The beat ’em ups, known in Brazil simply as street brawler games, are one of the most traditional genres in video games. Born in arcades and popularized mainly during the 80s and 90s, the style remains alive on mobile phones, with options ranging from official classics to fan games, indie projects, and even ports of PC games.
If you like dishing out punches on a screen full of enemies, get ready: we’ve selected some of the best beat ’em up games for Android and iOS in 2026. The list brings together titles currently available in stores, games that have already disappeared from mobile platforms, and even some PC games that can be run on Android.
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99Vidas
Starting with a Brazilian representative that deserves much more recognition abroad, 99Vidas is a beat ’em up based on the famous Brazilian podcast of the same name.
More than just putting characters out to throw punches, the game works almost like a time capsule of Brazilian gamer culture from the 90s. The adventure is packed with references to the video games of that era, when many players relied on rental stores to be able to play.
The game can also be played offline or with friends, making 99Vidas a particularly interesting option for those who lived through that time and want to revisit that nostalgia.
River City Girls 1 and 2
River City Girls arrived on mobile phones in 2023 after making a name for itself on PC and consoles. The game puts two girls on a mission to rescue their boyfriends, who are none other than characters from the classic Kunio-kun franchise.
In addition to the traditional brawling, the game mixes RPG elements, character progression, combos, and an anime-inspired visual style.
The sequel, River City Girls 2, also arrived on mobile in 2024. Personally, the first game remains my favorite, although there is one significant issue: the beginning of the adventure can be quite slow, especially for those playing alone.
The characters start with few moves, and the enemies have a lot of health, giving the impression that the difficulty was designed for a cooperative experience. Fortunately, once new abilities are unlocked, the combat improves significantly.
And yes: it is possible to play with two players using a single phone and two controllers.
River City Girls GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
River City Girls 2 GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
River City Girls App Store (iOS)
River City Girls 2 App Store (iOS)
Regular Show: Best Park in the Universe
In 2013, Regular Show: Best Park in the Universe arrived on Android and iOS as one of the best cartoon adaptations for the beat ’em up genre.
The game reproduced the absurd humor of the Cartoon Network animation very well and featured simple, accessible, and highly fun gameplay.
In the adventure, Mordecai and Rigby accept a dubious proposal to turn the park into the “Best Park in the Universe,” but obviously things go wrong, and the place ends up being transported to the far reaches of space.
In addition to Mordecai and Rigby, it was possible to control characters like Muscle Man and Hi Five Ghost.
Interestingly, Regular Show was already an animation full of references to retro culture. Today, the game itself has become a retro piece from the era of early mobile gaming.
Regular Show: Best Park in the Universe APK
Night Slashers Remake and Night Slashers X
For those who enjoy harder beat ’em ups, Night Slashers is a must-know name. The arcade classic received a new official version, but there are also fan projects that helped keep the experience alive.
One of the most well-known is Night Slashers X, a project developed for OpenBOR that stood out for its amount of content and high difficulty.
The game brings together elements such as parry, counter-attacks, manual commands, and highly demanding combat, making the experience especially interesting for those seeking something closer to hardcore arcade beat ’em ups.
Night Slashers Remake, on the other hand, doesn’t quite manage to replicate the same feeling as the X project, but it’s still an interesting option for those wanting to get to know the franchise.
Night Slashers Remake App Store (IOS)
Also read:
Beat Street
Beat Street bets on a more casual formula, with short levels, character progression, and various references to other well-known franchises.
The proposal works precisely because it is simple and fast. You jump in, fight enemies, improve your character, and can return to try to advance even further.
It’s one of those games that manages to be quite addictive without requiring large amounts of time for each session. And the best part: it’s free on the Play Store.
Beat Street GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Kings Do Not Fall
Released in 2026, Kings Do Not Fall is an option for those seeking an experience closer to classic beat ’em ups, but with a modern presentation.
In the game, you control King Alden, the last ruler of Solara, in a world divided between forces of light and darkness. Goblins, orcs, undead, and other creatures are invading the kingdom, and it’s up to the monarch to face this threat alone.
