Beat ’em ups, reminiscent of the classic side-scrolling action title Streets of Rage, offer a visceral and engaging gameplay experience centered around close-quarters combat against waves of enemies. These titles typically feature a diverse cast of playable characters, each with unique fighting styles and special moves, as seen in titles such as Final Fight and Double Dragon.
The appeal of these action-oriented games lies in their simple yet addictive mechanics, fostering a sense of progression and mastery as players learn enemy patterns and optimize their combat strategies. Their historical significance is rooted in the arcade era, providing accessible and immediate entertainment, contributing significantly to the evolution of cooperative gaming and influencing subsequent action game design. They offer straightforward gameplay that is easy to pick up but offers great depth of play.