Who's the top dog when it comes to the best fighting games? We're putting your favorites to the test to determine the champion of the beat-'em-up genre. With new additions thanks to some of the biggest video game releases of the year, it's time to quit pulling punches, settle the score, and crown the victor.
Even with seemingly endless options, certain fighting games often rise to the top given availability, popularity, and general quality. But pulling together only 25 of the best fighting games is no easy feat due to the genre's variety, though we have done our absolute best below. Even if we have somehow overlooked your personal favorite, our ranking should certainly point you in the direction of one or two that could absolutely give it a run for its money. The gloves are off - here are the best fighting games worth your time right now.
The best fighting games ever, starting with...
25. M.U.G.E.N
Developer: Elecbyte
Platform(s): PC
A freeware 2D game supported entirely by fans, M.U.G.E.N is a bit of an oddity in the world of fighting games. Because the game is so customizable, your version of M.U.G.E.N is likely not the same as another player's. Instead, you'll need to find content tailored to your interest (maybe you want a Darkstalkers x Dragon Ball Z x The Simpsons crossover) and build up your vision of the game as you see fit. It's a bit of a hassle and the game is not known for being balanced, but it can still be pretty amazing to see Spongebob Squarepants go toe-to-toe with Joseph Joestar.
24. War of the Monsters
Developer: Incognito Entertainment
Platform(s): PS4
Lots of fighting games on this list require patience and a high level of skill to be played at a master level. They require hours of study if you want to become competitive, and are taken very seriously. War of the Monsters is not one of those games. This is a big, dumb slugfest between cartoonish monsters, with buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians getting crushed underfoot. Originally released for the PS2 but re-released with an increased resolution and smoother framerate on the PS4, pick this one up to feel like a kid again and have a raucous, not-too-serious time.
23. DNF Duel
Developer: Arc System Works, Eighting, Neople
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch
DNF Duel is a 2.5D action fighting game that's a spin-off from the popular RPG Dungeon & Fighter (thus the "DNF" in the name) with a bit of a mixed reception. Compared to many other more popular games, communication has been pretty middling from the developer and there have been balance issues, but DNF Duel does still offer a very distinct gameplay experience featuring easy-to-use moves that are hard to master. DNF Duel is hard to recommend as a top-tier choice, but it certainly belongs in the conversation.
22. Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes
Developer: French-Bread
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Under Night In-Birth 2 Sys:Celes (sidenote, we're just going to call it "Under Night" here on out) is the latest in the series of fighting games and its first numbered sequel. If you're not familiar, the franchise has a passionate audience in the fighting game community thanks to its lovely sprites, catchy tunes, and focus on feet-on-the-ground fighting. The plot is about as hard to follow as its title, at least for those new to it, but if you like anime about supernatural beings and ancient secret organizations or stylish anime fighting games, you'll find plenty to enjoy here.
21. Arms
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Arms is the fighting game for those of you who preferred Wii Sports' take on boxing to tennis or bowling. Using the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Con as extensions of your... well, arms, you'll throw real-life hooks, jabs, and uppercuts (at the TV, not your friend, of course) as you try to outmaneuver and outsmart your opponent. Customizing your in-game arms will lead to different strategies and power-ups, and the wild character designs are a sight to behold. Of all the games on this list, Arms is probably the most likely to give you an actual workout.
20. Pokken Tournament DX
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
If you've ever thought to yourself, "Yeah, I like Pokemon, but the turn-based battles just aren't exciting enough for me," then Pokken Tournament DX is exactly what you need. The title is a bit of wordplay on "Tekken," which Pokken's fights are largely modeled after - that is to say, 3D movement with an emphasis on close-quarters brawling. While you won't get to play as every Pokemon in the series, there are lots of fan favorites like Mewtwo, Pikachu, Blaziken, and Gengar to choose from. It occupies a strange niche as a not-quite traditional Pokemon game and not-quite a super competitive fighter, but it's tons of fun to see in action.
19. EA Sports UFC 5
Developer: EA Vancouver
Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X/S
If you are looking to simulate actual, real-life martial arts combat, there is not much out there of any note beyond EA Sports UFC 5. The ongoing franchise tends to get a lot right with kicks and punches having impact while forcing players to constantly evaluate their strategy on where and when to move in and go for the combo or grapple that will net you a KO. It's not going to be for everyone, and the incremental updates between versions are not going to be to everyone's taste, but if this is your thing, EA Sports UFC 5 is the latest and greatest version of it.
18. Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
While criticized harshly for its character visuals (which are... not great) and simplified mechanics, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite still adds some worthwhile wrinkles to the MvC formula - the biggest of which are the Infinity Stones from the Marvel Comics universe. Each stone has different effects which can drastically alter your strategy, and the franchise-spanning roster features plenty of fan favorites. This is a 2v2 rather than 3v3 fighter, and there aren't any assists from your partner this go-round either, so overall it's a bit more restrictive than the series' previous entry.
17. Dead or Alive 6
Developer: Team Ninja
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
The Dead or Alive series is a bit of a black sheep in the fighting game community, as some find it shallow and too focused on cheesecake (that is, highlighting the sexual appeal of its cast) to be taken seriously. Even so, Dead or Alive 6 is a more-than-competent fighter taken on its own merits with a strong sense of style on top of generally engaging, albeit sometimes difficult to master, combat.
16. BlazBlue: Central Fiction
Developer: Arc System Works
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch
With a roster comprised of demon girls, hulking behemoths, shapeshifting androids, and some stuff that only gets a whole lot weirder from there, BlazBlue is one of the fighting game community's more eclectic games of choice. What helps separate BlazBlue from its competitors is the "Drive" button. Every character's Drive function is unique, from helping them regain lost HP to trapping opponents in ice. Learning what makes each character tick is key to victory. While it's been a minute since a new mainline release, if you're looking for something outside the Street Fighter and Tekken norms, BlazBlue is worth checking out.
15. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
Developer: Arc System Works
Platform(s): PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PC
Follow this logic: the Persona games are a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei series. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a sequel to Persona 4 Arena, which is itself a spin-off of Persona 4. So this is a sequel to a spin-off of a spin-off. And yet, it's clear that developer Arc System Works put serious love and care into translating the characters from the Persona RPGs into a fighting game, and there's a great sense of balance and intricacy to combat. You'll have even more fun if you're already familiar with Persona, but even if you haven't played through the series, this is a solid fighter with a unique and memorable cast.
14. Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown
Developer: Sega
Platform(s): PS4
The Virtua Fighter series was one of the first to define 3D fighting games, way back on the Sega Saturn. While it has admittedly somewhat fallen out of favor, possibly due to its more toned-down nature - you won't find any robots or monsters here - that doesn't mean it isn't still great. There's a strong focus on input precision and making counterplays, which helps Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown feel like one of the deeper 3D fighters out there. It may not be flashy, but its focus on nailing combat flow and balance more than make up for that.
13. The King of Fighters 15
Developer: SNK
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
King of Fighters 15 might not get the flowers it deserves when directly compared to other long-lasting fighting game franchises, but SNK still knows how to craft a superb fighter that understands its legacy while still trying to keep up with the times. With rollback netcode and a good roster, King of Fighters 15 makes a strong impression that generally puts it above many others.
12. Killer Instinct (2013)
Developer: Iron Galaxy
Platform(s): PC, Xbox One
The surprise revival of Killer Instinct was one of this console generation's earliest treats. A cult favorite since its days in the arcade and at home on the Genesis and SNES, the game has an edgy, exaggerated style about it you can't help but love. Fights are almost always very close and borderline claustrophobic, but never stiff or boring. Anyone can rack up massive combos in Killer Instinct, but only those who know its intricacies will be able to capitalize on them. And with special guest characters like Rash from Battletoads and General Raam from Gears of War, it's one of the most unique fighters around. C-c-c-c-combo breaker!
11. Guilty Gear Strive
Developer: Arc System Works
Platform(s): PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Guilty Gear set the tone for Arc System Works fighters, and Guilty Gear Strive continues to carry the mantle: it's fast and bombastic, with some of the most ridiculous characters ever put to the screen, and it is, for lack of a better term, a bit weird. It's also quite the spectacle to look at, with characters technically rendered as 3D models but so finely detailed and animated they look like hand-drawn anime cels.
10. Skullgirls 2nd Encore
Developer: Reverge Labs
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
An extremely fast and frenetic fighter, Skullgirls could be likened to a Western take on games like BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. You can mix and match teams of one, two, or three characters, and the well-rounded cast of characters which clearly stand apart from each other will encourage you to try everyone. An extensive tutorial will help you learn the ropes, and the active community will be waiting to take you on. What helps Skullgirls stand out though is just how fun it is to watch - the hand-drawn art style is gorgeous, and the presentation is exciting. You're gonna have fun with this one.
