The PlayStation 5 version of the Beat ‘Em Up Collection from QUByte Interactive taps into a deep vein of 16-bit nostalgia, compiling seven distinct (and often niche) brawlers from an era when pixelated punches reigned supreme. Framed as a retro anthology with modern extras like rewind functionality, save states, and visual filters, the compilation caters to both newcomers and veterans of the genre. Yet, its appeal is uneven, shaped as much by the unique flavor of each title as by the varied quality and age of their original design.
At its best, the collection offers a fascinating glimpse into forgotten corners of side-scrolling action. Titles like The Tale of Clouds and Winds (also known as Water Margin) and Iron Commando stand out for their diverse character rosters and dynamic combat pacing. The former in particular benefits from branching paths and varied environments, lending it more replayability than the average brawler. Iron Commando impresses with its ambitious level design – throwing in car chases, train fights, and multiple enemy types – but is held back by stiff controls and repetitive combos that can’t quite match its high-octane ambitions (that perhaps were ahead of their time).
Other games lean into their eccentricities with mixed success. Gourmet Warriors presents a bizarre post-apocalyptic food-themed beat ‘em up that’s so outlandish it becomes oddly compelling, even if its humor and tone won’t land for everyone. Meanwhile, Sword of Sodan and Legend suffer from sluggish movement and limited combat options. While they make bold aesthetic choices – Sodan with its gritty barbarian fantasy, and Legend with its medieval palette – they play more like tech curiosities than enduring classics.
First Samurai and Second Samurai round out the lineup with a fusion of action-platforming and martial arts flair. Though they’re visually distinct and introduce light puzzle elements, the controls can feel floaty, and hit detection isn’t always consistent. Their ambition is clear, but they’re more interesting in theory than in moment-to-moment gameplay, held back in part by the technological limitations of the home computer systems they were first released on.
Technically, the package is neatly presented. Each game includes digital manuals and supports control remapping, which adds welcome accessibility. The visual filters – ranging from pixel-perfect scaling to CRT-style distortion – work well to preserve the retro feel without overwhelming the screen. That said, the audio presentation varies wildly between titles. Some soundtracks hold up surprisingly well, while others loop short, tinny audio that wears thin over time. It’s a limitation of the source material, but one that could turn off players expecting more polished audio-visual consistency.
While Beat ‘Em Up Collection is unlikely to rival premium retro compilations (from the likes of Capcom) in terms of prestige or polish, it delivers value through sheer volume and genre focus. Its curated mix of oddities and lesser-known brawlers offers a unique experience not easily found elsewhere. Some games show their age more than others, but the added features soften the difficulty spikes and archaic design. For fans of beat ’em ups – or anyone curious about the weirder edges of retro gaming – this is a scrappy, rough-edged compilation worth exploring.
Score: 7.5/10
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