works and UnitePlus have announced that River City Saga: Journey to the West will be released on June 4th for PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, priced at $19.99. The game features a beat 'em up combat system with roguelike progression and character skill enhancements, drawing inspiration from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.
Coming Out in gaming this week — April 27, 2026
Several new games are set to release in the week of April 27, 2026, across various platforms including PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. Titles range from cozy adventures like Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth and inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories, to action-packed games such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction and Invincible VS. The lineup also includes strategy games like Lunchbreak Tactics, horror with Mourning Tide, and roguelikes like SAROS and Gambonanza.
Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch launch trailer – hand-drawn side-scrolling beat ’em up game comes to Nintendo Switch
Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch, a hand-drawn side-scrolling beat 'em up game, has launched on Nintendo Switch with a new trailer. Developed with input from Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, the game features stylized animation, combo-based combat, and local co-op.
Three Fresh Indie Drops Hit Different Genres Today
Three new indie games have been released today across various genres including 2D platforming, simulation, beat 'em up, and psychological horror. The titles are Away From Life, BLOOD MALL: RETAPED, and CAPTURED 2, developed by studios Away From Life, Necronomisoft, and puckredflix respectively. This diverse release highlights the innovation and risk-taking characteristic of independent game development.
Switch Retro Spotlight: Wario World 📺
Wario World, a unique hybrid of 3D platforming and beat 'em up combat, is now available on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. The game features intuitive controls, silly enemies, and freely explorable stage designs with challenging bonus platforming rooms.
DEFEAT THE PLAGUE IN DUNGEON FIGHTER ONLINE’S NEW APOSTLE DELEZIE UPDATE!
Dungeon Fighter Online has launched its new "Delezie of Plague" Raid update, introducing a challenging endgame raid against the Apostle Delezie, new weapons, upgrades, and character renewals. The update also features several in-game events designed to reward players with exclusive items and cosmetics. Dungeon Fighter Online is available for free on PC via its official webpage, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
Inspired by classic Hong Kong action comedies and action games - Knuckle Paradise looks fun
Knuckle Paradise is a hand-drawn, open-world beat 'em up game developed by Flying Oak Games and ARTE France, set to release in 2027. Inspired by Hong Kong action comedies and character action games, players control Jane in a tournament within an abandoned amusement park, emphasizing aerial combos and fluid combat. The game will feature a unique tone mixing action, comedy, and heartfelt storytelling.
Announcing Furyball: Rogue Revenge, the first BEAT’EM BALL
Rebound CG has announced Furyball: Rogue Revenge, a fast-paced roguelike featuring a deadly bouncing ball as the player's sole weapon. The game draws inspiration from pinball tables, grindhouse cinema, and sports gangs, with a disco punk soundtrack by The Toxic Avenger. A public playtest is now available on Steam.
ARTE France and Flying Oak Games Announce Open-World Beat ‘Em Up Knuckle Paradise
ARTE France and Flying Oak Games have announced Knuckle Paradise, a new hand-drawn, open-world beat 'em up inspired by Hong Kong action comedies. Players control Jane, a fighter in an underground tournament, who must battle through eccentric opponents with the help of a fighting chicken. The game will feature combo-driven combat, exploration within an abandoned amusement park, and a story exploring themes of fairness and resilience, with a planned release on PC via Steam in 2027.
Vibrant beat ’em up game Underling Uprising landing on Nintendo Switch
Abylight Studios and Dummy Dojo announced that the vibrant 2D beat 'em up game Underling Uprising will be released on Nintendo Switch on May 14, 2026. The game features four-player co-op and versus modes, with players controlling genetically enhanced experiments fighting to overthrow their creator.
Street Smart is this week’s Arcade Archives game on Nintendo Switch 2
Hamster announced that the classic beat 'em up fighter Street Smart, originally released by SNK in 1989, will be available on Nintendo Switch as part of the Arcade Archives series on April 23 for $7.99. The game features players traveling across America to prove who is the ultimate street brawler, with options for 2-player co-op and competitive play.
How Interabang Brought Jay and Silent Bob Back for Chronic Blunt Punch
Interabang discusses the decade-long development of their hand-drawn tag-team brawler, Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch. The article details how the project began with actor Trevor Fehrman acquiring the rights from Kevin Smith, the challenges of self-funding, and the eventual success through crowdfunding and partnerships with companies like Digital Eclipse and Atari.
Jay And Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch Lands – It’s Time To Brawl
Jay And Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch, a hand-drawn side-scrolling beat 'em up, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Developed by Interabang Entertainment and published by Atari, Digital Eclipse, and The MIX GAMES, the game features chaotic combat, classic humor, and cameos from the View Askewniverse. It offers local co-op and a deeper combat system than its predecessor, Mall Brawl.
Kings Do Not Fall to Be Featured in Steam Medieval Fest!
Kings Do Not Fall, a retro-style beat 'em up developed by HyperDevbox, will be featured in the Steam Medieval Fest from April 20 to April 27. The game will also be available at a 20% discount during the event. Developed by veteran Carlo Perconti, the game pays homage to classic 90s arcade titles with modern gameplay enhancements.
Samson Review — A Goliath undertaking
Samson, an open-world beat 'em up developed and published by Liquid Swords, has been met with player dissatisfaction due to game-breaking glitches and performance issues. Despite a promising world design and narrative premise, the game suffers from repetitive missions, clunky combat, and driving mechanics, hindering the overall experience.
Coming Out in gaming this week — April 20, 2026
This week's gaming releases include "Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch," a beat 'em up for multiple platforms, and "Vampire Crawlers," a deckbuilder roguelite. "Masters of Albion" launches in Early Access on PC, while "Tides of Tomorrow" offers a narrative adventure with player-influencing choices. Other notable releases include "Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster," "Kiln" from Double Fine Productions, "Titanium Court," and the rhythm adventure "Yunyun Syndrome!? Rhythm Psychosis."
