Top 10 Best Xbox Fighting Games Ever

Xbox Fighting Games include some of the best titles ever released in the genre. Between the top titles, you’ll find multiple art styles that all look fantastic on the platform. On top of that, its high power means you’re getting competitive-level performance on the esports titles among the best Xbox fighting games.

On this platform, you can find just about every type of fighter. There are weapon fighters, melee fighters, 2D, 3D, and even party platform fighters have started to pop up on the Xbox. No matter which type you’re looking for, the best fighting games on Xbox span the heights of each sub-genre. The Xbox has the power to display the top titles in the best quality and the best Xbox Fighting games are a great showcase of this.

Position #TitleRelease Date

10Killer InstinctNovember 2013

9Injustice 2May 2017

8Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Storm 4February 2016

7Samurai ShowdownJune 2019

6FighterZJanuary 2018

5Soul Calibur VIOctober 2018

4Tekken 7February 2015

3Mortal Kombat 11April 2019

2MultiVersusJuly 2022

1Street Fighter V and VIFebruary 2016 and 2023

Best Xbox Fighting Games

Here’s our selection of the best Xbox Fighting Games in 2023, including those you can find on Games Pass regularly.

10. Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct is one of the best fighting games on Xbox. This franchise first arrived on the Xbox One. The platform doesn’t have a lot of exclusive fighters, but this is an interesting one. The series was originally created by Rare, primarily known for creating platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country. A lot of their characters still show up in the best Switch fighting games. Since Rare’s now part of Microsoft, they’ve inherited this series of fighters too.

The latest version of Killer Instinct is now developed by Doble Helix Games, who have taken the series in a different direction. It’s become one of the best Xbox fighting games. Gameplay has some unique mechanics which set it apart from the crowd. There are combos like any other game, but the title also incorporates Combo Breakers, Ultra Combos, and more to keep the action unpredictable.

This version of the game is a Fighting Game for Xbox One, but it’s still available on Game Pass (In its definitive edition form). While a little older, the game has some impressive specs. It runs at 90 FPS both off and online, as well as having input lag of just 81 milliseconds which beats out Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. Killer Instinct is one of the few Xbox-exclusive fighting games which has really preserved. The title is still worth checking out with friends or through online play

9. Injustice 2

Injustice 2 is the latest game in the DC comics fighting franchise. This new version adds a lot to the game, especially with the Legendary Edition which includes all the recent DLC. Like most of the best Xbox fighting games, you can grab it on Games Pass too.

The title looks fantastic on Xbox. There’s a creative roster of comic book characters, each with their own cool movesets. The fighting action is pretty solid too. There’s great room for you to grow as a player, learn further combos, and really push yourself to be the best possible fighter at Injustice.

With full DLC, this roster isn’t just iconic DC characters, there are the Ninja Turtles, Mortal Kombat characters like Sub-Zero, and more. It’s a fun mix of characters which opens up even more potential in the game.

8. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto

This Naruto title is a lot more fun than your average tie-in. It’s one of the most fun fighting games in this style.

This game looks amazing, especially compared to the source material. The cell-shaded graphics look great on Xbox. This is a fully-powered dedicated crossover, which recreates the world of Naruto. It looks much better than the characters do in the Fortnite X Naruto crossover! it’s one of the best representations of high-octane Shonen fights in a game. The title is an Arena fighter, so there are 3D elements to keep in mind while you’re playing.

The title has the option for you to play one-on-one fights. However, there’s a story mode and more explore the world of Naruto. This is one of the best Naruto Shippuden games, and one of the best fighting games on Xbox.

7. Samurai Showdown

Samurai Showdown is a fun take on a fighting game from SNK. The title splits off from traditional melee-based attacks that the company is known for in King of Fighters, instead has followed the world of fighting weapons. This latest Samurai Showdown came out in 2019, as a modern take on the series for arcades and fighting games on Xbox One. The developer has been behind some of the best Xbox 360 fighting games and original Xbox fighting games. This latest release is another highlight.

This new version of the series had loads of new characters that bring their own unique weapons. There are other new mechanics too, like the Rage Explosion. This gives players in the backfoot the chance at a risky comeback Lightning Blade attack to take back control of the match.

