Top 10 Fighting Games in 2023 » Best Fighting Games you need to follow

Fighting Games are some of the oldest esports titles, and had the first competitive ecosystems for video games as a whole! Decades on, we are still getting new releases that rise to the top, and old titles that are staying maintained. The best fighting games in 2023 make it easy to see why. The top 10 fighting games are an evolution of this classic genre, mixing the cutting-edge with traditional gameplay.

The fighting game genre has changed quite a bit in recent years. In-person events are back, and there are tons of new releases. Nearly all of the biggest names in fighters are releasing new titles this year, and backing that like with the huge Capcom Pro Tour prize pool. The entire season is shaping up to be the biggest one ever. Some of the most popular fighting games right now have been out for less than a year!

Titles like Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 have pushed the entire genre forward. It’s one of the most exciting times to be into fighting games. With all this going on, it’s a perfect time to get started. But how do you pick which fighting game to jump into? We’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 right now.

Here are the top 10 Fighting Games in 2023.

RankingTitlePlatformRelease DateGenre

10.GranBlue Fantasy VersusPS4, PCFebruary 6 20202D Fighter

9.Skullgirls 2nd EncorePC, Arcade, PS 3/4/5/Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/X/SApril 10 20122D Fighter

8.Melty Blood: Type LuminaPC, Switch, PS4, Xbox OneSeptember 19 20212D Fighter

7.Tekken 7Arcade, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, BL6February 18 20153D Fighter

6.Dragon Ball FighterZPC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One/X/S, Nintendo SwitchJanuary 26 20182D Fighter

5.Mortal Kombat 11PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One/X/S, Nintendo Switch, StadiaApril 23 20192D Fighter

4.BrawlhallaPS4, PS5, Xbox One, X/S, PC, Switch, MobileApril 30 2014Platform Fighter

3.Guilty Gear -Strive-PS4, PS5, PC, Arcade, Xbox One/X/SJune 11 20232D Fighter

2.Super Smash Bros. UltimateNintendo SwitchDecember 7 2018Platform Fighter

1.Street Fighter VIPS4, PS5, PC, Xbox X/S, ArcadeJune 2 20232D

Best Fighting Games

Many of the top series have origins stretching all the way back to the olden arcade days when gaming genres were just emerging. The best fighting games of all time have grown from those early days, but the high skill level and tense action of a match have remained.

Let’s get our countdown going…

10. GranBlue Fantasy Versus

GranBlue Fantasy is a renowned RPG game which even got an anime in recent years (you can watch in on Netflix). This particular title was launched in February 2020 as a fighting game and quickly escalated when extended to the PC platform in March.

The fighting game itself, features amazing cinematics, a great combo system and, of course, the best anime fighting game feel. Currently available on both PS4 and PC, GranBlue Fantasy Versus has reached the highs of being listed for the mourned EVO 2020 tournament among competitive fighting games from all times.

Now, it will also be part of other tournaments throughout the year such as EUnite and Fight or the Brussels Challenge. It’s one of the older titles here, but still one of the best fighting games. A new title in the series is due to release pretty soon, which might spice things back up for the series.

9. Skullgirls 2nd Encore

Skullgirls is yet another 2D fighter on this list, that was a bit of an underdog when it hit the market. Positive reviews and a quickly growing fanbase helped this game along to success. It was featured in several different fighting game tournaments around the globe last year.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is an enhanced version of the original game, coming to wider platforms this time around. The game has all DLC and additions to the original Skullgirls release for a much more expansive experience.

It is currently featured at most of the major fighting game events. Last year we had tournaments at CEOtaku 2022, Combo Breaker, and even EVO. It’s still receiving updates too, so it’s one of the top 10 fighting games that regularly gets new content.

8. Melty Blood: Type Lumina

Melty Blood: Type Lumina isn’t quite as well known as the other entries in our best fighting games list. It has featured smaller tournaments at events like the Capcom World Cup and Genesis. This one is still a popular fighting game with its own crowd though. It has a dedicated following and some of the best fighting game players use this title.