The game features six levels, each ending in a boss battle. The adventure also includes different types of enemies, weapons, combos, and special moves.
Kings Do Not Fall was originally released for PC and later received an Android version. The game is paid and works offline.
Kings Do Not Fall on the Play Store (Android)
He-Man and She-Ra
Those who grew up watching 80s cartoons will likely enjoy He-Man and She-Ra, an OpenBOR-based port that takes Masters of the Universe characters on a brawling adventure.
You can control He-Man, She-Ra, and other characters as you face Hordak’s forces across 27 levels.
The bosses are also inspired by the classic cartoons, while the visuals seek to reproduce the aesthetic of the original animation.
It’s one of those projects made especially for those who miss the era when He-Man and She-Ra dominated television.
The project is not available on official stores, but the APK is available here.
See also:
Rogue Streets: Beat Em Up
Rogue Streets: Beat Em Up is one of the most recent games on the list. Released in August 2026, the title bets on the most straightforward formula possible.
The story begins with a guy getting out of prison. From there, all that matters is simply advancing through the streets and fighting anyone who gets in your way.
Don’t expect an elaborate narrative. Here, the idea is to enter the level and start throwing punches.
The game is free, but its main issue is repetitiveness, something that can weigh on you after a few sessions.
Rogue Streets GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Streets of Rage X
It’s curious to remember that for a while we had Streets of Rage 1, 2, and 4 officially available on mobile phones. Today, the first two are no longer in the stores, but fans have found a way to keep the experience alive on Android.
Streets of Rage X is one of the most ambitious projects made in OpenBOR. The game brings together the campaigns of the first three Streets of Rage games into a single experience and goes far beyond simply combining the games.
You can choose different versions of the characters, change the difficulty, number of lives, and time, as well as activate various gameplay options.
The project also adds new modes and a huge number of settings, making Streets of Rage X one of the most complete experiences created by the community.
Streets of Rage 4
Of course, a list of the best beat ’em ups couldn’t leave Streets of Rage 4 out.
Originally released in 2020 for PC and consoles, the game managed to revitalize the genre and helped spark a new wave of modern beat ’em ups.
On mobile, the game arrived in 2022 and remains one of the best experiences of the genre available for phones.
Behind the relatively simple appearance lies an extremely well-crafted combat system, with combos, special moves, and various mechanics that reward players for mastering the fights.
One example is the ability to recover part of your lost health by performing combos without getting hit. There are also the Star Moves, extremely powerful attacks that can be accumulated during the adventure.
The game also features dozens of achievements, unlockable classic characters, and the excellent DLC Mr. X Nightmare.
The expansion adds a survival mode, new fighters, new moves, and a system that allows you to customize character abilities, greatly increasing replayability.
For me, Streets of Rage 4 is simply one of the best beat ’em ups ever made. And, along with Streets of Rage X, it’s probably one of the best places to start getting to know the genre.
Streets of Rage 4 GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Streets of Rage 4 App Store (iOS)
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge takes all the nostalgia of the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade games and transforms the formula into a modern experience.
Each character has their own attributes for speed, strength, and range, as well as exclusive moves and a fairly complete combo system.
There’s also a progression system that allows you to unlock abilities and improve characters throughout the campaign.
Another major highlight is the multiplayer for up to six simultaneous players. The game also received DLCs that added characters like Usagi Yojimbo, Karai, and Mondo Gecko.
If you like Streets of Rage 4, trying Shredder’s Revenge is practically a must.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge App Store (iOS)
Maximus 2
Inspired by classics like Golden Axe and Knights of the Round, Maximus 2 transports the beat ’em up to a medieval setting.
The game features combat against large groups of enemies and offers support for up to four online players.
Another positive point is the amount of content. The game receives frequent updates with new characters and levels, avoiding one of the most common problems of free beat ’em ups: repetitiveness.
And there’s another important detail: Maximus 2 can also be played offline.
Maximus 2 GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Slaps and Beans 1 and 2
If the 80s helped popularize beat ’em ups in video games, Bud Spencer and Terence Hill did something similar in cinema.
