Cartoon Network Battle Crashers is a New Side-Scrolling Beat-Em-Up

One of the reasons that I know I'm super old is that I still think of the side-scrolling beat-'em-up as the perfect medium for licensed games. I mean, yes, your Arkham Cities or Webs of Shadows are nice and all, but if your franchise can't be adapted into a form that resembles the high point of digital media that is Final Fight, I think we really have to ask whether it should be adapted at all.

But fortunately, there are a few brave souls out there keeping the dream alive for a new generation. Today, GameMill Entertainment announced that this November will see the release of Cartoon Network Battle Crashers, a side-scrolling multiplayer action game featuring the stars of Adventure Time, Regular Show, Steven Universe and more, which will finally allow Steven to realize his potential as the Mike Haggar of the 21st Century.

Judging by the name and the emphasis on co-op multiplayer, I think it's safe to say that they're drawing inspiration from 2008's Castle Crashers, the River City Ransom-meets-Golden Axe project that revived the genre with its goofy art style and near-endless levels. Here's the official description from GameMill's press release:

Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers can be enjoyed alone or in a party with up to four players in drop-in/drop-out local cooperative multiplayer*. There are six playable characters to choose from - Uncle Grandpa, Finn & Jake from Adventure Time, Rigby & Mordecai from Regular Show, Clarence, Gumball from The Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven of Steven Universe - which can be swapped between instantly in solo play. Certain enemies can only be defeated by a specific hero’s unique ability, meaning players will have to combine powers on the fly to succeed.

The game also features special stages with varied gameplay, boss battles and light character progression and customization. A bonus Bonkers mode lets players replay stages with even more wild challenges, as well.

Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers will be released in November for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo 3DS.