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10 Best PS1 Beat ‘Em Up Games of All Time

by Reza • in Games

Best PS1 Beat 'Em up Games of All TimeWe already published the list of best PS1 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS1 beat ’em up games of all time.

With amazing titles like the Fighting Force series, Gekido, and T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger, the PS1 surely have a great collection of beat ’em up games.

If you’re a fan of both PS1 and beat ’em up games, I know that you want to know the best PS1 beat ’em up games of all time.

Most of you will recognize (or even still play) some of the games mentioned on this list.

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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best PS2 Games

#10. Fantastic Four

Probe Entertainment Limited/Acclaim, 1997
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D

Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four

Synopsis

Mr. Doom has created a time machine to mess with the Fantastic Four before facing himself in the final battle.

Step into the shoes of Marvel’s Fantastic Four member to face their nemesis, Mr. Doom.

Short Review

All four character is deployed simultaneously, fighting together instead of switching one by one.

Control is easy enough to the point you just kind of button mashing through the level.

Graphically, the game did a quite good job and well ahead of its time.

Overall, Fantastic Four is a fantastic game, perfectly created to play with your friend over Saturday night.

Check it out on Amazon »

#9. Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

Midway, 2000
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

Synopsis

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces tells the story of Sonya and Jax, and their encounter with Black Dragon clan member, Kano.

Short Review

Sense of option with multiple paths from the story to take all leading to a single ending.

Storywise, the game did a good job explaining the Mortal Kombat lore and Sonya backstory.

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces is a game that will be appreciated by any MK fans who wants to keep up with Mortal Kombat mythology.

Check it out on Amazon »

#8. Blade

Hammerhead/Activision, 2000
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Blade

Blade

Synopsis

Join Blade and his mentor Abraham Whistler as they venture through various location to slay and get rid of vampire menace.

Short Review

RPG element implemented like choosing weapon and bullet type does different damage to a certain type of enemies.

Multiple ending and deep storyline to keep you hooked, especially if you never read the comic or seen the movie.

Besides the daywalker, you can play as Abraham Whistler.

Blade is a stylish beat or shoots em up game inspired from Marvel and definitely one of the best action game on PS1.

Check it out on Amazon »

#7. Fighting Force 2

Core Design Ltd./Eidos Interactive, 1999
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Fighting Force 2

Fighting Force 2

Synopsis

In the distant future, cloning technology has become a reality.

Fearful of the tech being misused, cloning has been banned internationally and some special agent is tasked to infiltrate a lab suspected of researching cloning.

Short Review

The game features a huge content with its wide selection of weapon and an immense number of levels.

Comical fighting effect, almost anything can be destroyed, even a soda machine would explode if you punch it hard enough.

Fighting Force 2 is certainly an upgrade from the previous entry and a suitable game to alternate in between your hardcore games.

Check it out on Amazon »

#6. Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

LucasArts, 2000
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles

Synopsis

Set in the prequel era, Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles let you wield your lightsaber as Obi-wan, Anakin, and other Jedi Council member to fight pesty droid and eventually the evil Jedi.

Short Review

The combat or fighting is one of the best in the genre, once you get the hang of it, slashing droid with your lightsaber will feel natural and entertaining.

The protagonist is distinctive and offers different sets of ability should you decide to try them.

Don’t let the Episode I fools you, this game is way better than the movies, one of the classic and the nostalgic feeling will keep you hooked to the game.

Check it out on Amazon »

#5. Fighting Force

Core Design Ltd./Eidos Interactive, 1997
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Fighting Force

Fighting Force

Synopsis

Dr. Dex Zeng has predicted the world will end in the year 2000, but when it’s new years eve and the world is still intact, Dr. Dex Zeng decides to take the matter into his own hand, self-fulfilling the prophecy.

Short Review

Fighting Force is the Sega’s Streets of Rage from PS1, offering the same theme in 3D instead of 2D.

Graphic and sound are well detailed and versed, good looking animation and ear-pleasing bone-cracking sound.

Developed by the same developer of Tomb Raider, the game exceeds the high expectation, delivering one of the most fun beat em up gaming experience.

Check it out on Amazon »

#4. Gekido

Naps Team/Infogrames, 2000
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Gekido

Gekido

Synopsis

A devil worshipper named Kintaro kidnapped a young girl, Angela for his next sacrifice to the devil.

Travis, a private detective then hired to help Angela get back to safety with the help of his crew.

Short Review

Although you can’t deal damage to your friend, you still can affect them by indirectly by throwing, guaranteeing one of the most funniest gaming experience with your friends.

As if the main game wasn’t enough, Gekido throws in some extra battle mode which will unlock another secret in the game to keep you entertained.

Gekido is the example of beat em up game done right, singleplayer you got action jam-packed beat em up game, and when second player joining in you got a crazy and explosive game.

Check it out on Amazon »

#3. Ninja: Shadow of Darkness

Core Design Ltd./Eidos Interactive, 1998
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Ninja: Shadow of Darkness

Ninja: Shadow of Darkness

Synopsis

It is ninja versus devilish creature.

Desperate for power, japan feudal lord made a pact with the devil and it is up to a young ninja to stop the devil army before it consumes the world.

Short Review

Ninja is always correlated with stealth, Ninja: Shadow of Darkness stray from the stereotype and goes full action with tons of moves, weapons, and puzzles to experiment with your ninja skill.

Level design is a strong suit, all things placed perfectly and had purposes on them.

Ninja: Shadow of Darkness is the Dark Soul of PS1, the level sometimes get irritatingly hard but it all worth it in the end.

Check it out on Amazon »

#2. T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger

Dreamworks Interactive/Activision, 1999
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

T'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger

T'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger

Synopsis

As the last member of his clan, T’ai Fu must set out on a journey to learn his past and kungfu moves before fighting the sinister dragon master from the dragon clan.

Short Review

T’ai Fu skill is directly proportional to the fun you had while playing this game, as T’ai Fu mastered another skill, the game got more complex and this is when the fun begins.

The presentation of music, graphic is decent enough and the moves are accurate.

T’ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger is a decent game in all aspect, enough to satisfy your twitch for a solid fighting game mixed with some action.

Check it out on Amazon »

#1. Jackie Chan: Stuntmaster

Radical Entertainment/Midway, 2000
Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D

Jackie Chan: Stuntmaster

Jackie Chan: Stuntmaster

Synopsis

Known for his movie stunts, Jackie Chan dives into the 3D world, travelling through various levels, kicking and punching to save his kidnapped grandpa.

Short Review

Jackie Chan himself is intervening in the game process while featuring his real voice and face in some cutscene.

Perfectly created scene and moves from movies as well as usage of the makeshift weapon.

Jackie Chan: Stuntmaster is a PSone classic, lots of funny remarks of Jackie on top of superb action moves.

Check it out on Amazon »

Are your favorite games on the list? Leave a comment below!

If you think there are games that should OR shouldn’t be on this list, let us know by leaving a comment below.

Deciding the best PS1 beat ’em up game is no doubt a little bit late since this iconic console has been around for more than two decades, but thanks to emulator and remastered games, it’s still exciting!

Last updated June 20, 2020

Reza

Founder and owner of ProFanboy. Interested in casual and classic games such as Spyro, Crash Bandicoot, and GTA.

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About ProFanboy

Hi, I'm Reza, and I've been playing video games since I was a kid. My first console was the original PlayStation (the gray one) and I spent countless hours playing Crash Bandicoot series and Spyro series. My second console was the PS2 Fat, and I completed all of the GTA series 100%.


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