What Are the Best Fighting Games Right Now?

What are the best fighting games at the moment? In 2025, we’ve seen a ton of interesting titles release. Plus, big existing games getting more characters. What are top fighters to check out this year though?

There are games which are the biggest in the world, like Street Fighter and Tekken. However, we’ve had some huge new releases too. Like 2XKO, the long-awaited title from Riot finally entering Early Access. These are the highlights at the moment:

Best Fighting Games in the World

10. KoF XV

King of Fighters is one of the most popular 2D fighting series, now in its 15th instalment. This title came out in 2022 but it has persevered as one of the best fighting games. Getting more characters, and continuing to feature at major events like EVO Japan too.

9. Melty Blood Type Lumina

Next is the first of a few anime fighters to rank as one of the best fighting games in 2026. Melty Blood was made in 2021, so it’s on the older side. However, with an rapid beat combo, new Moon Drive mechanics, it’s a big step up.

8. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising

Next is a title from Arc System Works. They produce some of the best fighting games ever made. Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising is a sequel to the original fighting spin-off, this time with rollback netcode and new dash attacks. It’s had two seasons of DLC and some extra base characters added since launch too.

7. Brawlhalla

Brawlhalla is a bit different, it’s a free title that’s one of the best fighting games. It’s a title that’s been running since 2014, a free title but with cosmetics and extra characters you’ll need to purchase. Since it’s free and on so many platforms, it might be the most widely played fighter at the moment and it has a lively fighting game esports scene with dedicated tournaments.

Brawlhalla is a Smash Bros like game, where players compete to knock each other off the stage, not get the health to zero. With different weapons and an ever-growing character count, it always stays interesting.

6. Fatal Fury City of the Wolves

Fatal Fury City of the Wolves is one of the most recent additions to the best fighting games. As well as being a huge visual upgrade to the series (the first title in decades), it had new mechanics too like the Rev system. Enhanced moves each character can pull out.

5. Guilty Gear Strive

Guilty Gear Strive is another Arc System Works title, but that just refuses to stop.

Strive is heading into its fifth year. In that time, it has gotten multiple ports to newer systems, upgrades to systems like online matchmaking, and tons of new characters across multiple seasons of DLC. It’s a huge game now, but every character feels polished. It’s still one of the most entertaining games at fighting game esports events like EVO and UFA too.

4. Smash Bros Ultimate

One of the best fighting games in 2026 is still Smash Bros Ultimate! It’s on the older side, we’re now in the longest gap between Smash titles. But Ultimate is worth playing for this long. The huge roster means there’s always room to find something new.

Smash is still actively played, even with its official circuit ending in disaster. Ultimate, Steve aside, is proving to be interesting enough to be worth playing for a very long time. It could end up alongside Melee in longevity.

3. Tekken 8

Next is the best fighting game for fans of more 3D fighters, Tekken 8. It’s the eighth in the series, introducing new mechanics like the Tekken 8 heat system. It’s a game that’s proven consistently fun to check back in with, from its tournaments to the expansive Ranked mode.

2. 2XKO

Next is a more recent addition to the best fighting games, 2XKO. This is new LoL-world fighting game, coming for PC along with consoles. But the game is now available in its early Beta.

It’s a 2v2 fighter, which is a less widely seen format. So far, it’s proven interesting. It’s another 2D fighter but with some fun mechanics. It’s still got a bit further to go, but it’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive fighting games.

1. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is probably the biggest out of the current gen of fighting games, innovating on the 2D format for the game.

It has innovated on one of the most long-standing fighting game franchises. The big new mechanic is the Drive Gauge. But it interweaves with all the other major additions from the series, giving players more control than ever. It’s also got one of the most competitive esports scenes. With the Capcom Cup having a yearly prize pool over $1,000,000.