Play 64th. Street - A Detective Story (World) Online

I first came across 64th Street: A Detective Story on MAME, the arcade emulator, a while back. It's a side-scrolling beat 'em up from 1991, developed and published by Jaleco. It fits right in with that era of arcade games, where co-op brawlers were a staple, but it has its own detective movie flair that sets it apart from the usual fantasy or sci-fi themes.

You control one of two detectives, Rick or Al, moving screen by screen through urban environments. The main goal is to fight your way through waves of thugs to rescue a kidnapped girl. Your character uses a mix of punches, kicks, and grapples; you can also pick up weapons like knives or pipes dropped by enemies. The pacing is fairly brisk, with occasional slower sections that let you catch your breath before the next brawl. It's not an easy game, as enemies gang up on you quickly and bosses require careful observation to avoid their attacks. Playing it feels like stepping into a straightforward, slightly gritty action flick where your reflexes are constantly tested.