RPB? Role Playing Beat em Ups?

[MidnightRider]

Huh...ok...

River City Ransom/EX(NES/GBA) - Metroidvania-like connected screens, stats, which improve via items bought in stores, with money taken from fallen foes.

Mighty Final Fight(NES) - still has level ups, so in a way it counts

SD Splatterhouse(http://www.romhacking.net/trans/212/)(Famicom[NES]) - closer to Castlevania 2, in that collecting enough candy bars(instead of hearts) improves your overall health. Also stage based like Final Fight.

Technos Samurai(http://www.romhacking.net/trans/226/)(Famicom) - close in scope to RCR, but if I recall correctly, doesn't bother with stat improvement, at least not in the same way. Oddly enough, you'll probably beat it in less time than your first playthrough of RCR, but it has a save feature.

Shodai Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun(http://www.romhacking.net/trans/893/)(SNES) - borrows a bit from Double Dragon(NES version) by needing specific levels(though actual experience points gained levels) to get better moves. Borrows RCR's larger world(for a beat em up) structure as well, and has a save feature.

Guardian Heroes(Saturn) - level up throughout the course of the stages, stage choice, and distribute points to stats in between stages.

Guardian Heroes Advance(GBA) - er...same point distribution system as it's predecessor, but from points via crystals you collect in the stages.

Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom & Dungeons and Dragons: Shadows over Mystara(arcade & import Saturn) - use stores between stages, level up between stages, overall D&D lore applies, if you know it...

The King of Dragons & Knights of the Round(arcade & SNES) - level up between stages, find better weapons during.

Light Bringer/Dungeon Magic(arcade/Taito Legends 2[PS2, X-box, & PC] - level ups, find better weapons during stages, choice of areas to go, and potential use of crates/barrels to reach higher areas(think Landstalker there, though I don't consider that an RPG).

Gaiapolis - levels up during stages

Afraid I don't know of modern console downloadable services, or indie gaming(though I have heard of the Zombie Smashers X series, that started off as a RCR clone).

[Ack]

If you include Hack N Slash, The King of Dragons for Super Nintendo included leveling and weapons and armor upgrades.

[chupon]

Very much appreciated guys. Excellent list. This'll keep me busy for a long time!

[MidnightRider]

If you want to go that route, I've seen it argued that hack n slash RPG's are similar to beat em ups. Especially the Marvel ones(X-men Legends/Ultimate Alliance).

[noiseredux]

SD Splatterhouse(http://www.romhacking.net/trans/212/)(Famicom[NES]) - closer to Castlevania 2, in that collecting enough candy bars(instead of hearts) improves your overall health. Also stage based like Final Fight.

is this Wanpaku Graffiti? I love that game!

[Gamerforlife]

I'm still scratching my head as to why Shenmue and Metroidvania were mentioned in this thread

I would also add The Lord of the Rings:The Two Thrones and The Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King are two excellent beat'em ups with role playing elements. There's also the Dynasty Warriors games

The X-Men Legend games feel sort of like Diablo inspired dungeon crawlers. The Marvel Ultimate Alliance series are similar, but they are lighter on the rpg elements and item collecting and focus a bit more on arcade style action with some beat'em up flavored gameplay elements like combos, throws and grapple attacks

Personally, I'd pass on Scott Pilgrim. There are better games that have been mentioned in this thread, but some people on this forum absolutely love it, so try the demo I'd say

[ujnhunter]

The Greatest Game Ever Made: God Hand! (You get new moves and can equip your own combos! Pimp Slap!)

[flojocabron]

I think The Bouncer for the PS2

[the7k]

Scott Pilgrim vs The World is basically an unofficial spiritual sequel to River City Ransom, so you should give that a shot. Castle Crashers and Guardian Heroes are two others I can think of off the top of my head.

If you feel like stretching the definitions of Beat 'Em Up, you could say the Dynasty Warriors and Sengoku Basara style games are like this. You level up, you obtain equipment, you learn new moves... and you beat the ever-loving crap out of hordes of bad dudes.

[avrame]

hmm, not sure if it counts, but no one mentioned it:

Knights of the Round?

Not really a point distro, but you gain lvls as to kill enemies, which make you stronger, faster and coller looking. Dang game ate all my quarters as a kid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of ... ideo_game)