Fighting games have always captivated gamers worldwide, largely due to their intense multiplayer focus. Virtual battlegrounds offer the perfect stage for friendly competition or epic online showdowns. Over the decades, developers have gifted us countless iconic titles. This list considers not only popularity and industry impact but also gameplay depth, balance, innovation, and overall contribution to the genre's evolution.
Presenting the top 30 best fighting games of all time! Explore timeless classics alongside modern masterpieces, providing an excellent entry point into this beloved genre. Let the battles begin!
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Table of Contents
- Mortal Kombat
- Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition
- SoulCalibur
- Skullgirls: 2nd Encore
- Lethal League
- Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
- Samurai Shodown
- Ultra Street Fighter IV
- Super Street Fighter II
- Tekken 3
- Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
- Guilty Gear Strive
- Arcana Heart
- The King of Fighters XIII
- Dragon Ball FighterZ
- Mortal Kombat 9
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
- Them’s Fightin’ Herds
- Tekken 8
- Super Street Fighter IV
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Granblue Fantasy: Versus
- Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
- Capcom vs. SNK 2
- Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code
- BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
- Street Fighter 6
Mortal Kombat
Metascore: TBD
Release Date: September 13, 1993
Developer: Midway
Let's begin with the legendary 1993 Mortal Kombat. Released during the home console boom, it became a genre-defining force, inspiring countless fighting games. Its impact is undeniable, establishing the core gameplay: arena combat, two fighters, and devastating combos. While Street Fighter predated it, Mortal Kombat's Western dominance cemented its legacy. Though no longer playable in its original form, its influence remains paramount, making it arguably the greatest fighting game ever.
Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition
Metascore: 86
Link: Microsoft Store
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Developer: Double Helix Games, Iron Galaxy
The Killer Instinct series, though less mainstream than Mortal Kombat, enjoys immense respect among fighting game enthusiasts. Its finely tuned balance, dynamic gameplay, and electrifying soundtrack create an unforgettable experience. Each character boasts a unique musical theme, enhancing their personality and backstory. The diverse roster, featuring a street boxer, vampire, dinosaur, and werewolf, showcases the game's creative character design. Its accessible gameplay allows newcomers to quickly grasp the fundamentals and execute stylish combos.
SoulCalibur
Metascore: 98
Release Date: September 8, 1999
Developer: Project Soul
Released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, SoulCalibur remains a visual masterpiece. Instead of flashy acrobatics, it emphasizes grounded combat with a variety of weapons. Its innovative 3D movement across eight horizontal directions, similar to Tekken, added depth, focusing not just on attacks but also strategic dashes and spatial awareness. This fresh approach, combined with stunning graphics, cemented its place among the genre's best.
Skullgirls: 2nd Encore
Metascore: 82
Link: Steam
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Developer: Hidden Variable Studios
Skullgirls: 2nd Encore stands out with its unique art style and animation. While boasting a smaller roster, each character is meticulously designed with authentic looks, creative moves, and individual story modes. Though not revolutionary, it’s a polished and enjoyable fighting game.
Lethal League
Metascore: 82
Link: Steam
Release Date: August 27, 2014
Developer: Team Reptile
Lethal League cleverly subverts traditional fighting game conventions. Instead of hand-to-hand combat, players use a rapidly moving ball to inflict damage. This unique mechanic results in incredibly fast-paced battles, where skillful ball control is key. The energetic soundtrack further enhances the exhilarating gameplay.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
Metascore: 85
Release Date: December 11, 2008
Developer: Eighting Co., Ltd.
This crossover collaboration between Capcom and Tatsunoko features a relatively simple, yet enjoyable combat system. Its bright, colorful aesthetic and memorable characters make it perfect for casual play with friends.
Samurai Shodown
Metascore: 81
Link: Steam
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Developer: SNK CORPORATION
This reboot features deliberate, slower-paced gameplay, contrasting with faster-paced fighters. The deliberate sword strikes and beautiful art style inspired by classic Japanese art make it a visually stunning and strategically rewarding experience.
Ultra Street Fighter IV
Metascore: 84
Link: Steam
Release Date: August 7, 2014
Developer: Capcom
Ultra Street Fighter IV, an expansion of the 2009 Street Fighter IV, revitalized the franchise. It features new characters, moves, and improved balance, retaining the series' dynamic and energetic gameplay. The Steam version offers a smoother experience than its console counterpart.
Super Street Fighter II
Metascore: TBD
Release Date: September 14, 1993
Developer: Capcom
A seminal classic that defined the genre, Super Street Fighter II's colorful characters, impressive combos, and well-designed stages captivated players worldwide, achieving record-breaking sales.
Tekken 3
Metascore: 96
Release Date: March 26, 1998
Developer: Namco
Tekken 3, a best-selling PlayStation title, introduced significant improvements over its predecessors, including enhanced graphics, sidestepping, and parrying mechanics. Its spectacular visuals and refined combat system remain iconic.
Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
Metascore: 88
Link: Steam
Release Date: March 28, 2018
Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC
Injustice 2 brings the DC Universe to life with a roster of iconic heroes and villains. While the gameplay is familiar, it offers a less violent experience with an accessible entry point, while still rewarding dedicated players.
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Metascore: 82
Release Date: March 23, 2000
Developer: Capcom
This crossover features a massive roster of Marvel and Capcom characters, allowing for three-on-three battles. Despite its age, it remains a fan favorite, though its visuals haven't aged well.
Guilty Gear Strive
Metascore: 87
Link: Steam
Release Date: June 11, 2021
Developer: Arc System Works
Guilty Gear Strive showcases Arc System Works' mastery of stylish visuals and deep gameplay. Its detailed environments, characters, and stunning special effects are complemented by a refined combat system, including the ability to break level walls.
Arcana Heart
Metascore: 77
Release date: October 11, 2007
Developer: Yuki Enterprise
Arcana Heart is an anime-styled fighter featuring an all-female cast and elemental spirits that assist characters in battle. Its solid combat and distinctive art style make it a unique entry in the genre.
The King of Fighters XIII
Metascore: 79
Release date: July 14, 2010
Developer: SNK Playmore
The King of Fighters XIII is known for its complex and unforgiving mechanics, rewarding mastery and punishing mistakes. Its deep combat system and polished presentation make it a challenging but rewarding experience.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Metascore: 87
Link: Steam
Release date: January 26, 2018
Developer: Arc System Works
Dragon Ball FighterZ captures the epic scale and explosive action of the Dragon Ball universe. Its accessible gameplay belies a deep combat system that rewards practice and skill.
Mortal Kombat 9
Metascore: 86
Link: Steam
Release date: April 19, 2011
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Mortal Kombat 9 revitalized the franchise with its balanced combat system and brutal action. It streamlined the series while retaining its signature over-the-top violence.
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
Metascore: 82
Link: Steam
Release date: August 21, 2018
Developer: FRENCH-BREAD
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] is known for its stylish anime aesthetic and deep, complex gameplay. Its unique combat system and strong online community make it a worthwhile experience for fighting game veterans.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Metascore: 93
Release date: January 31, 2008
Developer: Sora Ltd.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl's massive roster of Nintendo characters and accessible gameplay made it a massive success, while its nuanced mechanics provided depth for skilled players.
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Metascore: 84
Link: Steam
Release date: March 17, 2022
Developer: Arc System Works, ATLUS
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax combines the stylish presentation of Arc System Works with the beloved characters and setting of the Persona franchise. Its fast-paced combat and deep mechanics make it a rewarding experience for fans.
Them’s Fightin’ Herds
Metascore: 80
Link: Steam
Release date: May 1, 2020
Developer: Mane6, Inc.
Them's Fightin' Herds offers a unique take on the fighting game genre, featuring animal characters and a less violent art style. Its deep combat system is surprisingly complex for its charming presentation.
Tekken 8
Metascore: 90
Link: Steam
Release date: January 26, 2024
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.
Tekken 8 refines the classic Tekken formula with updated visuals and a new health recovery mechanic. Its polished combat and stunning graphics make it a must-have for fans of the series.
Super Street Fighter IV
Metascore: 85
Release date: April 27, 2010
Developer: Capcom
Super Street Fighter IV expands upon the original with new characters, ultra combos, and improved graphics, setting the stage for future installments.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Metascore: 92
Release date: November 21, 2001
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Super Smash Bros. Melee's simple yet deep gameplay and massive roster of iconic Nintendo characters cemented its place as a genre classic.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus
Metascore: 78
Link: Steam
Release date: March 13, 2020
Developer: Cygames, Inc., Arc System Works
Granblue Fantasy: Versus blends the stunning visuals of the Granblue Fantasy universe with a solid, strategic fighting system.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
Metascore: 88
Link: Steam
Release date: April 23, 2019
Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC, Shiver
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate refines the series' formula with improved balance, new modes, and extensive customization options, making it an ideal entry point for newcomers.
Capcom vs. SNK 2
Metascore: 80
Release date: September 13, 2001
Developer: Capcom
Capcom vs. SNK 2 features a massive roster of characters from both franchises, offering a nostalgic experience with its sprite-based graphics.
Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code
Metascore: 78
Link: Steam
Release date: April 20, 2016
Developer: FRENCH-BREAD
Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code offers a stylish anime fighter with accessible gameplay and a thriving online community.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
Metascore: 86
Link: Steam
Release date: February 13, 2014
Developer: Arc System Works
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is a classic 2D fighter with stylish visuals and a compelling story, despite some technical issues.
Street Fighter 6
Metascore: 92
Link: Steam
Release date: June 2, 2023
Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Street Fighter 6 is a modern classic, blending accessible gameplay with deep strategic depth and stunning visuals.
Fighting games, while a niche genre, boast a passionate fanbase. What are your favorite fighting games? Share them in the comments!
