Yeah, I knew that about Battle Nexus. I just haven't bothered to get that far in the game yet due to the gameplay being so bad, but I'll get around to it eventually. It's the reason I haven't sold the game. However, I didn't know that about the third game. I'll definitely have to go pick that one up now.

5. Final Fight
4. Knights of the Round
3. Golden Axe 3
2. Streets of Rage 2 (or 3)
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time

No offense to some, but I thought Burning Fight was rather mediocre, tedious, unenjoyable and slow to be fun. It's not.

@StarBoy91 No offence taken at all mate, I am in the minority with my appreciation of 'Burning Fight'. It all comes down to perspective and heaps of nostalgia with that game for me.
I still have the C&VG issue in which it had a two page, 92/100 score, prominent review. Me and my mate used to read it over and over and talk about how far beyond 16-bit consoles the Neo Geo AES was and how we would never be able to afford one. However, he bit the bullet a little while later and gave up a Mega Drive and a massive MD collection to get a Neo Geo and a couple of games.
A little bit later in 1992 he had 'Burning Fight' and we played it co-op non-stop. It really felt like a coin-op in the home, it is hard to appreciate that today. I stand by it still, I enjoy it lots and it is pride of place in my Top 10.
It is nice to see 'Knights of the Round' in your list, in some ways your choice of Mega Drive 'Golden Axe 3' is comparable in status to 'Burning Fight' and could be questioned in a similar way (mediocre, tedious and simply not as enjoyable to play). However, it may be that you have certain gaming memories of that title, too.
This retro gaming malarkey is as much about nostalgia and memories as it is the actual games. That is the reason that we keep returning to them.

I have found Golden Axe 3 to be quite more enjoyable than 1 or 2, imo. It's the only beat'em up I've yet played where you choose your own path, which adds replay value for me. Regarding Knights of the Round, I found it quite enjoyable that you could level up by either scoring high or slaying as many enemies as possible. I like it when it certain genres take a twist into things to make that/those certain game(s) unique.
Turtles in Time brings me way back, I used to play it a lot when I was little with my cousins. After many years, we've beaten the game on Hard mode a second time (I've done it myself once, and it is overwhelming an experience alone). What makes Turtles in Time stand out? The fact that the Foot Ninjas could be thrown right at you. I still find that fun, even to this day.

It saddens me that you don't have Revenge of Death Adder on your list. But, opinions are opinions.

double dragon...
thats the only one i actually played
well unless you count castlevania and the subspace emisinary

Well I have not played many side scrolling beat em ups, so I can't really answer.

I haven't played Revenge of Death Adder, but I heard it's good. Hope for a VCA release one of these days.

I was referring to Jamie's list, but you'll be in for a real treat if it comes out.

@cheetahman91 I would love to put 'Revenge of Death Adder' on the list, but @Maniac 's original question specified sticking to console games. When we discussed it on the 'Super Double Dragon' review comments all of my suggestions were being dominated by arcade games, so I reined this topic back in to a console only top 10.
http://retro.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/10/super_double_dr...
I would definitely have the amazing Golden Axe arcade sequel close to the top of a coin-op brawlers list. If there was ever a console release of 'Revenge of Death Adder' I will be sure to change this list, too (after I have finished dancing around on our kitchen table, singing "hooray!" and playing it for days).
@StarBoy91 Cool that you stick by 'Golden Axe 3', the different routes option were a nice aspect of it. I just feel that Sega did not meet Golden Axe's full potential at the time and it plays as though it has not been built with their full support, care and attention. Saturn 'Dungeon & Dragons: Shadows Over Mystara' and 'Guardian Heroes' had different paths through the game, too. I think you would really appreciate the diversity and fantasy setting of those games.

Castle Crashers is one of my favs. Turtles in Time, too. Can't think of 10.

OK that makes sense, thanks for clearing that up.

TMNT IV: Turtles In Time (SNES) is #1 for sure. I really can't come up with a numbered order for the rest of these I am thinking of right now though, but these are my favs. Don't have enough favs from consoles to put on a list to 10 so I had to put some from the arcade.

