10 Best Fighting Games You Can’t Miss in 2025

Wit, brawl, and strategy are the key ingredients in a fighting game. The best fighting games build themselves on close combat mechanics, where players are highly focused on their next move as they try to take down an opponent.

These games have a roster of compelling characters highlighted by strong personalities. While some games have different rounds players need to fight through, others follow a storyline embedded with role-playing game (RPG) elements. This article highlights some of the best fighting games you can get into right now.

The 10 Best Fighting Games

1. Street Fighter 6

Set across exotic locations and based on arcade-style fighting mechanics, Street Fighter is a franchise known for drawing inspiration from real-world martial arts. It mixes things up with unique and imaginative fighting styles that set each character in the roster apart from the others.

Street Fighter 6 thrives on the Drive System for added depth to its combat system, giving players different skill sets to master. There’s also the World Tour Mode, a fresh take on Street Fighter’s traditional storytelling mixed with one-on-one fights. Whether it’s Muay Thai, judo, or any other popular form of martial arts you’re a fan of, this game’s got it all!

2. Mortal Kombat One

If you take some of the most iconic heroes and villains from multiple universes and put them into a contest of blood, brawl, and brutality, you get Mortal Kombat 1. Just like the free fighting game on mobile, it acts as a refreshing take on the series’ iconic characters like Sub-Zero and Raiden, putting them in a convoluted narrative.

The game features Kameo Fighters — allies in battle who help you. In the middle of a match, these fighters can showcase unique moves as and when needed. Mortal Kombat 1 also features the likes of Omni-Man and Peacemaker (among others), who add a multiverse twist to the title, making it one of the best action games you can jump into.

3. Dragon Ball FighterZ

Fast-paced battles, epic victories, and powerful characters are all part of Dragon Ball FighterZ. Whether you want to play as Vegeta or Goku, the game shines at offering a 3v3 twist to its battle system in most gameplay scenarios. With a blend of flashy combos and team-based tactics, Dragon Ball FighterZ does justice to a popular franchise across the globe.

Each fight move is highlighted by smooth animations taking place in different game modes. The game’s 3D graphics are a faithful representation of the Dragon Ball universe, adding depth to its finely tuned combat mechanics while experimenting with the action-adventure genre.

4. Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Nintendo’s incredibly diverse lineup of characters had to find a place to prove their mettle, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate became a playground for that. The fighting game has a co-op mode and features several landscapes from different Nintendo titles, along with characters like Mario, Luigi, Link, and more.

Each game has rules similar to a battle royale game. Unlike a traditional fighting game, this one focuses on knocking opponents off the stage rather than depleting a health bar. You can also pick up environmental objects as weapons, adding a player-versus-environment (PvE) depth to its overall gameplay experience.

5. Guilty Gear Strive

Battles woven with high-intensity fights and cel-shaded graphics make Guilty Gear Strive a welcoming game for those new to the genre. Its combat mechanics are slightly different from other games, as the Roman Cancel feature lets players cancel a move in hopes of building a better combo during a fight.

Guilty Gear Strive’s cross-platform features let players fight one another across different gaming consoles (or PCs). In the middle of a fight, you may accidentally or intentionally “Wall Break” and enter another arena. This feature gives the game a unique twist, making each round a novel experience that keeps things fresh and exciting.

6. Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3

Marvel is no stranger to crossovers and multiverse shenanigans, and this game is proof of experiments that hit the mark. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 thrives on a team-based combat system that focuses on thrilling and strategic battles between squads. Players can form Hyper Combos, which are powerful bursts of movesets with flawless executions.

There’s also the X-Factor mechanic that lets players improve a character’s speed and damage output. This game should be played with friends (or foes), especially for those who ara fans of Capcom and Marvel characters.

7. Tekken 7

Tekken 7 highlights close combat in a way that feels technical, fluid, and character-specific. This makes it one of the highest grossing video games in the series, with a wide range of fighting styles to choose from and opponents to cross paths with. Its focus on competitiveness and multiplayer also makes it an incredible online boxing game.

A mechanic like Power Crush allows players to take in different moves as they push their own attacks. This adds a layer of aggression and parrying moves. The Rage system is an impressive gameplay feature that gives an adrenaline-esque damage boost when the character’s health is low. This can also lead to stylish finishing moves called Rage Arts.

8. Killer Instinct

A list of fighting games on PC would be incomplete without a mention of Killer Instinct. Taking the crown as one of the best free PC games in the fighting category, Killer Instinct sets itself apart by focusing on specific combos and fighting styles, disrupting opponents’ attacks with its Combo Breaker system. The back-and-forth tension in a fight makes it feel like a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy (MMORTS) game. 

