Entertainment
10 Best Fighting Games Ever Made, Ranked
Video games are all about the gameplay, and while that can include puzzle solving, exploration, and role-playing, it is mostly about the combat, whether that be shooting, slashing, or punching. With games such as Elden Ring and Halo, this medium is ripe with a variety of options to beat stuff up. However, why complicate things with fantasy, sci-fi, and shooters when fans can simply play fighting games?
The fighting genre is defined by its 2D side-scrolling style, where characters battle it out until only one is left standing. This ultimate battle between players is riveting, which is why this list will rank the ten greatest fighting games of all time. Based on gameplay, design, combat, originality, influence, polish, networking, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these are the best games to beat something up.
10
‘Injustice 2’ (2017)
Superhero games have been getting better, but DC, in particular, has always delivered the best of the best, including a fantastic fighting game, Injustice 2. With Superman’s insurgency stopped by Batman, a new villain threatens the world: Brainiac. Allying with the remnants of Superman’s regime, Batman challenges the alien villain to save the planet.
Made by NetherRealm Studios, a veteran in the fighting game scene, Injustice 2 features polished, brawling gameplay that is a staple of the company. The most popular DC heroes and villains come together for a fighting game extravaganza. The story isn’t anything special, but the armor system and customizable characters, paired with the interactable stadium and in-depth controls, create a love letter to the DC universe.
9
‘Dragon Ball FighterZ’ (2018)
Like Injustice 2, many other franchises get fighting game adaptations, and one of the best comes from the hit anime, Dragon Ball. While there are many games in this franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ is the best. A new Android descends onto Earth, instantly reviving classic villains and creating evil clones of Goku’s friends, starting a war between old enemies and new friends.
No anime game is as good as Dragon Ball FighterZ, a sci-fi video game masterpiece, and it achieved this feat by delivering a well-crafted fighting experience that honors the series while being something new. The captivating visuals create an explosive and dynamic feast that is a spectacle to witness. However, it doesn’t overshadow the fast-paced gameplay with combo attacks and strategic chess-match fights.
8
‘The King of Fighters ’98 (1998)
Fighting games have been around for a while, but they are known for the arcade era, which expanded into the 1990s. Aptly named, The King of Fighters ’98 is one of the best fighting games. It isn’t the most well-known franchise and doesn’t have a canon story, but it is supposed to be a Dream Match between alive and dead characters from different times with separate allegiances.
While the ’80s were the peak of the arcade era, the 1990s had plenty of hits, including this one, which captures that nostalgic feeling with classic combat and great visuals. The King of Fighters ’98 has a magnificently balanced roster where characters offer different strengths. This perfect selection, paired with its refined combat, results in a polished fighting game masterpiece that is tactile and thrilling.
7
‘Tekken 5’ (2004)
Out of all the fighting games, there are a few franchises that stick out as legendary, such as Tekken. Out of all the great games in this series, Tekken 5 takes the cake as the best overall experience. After the death of their leader, the corporation is taken over by the undead father, who announces the fifth King of the Iron Fist Tournament, with the winner taking over the company.
All the Tekken games are great, but Tekken 5 changed the formula and the way the franchise operates, because anything else would be a downgrade. Returning to its fast and fluid roots, this game also delivers rich worldbuilding and fascinating lore to expand the universe. Tekken 5 is a masterpiece that mixes its gimmicks with tight gameplay that creates a definitive entry in the franchise.
6
‘Guilty Gear Strive’ (2021)
Some of the best fighting games are older titles, but the newest one featured on this list is Guilty Gear Strive, which came out in 2021. Sol embarks on one last mission to confront his former friend and the creator of a deadly weapon, hoping to end the hundred-year tragedy of the Gears Project.
It may have had the least time to establish itself, but Guilty Gear Strive is already a modern classic and must-play fighting experience. This game features one of the best and most dynamic art styles on this list, showcasing its vibrant style and art direction with visual spectacle. The Roman Cancel system offers more gameplay opportunities that spice up the perfected formula, making Guilty Gear Strive an innovative modern masterpiece.
5
‘Mortal Kombat’ (2011)
Out of all the fighting game franchises on this list, Mortal Kombat is arguably the most popular and relevant, and with so many classics, Mortal Kombat 9, also known simply as Mortal Kombat, is the best. After Armageddon, Raiden sends visions to his past self, who must interpret these messages in order to stop the events of the first three games from happening.
As a franchise, Mortal Kombat is highlighted by its brutal style and overly gory combat, and this game dials it up to eleven. The fatalities are gruesome, and the story is surprisingly complex for a fighting game. This seminal title completely redefined the gameplay and style, and also saved the franchise. Mortal Kombat ignited that competitive edge among gamers that most games don’t, becoming a staple in one of the most iconic gaming series.
4
‘Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire’ (1997)
When it comes to fighting games, it is hard to beat Capcom, which has many incredible franchises, including Darkstalkers, and the third one, Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire, is the greatest. When the demon lord learns that his realm is collapsing, he creates a dimension and brings the strongest darkstalkers into it, hoping to harvest their souls for power.
This hyper-stylized gothic game is superbly macabre, showing off its avant-garde aesthetic for all to see. Vampire Savior is more than visually stunning; it is also a technical marvel that abandons the round system in favor of an uninterrupted fight. The gameplay is blisteringly fast, and Vampire Savior rewards an aggressive style where momentum is the key to victory, making it one of the best video games of the 1990s.
3
‘Soulcalibur’ (1998)
Fighting games were mostly 2D side-scrolling titles, but the 1990s started the shift, specifically with the groundbreaking game Soulcalibur. The Soul Edge is a legendary artifact that holds great power, and the potential of this sword gathers dozens of the strongest warriors in the 16th Century to find it. Some want to destroy it and make sure no one uses its powers for evil, while others want to harness it for themselves.
Soulcalibur is one of the highest-rated games on Metacritic, and for good reason, as it revolutionized the fighting genre and the gaming industry. Indeed, introducing 3D rotating movement innovated and laid the blueprint for the genre going forward. This fluid movement was a technical achievement that enhanced arcade gaming, and the port was even better, bringing this style to home consoles.
2
‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ (2018)
Nintendo is known for its accessible gameplay style and innovative mechanics, which are felt in its fighting franchise, Super Smash Bros. From the game-changing title on the GameCube to the fan-favorite on the Wii, the best is the most recent, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In the campaign mode, a cosmic entity captures all Nintendo characters, leaving only Kirby to save the day.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the largest video game crossover, bringing characters such as Steve from Minecraft, Sora from Kingdom Hearts, and Snake from Metal Gear Solid into one game. Its expansive roster, creative spirits, familiar items, and imaginative level design pair nicely together, creating a new experience every match. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a smorgasbord of fighting that balances combat through chaos and unscripted events. Over-the-top, unexpected, and dynamic, this modern video game masterpiece is a collaboration of creativity and passion.
1
‘Street Fighter II’ (1991)
The top of this list could have gone either way, but the most influential and popular fighting game franchise is arguably Street Fighter, and while the second and third games are both masterpieces, Street Fighter II is the magnum opus. A worldwide fighting tournament hosted by the ruthless M. Bison is underway, and some of the strongest fighters on the planet convene to give each other a good beatdown.
Street Fighter II isn’t just the greatest fighting game; it is one of the best video games of all time, proving to be the most iconic and influential by delivering a perfect brawling experience, whether fans play at home or in the arcade. The six-button layout, combinations, and introduction of special moves were foundational mechanics that influenced the history of video games, even further highlighting the influence it had on the industry. Street Fighter II is a landmark of the 1990s and the definitive fighting game that stands atop this list.
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