From CBR · Sage Negron · · 1m 40s
10 Most Perfect '80s Arcade Fight Games Ranked
Top 10 arcade brawlers from the 1980s, ranked by CBR.
In brief
Top 10 arcade brawlers from the 1980s, ranked by CBR. CBR ranks 10 perfect 1980s arcade fighting games including Karate Champ, The Way of the Exploding Fist, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Originally reported by CBR.
Karate Champ Laid Groundwork
Karate Champ is considered the founder of 1v1 fighting games with dual joystick control for two players to compete for two points.
The Way of the Exploding Fist
The Way of the Exploding Fist released a year after Karate Champ and features two fighters competing to rack up points in each round.
Renegade Beat 'Em Up
Renegade was a super stylish beat 'em up with a belt scroll format for vertical and horizontal movement on a stage.
Kung-Fu Master
Kung-Fu Master inspired by martial arts films, featuring a kung-fu master fighting through a tower to save their girlfriend.
Yie Ar Kung-Fu
Yie Ar Kung-Fu established fighting game conventions with complex moves and a health bar system for longer fights.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features four players battling Shredder to save April in an iconic arcade game.
Golden Axe
Golden Axe is a high fantasy brawler with three warriors using weapons or magic to battle a tyrannical ruler.
Final Fight
Final Fight shifted from fighting to beat 'em up, featuring three characters across six stages with brutal special moves.
Double Dragon
Double Dragon brought co-op action with combo moves, weapons, and continuous side-scrolling worlds.
Street Fighter
Street Fighter introduced fighting game legends like Ryu and Ken with six-button controls and command-based special moves.
At a glance
CBR ranks 10 perfect 1980s arcade fighting games including Karate Champ, The Way of the Exploding Fist, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
