We already published the list of best Xbox 360 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best Xbox 360 beat ’em up games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the Xbox 360 definitely has a great library of beat ’em up games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the Xbox 360 and beat ’em up games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao
- Release Data: Blitz Arcade/Namco Bandai Games, 2009
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao is a gimmick game.
Its most unique feature is its ability to display fancy pants 3D visuals, and the experience is indeed impressive.
But take that away and you’re left with a generic beat ’em up.
#24. Moon Diver
- Release Data: FeelPlus/Square Enix, 2011
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
If you are looking for a great four-player side-scrolling beat ’em up game, then look no further.
Great character structure, classic upgrade scheme mixed with a wide variety of spells and all blended in a fluid combat system make Moon Diver a must have in your library.
#23. Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War
- Release Data: Omega Force/Koei, 2007
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Bladestorm is fun, for the most part.
If it had a little more polish and fewer technical flaws, it could be one of the finest hack and slash games on the Xbox 360.
The change of pace and game direction is incredibly refreshing, so fans of the various Warriors games may want to give this one a shot.
#22. Dynasty Warriors 8
- Release Data: Omega Force/Tecmo Koei Games, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
All the upgrades to the combat and the new features are what were needed to keep the series going forward.
It manages to smartly add new things without disrupting the core concept of the game, which is surely what people who like these games are after.
#21. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1989 Classic Arcade
- Release Data: Konami/Ubisoft, 2007
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
The gameplay here is simple yet effective.
Each turtle has an attack button and a jump button. Pressing both of those buttons at the same time unleashes their special attack.
In the end, TMNT is an arcade title that will surely please all Turtles fans, whether they’re looking for some nostalgia or just a TMNT game to play with friends.
#20. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3
- Release Data: Omega Force/Bandai Namco Games, 2011
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The game involves frenetic, drawn-out battles.
Combined with dazzlingly colorful blasts and battle effects, it almost creates a visual overload at times.
There isn’t much new here and it may at times prove overly difficult for players new to this sort of action, but fans of large scale combat games should be appeased.
#19. Sacred Citadel
- Release Data: Southend Interactive/Deep Silver, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
If you’re in the mood for a solid 2D brawler that will keep you and your friends entertained for hours on end, it is recommended that you give this game a look.
Sacred Citadel takes the genre in an exciting direction forward, proving that older genres still have a place in the industry.
#18. Afro Samurai
- Release Data: Namco Bandai Games, 2009
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Its flaws are noticeable, but Afro Samurai is ultimately a lot of fun.
You can squeeze a good seven hours of enjoyment out of the experience the first time around, and hidden items and ensuing unlockables may drive you to return, if the fun and ferocious combat isn’t reason enough.
#17. Double Dragon: Neon
- Release Data: WayForward/Majesco, 2012
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Double Dragon Neon is a game that fully understands the job it came to do and fulfills it admirably.
And while it has a few obvious flaws that arguably should never have happened in the first place, the overall product still knocks it out of the park while bursting with pride in everything that it is.
#16. Anarchy Reigns
- Release Data: PlatinumGames/Sega, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Anarchy Reigns feels like it’s from a different era.
Though the single-player is a weird combination of bland environments and repeated ideas, the combat system is fun even in those straightforward scenarios.
Anarchy Reigns is the kind of game most companies don’t make anymore; it’s also good enough to deserve your attention.
#15. Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds
- Release Data: Division2/5pb, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds is a simple game that anyone can pick up and play, but appearing to have a deeper feel for combos like a traditional fighting game would, while adding a minimal skill tree for damage and speed boosts like an RPG.
It’s deep without being too deep, which makes it just the right amount of fun.
#14. The Simpsons Arcade Game
- Release Data: Konami, 2012
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
The Simpsons Arcade Game is a classic of its kind, but some players aren’t going to understand why and that’s perfectly fine.
For retro arcade fans who want to relive happy memories, or Simpsons fans hoping for a flashback to the days when the TV show was a cultural phenomenon, this is a fine little nostalgia fix.
#13. Foul Play
- Release Data: Mediatonic/Mastertronic, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Side-scrolling beat ’em ups isn’t a new genre, but Foul Play is very effective at setting a fun tone that will have players laughing between hours of battling against enemy hordes and big bad guys.
