Top Fighting Games Ever Ranked

Fighting games have carved out a special niche in the gaming world, captivating players with their intense multiplayer action. These virtual battlegrounds offer the perfect stage for thrilling showdowns, whether you're facing off against friends or challenging opponents online.

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Over the years, developers have crafted numerous iconic titles that have not only gained widespread popularity but have also significantly influenced the gaming industry. Our curated list of the top 30 best fighting games of all time takes into account their impact, gameplay depth, balance, innovation, and contributions to the genre. Whether you're a fan of timeless classics or eager to explore modern masterpieces, this collection is your gateway to the exhilarating world of fighting games. Let's dive in!

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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 0 0 Comment on this Mortal Kombat

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Metascore: TBDRelease Date: September 13, 1993Developer: MidwayStarting our list is the legendary Mortal Kombat from 1993. Launched during the early days of home consoles, it set a benchmark that inspired countless other fighting game developers. Its influence is monumental, establishing the core gameplay formula of arenas, two fighters, and combos.

While Street Fighter had already made waves, particularly in the Eastern market, Mortal Kombat captured the Western audience's imagination. Although no longer playable today due to the passage of time, its legacy remains unmatched, cementing its status as one of the greatest fighting games in history.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

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Metascore: 86Link: Microsoft StoreRelease Date: September 20, 2016Developer: Double Helix Games, Iron GalaxyThe Killer Instinct series, nearly as old as Mortal Kombat, may not have the same widespread recognition, but it's revered in certain circles as one of the best fighting games ever created.

Its finely tuned balance, dynamic gameplay, and energetic soundtrack that kicks in right from the main menu are testament to its quality. Each character boasts a unique musical theme that enhances their personality and backstory. The diverse roster, featuring everything from a street boxer to a vampire and a dinosaur, offers a low entry barrier, allowing even newcomers to master stylish combos quickly.

SoulCalibur

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Metascore: 98Release Date: September 8, 1999Developer: Project SoulReleased in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, SoulCalibur remains one of the most visually stunning games on the platform. Its battles are grounded and focus on various weapons, eschewing the fantastical jumps seen in other games.

A standout feature at the time was the ability to move in 3D space across eight horizontal directions, similar to Tekken. Coupled with excellent graphics, this added a new layer of depth to the gameplay, emphasizing not just attacks but also quick dashes and spatial awareness. SoulCalibur continues to be a pinnacle of the genre.

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore

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Metascore: 82Link: SteamRelease Date: July 7, 2015 Developer: Hidden Variable StudiosSkullgirls: 2nd Encore stands out with its unique stylization and visual design. The game's pleasant animations and diverse, albeit modest, character roster each come with their own story mode.

The meticulously designed characters and their creative moves and combo sets make learning them a joy. While it didn't revolutionize the genre, Skullgirls: 2nd Encore is a well-crafted fighting game that delivers a satisfying experience.

Lethal League

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Metascore: 82Link: SteamRelease Date: August 27, 2014Developer: Team ReptileIn a genre known for its conservative approach, Lethal League breaks the mold by replacing traditional hand-to-hand combat with a baseball-hitting mechanic.

This innovative feature results in fast-paced battles where combos are executed using the ball, which deals more damage as it accelerates. Accompanied by energetic music, Lethal League is a refreshing choice for genre veterans seeking something new.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

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Metascore: 85Release Date: December 11, 2008Developer: Eighting Co., Ltd.Capcom's prowess in creating crossover fighting games shines in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. With a simple combat system that may not appeal to all Western gamers, it was a hit in Japan.

The game's bright, colorful, and slightly crazy aesthetic makes it perfect for casual fun with friends.

Samurai Shodown

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Metascore: 81Link: SteamRelease Date: June 25, 2019Developer: SNK CORPORATIONIn an era dominated by remakes, Samurai Shodown stands out as a reboot that fans truly deserve. Its slow, thoughtful gameplay, reminiscent of falling cherry blossoms, features deliberate sword strikes that feel powerful.

The visual design, heavily influenced by classical Japanese art, will delight fans of both fighting games and this aesthetic.

Ultra Street Fighter IV

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Metascore: 84Link: SteamRelease Date: August 7, 2014Developer: CapcomStreet Fighter IV, released in 2009, revitalized the genre, and its Ultra version, released five years later, added new fighters, moves, and improved balance.

While the PS4 version faced criticism for blurry textures and input lag, the Steam version offers a smooth experience, making it one of the best entries in this iconic franchise.

Super Street Fighter II

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Metascore: TBDRelease Date: September 14, 1993Developer: CapcomA classic from the dawn of the genre, Super Street Fighter II demonstrated the gaming industry's potential for profitability with its record-breaking sales.

Its colorful fighters, impressive combos, and well-designed locations were enough to draw teenagers to arcades in 1993. A 2017 remake, however, didn't meet the same standards.

Tekken 3

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Metascore: 96Release Date: March 26, 1998Developer: NamcoTekken 3 became an iconic title for the first PlayStation, with innovations like improved graphics, sidestepping, and parrying mechanics.

Its spectacular and colorful characters, combos, and combat system are worthy of their own article. If you haven't played it yet, it's a classic you shouldn't miss.

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

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Metascore: 88Link: SteamRelease Date: March 28, 2018Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOCInjustice 2 brings the DC universe to life, allowing players to pit iconic characters like Flash, Batman, and Superman against each other.

While the gameplay is similar to other titles, it features less blood and violence, with a low entry barrier that still requires many hours to master.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

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Metascore: 82Release Date: March 23, 2000Developer: CapcomMarvel vs. Capcom 2 faced legal challenges that delayed its sequel, but it remains beloved for its extensive roster of Marvel and Capcom characters.