It’s another 2D anime fighting game. Although, there’s plenty to differentiate it from the competition. It has a unique combo system, Rapid Beat. There are also Moon Skills and Moon Drive which can alter a character’s options in gameplay.

Melty Blood features rollback netcode, a new innovation that helps to make online games a lot smoother. Most of the best fighting games in 2023 have had to deal with online after a few years without in-person events. In a list of fighting games, Melty Blood is one that’s really stood up to the test. It plays fantastically for in-person esports events, but also for jumping in at home online.

7. Tekken 7

The latest release in the Tekken series came out in 2015. The highly rated Namco title is part of several big-name tournaments, including being an EVO mainstay. Tekken is a long-running series that first debuted in 1994 as an arcade game.

The titles quickly found their way onto the consoles from the arcade, before making it to all consoles and eventually PC. The game has an impressive spread of esports events. It’s part of East Coast Throwdown, Combo Breaker, DreamHack, and Defend the North.

Tekken 7 is going to be followed up this year with the next instalment. The series has had some big reveals at events in 2022. Fans will have to wait a bit longer to see how the new game affects things for Tekken esports though. With a history of competitive action like Tekken has had, the next game is sure to be one of the best fighting games too. We don’t know too much about the sequel, Tekken 8, yet though, so it’s a little lower on the top 10 fighting games list right now. Tekken could jump right up once the newer title releases.

6. Dragon Ball FighterZ

This 2D fighter is one of quite a few popular fighting games from Arc System Works. Out of all of their titles though, this one could contend for one of the best fighting games of all time. It’s the biggest anime-fighting game for esports in quite a while. Far beyond just being a tie-in game, this Dragon Ball title has become an esports mainstay.

The game takes Dragon Ball’s huge roster of characters with unique powers and moves, then it puts them into a 2D fighter. The mechanics of this game are tight. You could strip away all of the Dragon Ball content and this would probably still be one of the best fighting games.

The game is available on the PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. It has drawn both fans of the manga/anime franchise and general fighting gaming fans in. The game’s roster of DBFZ characters draws from the original Dragon Ball manga, but it’s received additions over time to keep up with the ever-expanding Dragon Ball Super canon. The game’s popularity has even been acknowledged in the source material itself, with a cameo for its original character Android 21 in the latest Dragon Ball movie.

FighterZ is a fixture at fighting game tournaments. Many players from Marvel V Capcom have made the move over thanks to the similarity in mechanics. You can find it at pretty much all main FGC events like EVO. It’s also got its own dedicated tournament series though, the Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour.

5. Mortal Kombat 1

This is one of the most famous fighting game sagas, and the first to really embrace the gore. Mortal Kombat is a great franchise to look at for fans of competitive fighting games. It’s another game that’s come up from arcade machines, starting in 1992. Local competitive Mortal Kombat events have been running since its very start. In 2023 it’s one of the best fighting games for esports, especially with the new title Mortal Kombat 1 hitting the shelves.

The new version of the franchise has quite a few innovations. One of the coolest so far has been Kameo Fighters. These are assist characters who can jump in to join you. However, they’re useful for fatalities, combos, and everything that makes Mortal Kombat what it is. This is a brand-new fighter but one that’s already made the list of the best fighting games in 2023.

4. Brawlhalla

Brawlhalla is a particularly special addition to the best fighting games, because it’s free.

This title launched a few years ago from Blue Mammoth Games. It’s a title that originates as a Smash Bros style fighter, but it’s changed quite a bit. It’s grown to have a completely unique dynamic and design. There are loads of characters each with unique abilities and movesets. Brawlhalla is entirely free, and constantly receiving new updates. It’s one of the top 10 fighting games to play if you want new content drops frequently.

In terms of esports, Brawlhalla has one of the best scenes to get involved with. Thanks to developer-sponsored prize pools, the title frequently has the biggest prizes in esports. At events like DreamHack San Diego, it’s become the biggest fighting game present.

Brawlhalla is a bit different. It’s a free title, but one with loads of content. It won’t scratch that same itch as Street Fighter. However, it definitely has a lot to offer. Thanks to its dedicated fanbase it’s higher on the best fighting game than even some of the classic franchises like MK.

