emoji_events Best Fighting Games

Although Dragon Ball FighterZ is excluded, its spiritual successor type - like 'FighterZ' - captures that same high-flying action. (Placeholder for another title?)

Dragon Ball FighterZ remains the definitive Dragon Ball fighting game. It is a 3v3 tag-team fighter that perfectly captures the frantic, high-speed energy of the anime. The visuals are so faithful to...

Under Night In-Birth II is a cult classic that offers some of the deepest, most technical gameplay in the anime fighting game subgenre. Known for its unique 'Grind Grid' system, it forces players to m...

Galactic Gladiators is a VR-exclusive arena combat game where players battle as futuristic warriors in zero-gravity environments. The game features a wide variety of weapons and abilities, allowing fo...

SoulCalibur VI is the definitive weapon-based 3D fighter. It is known for its fluid movement, strategic combat, and incredible character customization tools. The game's 'Reversal Edge' mechanic adds a...

BlazBlue: Central Fiction is the culmination of a decade of storytelling and mechanical refinement. It is arguably one of the most complex and content-rich fighting games ever made, featuring a massiv...

Samurai Shodown (2019) is a unique, patient, and high-damage weapon-based fighter. Unlike the fast-paced combos of other games, Samurai Shodown is about spacing, timing, and punishing mistakes. A sing...

Guilty Gear Strive is the pinnacle of the 'anime fighter' subgenre. Known for its breathtaking hand-drawn aesthetic and high-energy rock soundtrack, it offers a unique combat experience that is both f...

DNF Duel is a flashy, high-octane anime fighter based on the popular Dungeon & Fighter franchise. It is known for its incredibly simple control scheme, which allows players to perform powerful special...

Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown is the purest 3D fighting game ever made. It strips away all the gimmicks and flashy meters found in modern titles, focusing entirely on spacing, timing, and frame d...

Killer Instinct (2013) is a high-octane, combo-heavy fighter that remains a cult classic. Its unique combo-breaker system allows for intense back-and-forth gameplay, where players must constantly pred...

While the franchise has seen iterations, the modern focus of Killer Instinct emphasizes high-impact, combo-heavy gameplay within a 3D space. It rewards players for chaining together diverse attacks an...

Injustice 2 is the definitive DC Comics fighting game, featuring a cinematic story mode that is arguably the best in the genre. The game introduces a gear system that allows players to customize their...

This title represents a highly technical, older generation of 2D fighting mechanics. It appeals to the hardcore veteran who appreciates the raw, complex input requirements and deep system interactions...

KOF XV brings back the beloved team-based fighting structure with modern graphical fidelity and robust gameplay mechanics. Its focus on team synergy and diverse character archetypes makes for exciting...

The King of Fighters XV is a return to form for the legendary SNK franchise. It features the classic 3v3 team-based combat that fans love, combined with modern graphics and excellent rollback netcode....

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is a surprisingly deep and competitive tag-team fighter that features full cross-play across all platforms. It is designed to be accessible, with simple inputs, but...

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is a beautiful, hand-drawn 2D tag-fighter that punches well above its weight class. It is famous for its incredibly deep combo system and the ability to choose your team size (1v...

Mortal Kombat 1 reboots the iconic franchise with a fresh timeline and the innovative 'Kameo' system, which allows players to call in assist characters for unique combos and defensive options. Known f...

TTT2 excels by introducing the tag-team mechanic to the 3D fighter space. This allows for varied team compositions and strategic character switching mid-match, adding a layer of tactical depth absent...

Street Fighter V: Champion Edition is the final, complete version of the Street Fighter V saga. While it has been superseded by Street Fighter 6, it remains a highly polished and competitive title wit...

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is widely considered the greatest tag-team fighting game of all time. It is a chaotic, high-speed masterpiece that features a massive roster of Marvel and Capcom characters. While...

SF Alpha 3 represents a highly technical, pre-modern era of 2D fighting. It demands mastery over complex, often esoteric mechanics that define its era. It is a fantastic museum piece for understanding...

This title appeals to the most dedicated, hardcore fighting game purist. It features mechanics that are incredibly deep but require near-perfect execution to utilize fully. It is a masterclass in comp...

Melty Blood: Type Lumina is a high-speed anime fighter based on the Tsukihime visual novel series. It is known for its incredibly fast movement, aggressive combat, and 'Moon' system, which allows play...