The beat ’em up genre is strong on the Super Nintendo with some great games and I want to share what I consider to be the top 10 beat ’em ups on the Super NES.
At #10 is Battletoads and Battle Maniacs from 1993. This franchise has always been known for tough games with nice graphics but I can say that a hard game has more replay value. You play as the Toads Rash and Zits as they fight through levels to rescue their friends.
Next at #9 is Power Rangers The Movie from 1995. Based on the TV series and movie Power Rangers, you play as your favorite Ranger as they fight through levels based on the film. The game has nice graphics, faithful character designs, and coop multiplayer so it’s a nostalgic trip for fans of the franchise which I am myself.
At #8 is The Combatribes from 1992. You play as three cyborgs – Berserker, Blitz, and Bull – who fight against gangs in a futuristic New York City. The game is known for its brutal combat where you can grab and slam enemies into the ground and its varied level designs.
At #7 is The Peace Keepers from 1994. This is part of the Brawl Brothers series. There are three games – Rival Turf, Brawl Brothers, and then Peacekeepers and this one stands out for its branching story paths and multiple endings. You can choose from several characters with their own storyline and special moves. The non-linear progression and coop play make it a hidden gem on the Super Nintendo.
#6 is Super Double Dragon from 1992, also known as Return of Double Dragon in Japan. This is a good entry in the Double Dragon series. You play as brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee as they fight against a criminal organization. As always it has a deep combat system with many moves and counterattacks which sets it apart from other beat ’em ups at the time.
At #5 is King of Dragons from 1991. The game is a beat ’em up with fantasy elements. You can choose from five characters including a wizard, elf, and warrior, each with their own abilities. The coop play has some RPG-like progression and some really fun boss fights.
#4 is Captain Commando from 1995. The game is set in a futuristic world and has a unique roster of characters including Captain Commando, a mummy, a ninja, and even a baby in a mech suit. Each character has their own fighting style and the coop multiplayer mode is a fun and varied beat ’em up.
#3 is Knights of the Round from 1991. The game is based on the legend of King Arthur. Knights of the Round is a medieval take on the beat ’em up. You can play as Arthur, Lancelot, and Percival, each with their own abilities and weapons. The game has a leveling system which gives it some RPG elements mixed in with beat ’em up gameplay.
Runner up is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time from 1992. Now this looked really good on the Super Nintendo and was known for its bright graphics, fun gameplay and faithful to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise which I love by the way. You could choose your favorite turtle and fight through different time periods to stop Shredder’s evil plans. Coop multiplayer and level design make this game a classic.
And my number one is Final Fight 1 from 1989. This is the first of three in the Super Nintendo series. The two sequels seem too easy and weren’t as challenging as the first but both are still good games. The story of part one is about former pro wrestler Mike Hagger, his daughter’s boyfriend Cody and her friend Guy as they fight through the streets of Metro City to rescue Haggar’s kidnapped daughter Jessica. The game has a gritty city setting, many enemy types, and memorable characters.
So those are my favorite 10 beat ’em up titles from the Super Nintendo. Once again, if you want to download the ROM files of these games, check out our SNES ROMs collection.