We already published the list of best original Xbox games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best original Xbox beat ’em up games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the original Xbox definitely has a great library of beat ’em up games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the original Xbox 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. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy
- Release Data: Midway, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Ultimately, Gauntlet Dark Legacy is a dated game that has remained unchanged in this release, and it should only interest those entirely new to the series.
If you’ve never played Gauntlet Legends or Dark Legacy, then you and three friends can conceivably have fun playing this simplistic game.
#24. Spikeout: Battle Street
- Release Data: Dimps Corporation/Sega, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Spikeout: Battle Street will find its fans.
People that are totally hooked on unlockables will find a lot of characters to unlock here, and if you love cooperative gameplay, it’s nice that the game offers it up, even though you’ll only get about two hours of content.
Unless you fall into one or both of these types, Spikeout isn’t for you.
#23. Beat Down
- Release Data: Cavia Inc./Capcom, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
In the end, it seems like Beatdown tries to do a little too much.
The idea of exploring a city and building up a gang while trying to duck your rivals and the police is appealing, but the way it’s executed in the game leaves a lot to be desired.
Overall, it’s a somewhat mediocre game.
#22. New Legends
- Release Data: Infinite Machine/THQ, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
After playing through it, you’ll likely feel that if they had a little more time to work on it, it could have easily been one of the must-have games for the Xbox.
The combat is certainly fun, but not to the extent that you can overlook some of New Legends‘ other problems, like its camera issues and its short length.
#21. X-Men: The Official Game
- Release Data: Z-Axis, Ltd./Activision, 2006
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Its existence is solely based on the need to have an X-Men game to coincide with the hype surrounding the movie, and it brings no interesting gameplay, story, visual, or feature components to the table to make it worth your time.
Only get this if you’re a diehard fans of the source material.
#20. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Release Data: Konami, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
There are things about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that can be praised.
Its graphical style is quite pleasing to look at, and the game certainly deserves points for giving you a multiplayer option.
Younger fans of the TV series will likely not be swayed by the game’s elementary fighting mechanics and should find the storyline entertaining.
#19. Blade II
- Release Data: Mucky Foot Productions/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Blade II isn’t a stunning example of the Xbox at work.
The character models are decent, but the animations are repetitive and there isn’t enough variety to keep the game visual stimulating.
It’s probably not a bad choice for a casual session, but definitely not for a serious gaming experience.
#18. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare
- Release Data: Konami, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare plays too much like its flawed predecessors to warrant a look from anyone besides diehard fans.
The action wasn’t great the first time around, and while the third outing fixes a few problems, it’s still largely the same game.
Very mediocre but if you’re a big fan of the turtles, maybe you’ll enjoy it.
#17. Fantastic 4
- Release Data: 7 Studios/Activision, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Though Fantastic 4 does offer all the elements of a good beat-’em-up game on paper, the execution of those features leaves something to be desired.
But, if you’re really into the movie or the comic and can look past boring environments and controls that aren’t as crisp as they should be, then Fantastic 4 might be worth a quick play.
#16. Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
If constantly fighting with common street thugs for a few hours doesn’t sound appealing, this probably isn’t the game for you.
But if you do enjoy straightforward, no-nonsense action, Rise of Sin Tzu delivers it in an appealing package and is one of the best 3D beat-’em-up action games you’ll find.
#15. State of Emergency
- Release Data: VIS Entertainment/Rockstar Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
State of Emergency isn’t the deepest game on the market, but with its timers and its high-score lists, the game is definitely shooting for shorter, arcade-like play sessions.
The Xbox version’s new features make it a good deal for anyone looking for some mindless fun.
#14. Dynasty Warriors 5
- Release Data: Omega Force/Koei, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Dynasty Warriors 5 is a game that certainly succeeds in creating a system where players can go on seemingly endless battles against hordes of soldiers.
If you absolutely need some more Three Kingdoms brawling or haven’t played one of these games before, then this is the thing to get into.
#13. Hulk
- Release Data: Radical Entertainment/Universal Interactive, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The action sequences are fun, but the combat is so simple and the story mode so short that the game’s lasting appeal is limited.
