2024] 11 Recommended Fighting Games! From the latest in popular series to unique indie titles!

Recommended Fighting Games

Tekken 8

• Supported platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
• Release date: 1/26/2024
• Price: 9,680 yen (tax included)
• Manufacturer：Namco Bandai Entertainment Inc.

The latest title in the "Tekken" 3D fighting game series, which has sold more than 55 million units worldwide. It introduces new elements such as "Heat," which enhances the characteristics of individual characters, and "Special Style," which allows players to perform recommended actions with a single button. Highlights include a main story centered on the father-son duel between Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama, side stories for all characters, and a new "Arcade Quest" mode in which players create their own original avatars and battle rivals.

Super Smash Bros.

• Supported platforms: Switch
• Release date: 12/7/2018
• Price: 7,920 yen (tax included)
• Manufacturer：Nintendo

The latest title in the Super Smash Bros. series, featuring familiar characters such as Mario and Kirby. More than 70 fighters battle it out under the simple rule of inflicting as much damage as possible to blow the opponent off the screen. The appeal of the game is that players can control fighters from a wide variety of titles, including Cloud Strife from "Final Fantasy VII," Solid Snake from the "Metal Gear" series, and Sonic the Hedgehog from the "Sonic" series. More than 800 songs are included in the game. The game also features the largest-ever volume of assist figures, items, and Pokémon to help players.

Street Fighter 6

• Supported platforms: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/PC(Steam)
• Release date: 6/2/2023
• Price: 7,990 yen (tax included)
• Manufacturer：CAPCOM

The latest title in the "Street Fighter" series, the first in seven years since "Street Fighter V" in 2014. The game features various modes, including "World Tour," a story mode in which players can learn how to fight by apprenticing themselves to a master while exploring the world in which the game takes place, "Battle Hub," where they can interact with players from around the world, and "Fighting Ground," where they can play the original fighting matches in the series.

This title features the "Drive System," in which players use their Drive Gauge to perform a variety of moves. The "Drive Impact," a powerful attack, "Overdrive," which enhances special moves, and "Drive Parry," which parries an opponent's attack, are all key elements for offense and defense. The key to victory is how well you master the Drive System.

GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE

• Supported platforms: PS5/PS4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC (Steam/Win)/Xbox Game Pass
• Release date: 6/11/2021
• Price: 3,990 yen (including tax) (Standard Edition)
• Maker：Arc System Works, Inc.

The latest title in the popular "Guilty Gear" fighting game series. Set in a world after the war between mankind and the bio-weapon "GEAR," the main character Sol Bad Guy hears that his best friend and the man who converted him into GEAR, Asuka R. Kreutz, has surrendered to the US government, and he sets out to find out the truth.

The game introduces a number of flashy yet simple systems, such as "Wall Break," which destroys a wall and blows up an opponent at the edge of the stage and moves him to another stage, and "Roman Cancel," which slows an opponent's movement, preventing him from attacking and allowing him to connect with your combo. Many flashy yet simple systems have been introduced.

Granblue Fantasy Versus

• Supported platforms: PS4/PC (Steam)
• Release date: 3/3/2022
• Price: 2,178 yen (tax included)
• Maker：CYGAMES

A fighting game based on the world of the popular smartphone RPG "Granblue Fantasy," which has more than 36 million registered users. Many well-known characters from the original story, such as the main character (Gran), Catalina, Lancelot, and Percival, make appearances and engage in heated battles.

The game includes various elements such as "RPG Mode," in which players investigate "anomalies" that are occurring in the world of the sky, and "Quest Battles," which occur throughout the game's adventures. The game also introduces the weapon system familiar from the original, allowing players to equip any weapon in a total of 10 slots to enhance the status of the character they are controlling.

Although the standard edition of this title is no longer in production, "Cygames Greatest Hits" is now available instead. This one is priced at 2,178 yen (including tax), more than 5,000 yen less than the standard edition, making it a very reasonable price.

Soul Calibur VI

• Supported platforms: PS4/Xbox One/PC (Steam)
• Release date: 2018/10/18
• Price: 8,360 yen (including tax) *Welcome Price for PS4 version! Edition is 3,080 yen (including tax) *Open price for PC (Steam) version
• Manufacturer: Namco Bandai Entertainment Inc.

This is the latest title in the "SoulCalibur" series, which depicts battles over two swords, "Soul Edge" and "SoulCalibur". In addition to fighting with weapons, this title also features a wide range of character creation. The game is one of the most popular in the series and has shipped more than 3 million units to date.

