Games like Payback Time
If Payback Time is your kind of game, the closest matches are The Way of the Tiger (CPC/Spectrum), Brawler and Savage Warriors — picked from the ranked list below. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.
Get personalized picks →About Payback Time: Payback Time pays homage to retro side-scrolling beat 'em ups, with its old-school graphics and music. A dangerous and powerful crime syndicate has taken over the city and the citizens need your help.
Players who liked Payback Time also play
Steam players who put hours into Payback Time also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.
The Way of the Tiger (CPC/Spectrum)
WHY THIS
Top pick for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
In this beat-em-up from 1986, take on the role of Avenger, the ninja warrior, as he battles the forces of evil in defence of his faith and protection of the weak. Based on the popular series of fantasy adventure gamebooks.
Savage Warriors
WHY THIS
Third-strongest match for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
This classic fighting game offers intense martial arts battles with a diverse cast of characters, each boasting unique fighting styles. Players engage in thrilling one-on-one combat, showcasing their skills and mastering various martial arts techniques in this nostalgic gem from the mid-'90s.
MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
WHY THIS
Ranked #4 for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
The legendary crossover hits are back! The action-packed lineup consisting of seven unique titles, is full of heavy hitters like X-MEN VS. STREET FIGHTER, and MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2 New Age of Heroes. The collection also includes the rare beat 'em up game, THE PUNISHER.
Little Fighter 2 Remastered
WHY THIS
Ranked #5 for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
Rediscover the classic combat charm of "Little Fighter 2," now with fully upgraded and redrawn graphics, support for local connections up to 8 computers, and every character move more detailed and extravagant, providing an unprecedented combat experience.
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow
WHY THIS
Ranked #6 for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow is a fighting game that mixes elements of RPG, simulation and arcade, in an explosive combination to relieve the Beat'em up genre!
9 Monkeys of Shaolin
WHY THIS
Ranked #7 for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
The true rebirth of iconic beat 'em up genre in vein of old-school video games! As a simple Chinese fisherman Wei Cheng you have to avenge the death of your friends and family slaughtered in a pirate raid at your peaceful village.
Jitsu Squad
WHY THIS
Ranked #8 for Payback Time fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares Action with Payback Time.
Jitsu Squad is a Marvel vs Capcom inspired 4 player co-op TAG TEAM beat ‘em up with epic character transformations and fast paced combat.
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Plays great on Steam Deck
Valve-Verified or Playable picks from the similar pool — ready to go on Deck out of the box.
MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
WHY THIS
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with Payback Time.
The legendary crossover hits are back! The action-packed lineup consisting of seven unique titles, is full of heavy hitters like X-MEN VS. STREET FIGHTER, and MARVEL vs. CAPCOM 2 New Age of Heroes. The collection also includes the rare beat 'em up game, THE PUNISHER.
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow
WHY THIS
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with Payback Time.
Karate Master 2 Knock Down Blow is a fighting game that mixes elements of RPG, simulation and arcade, in an explosive combination to relieve the Beat'em up genre!
9 Monkeys of Shaolin
WHY THIS
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with Payback Time.
The true rebirth of iconic beat 'em up genre in vein of old-school video games! As a simple Chinese fisherman Wei Cheng you have to avenge the death of your friends and family slaughtered in a pirate raid at your peaceful village.
Jitsu Squad
WHY THIS
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Action with Payback Time.
Jitsu Squad is a Marvel vs Capcom inspired 4 player co-op TAG TEAM beat ‘em up with epic character transformations and fast paced combat.
Frequently asked about Payback Time
- Is Payback Time free to play?
- Yes — Payback Time is a free-to-play title on Steam. You can install and play it without buying anything, though some games include optional in-app purchases.
- What games are most similar to Payback Time?
- Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Payback Time are The Way of the Tiger (CPC/Spectrum), Brawler, Savage Warriors.
- Who developed Payback Time?
- Payback Time was developed by SVA.
imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on Payback Time.
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