Streets of Rage 4 is truly excellent, but there are other side-scrolling beat ’em ups out there also worthy of your time and money.
We’re pretty sure that Streets of Rage 4 is the best side-scrolling beat ’em up ever made, but at some point you’re going to tire of it. The good news is that there are many games available on Nintendo Switch that offer a similar experience. The majority of them have their own twist as well, adding a bit more flavour.
In recent years the side-scrolling beat ’em genre has had somewhat of a resurgence, with old ones spruced up and released on new formats and entirely new ones being made. It means there are plenty available on Switch if you take the time to dig through the eShop. Though you don’t need to; we’ve done the hard work for you.
We’ve put together a list of the best games like Streets of Rage on Switch. Peruse our list with your eyes and you might just find something that takes your fancy. None of them are quite as good as Streets of Rage 4, but they all have hours of entertainment to offer.
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1. The TakeOver
Largely developed by just one man, you’ll be amazed by just how good The TakeOver looks on Switch. It plays well, too.
As one of three tough cookies, it requires you to battle your way through numerous environments in order to save someone dear to you. Allowing you to easily chain together your own combos of punches and kicks, you’ll have a blast with it. In fact, the only thing that really lets it down is that its enemies aren’t unique enough. Still, if you’re after the best games like Streets of Rage on Switch, it’s a must-have.
Read our full review of The TakeOver
2. Mayhem Brawler
Mayhem Brawler offers what is perhaps the closest experience to Streets of Rage 4 right now without actually playing it.
It has a similar pace, visual style and assortment of moves. But it also has some unique features of its own, its biggest being its branching story. After each stage you’ll be asked where you want to go to next, and so to see all of the game’s stages, enemies and endings you’ll have to play through it multiple times. That’s not a problem, though, when a game’s as much fun to play as this. One of the best games like Streets of Rage on Switch? You bet it is.
Read our full review of Mayhem Brawler
3. Fight’N Rage
If you’re a side-scrolling beat ’em up fan, you simply need Fight’N Rage in your Switch game library. It’s as simple as that.
With its retro looks and gameplay, Fight’N Rage presents itself as a blast from the past. Its range of modes and huge roster of playable characters, however, make this much meatier than any game of yonder. It even has branching paths and multiple endings. Needless to say, Fight’N Rage is a little outlandish compared to other games in the genre, but if you’re after the best games like Streets of Rage, it’s a must-play.
Read our full review of Fight’N Rage
4. River City Girls 2
The River City Girls are back, and this time they’ve brought friends.
While Misako and Kyoko perhaps deserve a rest, River City is in danger. Together with their boyfriends, Kunio and Riki, they’ve got to go up against a powerful Yakuza boss, and there are others that might help them, too. The result is yet another journey through River City, fighting anyone that stands in your path. Thanks to improved combat, additional playable characters and more places to explore, however, it’s an absolute treat.
Read our full review of River City Girls 2
5. Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle
Featuring a whole host of classic side-scrolling beat ’em ups by Capcom, Capcom Beat ‘Em Up bundle is an absolute must-have for series fans on Switch.
A whopping seven games are included in Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, ranging from the classic Final Fight to the brilliant Battle Circuit. Granted, they might not look all that great these days, but most of them are still very fun to play. And so, why just treat yourself to one game like Streets of Rage when you can have multiple in one package? You know what to do.
Read our full review of Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle
6. Jitsu Squad
If, like us, you love games with their own these songs, Jitsu Squad will be your jam.
More importantly, however, this wonderful-looking side-scrolling beat ’em up is a hell of a lot to play. Its gameplay is perhaps not quite as tight as some of the other games on this list, but it more than makes up with it with its over-the-top insanity. Hordes of enemies are thrown at you, and you have a pleasing range of moves to employ to deal with them. Throw in multiple special attacks and a story that might make you chuckle from time to time, and you do indeed have one of the best games like Streets of Rage on Switch.
7. Final Vendetta
We were disappointed with Final Vendetta when we first played it. Thanks to a patch that went live after launch, however, it’s now much better.
Truly inspired by the classics, Final Vendetta has a retro look and a banging soundtrack. Moving from left to right, as ever, the combination makes beating down the countless goons that stand in your path all the more fun. It’s just a shame that Final Vendetta feels a little too derivative of the classics in ways, and a little cheap in others. Still, if you’re a fan of the genre, it’s very much worth a play or two.
Read our full review of Final Vendetta
8. The Ninja Saviors – Return of the Warriors
Robots and ninjas: what more could you want in a game?
While its limited movement options (you can’t move in and out of the screen) means that The Ninja Saviors – Return of the Warriors is perhaps the game farthest away from Streets of Rage on this list, it shares many elements. You still need to make effective use of space, for example, and lay on the hurt to hordes of enemies as they pile onto the screen in order to cut your day short. Most importantly, however, it’s bloody good fun. So, if you’re after the best games like Streets of Rage on Switch, give it some consideration.
Read our full review of The Ninja Saviors – Return of the Warriors
9. 99Vidas – Definitive Edition
Humorous and fun, that’s what 99Vidas is.
The Definitive Edition on Switch packs in more stages, more enemies and more game modes, too, meaning you get a longer, more enjoyable playing experience. There are some things to be weary about, however. For one, its story is utter piffle if you care about such things in this type of game. And then there’s the fact that some may find it overly challenging. Still, its budget price means you should give 99Vidas a go if you think you have the skills to conquer it.
Read our full review of 99Vidas
10. Coffee Crisis
Coffee Crisis is so retro that it was actually released on SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive… in 2017.
With a story that sees aliens come to Earth in order to take away our most valuable commodities, Coffee Crisis doesn’t take itself seriously. Because what are those commodities? Heavy metal music, coffee and WiFi, of course! Still, it means there’s plenty of humour to be found, and some interesting adversaries to go up against. It’s not quite as enjoyable to play as most other side-scrolling beat ’em ups on this list, but Coffee Crisis is worth adding to your collection if you like your games on the quirky side.