9. Soul Calibur 6
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
A tale of swords and souls, eternally retold... Soul Calibur 6 may have only just arrived on the scene, but it's already setting longtime fans alight with excitement. The definitive weapons-based fighter, the Soul Calibur series struggled to find its footing for awhile, but seems to have come home with SC6, which echoes the beloved Soul Calibur 2. The new Reversal Edge mechanic gives combatants more options, while returning features like Critical Edge provide flashy, powerful moves that let you unleash devastation on your foes. And then there's the incredibly robust character creator...
8. Injustice 2
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
If there's one thing Injustice 2 nails, it's presentation. From the word go, you'll be immersed into the world of DC Comics, and a stellar single-player campaign (seriously, it's a fighting game with a really good story) will keep you going for hours. Once you've finished with that, a world of finely-tuned battles against AI or online players awaits. And in a unique twist, completing the game's challenges will earn you pieces of gear that you can use to not only change the look of your chosen fighter, but alter their stats as well. It's an incredibly deep experience and you shouldn't be surprised to lose track of time with this fabulous fighter.
7. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 might be one of the most button-masher friendly games on this list, but that doesn't mean it's shallow. Instead of memorizing combos and worrying about being ultra-precise with your inputs, Ultimate MvC3 is all about making the most of your special abilities and your partners. Each fight is a 3v3 affair, with one character on screen at a time until players call in their partners for an assist or screen-filling super move. And if you start to fall behind, the X-Factor mechanic can help you turn what looks to be sure defeat around. It's chaotic, it's loud, it's colorful, and it's fun as hell.
6. Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Yes, this is something of a cheat to pick, as it's not one single game, but rather twelve squeezed into one package. But don't worry, this collection doesn't appear so close to the top of this list because of sheer quantity, as it also includes two of the very best and most-revered fighting games of all time: Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo and Street Fighter 3: Third Strike. The former is credited with helping revolutionize and lay the foundations for the genre, while the latter is one of the tightest, most beautiful sprite-based 2D fighters you'll ever enjoy. And with Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, you don't need to choose.
5. Mortal Kombat 1
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Mortal Kombat 1 is finally here with its new era, and that comes with a new set of reimagined versions of classic characters in addition to a robust Kameo system on top of the usual combos and fatalities. It's all the blood and gore of Mortal Kombat with some clever changes to somehow make it feel truly new all these years later. And all it took was Liu Kang essentially becoming the master of reality.
4. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Developer: Arc System Works
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
While the uninitiated might think Dragon Ball FighterZ to be little more than a shallow fan service game, it's proven to be much more than that, and has quickly become a hit within the fighting game community. The winks and nods to DBZ fans are nice, but what fighting game aficionados will appreciate is the depth present in FighterZ's mechanics. It's a blisteringly fast game (probably the fastest on this list) that favors aggression and rushdown tactics, but if you can wrap your head around the finer points of its 3v3 tag-team battles, you're sure to come away pleased.
3. Tekken 8
Developer: Bandai Namco
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Our own review of Tekken 8 unequivocally states that we are "in the Golden Age for fighting games, and Tekken is the king." Put simply, the most recent sequel is the best Tekken game to date with significant depth, reworked onboarding, and excellent visuals. While the game's movelists are certainly intimidating when viewed as a whole, it remains difficult not to recommend Tekken 8 given how well it handles just about everything else.
2. Street Fighter 6
Developer: Capcom
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
There's a reason why people immediately think of Street Fighter whenever "fighting game" enters the conversation. As one of (if not the) most technical fighters on the market, it demands precision, patience, and strategy. And Street Fighter 6 absolutely continues this legacy with further iteration on what was already a unique visual flourish to set the franchise apart. If you can get past the tacked-on monetization efforts, there's a jam-packed package at its heart.
1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
While there will always be a contingent of purists who refuse to play anything other than Melee, make no mistake - Smash’s Switch outing is one of the best fighters ever released. Doing away with the hugely unbalanced roster of the series’ Wii U outing, Ultimate sees Smash at its chaotic best. Boasting a jaw-dropping 80 fighters to choose from, including third-party legends Like Sephiroth, Ryu, and Persona 5’s Joker, Ultimate feels less like a Nintendo love in and more like a celebration of video games as a whole. The best part? Ultimate plays phenomenally. Thanks to its wide array of different-feeling playable characters, there really is something for everyone. Featuring the return of a hefty adventure mode in the form of the RPG-leaning World of Light and the series best net code to date, Ultimate is pure joy. Whether you’re a casual player raining items down from the sky or a pro frame counter, ai-dodging and combo-ing your way to victory, there really is something for everyone. In fact, Ultimate not only lays claim to being one of the greatest fighting games of the HD era, but arguably even one of the best games of all time. Disagree? I’ll see you on Final Destination.