The duo’s films were practically a succession of street fights, full of humor and brawling. The Slaps and Beans games turn exactly that style into a playable adventure.
Instead of adapting just one film, the games mix characters and situations from various productions by the duo, including Crime Busters, Trinity Is STILL My Name!, Who Finds a Friend Finds a Treasure, and Watch Out, We’re Mad.
The gameplay follows the classic formula of the genre, while the graphics have an aesthetic reminiscent of old Java mobile games.
Slaps and Beans GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Slaps and Beans App Store (iOS)
Slaps and Beans 2 GOOGLE PLAY (Android)
Slaps and Beans 2 App Store (iOS)
Radiant: Guardians of Light
Radiant: Guardians of Light can technically be considered an action RPG, but in practice, it has many elements of a beat ’em up.
The adventure features a story-focused campaign, skill tree, equipment crafting, potions, crafting, and character progression.
It’s also possible to play the entire campaign in cooperative mode, exploring a world full of missions, secrets, and bosses.
It’s a considerably deeper experience than a traditional beat ’em up.
Beat ’em ups that disappeared from Android and iOS
Unfortunately, some of the best street brawler games that arrived on mobile phones are no longer officially available in the stores.
Big Action Mega Fight!
Big Action Mega Fight! had a campaign full of action, humor, and brawling.
During the adventure, you could face dozens of enemy types using combos, grabs, improvised weapons, and special moves.
The game also featured partially destructible environments, very well-made animations, creative bosses, and a progression system that unlocked new abilities.
All of this was accompanied by a soundtrack that seemed to transport the player straight back to the late 80s.
Fightback
Around 2014, Ninja Theory, the studio that would later become known for Hellblade, released Fightback for mobile phones.
The game was designed specifically for touchscreens. Attacks, dodges, and counter-attacks were performed using on-screen gestures, creating fast and cinematic combat.
At the time, the graphics and action were some of the title’s main highlights.
Kavinsky
Yes, there was a beat ’em up game based on DJ Kavinsky for Android and iOS.
Released in 2013, the game put the player on a Nightcall to take on thugs to the sound of lots of synthwave and electronic music.
But the experience wasn’t just about brawling. There were also driving levels in a 1984 Ferrari Testarossa, one of the biggest visual references associated with the artist.
For those who love synthwave and retro culture, Kavinsky ended up becoming a small relic in the history of mobile gaming.
PC beat ’em ups that run on Android
Another trend that has been growing significantly on Android is the ability to play titles originally released for PC using compatibility tools and emulation.
And beat ’em ups fit perfectly into this scenario. Since many of them have 2D graphics and relatively low requirements, several games can run very well even on phones that aren’t considered high-end.
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
One of the most interesting examples is Marvel Cosmic Invasion, developed by Tribute Games, the same studio responsible for TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge.
Publishing was handled by Dotemu, the company that also worked on Streets of Rage 4.
The game brings together classic characters and new Marvel heroes in an experience that seems to have come straight out of the old arcades.
One of the most interesting details is the system that allows you to control two characters and switch between them during combat, including team-up attacks reminiscent of the tag systems in fighting games.
The animations also reference the classic Marvel vs. Capcom games, which makes the experience even more interesting for those who grew up playing Capcom’s fighting games.
Depending on the device and configuration used, games like this can be run through tools such as GameHub, GameNative, and Winlator.
Beat ’em ups are still alive
The most interesting thing of all is realizing that the genre born in arcades continues to find space decades later.
Modern beat ’em ups manage to combine the nostalgia of the classics with deeper combat systems, character progression, multiplayer, and much more elaborate graphics.
On Android and iOS, there’s another advantage: quick sessions and simple controls make the genre a perfect fit for mobile phones.
Whether through games officially available in stores, indie projects, fan games, or ports of PC titles, the brawling is far from over.
And now we want to know: what is your favorite beat ’em up? Leave your opinion in the comments and tell us which game you think should appear in a future Mobile Gamer Brasil list.