3. Guilty Gear -Strive-

Guilty Gear -Strive- is the second game from Arc System Works to make the most popular fighting games! This is a title that’s been around since 2021, with decent sales pushing it to the top of most people’s minds for competitive fighters.

The game follows on with the overall Guilty Gear story, but even if you’re new to the franchise there’s a lot to like. The fighting mechanics are just as well developed as other Arc Systems games. Instant Kill is gone from the series, but new stage transition combos have been introduced. It’s not the only Guilty Gear featured at esports events, but -Strive- is one of the best fighting games. It’s even reached completely new ground for the series recently, finally making Asuka playable with DLC.

Guilty Gear makes appearances at most of the major tournaments, like East Coast Throwdown, Ultimate Fighting Arena, and EVO.

2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Despite most of Nintendo’s games being famously cute and non-violent, Super Smash Bros Ultimate is one of the most popular fighting games out there. This is the latest instalment in the Smash series which usually has two different games occupying the top fighting game tournaments. Ultimate is special though, it has by far the widest-reaching roster of any Smash games.

Its impact has been huge. It’s won loads of awards for best fighting games. In esports, it has developed a pretty lively scene. While difficulties in organization caused some problems in 2022, the game is bouncing back in 2023. The top Smash Bros players are some of the best fighting game players as a whole. Events with talent like MKLeo and Sparg0 competing are regularly some of the most watched fighting game esports events, and for good reason. For esports, it’s one of the top 10 fighting games with the most devoted communities. They keep Smash esports relevant no matter how much Nintendo seems to get in the way.

Watching a professional Kirby cornering Cloud Strife is a delight. Ultimate is more open than ever too, with Majors being won by characters like Steve from Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more. Melee might be one of the best fighting games of all time, but Ultimate is coming up on its heels. You can enjoy the best Super Smash Bros Ultimate matches during Genesis, and more. Just last year, Smash had two different huge year-spanning circuits running at once. While this year we’re back to individual cups, there are tournaments every week. It has one of the most dedicated fan bases across fighting games.

1. Street Fighter 6

Synonymous with fighting games everywhere, this Capcom title is one of the oldest series here. First released in 1987, you still can’t have a list of fighting games without Street Fighter. The series is gearing up for a new release, Street Fighter 6. We’ve already seen a lot of what it has to offer and it’s shaping up to be huge game, and one of the best fighting games ever.
Street Fighter 6 includes more modes and a better online, but core gameplay is still building on the traditional Street Fighter formula.

Its first year alone has already been huge for esports. The top players have already elevated the game to impressive heights. Its early tournaments have made more people interested in competitive fighters than ever.

Without a doubt, Street Fighter is one of the most popular fighting game series out there. Just about every major tournament carries something for Street Fighter. It also has the Capcom Cup, a dedicated tournament series running year-round for the best Street Fighter players. This time running with a $2 million prize pool. It’s one of the top 10 fighting games with the biggest prizes.

Alongside that, it’s one of the main stages at EVO too! Street Fighter betting has also turned out to be increasingly popular; as it offers a wide catalogue of tournaments and a highly professional competitive scene with over 10 years devote pro-players active. Street FIghter 6 might have only released this year, but it’s probably the best fighter to jump into.

Those are some of the best fighting games of all time and particularly those still played heavily in 2023! This is one of the widest communities in esports though, with loads of titles sitting side by side at major events.

Honorable Mentions for the Best Fighting Games in 2023

There are many more fighting games worthy of praise. Here are some other titles that just missed out on being one of the top 10 fighting games listed above.

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

Finally, latest in a series of popular fighting 2D games, is Blazblue. Featuring particularly imaginative and colorful characters, this Arc Systems game has incredibly good reviews and an ever-growing fan base in the west. In fact, it’s so popular that an arcade version of it was released last year, as a throwback to the 80 arcade games that pioneered the genre.

Those are some of the best fighting games of all time and particularly those still played heavily in 2023! This is one of the widest communities in esports though, with loads of titles sitting side by side at major events.

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