The Best Fighting Games of All Time

Fighting games have always held a special place in the hearts of gamers, largely due to their emphasis on competitive multiplayer. Virtual arenas offer the perfect stage for battling friends or challenging online opponents. Over the decades, developers have gifted us countless iconic titles. This list considers not only popularity and industry influence but also gameplay depth, balance, innovation, and contributions to the genre's evolution.

Presenting the top 30 best fighting games of all time! Explore timeless classics alongside modern masterpieces, perfect for newcomers and veterans alike. Let's dive in!

We also suggest checking out our other collections: Best Games, Shooters, Survival, Horrors, Platformer, Adventures, Simulators

Table of Contents

• 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

Mortal Kombat

Metascore: TBD Release Date: September 13, 1993 Developer: Midway

Let's begin with the legendary 1993 Mortal Kombat. Released during the early days of home consoles, it became a pivotal title, inspiring countless fighting games. Its influence is undeniable, establishing the core gameplay: arena combat between two fighters, utilizing combos. While Street Fighter preceded it, Mortal Kombat achieved greater Western popularity, solidifying its place as a genre king. Though no longer readily playable, its impact on the industry remains immense, cementing its status as a historical giant.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

Metascore: 86 Link: Microsoft Store Release Date: September 20, 2016 Developer: Double Helix Games, Iron Galaxy

Almost as old as Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct enjoys a dedicated fanbase, often cited as one of the best fighting games ever. Its finely tuned balance, dynamic gameplay, and energetic music create an exhilarating experience. Each character boasts a unique musical theme reflecting their personality. The diverse roster, featuring a street boxer, vampire, dinosaur, and werewolf, showcases unique traits while maintaining an accessible gameplay curve, allowing newcomers to quickly grasp the mechanics and execute stylish combos.

SoulCalibur

Metascore: 98 Release Date: September 8, 1999 Developer: Project Soul

Released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, SoulCalibur remains visually stunning. Instead of flashy jumps, it focuses on grounded, weapon-based combat. Its innovative 3D movement across eight horizontal directions, similar to Tekken, added depth, emphasizing strategic dashes and distance management. This fresh approach, combined with exceptional graphics, keeps SoulCalibur at the genre's forefront.

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore

Metascore: 82 Link: Steam Release Date: July 7, 2015 Developer: Hidden Variable Studios

Skullgirls stands out with its unique art style and animations. While the roster is modest, each character is meticulously designed with authentic looks and unique movesets, making them a pleasure to learn. Though not revolutionary, it’s a well-crafted and enjoyable fighting game.

Lethal League

Metascore: 82 Link: Steam Release Date: August 27, 2014 Developer: Team Reptile

Lethal League innovates by replacing traditional hand-to-hand combat with a fast-paced, baseball-based mechanic. The faster the ball moves, the more damage it inflicts, creating intense battles set to energetic music. A refreshing take for genre veterans seeking something new.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

Metascore: 85 Release Date: December 11, 2008 Developer: Eighting Co., Ltd.

A fun, colorful, and memorable crossover featuring a simple combat system. While perhaps not appealing to all Western gamers, its bright style makes it ideal for casual play with friends.

Samurai Shodown

Metascore: 81 Link: Steam Release Date: June 25, 2019 Developer: SNK CORPORATION

A well-executed reboot featuring slow, deliberate gameplay, emphasizing precise sword strikes. The visual design, heavily influenced by classical Japanese art, is a standout feature.

Ultra Street Fighter IV

Metascore: 84 Link: Steam Release Date: August 7, 2014 Developer: Capcom

An enhanced version of Street Fighter IV, featuring new fighters, moves, and improved balance. While the PS4 version had initial issues, the Steam release provides a smooth experience with this dynamic and impressive title.

Super Street Fighter II

Metascore: TBD Release Date: September 14, 1993 Developer: Capcom

A timeless classic that defined the genre. Its colorful characters, impressive combos, and well-designed locations captivated players in arcades and on consoles.

Tekken 3

Metascore: 96 Release Date: March 26, 1998 Developer: Namco

A best-selling PlayStation title, featuring improved graphics, new mechanics like sidestepping and parrying, and spectacular, colorful combat.

