Opinion: The best fighting games you can play right now

The fighting game community is one of the most passionate groups of people in entertainment. While things get heated during dramatic 1v1 battles, the best fighting games teach people patience, which you’ll require a lot of to master a game. Novices may get by with mashing buttons for punches, but those who learn the moves can perform complicated combos to knock out their opponents faster than the announcer can say “Fight!”.

The fighting game genre started in the arcades, long before we could play them on our consoles from the comfort of our homes. Those who started playing them in the 90s still abide by them today, as many franchises from back then are still pumping out new installments. Whether you’re a new fighter or a veteran, here are some fighting games that you owe yourself to try out at least once.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo is known for its family-friendly games, in stark contrast to the gory nature of most fighting games. The Super Smash Bros. franchise should not work as well as it does, but somehow seeing Nintendo’s mascots fighting on magical platforms makes for a stellar showcase, besides being funny. While it’s approachable for all ages, don’t be fooled by its cartoony appearance. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has made many fighting game players break many joy-cons in frustration.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on Nintendo Switch.

Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1 is full of surprises, mostly due to its commitment to hosting wild crossovers. Where else will you watch Homelander fight Liu Kang? Omni-Man fighting Peacemaker? Done. How about Ghostface stabbing a Terminator? Sure thing. MK1’s character roster for MK1 keeps getting wilder with each update, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The game focuses on cinematic clashes over pure skill, and it does it masterfully.

Mortal Kombat 1 is available on PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S.

Marvel vs Capcom

Marvel vs Capcom is a big franchise, so which game should you start with? Traditionally, MvC 2: New Age of Heroes is considered by many to be the best and most influential, adding the 3v3 fights that the series is now known for. If you want your brawlers to pack in a story, then MvC: Infinite may have you covered. The good news is that Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics includes seven essential MvC installments, though Xbox players may have to wait a little longer for it.

Dragon Ball FighterZ

There have been a lot of Dragon Ball fighting games, including the excellent Budokai Tenkaichi titles, but few capture the essence of anime like Dragon Ball FighterZ. The traditional 2D art style mixed with hand-drawn effects makes certain finishers look like they’re ripped from Akira Toriyama’s manga. Like the source material, FighterZ’s story is told through various arcs, telling an original story that pays homage to the battles Goku and his allies have fought over the years. Of course, you could just ignore it and go straight for its online battles, or test your skills in satisfying arcade mode, and that just got a massive update in its current-gen upgrade.

Dragon Ball FighterZ will be available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S consoles.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

The Street Fighter series is a long-standing tradition of the fighting game genre. Visit any arcade club and you’ll find hordes of people stuck to a Street Fighter game, but you can play most of the classics with the handy Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Edition collection. The collection includes 12 essential games in the series – Street Fighter I, all editions of Street Fighter II and Street Fighter III, and the Street Fighter Alpha series. Yes, it includes Street Fighter 2 Turbo, one of the best SNES games, and an essential entry in the the genre. It includes new quality-of-life upgrades like save states for all games, along with some big performance and visual improvements. It’s a collection every fighting game fan should own.

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One.

Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 modernizes the franchise with its World Tour mode, reminding us how funny running up to random pedestrians and punching them in the face can be. Don’t do that in real life though. While it’s the sixth in the series, it’s also one of the most welcoming of them all, catering to both new fans and veterans with plenty of control options. Just beware though, as it’s also one of the most competitive games in the genre.

Street Fighter 6 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Guilty Gear Strive

Guilty Gear Strive is one of the best anime games, and it also happens to be an excellent fighting game. Arc System Works took a bet on overhauling most of the series’ core systems, but it worked out in its favor by winning over fans. There’s even a Guilty Gear anime series in the works, and we have a feeling it won’t be for the faint of heart. The game isn’t showing any signs of slowing down, especially with Cyberpunk Edgerunners’ fan-favorite Lucy joining Guilty Gear in season 4.

Guilty Gear Strive can be played on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Injustice 2

The original Injustice was a revelation in fighting games, along with being one of the best superhero games, leading to a landmark comic book adaptation of its story whose influence was felt on the now-extinct DCEU. Injustice 2 ups the ante, adding new RPG-inspired systems like loot to keep players coming for more. It tells a complex story about superheroes fighting for their humanity in a post-apocalyptic world, though its edgy presentation could turn off some fans.

Injustice 2 is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Android and iOS.