While it may not have aged well, it's a great introduction to the classic fighting game experience.

Guilty Gear Strive

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Metascore: 87Link: SteamRelease Date: June 11, 2021Developer: Arc System WorksGuilty Gear Strive showcases Arc System Works' creativity at its peak, with stunning visuals and detailed locations, characters, and combos.

The gameplay is equally impressive, featuring familiar mechanics like special move cancels and a new, albeit controversial, level wall-breaking feature. It's the perfect entry point into both the genre and the franchise.

Arcana Heart

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Metascore: 77Release date: October 11, 2007Developer: Yuki EnterpriseArcana Heart is like anime brought to life in a fighting game, featuring an all-female roster from various backgrounds and elemental spirits called Arcana that assist in battle.

It's a solid game with excellent combat and stylization.

The King of Fighters XIII

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Metascore: 79Release date: July 14, 2010Developer: SNK PlaymoreThe King of Fighters XIII is a standout in a series with over 20 games, earning acclaim for its perfect visuals and gameplay.

Its complex and unforgiving fighting mechanics require deep knowledge of character moves, making it a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

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Metascore: 87Link: SteamRelease date: January 26, 2018Developer: Arc System WorksDragon Ball FighterZ brings the legendary franchise to life with modern graphics and game design, making it an ideal entry point for newcomers.

Its epic battles, explosive effects, and simple yet deep gameplay are perfect for evening hangouts with friends.

Mortal Kombat 9

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Metascore: 86Link: SteamRelease date: April 19, 2011Developer: NetherRealm StudiosMortal Kombat 9 revitalized the franchise with its classic and brutal combat, focusing on a balanced system and high-quality fights.

It remains a strong contender alongside later installments, even today.

Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late[cl-r]

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Metascore: 82Link: SteamRelease date: August 21, 2018Developer: FRENCH-BREADUnder Night In-Birth Exe: Late[cl-r] is defined by its style, with deeply developed characters and a top-notch combat system.

While its 2D animation may not appeal to all Western fans, it earned a spot in the EVO 2020 tournament, showcasing its quality.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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Metascore: 93Release date: January 31, 2008Developer: Sora Ltd.Super Smash Bros. Brawl sold 13 million copies by March 2020, thanks to its low entry barrier and the inclusion of nearly all recognizable Nintendo characters.

Its depth comes from character attributes like weight and movement speed, making battles unique within the genre.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

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Metascore: 84Link: SteamRelease date: March 17, 2022Developer: Arc System Works, ATLUSPersona 4 Arena Ultimax may not be the best way to immerse yourself in the Persona universe, but its high entry barrier is offset by its stylish visuals and dynamic combat.

If you're familiar with the franchise and enjoy fighting games, it's definitely worth trying.

Them’s Fightin' Herds

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Metascore: 80Link: SteamRelease date: May 1, 2020Developer: Mane6, Inc.Them’s Fightin' Herds is the most unusual game on our list, featuring animal fighters in serious battles without typical brutality or violence.

With art by Lauren Faust, the creator of My Little Pony, it's perfect for younger gamers.

Tekken 8

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Metascore: 90Link: SteamRelease date: January 26, 2024Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.Tekken 8 was warmly received for its minor updates to proven combat mechanics, including a new health recovery feature.

Its top-notch graphics and detailed story scenes make it a great choice for those new to the series.

Super Street Fighter IV

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Metascore: 85Release date: April 27, 2010Developer: CapcomSuper Street Fighter IV introduced the ability to choose an ultra-combo and added ten new fighters, paving the way for the "Ultra" version and the modern classic Street Fighter 6.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

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Metascore: 92Release date: November 21, 2001Developer: HAL LaboratorySuper Smash Bros. Melee is a simple yet deep and engaging game that sold seven million copies on the GameCube.

Its inclusion in the EVO tournament and the "Wombo Combo" meme highlight its legendary status in the industry.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus

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Metascore: 78Link: SteamRelease date: March 13, 2020Developer: Cygames, Inc., Arc System WorksGranblue Fantasy: Versus combines Victorian architecture, medieval knights, and magic in a visually stunning game.

Its combat mechanics may seem simple at first but offer endless depth and complexity upon exploration.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

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Metascore: 88Link: SteamRelease date: April 23, 2019Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC, ShiverMortal Kombat 11 Ultimate focused on balancing, new modes, and customization options, perfecting the formula of brutality, balance, and online PvP combat.

Its spectacular arenas, brutal fights, and customization features make it ideal for newcomers to the genre.

Capcom vs. SNK 2

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Metascore: 80Release date: September 13, 2001Developer: CapcomCapcom vs. SNK 2 gained worldwide popularity with its massive 48-character roster and great combat, despite using old sprites that disappointed some fans.

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

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Metascore: 78Link: SteamRelease date: April 20, 2016Developer: FRENCH-BREADMelty Blood Actress Again Current Code may feel outdated, but its simple combat system and active online mode make it a game worth exploring.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

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Metascore: 86Link: SteamRelease date: February 13, 2014Developer: Arc System WorksBlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is a classic 2D fighting game with stylish visuals and a unique combat system.

Despite some bugs, its excellent story makes it worth checking out.

Street Fighter 6

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Metascore: 92Link: SteamRelease date: June 2, 2023Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.Street Fighter 6 is a pinnacle of the genre, offering simple yet deep mechanics and top-notch graphics.

Its friendly brawl-like atmosphere and high online presence make it a must-try while it's at the peak of its fame.

Fighting games have remained a niche genre, cherished by a dedicated fanbase but less appealing to the general public compared to AAA open-world projects. Despite this, the genre boasts hidden gems that deserve recognition. Do you have any favorite fighting games? Share them in the comments!