Play Guardians / Denjin Makai II Online

Guardians, known in Japan as Denjin Makai II, is a 1994 arcade beat 'em up from Banpresto that you can play today through MAME. It arrived during a crowded era for the genre, but it stood out with its detailed sprites and fluid animation. The game doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it executes its ideas with a clear sense of style and technical polish that was impressive for its time.

You choose from a roster of characters, including cyborgs and martial artists, to fight through screen after screen of enemy hordes. Your main goal is to clear each stage by defeating every opponent that appears, using a mix of standard attacks, throws, and screen-clearing special moves that drain your health. A key mechanic is the ability to call a partner character for a dual attack, which adds a layer of strategy during crowded fights. The pacing is fast, and the difficulty can spike sharply when enemies attack from all sides. It feels responsive and chaotic in the best way, like you're barely holding control of a spectacular brawl.