The Best Fighting Games of All Time

Fighting games have always held a special place in the hearts of gamers worldwide, largely thanks to their focus on multiplayer gameplay. Virtual arenas provide an excellent space for competing with friends or online with other users.

Image: theouterhaven.net

Over the decades, developers have given fans many iconic games. In this collection, we’ve taken into account not only the popularity and influence on the industry but also the depth of gameplay, balance, innovation, and contributions to the genre’s development.

We present to you the top 30 best fighting games of all time. Here, you can explore both timeless classics and modern titles that could serve as an excellent starting point in exploring one of the most popular video game genres. Let’s go!

We also suggest checking out our other collections:

Mortal Kombat

Image: syfy.com 

Of course, we have to start with the legend — Mortal Kombat from 1993. Released during the dawn of home consoles, it became a guiding star that inspired dozens of other fighting game developers. Its influence is enormous, as it established the key gameplay formula: arena, two fighters, combos.

Sure, Street Fighter was already around, but it had greater popularity in the Eastern market, while the Western world waited years for the king of the genre to arrive. Unfortunately, MK is no longer playable today—time and trends are ruthless, even to video games. However, the title left a bright mark on the industry and remains undeniably the greatest fighting game in history.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

Image: hobbyconsolas.com 

The Killer Instinct series is nearly as old as the Mortal Kombat franchise, though not as popular. However, in certain circles, it is regarded as one of the best fighting games ever made.

This is supported not only by its finely tuned balance and dynamic gameplay but also by the energetic music that makes you feel cool and pumped right from the main menu. What’s more, each character has their own musical theme that reflects their personality and backstory.

The first thing that surprises is the character roster: it feels like the developers gathered the most charismatic, authentic, and diverse heroes. There’s a street boxer, a vampire, a dinosaur, a werewolf... and each character has their own unique traits, but what unites them all is the low entry barrier in terms of gameplay, which allows even newcomers to quickly get the hang of it and pull off stylish combos.

SoulCalibur

Image: youtube.com 

Released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, SoulCalibur rightfully remains one of the most beautiful games on the platform. It doesn’t feature fantastical or flashy 2-3 meter jumps, but instead, the battles are grounded and heavily rely on various weapons.

One of the unique features that impressed at the time was the ability to move in 3D space across eight horizontal directions, just like in Tekken. Along with excellent graphics, this added depth to the gameplay, as, unlike other fighting games, it focused not only on attacks but also on quick dashes and the sense of distance between the characters.

This all felt fresh and invigorating, and to this day, SoulCalibur remains at the top of the genre.

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore

Image: moddb.com 

An unusual and stylish fighting game, its standout feature is the unique stylization and visual design. Pleasant animations, diverse characters — though the roster is quite modest, they all look authentic. Despite this, each character has their own story mode.

The original characters are the second and main advantage of Skullgirls: 2nd Encore. They are all meticulously designed, with their own creative moves and combo sets. In short, learning them is a real pleasure.

On the other hand, the title didn’t revolutionize the genre and is simply a well-crafted fighting game. But is anything more needed?

Lethal League

Image: steam.com 

Inventing something new in such a conservative genre is quite challenging. The gameplay formula seems established and set to stay that way for eternity: two fighters, hand-to-hand combat, combo moves, and so on. However, Lethal League surprises by replacing all of that with a mechanic based on hitting a baseball!

This unique feature makes the battles incredibly fast-paced compared to traditional fighters. Now, strong combos against your opponent have to be performed using the ball, which, the faster it moves, the more damage it deals. And all of this happens to energetic and upbeat music! This is highly recommended for veterans of the genre who are looking for something fresh.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Image: giantbomb.com 

Crossovers have always been popular, and as one of the leaders in this direction within fighting games, Capcom undoubtedly stands out. When Tatsunoko asked for a collaboration, Capcom naturally agreed.

The result was a title with a fairly simple combat system, which may not appeal to all Western gamers, but it was hugely popular in its home country, Japan. Bright, colorful, memorable, and even a little crazy. For a fun and casual time with friends, this game is all you need.