Every character has an Instinct Mode that boosts their abilities, opening the door to stylish combos, finishes, and intense fights. For newcomers, the game offers different ways of fighting, while experienced players can continue to sharpen their strategic combos based on the opponents they face.

9. The King of Fighters XV

Taking on another player for a brutal fistfight can be great, but you know what’s even better? Having six players go against each other in one of the best online fighting games ever made. The King of Fighters XV features an impeccable netcode that allows smooth gameplay during online sessions, which is crucial for new and old fighting games alike.

The 3v3 fights are often fueled by stunning visuals and mechanics like Shatter Strike, which lets players take charge of how they absorb incoming damage. This adds a tactical depth to the game, making character selection less random and more strategic. There’s also a MAX Mode that enhances each combo’s potential, treating the title like a refined and stylish karate game for fans of martial arts.

10. Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown

Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown takes away the flashiness and intense style of combat that many fighting games are famous for. Instead, it focuses on realism, timing, spacing, and mind games. From punching and guarding to kicking and dodging, the game focuses on fights inspired by martial arts in a virtual realm.

With fights rooted in styles inspired by Taekwondo and judo, Virtua Fighter 5’s realistic combat makes it a technical game to explore. The game features a simple controller scheme but keeps the skill ceiling high, so players always have something to work toward. This makes the combat mechanics highly engaging once you start getting into the game.

The Best Fighting Games at a Glance

The best fighting games often combine close-combat prowess with tactical combos. With a steep learning curve to master, these games test your mettle against opponents face to face. Here are the best titles at a glance.

Game	Best for	Platforms
Street Fighter 6	Players looking forward to a versatile fighting game that’s suited for both casuals and newcomers	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Mortal Kombat 1	Players who enjoy highly graphic and violent animations with well-written storylines	Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch
Dragon Ball FighterZ	Fans of the Dragon Ball anime who want to re-live its iconic moments through a video game	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate	Nintendo fans looking for a fighting game that features their favorite characters	Nintendo Switch
Guilty Gear Strive	Newcomers as well as experienced players wanting to try out a cel-shaded fighting game with unique mechanics	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3	Fans of Capcom and Marvel looking for a fighting game with a huge roster of characters	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Tekken 7	Players wanting to try unique mechanics set within a fighting game with a diverse roster of characters	Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
Killer Instinct	Players looking for a fast-paced and combo-intensive fighting game	Windows, Xbox
The King of Fighters XV	Players looking for a smooth online experience in a fighting game	Windows, Xbox, PlayStation
Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown	Players looking for a technical and realistic combat experience	PlayStation

How To Choose a Fighting Game

The best fighting game experience is a culmination of satisfying combos and smooth animations that require varying skill sets. These tips can help you find the fighting game that’s best for your playstyle:

• Assess your fighting style: Whether it’s mixed martial arts or something specific like judo or Taekwondo, it’s important to know which kind of moves you prefer in a fighting game. 
• Look for diverse character movesets: Every fighting game has a unique roster of characters, and movesets and combos will differ based on each one.
• Check for combo depth and complexity: Some games are great at letting you build complex combos, while others are more focused on the timing of each punch and kick. Pick something that’s suited to your preferred combat style.
• Evaluate online matchmaking quality: If you wish to play with (or against) other players, choose a game with a good netcode for online play and additional features like cross-platform compatibility and tournaments.

Level Up Your Gaming Experience: Join the Fight

When you explore a vast library and play the best games in a given genre, the uniqueness of each title begins to show. There are few genres as action-packed and competitive as fighting games, and each game represents different playstyles based on various fighting styles.

Fighting Games FAQs

What is the best fighting game for beginners?

Ironically, it might be the recently released Street Fighter 6 that’s the best fighting game for new players to try. This entry has put enormous emphasis on creating a welcoming environment with controls, tutorials, smooth online connectivity, and approachable gameplay systems.

What are OCV fighting games?

OCV fighting games are those in which players control teams instead of only one character. OCV stands for one character victory, which refers to a single character beating all of the opponent’s characters. Games with OCV potential include DBFZ and the Marvel Vs Capcom series.

Do fighting games have a tier list?

Fighting games are titles with some of the most well-developed tier lists. From modern and well-balanced titles to older, niche, and glitchy releases, players can always be trusted to develop tier lists as they play. Of course, not all tier lists are equally valid.