From StrategyWiki, the free strategy guide and walkthrough wiki

For games involving fighting one-on-one or in pairs, see Category:Fighting.

Beat 'em ups are games in which players control a single character and advance through a setting (traditionally linear, from point A to B) while fighting many enemies in melee combat.

The genre has developed with technology to include 3D games such as Drakengard and Gauntlet Dark Legacy.