Fighting games have always held a special place in the hearts of gamers, largely due to their emphasis on competitive multiplayer. Virtual battlegrounds offer the perfect stage for showdowns with friends or online rivals. 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 overall contribution to the genre's evolution.

Presenting the top 30 best fighting games of all time! Explore timeless classics alongside modern masterpieces, offering a perfect entry point into this beloved genre. Let the battles begin!

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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 impact on the genre is undeniable, establishing the core formula: arena combat between two fighters, utilizing combos. While Street Fighter predates it, Mortal Kombat's influence was significantly greater in the Western market. Though no longer directly playable in its original form, its legacy remains.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

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

The Killer Instinct series, while perhaps less mainstream than Mortal Kombat, enjoys a dedicated following and is considered by many to be among the best fighting games ever created. Its finely tuned balance, dynamic gameplay, and energetic soundtrack contribute to its appeal. Each character boasts a unique musical theme, adding depth to their personalities. The diverse and charismatic roster, ranging from a street boxer to a dinosaur, offers low barrier to entry while rewarding skilled players.

SoulCalibur

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

Released in 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast, SoulCalibur remains visually stunning. It eschews flashy acrobatics, instead focusing on grounded combat with a variety of weapons. The ability to move freely in 3D space, a unique feature at the time, added a layer of strategic depth. This emphasis on positioning and weapon-based attacks set it apart, and its impact on the genre is still felt today.

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 character designs. The animations are fluid and pleasing, and while the roster is relatively small, each character feels distinct and well-developed, each with their own story mode. The creative move sets and combo possibilities make learning the characters a rewarding experience.

Lethal League

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

Lethal League innovates within the established fighting game formula by replacing traditional hand-to-hand combat with a fast-paced, ball-based mechanic. The speed and intensity of the gameplay are amplified by the energetic soundtrack, making it a refreshing experience for seasoned fighting game players.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

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

A fun and memorable crossover featuring characters from both Tatsunoko and Capcom universes. While its simple combat system might not appeal to all, its bright, colorful style and memorable characters make it a great choice for casual play.

Samurai Shodown

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

A successful reboot that emphasizes slow, deliberate gameplay, contrasting with faster-paced fighters. The visually stunning art style, heavily influenced by classical Japanese art, adds to its unique charm.

Ultra Street Fighter IV

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

An enhanced version of Street Fighter IV, featuring new characters, moves, and improved balance. While the initial PS4 release had some technical issues, the Steam version provides a smoother experience of this classic.

Super Street Fighter II

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

A landmark title that helped define the fighting game genre and achieved record-breaking sales. Its colorful characters, impressive combos, and well-designed stages made it a massive hit in arcades and on consoles.

Tekken 3

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

A best-selling PlayStation title that introduced innovations like sidestepping and parrying, enhancing the already impressive visuals and combat system of its predecessors.

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

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

A DC Comics-themed fighting game that pits iconic characters against each other. The gameplay is accessible, but mastering it requires significant dedication.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

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

A beloved crossover featuring a massive roster of Marvel and Capcom characters. The ability to field three characters simultaneously makes for chaotic and exciting battles.

Guilty Gear Strive

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

A visually stunning and mechanically deep entry in the Guilty Gear franchise. Its stylish visuals and complex yet rewarding combat system make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Arcana Heart

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

An anime-styled fighter featuring an all-female roster and unique elemental spirits ("Arcana") 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 King of Fighters series, known for its complex and unforgiving combat system.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

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

A visually spectacular fighting game based on the Dragon Ball franchise, featuring epic battles and a relatively accessible yet deep combat system.

Mortal Kombat 9

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

A successful reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise, focusing on a balanced combat system and brutal, over-the-top action.

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

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

A stylish anime fighter with a deep and rewarding combat system, though the 2D animation might not appeal to all.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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

A massively popular crossover featuring a wide array of Nintendo characters, known for its accessible yet surprisingly deep gameplay.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

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

A stylish and fast-paced fighting game based on the Persona universe, featuring a high skill ceiling.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds

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

A unique fighting game featuring anthropomorphic animal characters, with a focus on accessible yet deep gameplay.

Tekken 8

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

The latest entry in the Tekken series, featuring refined gameplay and stunning visuals.

Super Street Fighter IV

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

An expansion of 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 highly influential and critically acclaimed entry in the Super Smash Bros. series, known for its competitive scene and memorable moments.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus

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

A visually impressive fighting game based on the popular Granblue Fantasy franchise, featuring a unique blend of styles and a 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, featuring improved balance, 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 and exciting gameplay.

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

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

A visually stylish fighting game with an accessible yet deep combat system.

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 by many to be a pinnacle of the fighting game genre, balancing accessibility with impressive depth.

Fighting games, while a niche genre, boast a passionate and dedicated fanbase worldwide. What are your favorite fighting games? Share them in the comments!