The Co-Op Beat Em Up Retrospective
Editorial
Harken back to my golden age of gaming, a time when the Sega Genesis and SuperNES were head to head in the console wars. There was a game genre that sparked my love of co-op, one that seems to have all but disappeared. From Altered Beast to Golden Axe, Streets of Rage to Double Dragon - the co-op beat em up games were the cream of the crop in co-op experiences. The concept of these games was simple - partner up with a friend and punch, kick and attack everything in your path. They were challenging, fun, and over the top; but once 3D games became popular they all but disappeared.
A beat em up game is a fighting game at it's core, but instead of simple one on one battles, players face off against a variety of enemies scrolling through different levels. Most of these games have their roots in arcades where multiple players could team up against the computer. One of the earliest co-op beat em up games was called Renegade which was released in 1986 on a variety of platforms including the Arcades. The game was simple, featuring four fighting areas that players were locked into as waves of enemies were thrown at them. It was the first game that allowed players to move not only side to side in the environment, but up and down as well.
Prepare for my iron fist Mr Hawaii Shirt Guy.
It wasn't long after Renegade was released that we saw the golden age begin to take shape. Starting in the arcades in 1987, Double Dragon is perhaps one of the most famous co-op brawlers of all time. The game was ported to over 20 platforms, with the most recent being a complete remake on Xbox Live Arcade. Starring brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee, players were on the quest to save Billy's girlfriend against the evil gangs. Double Dragon was the first game that allowed players to not only use punches and kicks, but special moves and weapons. Whenever a whip was dropped, it was a mad dash to pick it up.
It takes skill to get 0 score by the time you get here in Double Dragon XLBA
From the article: "So while the genre may have all but disappeared, I'd say that certain games and genres are the spiritual successors. Marvel Ultimate Alliance and the X-Men Legends series stick out to me as the new gen beat em ups. "
Heres hoping the genre sticks around for awhile, because we all remember how much fun it was to couch coop the Double Dragon games back in the day .
Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks was so awesome. I wish it would get a sequel....I wish it so hard.
Let's hope Golden Axe gets one day a deserving sequel.
They really should make a new Battletoads game. Those were so great, and they were definitely the most challenging of all beat-em-ups at the time.
That'd be me sleep-reading again. I read it - then skimmed for Marvel, but somehow missed it - twice. Sorry!
Yeah, not to mention with the onslaught of folks buying bigger and better screens nowadays, you can easily fit all the Xmen from the Xmen arcade game and have a rocking good time in your living room.
The original arcade version of Double Dragon though. Me and that game have had words and we are no longer on speaking terms. (stupid traps in the last level, they are the only reason I can't beat it w/o dying.)
I loved Fighting Force on the N64
A proper update to River City Ransom, Battletoads, Double Dragon, Final Fight, or Golden Axe would make someone a fortune. [size=85">(pst...hey Capcom)[/size">
Capcom could easily make some extra money if they wanted, they have by far the best catalogue of brawlers. They could pretty much release any of them on Live Arcade or PSN, without any enhancements whatsoever, and it would sell. Just add online play, no other modifications needed, in my opinion.
Make it happen, Capcom.
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