The 10 Best Fighting Games Ever, According To Ranker

After the release of the teaser trailer for Street Fighter 6, fans have been looking for a way to pass the time as they wait for news about the series.

After replaying old games and frantically rewatching the trailer to find anything they might have missed, players found themselves returning to a classic debate: Which fighting games are the best of all time? Seeking a way to provide an answer once and for all, readers of Ranker began to vote to decide which were the best fighting games ever.

10 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The best-selling fighting game of all time, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was the fifth release in the franchise and offered fans the opportunity to return to play as beloved characters from across the Nintendo line.

With some of the strangest characters in any fighting game, Ultimate offers a variety of options that reward unique playstyles, strategies, and players. If a player ever finds themselves bored with the same old mode or method of playing, they can always just switch fighters or change to one of a variety of different modes. The unique variety of options makes Ultimate a game fans can regularly return to that gives them the chance to experience new flavors of fighting every time.

9 Capcom vs. SNK 2

For players preferring team-based combat, Capcom vs. SNK 2 used to be the go-to game. Allowing teams of up to three fighters per match, players were able to control the strength of each of their fighters by adjusting ratio points along the way.

The control afforded by the addition of the new ratio system meant that players had a great deal of control over their fighters. Offensive and defensive capabilities and individual strength of fighters on three-man teams were entirely variable, adding a great deal of additional strategy to one of the best Capcom games on the market. That alone infinitely increased the game’s replayability and added a classic component of additional skill required by the franchise.

8 Street Fighter II

A classic arcade game, fans of Street Fighter were given what they’d wanted to see for years: More characters, the ability to cancel attacks, and new fighting styles and animations.

Street Fighter II fully understood that the sequel is one that enhances the beloved aspects of the old game, while also offering new opportunities for new and returning players alike. This sequel popularized two-player competitions and tournaments, offering a new edge to the much-loved franchise.

7 Mortal Kombat 11

The most recent edition of the Mortal Kombat series, 11 introduced Flawless Blocks as well as Fatal and Krushing Blows, while also bringing the Mercy finisher back into the game. The game also brought character customization into the series, a move many die-hard fans of Mortal Kombat praised.

While fans did not generally enjoy the progression system and the microtransactions, the new additions brought an element of gameplay to the series that fans clamored for. Given that the game encouraged precise timing, fans generally enjoyed the additional layer of skill required and the return of old and classic moves.

6 Mortal Kombat

The original, Mortal Kombat was released in 1992 to the immediate adoration of fans. While originally controversial, due to the violent nature of the game, fans enjoyed the unique elements of the game, like the blocking system and the concept of the fatality.

Though many of the game’s innovations are now common cliches, fans, who had never seen anything like it, praised the game’s ingenuity. Despite the initially chilly reaction to the game, die-hard fans who have returned to the original have found that it remains one of the greatest fighters of all time, largely due to the originality of its gameplay and the reliance on gore that other franchises at the time failed to offer.

5 Mortal Kombat X

Adding new fatalities, a stamina bar, and bringing back Brutalities, Mortal Kombat X quickly became the franchise’s best-selling game. New and powerful Mortal Kombat characters were also introduced in the game, giving players a wide variety of choices that could inform their strategies.

The incredible voice acting, gameplay, and responsiveness of controls made the game a masterpiece from the second it was released. With new mechanics, there were more options than ever for players, giving the game long-lasting replayability even after the main story was done.

4 Tekken 3

Allowing a greater emphasis on three-dimensional fighting, Tekken 3 added a new element to an already fantastic franchise. The game also introduces several minigames like “Tekken Ball” that give new and original gameplay for players to enjoy anytime they want to take a break from standard fighting.

It’s the creativity of Tekken 3 that keeps fans coming back even all these years later. New characters, fighting styles, and minigames meant players could enjoy a wide variety of concepts all within the same system and even the same game. Not to mention that the gameplay is enjoyable, adaptable, and fast-paced. There’s a reason Tekken 3 is still considered one of the best fighting games of all time.

3 Super Smash Bros. Melee

The second in the Super Smash Bros. series, this game took a fantastic concept and somehow elevated it even further. A game that many fans feel should be adapted into a movie, Super Smash Bros. Melee is considerably different from most others in its genre. Without health bars and simpler controls, it provides an experience most fighting games simply can’t.

The unique visuals of the series meant it was considerably less gory than most others in the genre, meaning adults could play along with their kids or siblings. Though some considered the game too hectic, the rushed pace is part of the allure of the series, as players desperately scramble to return to the field.

2 Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Combining classic and beloved Marvel characters with the best that Capcom had to offer, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 offers fans the best of both worlds. Introducing 3-on-3 fighting, fans were able to face off against each other countless times and enjoy the same wild features.

The only disappointment of the series was that it was impossible to play online multiplayer outside of Japan, meaning a significant portion of players couldn’t enjoy one of the main features of the game. However, the other modes more than make up for it with its gigantic cast, quick-paced action, and detailed art.

1 Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

The greatest fighting game of all time (according to Ranker), Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike added new characters and helped streamline some of the action from the original Street Fighter III. Though it didn’t catch much attention when it was initially released, later fans returned their attention to the game and discovered its brilliance.

The sprites, the animation, and the new stages give Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike an edge that no other fighting game can really compare to. It was also a game that was easy to jump in and play, but would take hundreds of hours of gameplay to fully master. That added quality meant fans could play for years and still get fresh enjoyment out of each tournament match, and it meant friends could always return to the game whenever they were in the mood for a fighting game. Even today, this classic game still holds up, as it probably always will.

About The Author