Mutation Nation is a mutant-themed postapocalyptic brawler from SNK. In addition to its grotesque and varied enemy designs, it’s notable for its charged elemental magic attacks.

Mystical Fighter is a one-of-a-kind Kabuki-themed console-only brawler. Its gameplay is similar to Final Fight but with dashing and screen-clearing stock-based magic attacks.

NARC is a port of the unique projectile-based anti-drug arcade brawler developed by Rare. Its one-of-a-kind gameplay involves shooting tons of thugs with limited ammo, as well as getting close to enemies to arrest them for a bonus. Unlike most beat ’em ups, enemies respawn infinitely and you must make it to the end of the stage to beat each level.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun created the brawler genre with its revolutionary combat system and urban aesthetics. Except for co-op, it’s got everything that make beat ’em ups great: many simultaneous opponents, combos, back attacks, throws, jump kicks, and even ground attacks.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun is a port of Technos’ arcade classic that invented the brawler genre. Despite coming out in 1987, this game shows an astounding amount of brawler refinement: it has difficult enemies that require strategy and skill to complete, boss fights, vehicle sections, and a huge moveset that’s still more advanced than most other NES beat ’em ups. It also has a catchy rockabilly soundtrack.

Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun: Bangai Rantou Hen is an original Kunio game for the Game Boy. Its combat engine is actually more similar to the very first Kunio game (i.e. Renegade) than Downtown Special (aka River City Ransom.) It also adds a crouch move that can be followed up with a mighty spinning uppercut as well as a gut-jumping attack. It features three difficulty settings and link cable support for two-player gameplay.

Night Slashers is a late-generation horror-themed beat ’em up from Data East. It features zombies, mad scientists, frankensteins, vampires, werewolves, axe murderers, mummies, and even evil Aztec gods. Its combat features a unique charge system as well as downward aerials that nail enemies into the ground.

Ninja Baseball Bat Man is an ultra-cartoony brawler from Irem that features baseball playing ninja robots. It’s one of the most original concepts of any game ever, let alone beat ’em ups. Despite its cutesy appearance, it has significant depth and challenge.

Ninja Boy is a martial arts-themed overhead brawler from Culture Brain. It features simple combat with only a few attacks and small stages where you have to beat a certain number of enemies to proceed. It emphasizes collecting items over the course of the game so you’re powerful enough to defeat the later enemies and bosses. This game is basically a port of Kung Fu Heroes on the NES.

Ninja Boy 2 is a hybrid RPG/brawler for the Game Boy. It’s a loose port of Little Ninja Brothers on the NES, although it’s only single player and the story has changed. You travel around an overhead map, talking to townspeople and taking on quests like an RPG, but when you encounter an enemy the game switches to traditional brawler combat. You also gain experience and can buy items to help you on your mission.

Ninja Clowns is an extremely obscure clown-themed brawler. It has a Ren & Stimpy-esque art style and surprisingly large movesets filled with slapstick attacks.

Ninja Combat is a ninja-themed brawler from Alpha. It’s notable for its projectile-based combat, charged magical attacks, and extra characters that are unlocked after beating stages.

Ninja Gaiden is the first ninja-themed brawler. Its setting and gameplay are similar to Double Dragon. It innovates with action-platforming segments as well as a unique jump-throw attack.

Oriental Legend is a Chinese-exclusive beat ’em up developed by IGS. It’s based off of Chinese mythology and has gameplay similar to the Capcom D&D games. It’s notable for its huge cast of characters.

P.O.W. - Prisoners of War is a military-themed brawler from SNK. Its gameplay is very similar to Double Dragon except for its inclusion of usable ammo-based guns.

P.O.W. - Prisoners of War is a single-player port of the arcade military-themed brawler from SNK. It’s notable for its optional areas that allow you to collect items and weapons, including guns with limited ammo. It’s also very difficult for an NES beat ’em up.

Panzer Bandit is an obscure two-player brawler for the Playstation. It’s largely a Guardian Heroes rip-off, as it features the same three-lane system and fighting game-style advanced techniques. However, it carves out its own niche with a futuristic setting, emphasis on projectiles, and an energy bar used for super attacks that fills up when you attack. It also has a Mega Man-esque stage select system.

PuLiRuLa is a surreal, cartoony brawler from Taito. It has a straightforward weapons-based combat engine. It’s known for its extremely imaginative presentation and weird Japanese humor.

Raid 2020 is a unique unlicensed projectile-based brawler from Color Dreams. It’s very similar to NARC. It’s notable for its unwieldy controls, alternate gameplay modes, and repetitive music.

Renegade is the Western localization of the very first brawler ever made, Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun. It defined the genre with its 3D movement, many simultaneous opponents, expansive moveset, and accessible yet challenging gameplay.

Renegade is a port of Taito’s single-player arcade classic that started it all. You fight small waves of relatively powerful enemies with a large moveset before fighting a boss in each of four stages. This port adds new areas, a motorcycle combat section, and a redesigned labyrinth-like final stage.

The Master System port of Renegade is easily the best version of the game. Its graphics and sound are so good that it could almost pass as a Genesis title. It features the same intense, technical combat as the original and has the extra stages introduced in the NES version. It’s also the only Renegade game without a corresponding Kunio title in Japan.

Riot City is a bare-bones Japan-only brawler from Sega. It’s a Final Fight rip-off with little besides distance-based combos to set it apart.

Rival Turf! is the first game in Jaleco’s SNES-only Rushing Beat trilogy. It’s a fairly blatant Final Fight rip-off that’s notable for being one of the first SNES brawlers with two player gameplay. It separates itself from its source material with a button dedicated to running, kill-based death-blows, and Ikari Mode, which is a brief period of invincibility and increased strength right before you’re about to die.

River City Ransom is a beloved two-player RPG/brawler hybrid from Technos. In Japan, it’s part of the prolific Kunio series. You walk around an open city, fighting rival gangs to collect money so you can buy new moves and eat food that increases your stats. Every enemy has a unique name, face, and even dialogue. The soundtrack channels Renegade with its super-catchy rockabilly riffs.