15 Best Fighting Games You Should Play

Getting tired of all the co-op games where you get to work with your friends and be friends all the time? Well, worry no more because we are here to turn your friendships into long-lasting rivalries. Get ready to duke it out with your friends in the world’s best fighting games that are available out there right now. Fighting games are fast-paced, competitive, and fun-to-play against your friends in offline multiplayer mode. Now, you will know who’s the real boss in your company. So, without any further ado, here are the 15 Best fighting games below:

1. Street Fighter V

The real king of fighters (pun intended), but really, Street Fighter is the actual king of all fighter games out there. It’s considered the father of all fighting games and the pioneer in the fighting game community. Street Fighter V is the latest iteration in the Street Fighter series and it brings back the most popular fighting game with all new features and graphics. Street Fighter V is only available on PlayStation 4 and PC, so Xbox and Nintendo fans are out of luck.

Also, despite few initial hiccups, the game has finally managed to gain a foothold and after a number of balance patches, it has again become one of the best fighting games available with a huge number of active players and a massive online community.

Download: ($39.99)

2. Killer Instinct 

This is the killer reboot of the famous Killer Instinct franchise launched for the Xbox One and now available for Windows 10 PCs as well. Killer Instinct is one of the best fighting games available right now and some people might even rank it above Street Fighter V because it offers a lagless multiplayer (which is essential in fighting games), great gameplay, a diverse roster with different archetypes, and a newbie friendly combo system.

The game is essentially free-to-play and you can buy different characters with real money. You can also buy different seasons or complete bundle packs to unlock multiple or all of the characters. Killer Instinct is definitely a game you should try if you’re looking to get into fighting games because it offers one of the best tutorials in fighting games.

Download: (Free)

3. Tekken 7

Tekken 7: Fated Retribution has been out in the form of arcade machines all over Japan. The game is coming to consoles (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One) and PC on 2nd June 2017. It continues the legacy set by its predecessors and adds even more features to the game. The roster is pretty strong with around 30 characters for the console versions. A completely new story mode that tells the story of each character and how the Mishima rivalry pans out in the Tekken universe. Apart from that, Tekken 7 also introduces a new guest character, Akuma from the Street Fighter series.

The gameplay is similar to previous iterations. With an over-abundance of 2D and 2.5D fighters out there, Tekken has been the only relevant 3D fighter that has a major following all over the world. It’s definitely a pre-order worthy title.

Pre-Order: ($59.99)

4. The King of Fighters XIV

SNK’s highly famous King of Fighters franchise makes a big return with the release of The King of Fighters XIV on the PS4. This game brings back all the stylish and glamorous KoF heroes back in action with a 3D graphic style. The graphics may not be on par with other 3D fighting games but the gameplay and mechanics are definitely up to the standard and sometimes even better than rival fighting franchises.

The game offers around 50 different characters, with each one sporting a unique moveset and style along with 18 different stages where you can duke it out. The game also offers various single and multiplayer modes to make it even more interesting and adding more replay value. The multiplayer is great and the netcode makes all the online matches quite smooth and lagless.

Download: ($29.99)

5. Skullgirls

Skullgirls is a fast-paced 2D fighting game that lets you take on your rivals in a dark world. The game feels similar to old-school fighting games from the 90s era, however, the graphics are sharper and polished. The sound and gameplay mechanics are also unique and make it one of the best fighting games out there. It’s considered one of the most competitive fighting game out there and a newbie-friendly game with its very detailed tutorial.

If you are looking to get into fighting games then Skullgirls is definitely the best choice because it’s easy to play and offers a great tutorial, and it’s available on multiple platforms. Also, it’s a very affordable game and runs on even older hardware as well.

Download: ($9.99)

6. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

With the release of an all-new Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite game right around the corner, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 has lost quite a bit of its charm and hype. However, it’s still considered one of the best fighting games and played widely with a huge competitive scene. If you really want to see Marvel superheroes go toe-to-toe with Street Fighters and other Capcom heroes then this is the perfect game for you. With its simple gameplay mechanics, awesome graphics, and a flashy move style, UMvC 3 is definitely a fighting game everyone should try at least once.

Download: ($24.99)

7. Mortal Kombat XL

Another fighting game that brought something completely new and unique to the genre. Mortal Kombat introduced a completely brutal fighting style and gore in the fighting game genre. This game thrives on obliterating your rivals and gutting them, literally. Mortal Kombat XL is the latest iteration of the game and offers great 3D graphics mixed with a 2D fighting style. The game offers a wide roster of characters along with some guest characters that include but not limited to Predator, Alien, and more. If you prefer dismembering your opponents in combat then definitely try out Mortal Kombat XL.

Download: ($19.99)

8. Ultra Street Fighter IV

You may think that it’s unfair to put two different Street Fighter games on the list. However, before you bring out your pitchforks, let’s be clear about one thing Ultra Street Fighter 4 is miles ahead of Street Fighter V, in terms of gameplay and competitiveness. Don’t believe us? Well, you can ask any competitive player which one they prefer and you’ll realize how USFIV is the better game. It offers a tight gameplay with decent graphics. The roster is diverse and twice, in fact even thrice the size of Street Fighter V.