There is also a full range of modes for solo play. Story: Soul Chronicle," which reconstructs the story from the first title in the series, "Soul Edge," with new characters and interpretations, and "MISSION: Libra of Soul," in which players can enjoy battles and collecting items as the main character. Collaborations with other works are also active, with Geralt, the main character from "The Witcher 3," 2B from "NieR Automata," and Haomaru from "SAMURAI SHODOWN" all having participated in the game.

Dragon Ball Fighters

• Supported platforms: PS4/Switch/Xbox One
• Release date: 2/1/2018
• Price: 4,400 yen (tax included)
• Manufacturer：Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

A fighting game based on the nationally popular manga "Dragon Ball. Familiar characters such as Son Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, and Piccolo gather together to engage in flashy battles. This title is characterized by the fact that combos can be performed by simply hitting a series of buttons, so even those who are not good at fighting games can enjoy the game with ease.

In addition, the "Super Dash," which instantly closes the distance to the opponent, can be used to hit the opponent with a super-fast combo. Sparking!" icon, which can be used only once during a battle, is activated by consuming the "Sparking! This enhances various factors such as attack power and the amount of energy gauge increase, allowing you to aim for a one-shot victory that turns the tables.

KANINO KENKA -Fight Crab

• Supported platforms: Switch/PC (Steam)
• Release date: 7/29/2020
• Price: 2,400 yen (tax included)
• Publisher：Calappa Games

A 3D fighting action game in which the player becomes a crab and fights other crabs. Under the simple rule that the first player to turn over his or her opponent wins, players aim for victory by pinching their opponents and using a variety of weapons such as guns, chains, and jet engines. This title supports one-on-one combat as well as two-on-two team battles. There is also a campaign mode with training elements that can be enjoyed by a single player.

My Hero Academia One 's Justice 2

• Supported platforms: PS4/Switch/Xbox One
• Release date: March 12, 2020
• Price: 8,360 yen (including tax)
• Manufacturer：BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

A fighting action game based on the popular manga "My Hero Academia" serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. Heroes with various personalities, including Midoriya Izuhisa and All Might, appear in the game and engage in powerful battles.

In this game, combo attacks are possible simply by repeatedly pressing buttons. From there, you can derive a variety of moves, including hero-specific personality moves and powerful "Pulls Ultra Moves" that are fired by consuming the "Pulls Ultra Gauge. The "Pulls Ultra Hall" performed by the main character and three others, including Side Kick, is a great move with the potential for a one-shot reversal, inflicting tremendous damage on the opponent. The attraction of this game is that it allows for easy yet powerful battles.

SAMURAI SPIRITS

• Supported platforms: PS4/Switch/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC (Steam/Epic Games)
• Release date: 6/27/2019
• Price: 7,920 yen (tax included) PS4/ Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One
• 6,980 yen (including tax) Switch
• 5,775 yen (including tax) PC (Steam/Epic Games)
• Manufacturer：SNK

This is the latest title in the "SAMURAI SHODOWN" series, which has gained popularity as a sword-fighting fighting game using weapons since its debut in 1993. The story takes place one year before the first "SAMURAI SHODOWN". Set in Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the game depicts the story of a group of swordsmen who hold fast to their beliefs.

The extreme battle scenes with splashes of blood and sprays of blood, a hallmark of the "SAMURAI SHODOWN" series, are still present. The "Issen," a special move that can be used in exchange for an "anger gauge," and "secret secrets" that can only be used once during a match are also included, allowing players to enjoy severe battles in which a single blow can determine victory or defeat.

BLAZBLUE CROSS TAG BATTLE

• Supported platforms: PS4/Switch/PC (Steam)
• Release date: May 21, 2018
• Price: ¥4,180 (excluding tax) *Basic Edition
• Manufacturer: Arc System Works, Inc.

A fighting game featuring characters from four works: "BLAZBLUE," "Persona 4 The ULTIMATE in MAYONAKA ARENA," "UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH," and the 3DCG animation "RWBY. The game features the main characters from famous works such as Ragna the Blood Edge, Yu Narukami, Hyde, and Ruby Rose all gathered in one place.

Command operation is simple, and combo attacks can be launched by simply hitting a series of buttons. In addition, the main character and sub-character team up to fight, and the player can switch between characters at any time. The combination of characters allows for a wide range of combos and strategies, and the game has the depth to allow players to pursue a variety of battle styles.