QUByte Classics: Beat 'Em Up Collection

Beat'em Collection shows Qubyte’s polish in compilation work, with reliable ports, rewind and filters that let these old games run cleanly. The problem is curation. You will find retro oddities such as Iron Commando, Water Margin and Gourmet Warriors, but the set mixes non beat 'em-ups with forgettable Kung Fu and Karateka wannabes. All titles are available separately, as well. If you already own the best entries, this bundle is hard to recommend. If you are hunting for obscure retro oddities and do not prioritize gameplay polish, this collection may suit you.

Set of seven retro beat 'em up games now on Switch

Beat ‘Em Up Collection QUByte Classics is a well-curated package that hits hard on nostalgia while adding useful features for today’s players. Trophy hunters get double platinum potential, co-op fans get five games to share, and genre lovers get a mixed bag of creative fights. There are drawbacks, sure, but the extras, enhancements, and variety make it a strong contender for retro fans. It’s a love letter to a punch-packed era, warts and all.

Some of the games here haven't aged as well as others, and it's hard to consider one of them a beat 'em up at all, but Beat 'Em Up Collection: QUByte Classics remains a solid package overall. It even packs in some neat extras and cheats.

In addition to rewinding and screen backgrounds and aspects, saved games and cooperative play are the most notable improvements made by QUByte for this collection of lesser-known classics.

While from a preservationist’s point of view it would be important not to lose track of these more obscure and mostly games that are poor clones of other more popular ones, it struggles to deliver fun

Overall, this Beat 'Em Up Collection is a small time capsule that allows us to rediscover some of the rarities of the "me against the neighborhood" genre with all the modern conveniences. It's not a perfect compilation, but it's a very enjoyable one for those who appreciate the pixelated 16-bit beat 'em ups.