The Simpsons (Arcade)
Mighty Morphin Powers Rangers: The Movie (Sega Version)
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
The Punisher (Arcade)
X-Men (Arcade)
Super Double Dragon
Golden Axe
TMNT 3: The Manhatten Project

oh yeah the simpsons arcade game is great too

Cool @y2josh , further mention of Capcom's The Punisher and the first mention of Konami's X-Men (up to 6 players, no less!). I did not even know about Mighty Morphin Powers Rangers: The Movie (Sega Version), you learn something new every day!
Praise for The Simpsons Arcade is consistent ( @y2josh , @briunj04 , @Ricardo91 ) and I agree completely, it is a superb, quirky brawler with graphics that still impress today. I wonder if there is a link between our appreciation of these colourful beat-em-ups and our love of Nintendo games?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time seems to be getting the most prevalent shouts ( @WhoKnew , @StarBoy91 , @MetalMario and myself).
I just downloaded Turtles in Time ReShelled on PSN recently ( @SuperSonic1990 recommended it ages ago, but it only just got released in the UK) and I would heartily recommend it, too. Despite, most internet reviews claiming it is rubbish, it is really respectful to the 1991 arcade game, with the levels intact, bright and well modelled widescreen graphics, lots of extra animations and a constantly fast pace. The 'launch the enemies at the screen' effect is more random than the SNES, just like it was in the arcade Turtles in Time, but if you are a fan of the original you will love Re-Shelled. If you have XBLA or PSN then go for it, otherwise fingers crossed that they port Re-Shelled to WiiWare.
(n.t. As a little side note on the UK PSN it seeems as though there is only a one level demo of Re-Shelled, however you can unlock and pay for the full game from the demo's main menu screen).

Yeah, I am just glad the arcade in my small town stayed in business long enough to play those wonderful games when I was a kid.

Turtles in Time was my #1 overall I also downloaded the Turtles In Time ReShelled (on the 360 though). It is a really fun game and well worth the 10 dollars. It's sad to see all the bashing from the critics it got.

It's just because most critics these days don't understand the genre. Beat-'em-ups are allowed to be repetative and have somewhat shallow gameplay and still be really good and really fun. It's the same reason Spyborgs has gotten mixed reviews.

Apologies @y2josh I should have mentioned you in the list of forum members praising SNES Turtles in Time, which means that five of us on this topic have it in the top section of our lists.
Spot on @Bulbasaurus_Rex , you have hit so many nails on the head, that you should be a carpenter! Side scrolling beat-em-ups are not as well understood today, because of their repettive gameplay. However, by the mid to late '90s developers did attempt to counter this fault by adding variety to the gameplay (e.g. one-on-one fighter type move commands, levelling up/exp, multiple routes, vehicles/animals to commandeer, guns/ weaponry as pick ups, a mix of side-scrolling platformer sections, a greater amount of set-pieces etc).
In many respects brawlers have evolved into combo heavy action games like Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry or God of War. Yet, the retro iterations of the genre will not be analysed today with the same fondness as other game types (e.g. a modern site slating arcade Double Dragon, may still react fondly to a shmup like arcade R-Type).
The fact is that late '80s/early '90s brawling games have simply not aged as gracefully in modern, mainstream gamer's eyes.

Yes, what you both said is very true. I know I can't force anyone to like beat em ups who don't, but I can tell you there is nothing more fun for me to play than a good beat em up, especially with a friend.

If anyone has Turtles in Time: ReShelled for the 360 give me a shout.

Let me try:

1. Double Dragon 2 (NES)
2. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs (Arcade)
3. River City Ransom (NES)
4. Battle Circuit (Arcade)
5. Streets Of Rage 3 (Genesis/Megadrive)
6. Final Fight 3 (SNES)
7. Turtles In Time (SNES)
8. Double Dragon Advance (GBA)
9. Violent Storm (Arcade)
10. Golden Axe: Revenge Of Death Adder (Arcade)

That's really the only Golden Axe game I absolutely love. Please port it to the VC, Sega!