unique beat em ups

[Note]

Another unique beat 'em up with a few RPG elements that seems to be overlooked in this thread is The Legend of the Mystical Ninja for SNES. Unique characters, challenging gameplay, and fun level design.

Not even sure if this is a rare title, had it in my library since I originally got a SNES. Definitely worth tracking down the cart or rom.

[the7k]

Someone just recommended this to me a while back, but this is seriously the most unique beat em up I've seen. It's like Parodius mixed with TMNT. http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/nbbbm/nbbbm.htm

I have logged a lot of time on Ninja Baseball Bat Man, and if you give it a shot, I'm sure you will too.

[AwesomeMonstar]

Someone just recommended this to me a while back, but this is seriously the most unique beat em up I've seen. It's like Parodius mixed with TMNT. http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/nbbbm/nbbbm.htm

I have logged a lot of time on Ninja Baseball Bat Man, and if you give it a shot, I'm sure you will too.

holy crap... i was really about to put that. I love this game. Played it at this place in Florida and it was just golden. Really thought i was one of the few that had ever played it though.

[Kevman]

Battletoads all the way. The levels are just so varied it really makes the game more exciting.

[anosou]

I fully endorse the Dynasty Warriors series because of their easy, repetitive but truly awesome concept. Dynasty Warriors Gundam (and Gundam 2) are both fantasticular games if you enjoy Gundam or.. you know, big-ass robots!
Castle Crashers is good for a downloadable title, feels fresh but has that old-school gameplay we all love oh-so-much.

For a sadly overlooked and quirky VS. fighter I recommend checking out Evil Zone (Eretzvaju in Japan) for the original PlayStation. One button for all attacks, one for block and chock full with retro B-movie anime-style awesome.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

I'd go with Dynamite Cop. It's cheap, short, and you get a large assortment of weapons as well as a ton of special moves for beating up pirate terrorists.

It's not as good as the best of the genre(Denjin Makai 2, Bare Knuckle 3, Cadillacs & Dinosaurs, Battle Circuit, and Spikeout Extreme) but it's definitely unique.

[Niode]

Can't believe that nobody has mention Knights of the Round yet. That game is awesome and is pretty easy to emulate too.

It's fast paced, has a level up mechanic similar to Guardian Heroes, it even has mounts! Have plenty of fun playing this game with friends as there's a bit of rivalry going on as well since the person who gets the last hit on a boss character is classed as the person defeating it and you get an ass-load of points. So when the boss is nearly dead it's like a last ditch scramble to beat it for the most points.

The game is relatively easy but it's great fun to play. It only takes about 45 minutes to complete the entire game but with the leveling mechanic it keeps you coming back for more.