The multiplayer is much better than Street Fighter V since there’s less lag, but overall Capcom needs to work on their multiplayer side for smoother games. If you are a Street Fighter fan then try out USFIV. Be wary that this one is not as forgiving as Street Fighter V and it’s definitely not newbie-friendly at all.

Download: ($29.99)

9. BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

What makes BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger different from other 2D fighting games? Well, it’s a fast-paced fighting game with high-resolution hand-drawn character sprites and offers a unique fighting style for each character. You can choose a character based on your own fighting style, be it fast, hard-hitting, evasive, etc., whichever one you prefer. The soundtrack in the game is amazing and definitely, gives the entire gameplay an exciting boost. Various play modes will keep you locked in for a very long time and a challenging multiplayer mode will test your might against fighters from around the world.

Download: ($9.99)

10. Guilty Gear Xrd – Revelator-

If BlazBlue actually caught your attention then Guilty Gear Xrd – Revelator – is going to blow you away. It’s developed by the same guys who’ve developed BlazBlue, so both games share some similarities. The Guilty Gear game features 3D cell-animation graphics that look stunning and give it an anime-styled look. The fighting mechanics are amazing and it’s a fast-paced action game with around 23 powerful characters, each boasting unique powers, and movesets. The game is easier to learn, yet difficult to master, which makes it quite challenging. Definitely, a must have for all the fighting game fans.

Download: ($49.99)

11. Hyper Dragon Ball Z

Before you say anything like “it’s a not a full-fledged game or not developed by [Insert AAA developer here]” then let me stop you right now. Hyper DragonBall Z is an M.U.G.E.N game developed by hardcore fans of the DragonBall series. Normally, the M.U.G.E.N based games are completely broken or just a wild mixture of different franchises but not Hyper DragonBall Z. It offers a top-notch fighting experience with amazing mechanics and features. Even though it’s a fan-made game, it still rivals top fighting games in terms of gameplay and mechanics.

Best of all, it’s completely free to download and you will love the easy-to-pick fighting style. Just give it a try and you will understand how good this game actually is.

Download: (Free)

12. The King of Fighters 2002

Another The King of Fighters game that deserves to be on the list. The King of Fighters 2002 is one of the best KoF games ever released. I offer a diverse cast of heroes, cool gameplay elements, fast-paced action, flashy moves, and detailed 2D graphics that add to the overall gameplay. The game balance has been completely redone, so each character feels powerful and any combination of the 3-player team feels strong enough in various match-ups. You can now play The King of Fighters 2002 online with players from around the world via Steam, so get it and test your fighting skills in this arcade classic.

Download: ($14.99)

13. DiveKick

The first-ever two-button fighting game created by Iron Galaxy. If you thought that a two-button fighting game is not possible or it would just get boring over time then you are very wrong. DiveKick is one of the most fun-to-play fighting games out there because it does away with all the complex d-pad movements in favor of just two buttons. Instead of flashy and tricky combos, the game heavily relies on fighting game basics like timing, spacing, fundamentals, etc. You should try DiveKick even if you are not good at fighting games because it’s really fun and very easy to play for everyone.

Download: ($4.99)

14. Dead or Alive 5

Even though Dead or Alive 5 focuses on girls in skimpy clothes fighting for no reason at all, that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a fighting game than others in this list. Actually, DoA 5 is an amazing fighting game that rivals Tekken since both games are 3D fighters. DoA 5 focuses on using the entire arena and your environment to your advantage during the fight. The graphics are amazing and the action is exciting with each landed move making an impact, which gives the game an authentic feel. If you are into beautiful women (who isn’t?) and fast-paced fighting then this is the perfect game for you.

Download: (Free)

15. Pocket Rumble

Another 2-button fighting game that does away with all the complexities of a fighting game and makes it easier for the newbies to pick up and play a fighting game. Pocket Rumble is inspired by the greatest SNK vs Capcom games on the Neo-Geo Pocket and shares a similar pixelated graphics style which looks amazing. The multiplayer is flawless and smooth with GGPO netcode. The game offers simple mechanics and easy to learn combos which make it easier for beginners to dish out some serious damage while also adds enough competitiveness for the serious players to master the game. If you want a simple fighting game with less buttons, but more combos and moves then Pocket Rumble is definitely a game you should try.

Download: ($9.99)

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Split-Screen (Couch Co-Op) Games for PC

Fight It Off With The Best Fighting Games

The above-mentioned games should definitely cure your itch for some fighting games. This list includes all the games that are great for a fighting game enthusiast. We have a game for everyone, be it a newbie, pro, or a competitive fighting game player. Just pick the game or games you like and start mashing buttons (button mashing is bad according to top players, so you should avoid it or…. don’t, do whatever you want).