BEST FIGHTING GAMES 2018
Fighting games have come a long way from the early days. Unlike the early pixellated, 1v1, duelling days of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat modern fighters offer a variety of matches and mechanics.
In today’s market you can get everything from big medevil war sims to big team, 6v6 matches as well as the more traditional dual setup. The mechanics have also had a spruce, with most modern fighters including attack, defence, counter, combo and super mechanics that can take lifetimes to fully master.
On the one hand the sheer variety is great, as when done well there’s nothing more satisfying than a decent fighting game. Nothing can come close to the euphoria you’ll feel after going full on Conan and conquering your enemies in a chaotic blaze of glory in a well made fighter.
But its also a two edged sword, as the world of fighting games is not one for the weak hearted. Go into a hardcore brawler unprepared, or pick a game with badly deployed mechanics and its all to easy to send the controller flying across your lounge in a fit of rage.
Here to help save your controller, and bank balance, we’ve tested all the big fighting games on the market to offer you a definitive list of the best currently available.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
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Fighter Z is a team 3v3 fighting game from Arc System Works, the studio behind the stellar, but uber complext Guilty Gear series.
Set in the iconic Dragon Ball Z universe the game’s beautiful graphics have been painstakingly tweaked to make hte game look just like the original source material.
The studio’s also done stellar work toning down some of the Studio’s more challenging combat mechanics, while leaving enough meat to ensure hardcore gamers and newbies alike will find something to like. The end result is a combat system that feels a lot like the classic Marvel vs Capcom 2’s, which is all about team and air combo attacks.
Add to this a stellar original story mode that adds a new chapter to the Dragon Ball universe and a wealth of arcade and compeititive matchmaking options and FighterZ justifiably earns its place as one of this year’s top brawlers.
Pokken Tournament DX
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Score
:3.5
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Pokkén Tournament DX is an enjoyable fighter that provides plenty of fan-service for hardcore and casual fans of the beloved franchise. It’s also a surprisingly deep experience, now equipped with more fighters and stages than ever before on Nintendo Switch.
While the solo campaign isn’t what it could have been, Pokkén Tournament DX makes up for this shortcoming with excellent local multiplayer and an impressive suite of online offerings.
And this is probably the only game in existence where you can see Pikachu pull off a Stone Cold Stunner.
Marvel vs Capcom Infinite
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Platforms: PS4, Xbox One and PC
Fans of the Marvel vs Capcom franchise were up in arms when the game first launched, as it made a number of key changes to the series’ classic gameplay. But it’s still a brilliant fighter game.
At its core, Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite is a game that offers a fresh spin on the series’ tag-based combat that makes it far more accessible than past entries into the series. Make no mistake this is another top-tier Marvel vs Capcom fighting game, it’s just a little easier to get into.
It’s a shame that it doesn’t have the visual fidelity or single-player content of some of its competitors because it knocks the shine off what is otherwise a really fun, deep and varied fighting game.
Injustice 2
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Platforms: PS4, Xbox One
Injustice 2 was one of the finest fighting games of 2017. By making incredible use of the DC license with a huge cast of playable heroes and villains, NetherRealm Studios has crafted one of its best creations in a long, long time. The combat system is rewarding for both veterans and newcomers, boasting an incredible amount of customization through a dastardly addictive loot system.
The comprehesive solo campaign makes things even better, pumping out a more convincing story than any films in the fumbling DC Cinematic Universe. Comic book fans will find so much to love here, especially those who are looking to trounce their friends as everyone’s favourite caped crusader.
Street Fighter 5
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Platforms: PS4, PC
Street Fighter 5 had an incredibly rocky launch, and suffered in the months following as Capcom desperately scrambled to make amends. But speak to any dedicated eSports brawler and they’ll tell you that Street Fighter 5 in its current state is one of the finest fighting games in existence. After plenty of tweaking and balancing – as well as adding significantly more content which should have been included in the base game – Street Fighter 5 can now go toe-to-toe with the best in the business.
It certainly helps that the cast of characters and moves are so instantly familiar. Along with the likes of Ryu and Ken, you get dragon punches and hurricane kicks. It’s like a nostalgic journey for the modern day.
Evolving and improving the graphics engine of Street Fighter 4, the visuals are stunning, making every fight pure spectacle, too. It may not reach the heights of its predecessor, but it’s still very much a darling of the dedicated brawlers.
Street Fighter 2
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score:4
Platforms: Everything – HD Remix coming to Nintendo Switch
There are so many versions of Street Fighter 2 that it’s hard to keep count. What’s easy to remember, however, is the impact it has had on the industry. Arriving in 1991, the second game in the franchise was so far ahead of its time that it instantly popularised the entire concept. Making stars out of its fighters and inspiring children the world-over to try to summon balls of fire from their palms, it established many tropes that the genre still relies upon today.
A huge reason for this was how forward thinking it felt. While it’s hard to understand now, the sheer number of moves and slick animation was unheard of back in the early 1990s. It was revolutionary.
A huge reason for this was how forward thinking it felt. While it’s hard to understand now, the sheer number of moves and slick animation was unheard of back in the early 1990s. It was revolutionary.
Street Fighter 2 also benefited hugely from the excellent port that took it out of the arcades and onto the Super Nintendo. Fans couldn’t believe they could now experience Capcom’s fighter at home, and this idea alone was paramount to its success.
It’s the reason behind the SNES itself offering a Street Fighter bundle and why it sold in the millions. Plus with the remake now coming to the Nintendo Switch, younger players will have a chance to experience it all over again.
Tekken 7
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Formats: PS4, Xbox One, PC
After five years away Bandai Namco has brought the Tekken series back in style with Tekken 7. A bonkers story, great online play and a huge cast of varied brawlers, this is the best it’s been since Tekken 3.
For casual fans and newcomers alike, there’s plenty here to enjoy and new combat features in the form of Rage Arts and Drives as well as Power Crushers, all aimed at turning the tide of battle if you’re struggling.
There’s a VR mode for PlayStation VR players, but it feels entirely throwaway, so feel free to ignore that.
Mortal Kombat X
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Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Making a huge impact when it was first released, the original Mortal Kombat was most definitely style over substance. Getting everyone’s attention by, essentially, embracing the art of killing, the controversy was enough to turn it into a global phenomenon. But it spawned a series which has become a staple of the fighting genre, and the latest entry is up there with the best.
Mortal Kombat X does something very few modern fighting games do: offer an engaging and engrossing single player narrative. Told via pre- and post-fight cutscenes, players can enjoy a story which involves every fighter on the roster, and is especially enjoyable for those who simply enjoy beating the hell out of their opponents without an intense focus on frame-counting and input commands.
If you’re a more casual fight fan, Mortal Kombat is an excellent starting point, as long as you’re not squeamish…
Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2
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Formats: PS4, PC
Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 is one for the more dedicated fight fans of this world, however the developers have gone to great lengths to make this one more welcoming to new players.
For starters this game offers some incredibly deep tutorials that not only teach the basics but also some of the more intricate aspects of the game and the genre, which is great.
It’s also one of the most stunning fighting games you’ll ever play. So even if for the spectacle, this is certainly worth checking out.
WWE 2K17
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Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox 360, PS3
WWF No Mercy is undoubtedly the best wrestling game ever made, but for modern players, the latest WWE title is making solid strides into returning the wrestling genre to form. Wrestling games may not be fighting games in the traditional beat-’em-up sense, but they’re fantastic brawlers all the same. Much like No Mercy, WWE 2K17 is beginning to bring the actual art of wrestling and showmanship back into the game.
Once again, the aim isn’t just to beat the snot out of your opponent, but instead tell an engaging story that gets the crowd off their feet, with high-flying moves and back-and-forth battles full of false-finishes and near falls.
With an immense number of wrestlers, both new and old, the WWE games are a great way for wrestling fans to have some fun, and also throw in some tables, ladders and chairs to boot.
It may be a little complex with a deep control system, but there’s still enough here for even novices to enjoy themselves.
Infinity Blade II
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