Samurai Shodown

Image: twinfinite.net 

We live in an era of constant remakes. However, even in this strange point of development in the gaming industry, there is room for reboots that gamers truly deserve.

Compared to other entries in the genre, Samurai Shodown features slow and thoughtful gameplay, like the falling of a cherry blossom. The heroes move as if in slow motion, with each sword strike feeling like a deliberate movement infused with strength. An undeniable strength is the visual design, which is heavily influenced by classical Japanese art, so fans of both fighting games and this aesthetic will definitely be pleased.

Ultra Street Fighter IV

Image: gamingdragons.com 

Street Fighter IV, released in 2009 for consoles, was a flash of brilliance for the industry and practically revived the genre. Five years later, its Ultra version was released — new fighters, moves, and improved balance.

It plays as dynamically, energetically, and impressively as the other titles in the series. However, on the PS4, the experience wasn’t as smooth: blurry textures, input lag, and network issues gave the game a bad reputation at launch. Fortunately, the game is now available on Steam, so you can easily experience one of the best games in this legendary franchise.

Super Street Fighter II

Image: x.com 

Without going too far, let’s mention the unmatched classic that emerged at the very dawn of the genre. In the days when arcades and consoles from Sega and Nintendo dominated the industry, Super Street Fighter II showed that the gaming industry could be a highly profitable business, as its sales were record-breaking.

So, what made the game so popular? The answer is simple. Colorful fighters, impressive combos, and well-designed locations. For 1993, that was enough to get teenagers worldwide to skip school and head to arcades. By the way, a sort of remake was released in 2017, but its quality leaves much to be desired.

Tekken 3

Image: thekingofgrabs.com 

Another game that was worth skipping school for. The first two parts of the series also have high ratings from professional reviewers, but Tekken 3 became truly iconic and one of the best-selling games for the first PlayStation.

It seemed like everyone with a console played it. There were plenty of innovations compared to the second part — just look at the graphics, which were a huge improvement. New mechanics like sidestepping or parrying were introduced. As for the characters, combos, and combat system, it deserves an article of its own. It’s all so spectacular and colorful.

In short, if you haven’t played it yet, we highly recommend checking out this classic.

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

Image: wbgames.com 

Let’s move from the Eastern scene to the Western one, which, aside from the great Mortal Kombat, also boasts major projects.

Injustice 2 is the perfect embodiment of the DC universe in an interactive experience. It allows you to pit the most significant and popular characters like Flash, Batman, and Superman against each other. The gameplay doesn’t differ drastically from competitors, but there is less blood and violence here. The entry barrier is also low, but to reach a master level, you’ll need to invest many hours into the game. 

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Image: reddit.com 

The situation with the gaming adaptation of the Marvel universe is much worse. After the release of New Age of Heroes, legal disputes began, and Capcom couldn’t retain the copyrights, leading to a ten-year delay in the release of the sequel.

It’s beloved by fans, of course, because of the plethora of beloved characters. There are many characters here, including famous Marvel heroes like Gambit, Hulk, and Iron Man, as well as Capcom characters like Captain Commando, Charlie, and Chun-Li. During battles, up to three heroes can appear at once! Unfortunately, the game didn’t stand the test of time and is only good for an introduction to the classic. 

Guilty Gear Strive

Image: instant-gaming.com 

It would be a crime not to mention one of the most significant series in the genre. The latest game in the franchise is also the pinnacle of Arc System Works creativity.

The first thing to note is the damn stylish and high-quality visuals. The level of detail in locations, characters, and combos is incredible, and the special effects are stunning. You have to see it with your own eyes.

The gameplay doesn’t disappoint either. After all, the developers have a strong reputation for creating quality fighting games. It even includes the familiar special move cancel mechanic, as well as a new feature for the series (though somewhat controversial), the ability to break level walls. This is definitely the best title to dive into both the genre and the franchise.

Arcana Heart

Image: videogamesnewyork.com

Literally anime from the world of fighting games. One of the unique features of the title is that the small character roster consists entirely of girls from various backgrounds: from high school seniors to PhD holders. Another interesting feature is the Arcana – elemental spirits that assist the characters in battle.

Otherwise, it’s simply a cool game with solid combat and excellent stylization.

The King of Fighters XIII

Image: animenewsnetwork.com

Another legendary series, with more than 20 games to its name at the time of writing! All of them are great, but the thirteenth entry earned widespread acclaim from critics and gamers. Everything here is perfect, from the visuals to the gameplay.

However, the fighting mechanics deserve a special mention. They are complex and very unforgiving for beginners. You need to literally know the moves of all characters to learn how to fight or counterattack effectively. And if you "get lucky" and find someone online, the match will last less than a minute. The veterans don’t forgive. But The King of Fighters XIII is definitely worth attention for those seeking tough challenges. 

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Image: fightersgeneration.com

Dragon Ball is a legendary franchise. No matter what people say, it has had a massive impact on both anime and games. Almost any game from the series could have made this list, but FighterZ, with its modern graphics and game design approach, is the best for newcomers to this universe.

The battles are epic, the effects are explosive, and the gameplay is simple, but mastery requires a lot of practice. Perfect for evening hangouts with friends.

Mortal Kombat 9

Image: ziedrich.wordpress.com

Before 2011, the franchise seemed lost: project after project failed to generate profits, and some games, like the fourth one, were almost erased from memory. However, Mortal Kombat 9 set everything straight and the series has been following that path ever since – classic and high-quality combat. And besides that – very brutal combat.

They removed everything unnecessary, keeping only the balanced combat system, although some characters were underused, and focused on the quality of the fights. It turned out great. Even today, this title holds its ground alongside the later installments.

Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late[cl-r] 

Image: twobeardgaming.wordpress.com

Style. This word could describe the title from a studio with a rather unusual and amusing name. The characters are deeply developed, from their personalities and behavior in the story to their soundtrack and moves.

However, the animation might not appeal to all Western fans of the genre – after all, 2D is slowly becoming a thing of the past, and in Late[cl-r] it looks a bit choppy. On the other hand, the combat system is top-notch – this is one of the few anime games honored to be part of the EVO 2020 tournament disciplines.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Image: reddit.com

The first part, Super Smash Bros. Melee, sold seven million copies, while this game reached 13 million copies by March 2020. What’s the secret? Very simple. It brings together almost all the most recognizable Nintendo characters, plus a very low entry barrier, allowing most players to reach high levels quickly.

The developers achieved depth by adding dozens of character attributes, such as weight or movement speed, making the battles “slightly” different from what you’re used to in the genre.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Image: youtube.com

Strangely enough, for immersing yourself in the Persona universe, this fighting game is definitely not the best choice. On top of that, the entry barrier is high, but if those two factors don’t deter you, then the game will definitely please you.

The visuals are stylish and powerful, the characters and music are familiar. Since Arc System Works handled the development, the combat system is in great shape – the fights are exciting, dynamic, and fast. So, if you are familiar with the franchise and love fighting games, definitely give it a try.

Them’s Fightin' Herds

Image: equestriadaily.com

Undoubtedly, the most unusual game in our selection! Even though the fighters are horses, unicorns, and other animals, the battles are serious. The combat system here is just as good as its genre counterparts: combos, moves, juggling, and so on.

There’s no typical brutality, bloody scenes, or excessive violence. With the art style by Lauren Faust, the creator of My Little Pony, this simply isn’t possible. As a result, the title is perfect for younger gamers.

Tekken 8

Image: youtube.com

The legendary return was warmly received by both critics and fans. Bandai Namco didn’t try to reinvent the wheel; instead, they took the proven combat mechanics and made only minor updates, such as a new health recovery mechanic. Otherwise, it’s the good old Tekken.

In terms of graphics, everything is still top-notch. At first, the story scenes impress with their detail, and the flashy combo effects never seem to get old. A great choice for those looking to get into the series.

Super Street Fighter IV

Image: youtube.com

Due to the similarity in the name, it’s easy to confuse this game with another in our list — Ultra Street Fighter IV. Both are essentially expansions of the original game but released separately. The main new feature in "Super" is the ability to choose an ultra-combo, along with ten new fighters. Additionally, the developers upgraded the graphics and added a few new modes.

For the series history, this was a significant step, paving the way for the "Ultra" version and the sixth entry, released in 2023, which has already become a modern classic.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Image: youtube.com

We previously mentioned this title when talking about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as it is one of the highest-rated and best-selling games on the GameCube. This is well-deserved, as it is a simple yet deep, engaging, and fun game that appeals to not only children.

It was even included in the EVO list of disciplines — an international fighting game tournament! In 2008, one of the tournament matches became the source of the "Wombo Combo" meme. A legendary game that left a huge mark on the industry.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus

Image: x.com

Based on the popular Japanese game Granblue Fantasy, this fighting game is incredibly stylish and beautiful. The combination of Victorian architecture, medieval knights, and magic looks truly impressive and authentic.

The combat mechanics are also solid. At first glance, it might seem overly simplistic. The move list is much shorter than in Guilty Gear, but once you start exploring the mechanics, you'll realize the depth and complexity are endless.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

Image: nintendo-online.de

In the eleventh installment, there weren’t many new features, but it focused on balancing, new modes, and cool customization options. After the reboot, NetherRealm found the perfect formula for Mortal Kombat: brutality, balance, and online player-versus-player combat.

And they nailed it. The arenas are spectacular, the fights are brutal, and the story... well, let’s not talk about it in this game! However, the Krypt, the ability to create custom fighting styles and visual appearances are worth mentioning. They are well-executed, although at some point, it turns into a tedious grind.

This installment is ideal for newcomers to the genre. Of course, MK 1 exists, but its monetization may be a turn-off.

Capcom vs. SNK 2

Image: maniac.de

Capcom loves crossovers with other universes, but not all of them are well-known to Western gamers. Marvel is one thing, but SNK has huge popularity in Japan but less so in the West.

Nevertheless, this title gained worldwide popularity due to its massive character roster — 48 characters, fan service, and, of course, great combat. Japanese developers were the pioneers of this genre. However, the game does have its faults, especially when it comes to the visuals. The creators decided to use old sprites, which understandably upset some fans.

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

Image: arcsystemworks.com 

We can't help but mention another game from this studio with a funny name. The game is set in the Melty Blood universe, with projects still being released to this day. Unfortunately, the fighting game hasn’t stood the test of time and feels a bit outdated, though it still looks just as impressive and stylish at certain moments.

One of its strengths, oddly enough, is the simple combat system. You can pull off complex combos, but beginners will appreciate how easy it is to get started. Plus, each character has one of three styles to choose from. This is a game where you can really immerse yourself, especially since the online mode is still active.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Image: siliconera.com 

One of the most classic examples of 2D fighting games. It has everything you expect: stylish visuals, well-developed characters (though there aren't many), locations, and impressive special effects. The combat system is a bit different — there are no specific punches or kicks like in typical titles, but something akin to low, medium, or high attacks.

The game gained recognition, but it isn’t widely talked about. Additionally, there are still annoying bugs related to FPS and network code. However, it’s worth checking out, at least for its excellent story.

Street Fighter 6

Image: psu.com 

Here we are, perhaps, at one of the key fighting games of the generation. Street Fighter 6 is virtually the pinnacle of the genre, the best it can offer. There aren’t huge lists of moves and combos for each character. The attacks are relatively few: basic punches and kicks, plus some abilities. But this simplicity makes them easy to learn, and from there, long combos are built. It's simple, tasteful, and the depth of mechanics and nuances is vast.

Violence? Not at all. What happens on screen feels more like a friendly brawl, after which players go into the Battle Hub and can calmly chat with each other. The graphics here are also top-notch — just the physics of fabrics and muscles alone are impressive!

We highly recommend checking it out while the title is still at the peak of its fame and has a high online presence.

Fighting games have remained a niche genre throughout their history. They have many fans worldwide, but they aren't as appealing to the general public as AAA open-world projects. It’s a shame, but even in this niche, there are some hidden gems. Do you have any favorite games in this genre? Be sure to share them in the comments!

Main image: ensigame.com