The game manages to provide some unique design choices that makes the title stand out in a crowded genre.
#12. X-Men: The Arcade Game
- Release Data: Konami, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
While the game rapidly gets repetitive and shows its age at particular moments, there is a simple joy in going around and busting some Sentinels.
It won’t win any awards for being an outstanding achievement in video gaming, but it would be an injustice to pass up a title of this caliber if you enjoy the beat-‘em-up genre.
#11. Dante’s Inferno
- Release Data: Visceral Games/Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
When it comes down to it, you’re going to get the best Dante’s Inferno experience when you embrace that it’s not perfect.
You’re not going to find a wholly original gameplay experience with Dante’s Inferno, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a hell of an entertaining package—it’s one that fans of hack and slash shouldn’t miss.
#10. Shank
- Release Data: Klei Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
The action isn’t particularly innovative, but combat is fun, fluid, and often spectacular.
Just remember it’s pretty grisly, too, and frustratingly tough in a few spots.
Shank has much of the polish and visual sparkle of a full-priced game but comes at the price of an indie downloadable, making it an easy recommendation for older gamers interested in over-the-top cartoon combat.
#9. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
You can finish the game in just a few hours, but there is still replay value for people craving more action.
There are also branching paths and multiple endings, and it’s fun to replay levels to find all the secrets.
And although some blemishes certainly tarnish the experience, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is still a fun brawler at its heart.
#8. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
- Release Data: Raven Software/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Although X-Men Origins: Wolverine does sport some clear technical deficiencies, it’s never enough to fully distract you from what it is at its core: a solid game that takes those metal claws of Wolverine seriously.
This is a game that’s at its best when it’s brutal, and though it lacks any real depth, it’s fun while it lasts.
#7. Streets of Rage 2
- Release Data: Sega, 2007
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Though Streets of Rage 2 doesn’t feature the sound-test mode where you can listen to the game’s catchy soundtrack, there are other perks, such as the ability to save your progress at any time and some fairly attainable achievements.
Streets of Rage 2 is one of the best beat-’em-up experiences you’ll have anywhere, and this is a really solid version.
#6. The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai
- Release Data: Ska Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2009
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
If you’re looking for a beat ’em up or hack and slash game that’s brutal and stylish, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is what you are looking for.
If you don’t like a challenge or bothered by violence, you might want to spend your time and energy elsewhere.
#5. Charlie Murder
- Release Data: Ska Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2013
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Charlie Murder is a very tough but fulfilling beat-’em-up.
The fighting is fun whether you go solo or with allies and the loot system will entice people into going for another round.
Wrap that up in the top-notch stylized presentation, and it’s easy to see why Charlie Murder is highly recommended.
#4. Shank 2
- Release Data: Klei Entertainment/Electronic Arts, 2012
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Shank 2 is largely more of the same artistically rendered fighting that made the original a hit but with slightly improved graphics and a slightly more frenetic pace of play, encouraging players to keep moving, dodging, and attacking.
Plus, enemies are a bit more diverse than before, forcing players to regularly learn how to deal with new patterns of attack.
#3. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
- Release Data: Beenox/Activision, 2010
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The lively visuals and diverse gameplay help keep Shattered Dimensions moving along at a good pace, and you’ll likely finish just shy of the 10-hour mark, having enjoyed your journey.
After all, it’s a lot of fun to feel like a superhero, and Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions creates this feeling very well.
#2. Castle Crashers
- Release Data: The Behemoth, 2008
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
Castle Crashers takes the best elements of traditional side-scrolling beat-em-ups and adds lots of flair.
There’s some great humor here and some nice surprises that will please most.
Of course, the most important thing is that it’s a whole lot of fun—especially when you play with friends.
#1. The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile
- Release Data: Ska Studios/Microsoft Game Studios, 2011
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 2D
The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is all about the combat.
This is a refined version of the first title, with better dodging, more varied and entertaining enemies, and the same over-the-top violence that defined the original.
The repetitive level design can become mind-numbing in any sort of prolonged session, but the excellent combat is enough to make it worth playing.
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See also: Best Original Xbox Games & Best Xbox One Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which Xbox 360 beat ’em up game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