Unless you’re a huge fan of The Hulk, you’d be best off just playing the game over a weekend.
It won’t take you very long, but it’ll still be a largely satisfying experience.
#12. Samurai Warriors
- Release Data: Omega Force/Koei, 2004
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
When all is said and done, Samurai Warriors is a game that sticks pretty closely to its roots, and in that regard, it does a fine job of being what it wants to be.
And anyone who’s had an interest in the series, but has yet to take the plunge, will find a fine starting point in Samurai Warriors.
#11. Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone
- Release Data: Stormfront Studios/Atari SA, 2004
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
On its own terms, Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone is a satisfying adventure, and in the bigger picture, it stands to introduce the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons to a broader audience.
Regardless of that, it’s a very good game that’s well worth playing.
#10. Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer
- Release Data: High Voltage Software/Sierra Entertainment, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Overall, Hunter: The Reckoning Redeemer is a pretty standard Gauntlet-like hack-and-slash game.
It lacks the depth of games like Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, but it never pretends to have any real RPG component.
If you’re in search of a cooperative action game to play with friends, this title fits the bill.
#9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
- Release Data: Eurocom/VU Games, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Though Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds can’t be called any kind of real major technical improvement over the first Buffy game, it provides enough new and interesting achievements to make it a great follow-up.
In the end, Chaos Bleeds is an excellent, well-put-together action game that most fans of the genre should be able to enjoy.
#8. Dynasty Warriors 4
- Release Data: Omega Force/Koei, 2003
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Dynasty Warriors 4 has everything that fans could have hoped for: More stages, balanced characters, smarter AI, and plenty of different modes to choose from.
Repetition and bad voice acting aside, it still manages to advance the series in a forward direction.
In fact, it’s still one of the best hack and slash games around—no matter how familiar it may seem.
#7. Dynasty Warriors 3
- Release Data: Omega Force/Koei, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Dynasty Warriors 3 is a good, solid beat-’em-up with enough variety to stay fresh throughout.
Overall, though, this is pretty much the same like the previous game.
It’s still a good one, though, so if you haven’t played a Dynasty Warriors game before, this is a great version to play.
#6. Crimson Sea
- Release Data: Koei, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The game consists of several dozen missions that at the very least seem challenging, due to the number of enemies you’ll have to face.
Some replay value can be found in the game’s higher difficulty setting and in the customizable weapon system, giving Crimson Sea more length than the average action game.
#5. Spider-Man: The Movie
- Release Data: Treyarch/Activision, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Despite the camera problems and some of the other issues, most players will probably enjoy playing what ultimately turns out to be a graphically superior version of the PlayStation and Dreamcast Spider-Man games, which faithfully captured the superhero’s moves and actions to begin with.
#4. Hunter: The Reckoning
- Release Data: High Voltage Software/Interplay, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
Hunter: The Reckoning is definitely a fun game, but it’s also a short one.
So if you’re willing to look past the lack of substantial replay value, and if you’re looking for a quick dose of single-player or multiplayer mayhem, then you’ll definitely want to check out Hunter: The Reckoning.
#3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Release Data: The Collective/Electronic Arts, 2002
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The game’s straightforward design rarely gets you lost and always keeps the focus on the game’s fighting action.
Overall, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a terrific action game that has a great mix of multiple gameplay types and a great story.
#2. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
- Release Data: Midway Studios – Los Angeles/Midway, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
The core action of the game will be enjoyable to any brawling fan, but what makes Shaolin Monks specifically appealing isn’t its brawling.
Instead, it’s the game’s unrelenting desire to cater to classic Kombat fans.
So if you played and loved the classic Mortal Kombat fighters, Shaolin Monks is a game well worth checking out.
#1. The Warriors
- Release Data: Rockstar Toronto/Rockstar Games, 2005
- Genre: Action » Beat-‘Em-Up » 3D
With its unrelenting obsession with nailing the details of the movie’s universe, its quality action, and its breadth of content, The Warriors is easily one of the better pure-action games on the Xbox.
If you’ve got a thing for mature-themed action games, The Warriors is well worth your while.
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See also: Best Gaming Chairs & Best Xbox 360 Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which original Xbox beat ’em up game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!