Home News The Best Fighting Games of All Time

The Best Fighting Games of All Time

Author : Charlotte Update : Mar 19,2025

Fighting games have always held a special place in gaming, largely due to their emphasis on multiplayer competition. Virtual battlegrounds offer the perfect stage for facing friends or battling online rivals. Over the decades, developers have gifted us countless iconic titles. This list considers popularity, industry impact, 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 and modern masterpieces, providing an excellent entry point into this beloved genre. Let the battles begin!

Table of Content ---

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 on establishing core gameplay—arena battles, two fighters, combo systems—is undeniable. While Street Fighter predates it, Mortal Kombat dominated the Western market, establishing itself as a genre king. Although no longer directly playable in its original form, its impact on the industry remains immense, securing its place as a monumental fighting game.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

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

The Killer Instinct series, though not as widely known as Mortal Kombat, enjoys significant acclaim among fighting game enthusiasts. Its finely tuned balance, dynamic gameplay, and energetic music contribute to its enduring appeal. Each character boasts a unique musical theme, enhancing their personality and backstory. The diverse and charismatic roster—from street boxers to vampires and dinosaurs—offers a low barrier to entry, making it accessible to newcomers while rewarding skilled players with 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 emphasizes grounded combat with a focus on weaponry. Its innovative 3D movement across eight directions provided a unique depth, focusing not just on attacks but strategic dashes and spatial awareness. This fresh approach, coupled with its exceptional graphics, cemented its place among the genre's best.

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore

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

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore stands out with its unique art style and animations. While featuring a smaller roster, each character is meticulously designed, boasting authentic looks and creative moves. The game's charm lies in its well-crafted gameplay and delightful character designs, making it a solid addition to any fighting game collection.

Lethal League

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

Lethal League cleverly subverts traditional fighting game conventions by replacing hand-to-hand combat with a fast-paced, ball-based mechanic. The speed and intensity of the gameplay, combined with the energetic soundtrack, offer a refreshing change of pace for seasoned fighting game players seeking something new and exciting.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars

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

This crossover title, a collaboration between Tatsunoko and Capcom, features a relatively simple combat system. While perhaps less appealing to all Western audiences, its bright, colorful, and memorable style makes it a fun and casual choice for those seeking a lighthearted fighting experience.

Samurai Shodown

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

A successful reboot, Samurai Shodown offers a deliberate and thoughtful pace compared to faster-paced fighters. Its slow, powerful sword strikes and visually stunning aesthetic, heavily influenced by classical Japanese art, create a unique and engaging experience.

Ultra Street Fighter IV

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

Ultra Street Fighter IV, an expansion of the critically acclaimed Street Fighter IV, features new characters, moves, and improved balance. While initial console releases faced technical issues, the Steam version provides a smooth and enjoyable experience, showcasing the series' energetic and dynamic gameplay.

Super Street Fighter II

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

A foundational classic, Super Street Fighter II's colorful characters, impressive combos, and well-designed stages captivated audiences in the early 1990s, achieving record-breaking sales and solidifying its place in gaming history.

Tekken 3

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

Tekken 3, a best-selling title for the original PlayStation, introduced innovations like sidestepping and parrying, enhancing its already spectacular and colorful combat system. Its impressive graphics and engaging gameplay cemented its status as a true classic.

Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

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

Injustice 2 brings the DC universe to life, allowing players to pit iconic characters against each other in engaging battles. While the gameplay is familiar, its less violent approach and accessible entry point make it a great option for newcomers.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

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

Marvel vs. Capcom 2, despite its age, remains beloved for its massive roster of Marvel and Capcom characters. The ability to field three characters simultaneously provided a unique and chaotic experience.

Guilty Gear Strive

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

Guilty Gear Strive showcases Arc System Works' artistry with its stunning visuals and polished gameplay. The familiar special move cancel mechanic, along with the innovative (though controversial) wall break mechanic, provides a dynamic and engaging experience.

Arcana Heart

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

Arcana Heart is a stylish anime-inspired fighting game featuring an all-female roster and unique elemental spirits that assist characters in battle.

The King of Fighters XIII

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

The King of Fighters XIII is known for its complex and unforgiving fighting mechanics, rewarding mastery and punishing mistakes. Its deep gameplay and polished presentation make it a worthwhile challenge for experienced players.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

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

Dragon Ball FighterZ captures the epic scale and explosive action of the Dragon Ball universe with its stylish visuals and accessible yet deep gameplay.

Mortal Kombat 9

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

Mortal Kombat 9 revitalized the franchise with its balanced combat system and brutal action, marking a return to form for the series.

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

Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late

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

Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late[cl-r] features a stylish anime aesthetic and a deep, rewarding combat system, making it a standout title in the genre despite some minor animation inconsistencies.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

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

Super Smash Bros. Brawl's massive roster of Nintendo characters and accessible gameplay contributed to its immense popularity and critical acclaim.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

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

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax offers a stylish and fast-paced fighting experience for fans of the Persona series, featuring a deep combat system developed by Arc System Works.

Them’s Fightin’ Herds

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

Them’s Fightin’ Herds provides a unique and family-friendly fighting experience, featuring animal characters and a charming art style by Lauren Faust.

Tekken 8

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

Tekken 8 delivers a refined and polished experience, building upon the series' proven combat mechanics with updated visuals and a new health recovery system.

Super Street Fighter IV

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

Super Street Fighter IV introduced the ability to choose an ultra-combo, along with new characters and enhanced visuals, paving the way for future installments.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

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

Super Smash Bros. Melee's simple yet deep gameplay and massive popularity led to its inclusion in the EVO fighting game tournament.

Granblue Fantasy: Versus

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

Granblue Fantasy: Versus blends stylish visuals with surprisingly deep and complex mechanics, offering a rewarding experience for players willing to invest time in mastering its systems.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

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

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate refines the series' formula with balanced gameplay, new modes, and extensive customization options, making it an excellent entry point for newcomers.

Capcom vs. SNK 2

Capcom vs SNK 2

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

Capcom vs. SNK 2 boasts a massive roster of characters from both franchises, offering a fast-paced and chaotic fighting experience.

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code

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

Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code features a surprisingly accessible combat system despite its complex combo potential, offering a rewarding experience for players of all skill levels.