Samurai Showdown is a creative take on weapons fighting and one of the best Xbox fighting games. It shows how much fun it can be when SNK goes out of their normal KoF zone, like their titles that make the best anime fighting games list too.

6. FighterZ

FighterZ might be a Dragon Ball tie-in, but even those who don’t watch the series have a lot to like here. This is a 2D fighter based around combos along with large-scale Ki attacks. Players each have three fighters that they can switch out on the fly to keep the action going. It’s one of the best PS4 fighting games as well as being one of the best fighting games on Xbox.

There’s a huge roster of characters here which gives players a lot of potential to keep things interesting. The title is getting a next-gen update on the Xbox which will elevate it as one of the best Xbox fighting games too. What’s more, it’s on Games Pass. You’re getting the ultimate Dragon Ball fighter with that subscription.

5. Soul Calibur VI

The latest instalment of Soul Calibur on the Xbox is Soul Calibur 6! This is one of the best fighting games on Xbox and it’s become an expansive experience.

Soul Calibur is a series based on fighting with weapons, specifically blades. The game is famous for applying the tight high-skill control of 2D melee fighters to weaponry like swords. On top of that though, it always brings in some of the most exciting sword fighters from other franchises for a unique cast. This time the crossover characters include the Witcher’s Geralt and 2B from Nier Automata.

4. Brawlhalla

A bit of a different pick for the best Xbox fighting games is Brawlhalla. This game is a platform fighter kind of like Smash Bros, but takes things in its own direction. It’s a cartooney game, but one with intricate mechanics and tons of characters for you to learn. It’s even free-to-play, without GamesPass so anyone can get involved.

Brawlhalla has a huge competitive scene. The developers support tournaments years round, usually with huge prize pools. Beyond that, playing with friends on Brawlhalla can be a lot of fun. Even if you don’t want to get too serious, it’s one of the best fighters to get into.

3. Tekken 7

When it comes to 3D fighters, Tekken is one of the most iconic. The latest version of the game is Tekken 7 which is by far the most impressive published so far. This game looks amazing on the more recent Xbox consoles, taking full advantage of the hardware’s potential for high-end graphics.

Tekken 7 doesn’t just look though. Gameplay is built up from past titles with Rage Drive attacks and even slow-motion effects added that play into tactics. At its core, it’s one of the most responsive and high-skill 2D fighters out there. Shown pretty easily by its appearances at major esports tournaments like EVO and its own Tekken Online Challenge. It’s one of the most dynamic fighters in the series. This one of the best Xbox fighting games has been on Games Pass since 2020 too.

2. Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat has been one of the biggest fighting games for decades. It’s one of the best fighting games on Xbox had in its original incarnation, the best Xbox 360 fighting games, and the newest editions are easily some of the best for Series X too. It’s easy to see why when you look at Mortal Kombat 11.

This latest title is one of the most dynamic we’ve ever seen. There’s a huge roster of characters, great potential for combos, crazy crossovers, amazing visuals, and more. You can really push your skills to their limit in Mortal Kombat 11.

On Xbox, a top-of-the-line fighting game like Mortal Kombat 11 really shows off. The game’s fatalities have never looked better, this is one of the best ways to play any fighting game on Xbox. Like some others, it’s one of the best Xbox fighting games on Games Pass too!

1. Street Fighter V and VI

Street Fighter is one of the best fighting game series, and it’s a common sight at pretty much every major fighting game event, including being central to EVO. The latest instalment in Street Fighter is one of the best fighting games ever made, especially on the Xbox.

Street Fighter 6 might well be the perfection of the game’s 2D fighter set-up. The roster is varied and has something to fit some unique playstyles, there are even more modes which should address some of the problems with V. There’s even better online, for matches against players in a similar skill level at all times. The combat feels better here, it’s more accessible, but more fun to play at a high level too. Street Fighter 6 is one of the best Xbox fighting games and even with new Mortal Kombat and Tekken releases on the horizon, it’s going to be hard to beat.

The franchise is one of the top picks for the best fighting games on Xbox. Visually, this might be the most impressive version of the game. It handles fantastically too. If you want to get retro, you don’t need to dig out original Xbox fighting games either. You can find Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition on Games Pass too. We won’t include the older editions as the best Xbox fighting games, but they include some of the best fighters of all time.

FAQ