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Fighting games have always been a staple in gaming, though whether they're truly a genre worth celebrating is up for debate. With numerous commercial spin-offs, reboots, and sequels, it's hard to trace the origins of each fighting game. That's why we're recounting the absolute best fighting games of all time.
10. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. is a riotous game designed for constant button-mashing mayhem, allowing players to relentlessly pummel opponents. While the Smash Bros. series lacks the intricate combos of other fighting games, it still offers a nuanced and fast-paced battle of wits.
Here's one of the finest Switch games, seamlessly blending with the console. Whether you're engaging in some online battles on the go or sitting next to your friends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers joy in abundance.
9. Street Fighter V
Street Fighter has long been the most renowned fighting game franchise, with its original release dating back to 1987. Street Fighter V initially launched in an almost unfinished state, but Capcom has significantly improved it since then. With fresh content, Street Fighter V is even more balanced and diverse than its predecessors, reaching new heights for the series.
8. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is the sequel to Persona 4 Arena, initially released exclusively in Japanese arcades before transitioning to PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2014. Here, you can step into the shoes of characters from Persona 3 and Persona 4, each with their own unique moves and Persona abilities. While focusing more on combat than the main Persona entries, Arena Ultimax still retains some aspects of life simulation. Outside of battles, players can forge social bonds to aid them in combat.
7. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Fortunately, FighterZ fits into the latter category, stripping away many of the RPG elements of previous Xenoverse titles to embrace a fierce fighting system.
The game unfolds within the Dragon Ball Super timeline but serves as a side story to the main series. Here, you clash with Android 21, a cyborg created by the Red Ribbon Army turned human. Awakening Android 16 and using the Dragon Balls to resurrect Nappa, Cell, Frieza, and the Ginyu Force, 21 develops a system linking human souls with machinery.
6. Injustice 2
If you're not familiar, Injustice is a fighting game based on the DC universe, allowing you to pit Batman, Superman, Joker, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and more against each other in this superhero showdown. In addition to the roster of DC heroes and villains, Injustice 2 also features warriors from other game franchises, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hellboy, and Sub-Zero.
Compared to its predecessor, Injustice 2 boasts a much more engaging single-player mode. Following the events of the first game, Injustice 2 showcases the clash between Batman and Superman, with Superman resorting to extreme measures to punish criminals.
5. Mortal Kombat X
Like Injustice 2, Mortal Kombat X enhances the game in every way, with increased visual fidelity, more characters, and refined mechanics.
Mortal Kombat X features special X-Ray moves, slow-motion effects that make your hits feel more impactful. It also allows you to interact with the environment similar to what you can do in Injustice, expanding the arena or using objects to strike your opponent.
4. Skullgirls
Skullgirls gains its fame primarily from its art style. It features a 'dark deco' style, an animation style reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series. Mixing aspects of art deco, a visual design prevalent in the early 1920s often associated with film adaptations of The Great Gatsby, with noir elements, it creates a dark yet elegant atmosphere. With beautifully hand-drawn characters and mesmerizing finishing moves, Skullgirls is a game full of soul, reflecting the developers' passion evident in every frame.
3. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the reissue of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, adding 12 new characters while retaining the core gameplay. Unlike other titles on this list, you must select a team of 3 warriors whenever a battle begins. Though it's one-on-one, you'll need to defeat all three fighters on the opposing team to win the match.
2. MUGEN
MUGEN's unique and unparalleled structure has earned it recognition in the gaming community. Released for Windows in 1999, MUGEN is not a game per se but a fighting game engine. It provides you with a basic platform to fight and requires you to supply essential details. You can add your own characters, graphics, and stages, essentially building a custom fighting game. If you lack programming knowledge, don't worry—MUGEN also offers some pre-built gameplay modes for you to dive into immediately.
1. Ultra Street Fighter IV
Ultra Street Fighter IV marks Capcom's fourth installment in the Street Fighter IV series and the third to grace the Steam platform. Like its SF IV counterparts, Ultra's battles revolve around Focus Attacks, a maneuver allowing your character to absorb hits and unleash counterattacks.
Ultra also introduces five new characters (Decapre, Elena, Hugo, Poison, and Rolento), six new stages, the ability to upload to Youtube, ... It's the most beautiful and refined update of Street Fighter IV, although some balance issues still persist. Nevertheless, it remains a highly competitive 1v1 fighting game.
Above is the list of the top 10 greatest fighting games of all time. Wishing you enjoyable gaming moments.
