8Bit/Digi

Twice this summer, I’ve had a conversation with friends about the lack of beat’em up games. The first time was during Anime Expo after demoing Double Dragon Revive. The second time was at California Extreme after a few arcade classics and being reminded of the absence of this once iconic genre. So the idea of a collection of classics going to modern consoles and the PC would be welcome news. Enter the Beat ’Em Up Collection from QUByte Interactive.

Beat ’Em Up Collection lets both old school gamers and a new generation experience classic beat ’em ups from the arcade era. Players who grew up with these games will be transported back to their childhood. For newer gamers, it offers a chance to discover iconic titles from the past. The collection preserves the nostalgic charm while making these timeless games accessible to everyone.

Fight in the Streets

Beat ’Em Up Collection is a compilation of beat’em up games that were released in the early ’90s. The collection features First Samurai, Second Samurai, Gourmet Warriors, Iron Commando, Legend, Sword of Sodan, and The Tale of Clouds and Winds. If you grew up playing these games in the arcade, then this is an opportunity to reconnect with your childhood.

Regardless of which game you choose to play, all titles in the collection support local co-op. Playing in co-op is appealing, as it lets you relive the good old days with friends. But instead of meeting at an arcade, you can now enjoy the experience from home. Just plug in a second controller and dive into the action with a friend.

Powered Up

Right from the start, I like how Beat ’Em Up Collection could introduce these titles to a new audience. I never experienced these games in arcades or at conventions, so this was my first time playing each title. I approached the collection with a completely fresh perspective. Among them, Iron Commando quickly became my favorite, thanks to its strong resemblance to other classic beat ’em ups like The Punisher. I also enjoyed Gourmet Warriors because of its quirkiness and silly premises.

As a collection, it enhances the overall experience while preserving the charm of the original games. The graphics are sharp yet faithful to the era’s distinctive style, and the audio is crisp, capturing the nostalgic sound of classic arcades without compromise. For those who prefer a retro feel, players can switch to a CRT style filter and adjust the controls to suit their playstyle. These customization options make it easy to enjoy the games your way.

I also have to praise how it handles saving progress. Unlike some arcade collections, each game here offers multiple save slots, letting you pick up right where you left off. This ensures you won’t have to sacrifice a saved game just to start another title or begin a new run with a friend.

Knock Out, Game Over!

Beat ’Em Up Collection’s biggest flaw lies in forgetting the true purpose of a remaster. It’s not only about making classic games accessible, but also about adding essential quality of life features.

This absence becomes immediately apparent when playing any title for the first time. The controls often feel janky and rough, as though I were using an unkept arcade cabinet, which is far from a compliment. While functional, they aren’t always comfortable, and at worst, they become a nuisance when precision actions, like platform jumping, are required. Another missing quality of life feature is the ability to adjust the gameplay experience. Most remastered arcade titles or collections include options to tweak the experience, such as difficulty or the number of continues. This collection, however, omits those adjustments entirely. Instead, you’re forced to play the games exactly as they are, without any flexibility.

Finally, it attempts to overcompensate for the lack of adjustable difficulty with a cheat mode. Players can enable god mode, unlimited power-ups, and more. However, this feels like a flimsy bandage over a serious problem, as it’s hardly the same. Sometimes, I just want the game to be slightly easier with more continues, not the ability to waltz through a stage without any effort.

No Longer Cornered

Beat ’Em Up Collection takes players back to the good old days of arcades while introducing new gamers to these classics. With beat ’em ups becoming increasingly rare, a collection of timeless titles is always welcome, especially for those who grew up with them. However, be warned: the absence of meaningful quality of life features is a major drawback. While a cheat mode is included, it feels like a weak substitute rather than a proper solution.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Beat 'Em Up Collection (PC)

5

Ok

5.0/10

Pros

• A collection of classic beat'em up games.
• Solid co-op allows you to play with your friends.
• Updated visuals and audio that also preserve the original aesthetics.

Cons

• Lacks most major quality of life elements seen in other arcade game collections.
• Controls often feel janky and rough.
• Cheat mode is not a substitute for quality of life.