Top Ten Tuesday: Best Fighting Video Game Series

Many 80s and 90s babies that have spent some time in an arcade are going to love this one. One week after the release of Mortal Kombat 11, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday goes over the best fighting video game series of all-time, including Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom, among others. Share your own thoughts or memories in the comment section below!

 

10. Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball has had a bunch of video games over the years, but 2018’s Dragon Ball FigherZ is the game that’s most like the classic 2D fighting games. Dragon Ball FighterZ has received great reviews, but there’s still potential for the Japanese franchise to take a step forward into the elite fighting game territory given its universe of diverse characters.

 

9. Fight Night

With the decline of boxing’s popularity, the decline of EA Sports’ Fight Night video game franchise also declined and became extinct. It’s a shame, as there are legendary fighters that could be included in the game, along with the potential to make deals for fictional characters like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed—and the games were fun and relatively realistic. Also, story modes in a boxing video game could be epic, and there are plenty of good storytellers in the world today. Fight Night Champion, released in 2011, was the last release in the currently-defunct series.

 

8. Punch Out!!

Maybe this is too high for a game that hasn’t released since 2009, but Punch Out!! is such a classic that it belongs in the top ten for fighting video games. You have to love Little Mac climbing the ranks to go toe-to-toe with guys like Mike Tyson.

 

7. WWE 2K

The title for the WWE fighting games for this Top Ten Tuesday was initially Smackdown! vs. Raw, but the series from 2K is currently called WWE 2K. The current games do get solid scores from users and critics alike, but the Smackdown! vs. Raw era was probably the prime of the series, which initially started as WWF Smackdown! in 2000. Energy/stamina meters, a dirty-versus-clean option, momentum, and a large roster including divas were just a few of the things that made and continue to make the WWE fighting video games among the best.

 

6. Marvel vs. Capcom

If you ever went to an arcade in the mid-to-late 90s or early 2000s, you probably saw a Marvel vs. Capcom arcade game sitting around—and chances are, you probably played it at least once. It’s hard to pass up parting ways with some quarters to have the ability to play with Marvel characters like Wolverine or the Hulk. This is technically a part of Street Fighter, but the categories are being separated because Marvel vs. Capcom is that good.

 

5. Tekken

Tekken also began as an arcade game, as many of these classic fighters did, but it found a great console home on the wildly-popular PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming systems. The games are still going strong, with the numerical titles being consistently released and up to Tekken 7 (released in 2015), but the first three releases are arguably the best of the series.

 

4. Street Fighter

Basically first-to-market of the classic, arcade fighting video games, Street Fighter has an obvious case for No. 1 on the list of the best fighting games of all-time. The first game was released in 1987, and then Street Fighter II took the franchise—and fighting games in general—to new heights in 1991. The Capcom game introduced the character selection screen, which is arguably the most iconic and important thing about every game on this list.

 

3. Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat gets the slight nod over Street Fighter because the characters seem to be more well-known overall—granted, it’s a difficult thing to measure—and there have been more consistent releases in recent years. The goriness can be too much for some people, which is certainly understandable, but a lot of it is so unrealistic that it becomes comical. Mortal Kombat has awesome characters like Sub-Zero and Scorpion, and the Fatalities (and the memorable “FINISH HIM/HER”) that quickly makes it engaging and likable for many people.

 

2. Injustice

Warner Bros. acquired Midway Games Chicago, which created Mortal Kombat, renamed it NetherRealm Studios, and instantly had the ability to create awesome superhero fighting games with its slate of DC characters. Hence, Injustice came about: a game that plays as well (if not better) than Mortal Kombat, with legendary characters like Batman, Superman, and the Joker—and their trademark special moves (like Batman’s use of his Batarangs). The story modes from the first two Injustice games have been awesome, and many people are waiting for the third game to release. With the money Disney has from Marvel, maybe they should do something similar by purchasing Capcom and putting out hits with Marvel characters every few years.

 

1. Super Smash Bros.

Finally, it’s probably not the first title that comes to mind when you think of fighting video games, but Super Smash Bros. is as good as it gets for the genre. The releases have been few and far between compared to other series, but Super Smash Bros. has delivered highly-acclaimed games for all five of its releases, starting with the original game in 1999 and continuing through 2018 with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Nintendo characters each have many different moves and playing styles, the tag team matches rival Capcom, and the selection of battle venues are second to none. Super Smash Bros. has an excellent case for the greatest fighting game series ever.