Top 5 Fighting Games To Test Your Mettle: Mortal Kombat 1, Street Fighter 6, More

From the popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to the lesser-known Guilty Gear -Strive-, there are several brawlers you can choose from.

Tekken is one of the most popular fighting game franchise of all time.

Source : Bandai Namco

The fighting games genre is one of the most iconic in the world of gaming. While a big reason for that is its competitive potential, most players will agree that their reason for playing is situated in the hours they spent battling it out with a friend on the couch. Many have a desire to become better and to find their own place within the community. 

Choosing the right fighting game is an important step every gamer must take before they take their first step into the fighting game community (FGC). 

So, let’s take some time to talk about the best fighting games out in the market that you can play right now. 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo franchises, like Super Mario, Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda and more, have always been some of the most popular ones in the gaming industry. So, it should come as no surprise that their Super Smash Bros series, which included characters from their many franchises would be a massive hit. 

The latest iteration of the series, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, has become one of the biggest platform fighters, a sub-genre within fighting games, since its launch in 2018.

One of the best things about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the sheer abundance of characters in it. At present, there are 89 playable characters, which is the highest for any Smash Bros. game yet. Many are returning characters but there are also several fan-favourite guest characters like Joker from Persona 5 and Kazuya Mishima from Tekken.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on the Nintendo Switch. 

Mortal Kombat 1

Almost all gamers, even those who aren’t a part of the FGC, are aware of Mortal Kombat. Its impact on gaming and pop culture is colossal. Known for its extreme gore and gruesome fatalities, the newest game in the series, Mortal Kombat 1, carries on its predecessor’s legacy.

Mortal Kombat 1 essentially reboots the story, changing the stories of several memorable characters like Raiden, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. 

Its improved graphics make the experience of violently slaughtering your foes even more enjoyable. It also brings new gameplay mechanics like the Kameo Fighters system. 

Mortal Kombat is a series popular for having heavy-hitting guest characters and this iteration is no different. Popular characters like Omni-Man from Invincible, Peacemaker from Peacemaker and Homelander from The Boys are available as a part of the Kombat Pack roster. 

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

Tekken 8

The Tekken franchise is one of the most iconic in the gaming world. Many, including myself, have memories of playing Tekken Tag Team Tournament with their friends. It has always been a big part of the FGC.

Now, the latest in the series, Tekken 8, brings the joy of Tekken to a new generation. Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game looks absolutely stunning. The game also continues the story from the last game. 

New gameplay mechanics like the Heat System are also incorporated into the game. 

Tekken 8 came out in January this year and even though it’s the most recent one on this list, some DLC characters are already out. In fact, barely a day before I’m writing this, a trailer announcing the return of Heihachi Mishima is already out.

Tekken 8 is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. 

Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter, a series that initially dates back to 1987, is one of the greatest pioneers of the fighting game genre. It is the oldest series in this list, and still holds its ground as one of the greatest. 

This current iteration, Street Fighter 6, came out in 2023. It introduces features like its new single-player mode, ‘World Tour’ and the ability to have in-game commentary from the likes of Steve "TastySteve" Scott, Aru, Thea Trinidad and more. These are just some of the many features added to Street Fighter 6. 

The game also has several exciting collaborations with the likes of Spy X Family and even Fatal Fury, another heavy-hitting title in the FGC. A new trailer for Terry Bogard, one of the guest characters from the aforementioned Fatal Fury was also revealed in Evo 2024. 

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

Guilty Gear -Strive-

With its flashy animations and anime aesthetic, the latest addition to the Guilty Gear series, Guilty Gear -Strive-, has won the hearts of many within the FGC since its release in 2021.

The brainchild of the incredibly multi-talented Daisuke Ishiwatari, the original Guilty Gear came out in 1998. Now with a legacy of more than 25 years under its belt, Guilty Gear -Strive- is entertaining a brand-new generation of players. 

Its 3D cel-shaded graphics look absolutely stunning, and the highly expressive nature of characters within the game makes it all the more fun. It’s perfect for individuals who love all things anime. 

As a part of Evo 2024, the game also announced its very first guest character, Lucy from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. 

Guilty Gear -Strive- is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. 

(The author is a student of Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi)