So, here we are. The year 2026, and if you’re a fan of Beat ’em ups like I am, you were likely spoiled by all the games that dropped in 2025, with Absolum, and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, just to name a few. And now you’re probably wondering if the Beat ’em up genre is out of gas and will need some time to recover. Well, I’m happy to let you know that no, that’s not the case, and there are plenty of games on the way where you’ll be able to happily punch someone in the face.
Let’s get to them!
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction
At Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, one of the biggest surprises was the reveal of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction. The classic cartoon franchise is making its return in the form of a retro-inspired beat ’em up, and from what little was shown, it already looks like a strong throwback to the arcade era. While the teaser was brief, it confirmed four-player co-op, though it’s still unclear whether that will be local, online, or a mix of both. The overall presentation evokes clear Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, Shadow over Mystara, and Golden Axe vibes, which should immediately resonate with fans of classic brawlers.
Development is being handled by Bitmap Bureau, with Limited Run Games publishing, and the playable roster currently includes He-Man, Teela, Man-at-Arms, and Evil-Lyn. The title is slated for a 2026 release, although an exact launch date has not yet been confirmed. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is planned for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, making it widely accessible when it finally arrives.
Fingers crossed it’ll be better than G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, which ended up being a disaster.
Acts of Blood
Of course, we couldn’t ignore an upcoming indie darling. A darker, more grounded take on the beat ’em up genre, Acts of Blood blends brutal hand-to-hand combat with cinematic presentation and modern sensibilities. Set in a dystopian version of Bandung, Indonesia, the game follows a revenge-driven narrative that leans heavily into close-quarters combat, environmental interactions, and stylish violence.
Rather than sticking to traditional side-scrolling roots, Acts of Blood adopts a third-person perspective, and this is a title I’ve been looking forward to, since it seems to conjure shades of Sifu, a 3D beat ’em up I really enjoyed, while still firmly embracing its beat ’em up DNA. The game also made an appearance during Summer Game Fest 2025, giving it a noticeable boost in exposure.
Currently in development by Eksil Team, a small indie studio based out of Indonesia, Acts of Blood emphasizes precise timing, counters, and devastating finishers, with a combat system built around momentum and mastery. While the full game is currently slated for a 2026 release with no exact date confirmed, players don’t have to wait to get a feel for it, as a playable demo is available on Steam right now.
Scott Pilgrim EX
During the 2025 Summer Games Fest, Tribute Games officially announced Scott Pilgrim EX, the next installment in the Scott Pilgrim series. The game will take players across time and space, once again starring Scott Pilgrim, Ramona Flowers, Lucas Lee, and Roxie Richter. Tribute Games has also confirmed that the final roster will include seven playable characters, meaning three additional fighters have yet to be revealed.
The story is being written by Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, alongside Scott Pilgrim Takes Off scriptwriter BenDavid Grabinski. Visuals are being handled by renowned pixel artist Paul Robertson, with music composed by Anamanaguchi. Scott Pilgrim EX is currently scheduled to release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, though a specific release date has not yet been announced.
RUSHING BEAT X: Return of Brawl Brothers
A true blast from the past is making a comeback. The Rushing Beat series, known in the West as Brawl Brothers, is officially returning with RUSHING BEAT X: Return of Brawl Brothers. Last seen back in 1993 on the Super Nintendo, Rick Norton and Douglas Bild are stepping back into the spotlight in a fully modernized revival. This time around, Clear River Games has teamed up with retro-focused developer City Connection to resurrect the cult-classic beat ’em up, since original publisher Jaleco no longer exists.
Completely rebuilt for modern audiences, RUSHING BEAT X delivers classic one- or two-player beat ’em up action with new mechanics like auto-combos, counterattacks, cancelable moves, Beat Rush finishers, and a Rage Mode that boosts power and speed. Rick and Douglas are joined by four new playable heroes as they uncover the sinister Zeekus virus and stop a new threat from overrunning the city. Local co-op is confirmed, though online play has not yet been mentioned. Packed with side missions, hidden weapons, branching character paths, and secret content, RUSHING BEAT X: Return of Brawl Brothers launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC via Steam on March 19, 2026, officially bringing this forgotten brawler into the modern era.
Toxic Crusaders
A cult-classic cartoon and Troma favorite is punching its way back onto modern platforms with Toxic Crusaders. Inspired by the early ’90s animated series and The Toxic Avenger universe, this retro-styled beat ’em up brings Toxie and his mutant crew back for side-scrolling brawler action that feels ripped straight from the arcade era. Featuring hand-drawn pixel art, exaggerated animations, and over-the-top humor, the game leans heavily into nostalgia while layering in modern refinements. This is also a title that has been in development for quite some time, and one I’ve personally seen and played at multiple events so far, giving it a long-running presence on the show floor.
Developed by Retroware, Toxic Crusaders supports up to four-player co-op, allowing players to team up locally as they smash through waves of enemies using each character’s unique abilities. While the game was originally slated for a 2025 release, it has since been delayed to early 2026 to allow for additional polish. Toxic Crusaders is currently planned for release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam, bringing radioactive beat ’em up chaos to nearly every major platform.
So no, the beat ’em up genre didn’t blow its entire load in 2025. If anything, 2026 is shaping up to be another solid year, and I can’t wait to get my hands on all of them and see what they can do for the genre. Just please, for the love of arcade gods, don’t launch broken.
