# 10 Most Perfect '80s Arcade Fight Games Ranked

> Top 10 arcade brawlers from the 1980s, ranked by CBR.
- Title: 10 Most Perfect '80s Arcade Fight Games Ranked · CBR
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: karate champ, the way of the exploding fist, renegade, kung fu master, yie ar kung fu, teenage mutant ninja turtles, golden axe, final fight, double dragon, street fighter, CBR
- Source: CBR — https://cbr.com/perfect-80s-arcade-fighting-games-ranked
- Author: Sage Negron
- Published: 2026-11-09T18:15:12+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: karate champ, the way of the exploding fist, renegade, kung fu master, yie ar kung fu, teenage mutant ninja turtles, golden axe, final fight, double dragon, street fighter, entertainment, culture
## 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.
## Key takeaway

CBR ranks 10 perfect 1980s arcade fighting games including Karate Champ, The Way of the Exploding Fist, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.