Castle Crashers is arguably one of the best games of its genre.

If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a side-scrolling beat-’em-up with a distinctly cartoonish art style and a sense of humour, and what’s more, it’s built around multiplayer, so you can enjoy it alongside friends.

Of course, if you’re a fan of the genre, you’ve probably already made your way through all of the content Castle Crashers has to offer, and you’re hungry for more of the same.

If that’s the case, you’ll be pleased to know there are tons of great beat-’em-ups out there, and you won’t have to look too far to find them. Here are the best games like Castle Crashers out there right now.

Streets of Rage 4

The Streets of Rage name is synonymous with solid beat-’em-up action, and Streets of Rage 4 is no exception to that rule.

Unlike previous games in the series, it uses a gorgeous hand-drawn art style, and the animation is rich and sumptuous, making every blow land with satisfying impact.

Make no mistake: Streets of Rage 4 is hard, but it’s rewarding too, so if you thought Castle Crashers could use a few extra teeth, then this is the game for you.

BattleBlock Theater

Created by the same developer as Castle Crashers, BattleBlock Theater is essentially a take on the platforming genre with The Behemoth’s skewed sense of humour and signature art style.

In BattleBlock Theater, it’s all about blocks; some of them hurt you, some of them are simple platforms, and some will even help you traverse levels.

Getting to know the various kinds of blocks and how you interact with them is part of the joy here, but the other part is simply existing in the game’s wacky, insane world.

Alien Hominid

This is the game that started it all. Before there was Castle Crashers, the folks that would go on to make up the developer known as The Behemoth made Alien Hominid, a Flash game that was originally free to play on Newgrounds.

Eventually, Alien Hominid got itself an upgraded full release, and if you love Castle Crashers’ anarchic sense of abandon, then you owe it to yourself to check this one out as well.

The full release has tons of satisfying co-op gameplay to enjoy, as well as a range of different cosmetics to unlock and even a level editor if you want to try out making some of your own stages. 

Full Metal Furies

Make sure you don’t read that title wrong, eh? Full Metal Furies is a game along the same lines as Castle Crashers; it’s a sidescroller that emphasises co-operation and crunchy combat.

Where Castle Crashers essentially threw a group of players together and asked them to complete the same objective, though, Full Metal Furies feels built around its co-op play, which is satisfying if you’re playing as part of a group.

You’ll need to work together to defeat certain enemies, revive your allies when they fall, and devise strategies for tougher foes. There’s no competitive element here, either, making this game ideal for non-confrontational players.

Ninjin: Clash of Carrots

Now here’s a game that desperately needs more exposure. Ninjin: Clash of Carrots is an excellent beat-’em-up with beautiful pixel art and a huge variety of weapons to try.

Pocket Trap’s game is a mixture of endless runner and side-scroller; your character will continuously move through the world, and you’ll pick up a range of colourful weapons to decimate your opponents as you go.

Naturally, Ninjin also supports local co-op play, so you can grab a friend and show them how insane the game is, too. Some of the stages can get pretty tricky, so bringing someone along is recommended!

Guacamelee!

If you can get past Guacamelee!’s terrible sense of humour, then you’ll find a robust, satisfying Metroidvania beat-’em-up to enjoy, and one that can be played entirely in local co-op as well.

You play as Juan, a simple man whose lover is kidnapped, and you’ll have to wrestle your way through a series of action-packed environments to get her back.

The combat skills integrate well with exploration here, too, so you’re not just going to be double-jumping and air-dashing your way around; instead, uppercuts and ground pounds will both destroy your enemies and open up new areas.

Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef

The Warhammer 40,000 universe is gloriously over-the-top; imagine a giant ambulatory cathedral battling a colossus from Shadow of the Colossus and you’re not a million miles away from the kind of scale we’re talking about.

Shootas, Blood & Teef, however, is a little more grounded. You are an Ork, and together with your fellow Orks (if you play co-op), you must destroy the Warboss Gutrekka and reign supreme over the Ork clans.

This is a silly adventure, and it’s not a particularly long one either, but it’s full of cathartic side-scrolling shooter action, and it can be played in co-op as well, so grab your clan and get shootin’.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise gave birth to one of the best side-scrollers of all time (Turtles in Time), it stands to reason that Shredder’s Revenge would be just as enjoyable.

In this side-scrolling beat-’em-up, you and your friends choose a turtle to play as (or you can play as April O’Neil and Shredder if you prefer), fighting your way through iconic Turtles locations and enemies.

While Shredder’s Revenge is pretty short, it’s also packed with action and fun, making it an ideal choice for an afternoon fuelled by fizzy drinks and sugary snacks.

FAQs

1. What genre does Castle Crashers belong to?
   • Castle Crashers is a side-scrolling beat-’em-up game with cartoonish graphics and a strong emphasis on multiplayer.
2. Is Streets of Rage 4 similar to the older titles in the series?
   • While Streets of Rage 4 retains the core beat-’em-up action of previous games, it features a distinct hand-drawn art style.
3. What makes BattleBlock Theater different from Castle Crashers?
   • BattleBlock Theater, while created by the same developer, focuses more on platforming mechanics, whereas Castle Crashers is more combat-oriented.
4. How did The Behemoth, the developer of Castle Crashers, get its start?
   • The Behemoth first gained attention with Alien Hominid, originally a Flash game on Newgrounds.
5. Is Full Metal Furies strictly a co-op game?
   • Full Metal Furies emphasizes cooperative gameplay, making it more satisfying when played with friends, but it can still be played solo.
6. What’s the gameplay style of Ninjin: Clash of Carrots?
   • Ninjin: Clash of Carrots combines elements of endless runners and side-scrolling beat-’em-ups, with a continuous motion mechanic.
7. Is Guacamelee! strictly a beat-’em-up?
   • While Guacamelee! emphasizes beat-’em-up mechanics, it also has Metroidvania exploration elements integrated into its gameplay.
8. What’s the setting of Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef?
   • The game is set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe and follows the Orks as they attempt to overthrow the Warboss Gutrekka.
9. Is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge based on the classic TMNT games?
   • Shredder’s Revenge draws inspiration from classic TMNT games, like Turtles in Time, and brings the franchise’s iconic side-scrolling action to modern audiences.
10. Are all these games multiplayer like Castle Crashers?
    Most of the games listed, such as Streets of Rage 4, Full Metal Furies, and Ninjin: Clash of Carrots, support multiplayer gameplay, though the specifics vary between games.

Conclusion

For fans of Castle Crashers, there’s no shortage of side-scrolling beat-’em-up action available. Whether you’re seeking a challenge with titles like Streets of Rage 4, prefer the quirky humor of games from The Behemoth like BattleBlock Theater, or want to delve into franchises like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Shredder’s Revenge, there’s something for everyone. Remember to grab a friend or three for the best experience, as many of these games shine brightest in co-op mode.