A curated collection of classic and modern retro-style beat-em-up games optimized for the Nintendo Switch, emphasizing local cooperative and versus gameplay. These titles capture the charm of arcade cabinets from the 90s while providing accessible controls and vibrant visuals for players of all skill levels.
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A loving tribute to 90s arcade classics featuring the original four Turtles and their allies. The game supports up to eight players locally and online, with a pixel-art style that faithfully recreates the nostalgia of the era while offering robust cooperative gameplay mechanics.
Kunio-kun’s beloved beat-em-up series returns with refined combat and enhanced graphics. This title supports four-player local co-op, allowing friends to team up as Kyoko and Misako to take down various criminal organizations in a vibrant, cartoonish world.
A spiritual successor to the legendary 16-bit series, featuring stunning hand-drawn visuals and a dynamic soundtrack. It supports four-player local multiplayer, combining traditional brawling with RPG elements and special moves for a deep and engaging combat experience.
While primarily a single-player action game, this enhanced version of the classic Ninja Gaiden includes extensive multiplayer modes. It offers fast-paced, technical combat that appeals to hardcore fans of the genre, though its primary focus remains on solo narrative-driven brawling.
A humorous and chaotic beat-em-up with platforming elements, supporting up to four-player local co-op. Its distinctive art style and easy-to-learn controls make it an excellent choice for casual groups looking for fun, repetitive action with unlockable characters and weapons.
Often categorized as a roguelite, this game features beat-em-up elements and supports four-player local co-op in its multiplayer mode. Players take on roles as heirs to a magical castle, fighting off waves of enemies in a charming, hand-drawn pixel art environment.
This indie title brings a fresh take on the beat-em-up genre with a unique visual style and fluid combat mechanics. It supports local multiplayer, allowing friends to join forces as the titular character to fight against a world overrun by corrupted technology.
A side-scrolling action game featuring parody versions of action heroes, supporting local multiplayer. While more of a shooter than a traditional beat-em-up, its core loop of destructible environments and character-specific abilities offers similar cooperative fun for Switch users.
A tactical beat-em-up where players control a squad of adventurers in a dungeon crawler setting. It supports local co-op, blending strategic positioning with real-time combat, offering a unique twist on the genre that requires teamwork to overcome challenging enemy waves.
A dark fantasy action RPG with heavy beat-em-up influences, though primarily single-player. It is included for its high-quality combat system and co-op potential via online play, providing a more narrative-driven alternative for those seeking depth alongside brawling.
This compilation includes six classic TMNT arcade and console games, many of which support local multiplayer. It allows players to experience the original beat-em-up games that inspired modern titles, preserving the nostalgia and simple, addictive gameplay of the 80s and 90s.
Not a beat-em-up, but included for context. This list focuses on action. Omitted. Replaced with 'Punch Club 2: Fast Forward'.
A modern take on boxing sims with RPG elements, supporting local co-op and versus modes. Players train their boxer and compete in tournaments, offering a strategic layer to the combat that differs from traditional hack-and-slash beat-em-ups but retains the competitive spirit.
A medieval first-person/third-person slasher with local multiplayer options via specific configurations or emulators, but native local is limited. Better to stick to 'Castle Crashers' alternatives. Replaced with 'Brawlhalla'.
A free-to-play platform fighter that supports local multiplayer on the Switch. While technically a fighting game, its chaotic and accessible nature appeals to beat-em-up fans looking for quick, local competition with a wide variety of Legends and skins.
A cooperative platformer with local multiplayer support that encourages creative level building and chaotic competition. Its emphasis on physical interaction and trap-based gameplay shares the chaotic spirit of local multiplayer sessions found in beat-em-ups.
A physics-based party game that supports local multiplayer and features brawling mechanics in gelatinous characters. It emphasizes messy, unpredictable fights rather than skill-based combos, making it a perfect casual addition for groups wanting relaxed, humorous combat.
Another physics-based puzzle platformer with local co-op, where players control clumsy humans solving levels. While not a combat-focused beat-em-up, its local multiplayer interaction and humorous physical failures provide similar social fun for casual gaming sessions.
A tight arena shooter with local multiplayer support that focuses on archery combat. Its fast-paced rounds and simple controls make it a great alternative for groups who enjoy competitive local multiplayer, even if it lacks the melee focus of traditional beat-em-ups.
A stylized neo-noir action platformer that is primarily single-player but showcases the precision combat that beat-em-up fans appreciate. It is included for its visual style and fast-paced melee mechanics, though it lacks local multiplayer, serving as a high-quality solo counterpart.
A Metroidvania platformer with beat-em-up elements, supporting single-player. It is included for its charm and combat style, though it lacks local multiplayer. It serves as a recommendation for those who enjoy the action combat aspect of the genre.