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

Metascore: 88 Link: Steam Release Date: March 28, 2018 Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC

A DC universe fighting game featuring iconic characters like Flash, Batman, and Superman. It offers accessible gameplay with a high skill ceiling.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Metascore: 82 Release Date: March 23, 2000 Developer: Capcom

A beloved crossover featuring a large roster of Marvel and Capcom characters, allowing for three-on-three battles. While showing its age, it remains a classic for its character selection.

Guilty Gear Strive

Metascore: 87 Link: Steam Release Date: June 11, 2021 Developer: Arc System Works

A visually stunning title with a deep and dynamic combat system, featuring the series' signature special move cancel mechanic and a controversial wall-break feature.

Arcana Heart

Metascore: 77 Release date: October 11, 2007 Developer: Yuki Enterprise

An anime-styled fighting game featuring an all-female cast and elemental spirits that assist characters in battle.

The King of Fighters XIII

Metascore: 79 Release date: July 14, 2010 Developer: SNK Playmore

A critically acclaimed entry in the long-running series, featuring a complex and unforgiving combat system.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Metascore: 87 Link: Steam Release date: January 26, 2018 Developer: Arc System Works

A visually spectacular and epic fighting game based on the Dragon Ball franchise, featuring accessible yet deep gameplay.

Mortal Kombat 9

Metascore: 86 Link: Steam Release date: April 19, 2011 Developer: NetherRealm Studios

A critically acclaimed reboot that revitalized the franchise, focusing on balanced combat and brutal action.

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

Metascore: 82 Link: Steam Release date: August 21, 2018 Developer: FRENCH-BREAD

A stylish anime fighting game with a deep combat system, though the 2D animation may not appeal to all.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Metascore: 93 Release date: January 31, 2008 Developer: Sora Ltd.

A massive crossover featuring numerous Nintendo characters, known for its accessible yet deep gameplay.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Metascore: 84 Link: Steam Release date: March 17, 2022 Developer: Arc System Works, ATLUS

A stylish fighting game set in the Persona universe, featuring a challenging but rewarding combat system.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds

Metascore: 80 Link: Steam Release date: May 1, 2020 Developer: Mane6, Inc.

A unique fighting game featuring animal characters, known for its family-friendly art style and solid combat system.

Tekken 8

Metascore: 90 Link: Steam Release date: January 26, 2024 Developer: Bandai Namco Studios Inc.

A highly-rated return to form for the Tekken franchise, featuring refined combat mechanics and stunning graphics.

Super Street Fighter IV

Metascore: 85 Release date: April 27, 2010 Developer: Capcom

An expansion to Street Fighter IV, introducing new characters, ultra combos, and improved graphics.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Metascore: 92 Release date: November 21, 2001 Developer: HAL Laboratory

A critically acclaimed and influential title in the Super Smash Bros. series, known for its simple yet deep gameplay.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus

Metascore: 78 Link: Steam Release date: March 13, 2020 Developer: Cygames, Inc., Arc System Works

A stylish fighting game based on the popular Granblue Fantasy franchise, featuring a deceptively deep combat system.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

Metascore: 88 Link: Steam Release date: April 23, 2019 Developer: NetherRealm Studios, QLOC, Shiver

A refined entry in the Mortal Kombat series, focusing on balanced gameplay, new modes, and extensive customization options.

Capcom vs. SNK 2

Metascore: 80 Release date: September 13, 2001 Developer: Capcom

A crossover featuring a massive roster of Capcom and SNK characters, known for its fast-paced combat.

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

Metascore: 78 Link: Steam Release date: April 20, 2016 Developer: FRENCH-BREAD

A stylish fighting game with a surprisingly accessible combat system, despite its age.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Metascore: 86 Link: Steam Release date: February 13, 2014 Developer: Arc System Works

A classic 2D fighter with stylish visuals and a unique combat system.

Street Fighter 6

Metascore: 92 Link: Steam Release date: June 2, 2023 Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

A modern classic, considered a pinnacle of the fighting game genre, featuring refined gameplay and stunning visuals.

Fighting games remain a niche genre, but within that niche lie many hidden gems. What are your favorites? Share them in the comments!