Play River City Ransom EX (J)(Eurasia) Online

River City Ransom EX came out for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, published by Atlus. It was a time when the GBA library was full of remakes and ports, and this one stood out as a thoughtful update of the NES beat 'em up. The game kept the spirit of the original while making the most of the handheld's capabilities.

You control Alex or Ryan, high school brawlers fighting through city streets to rescue your kidnapped girlfriend. You move screen by screen, punching and kicking gangs of enemies, then spending the money you take from them on food and gear to raise your stats. The combat feels loose and improvisational, with special moves you can buy and accidentally trigger in the heat of a scrap. The pacing is brisk, and the difficulty encourages grinding for better stats. It feels scrappy and unpredictable, like a street fight where anything can happen.