Best Fighting Games on Steam

Steam offers a huge variety of fighting games for everyone, from serious competitors to players who just enjoy a fun match. You’ll find both popular, well-known series and exciting new indie games, all with great online play. These games are known for their complex gameplay, diverse characters, and stunning graphics. Here’s a list of the best fighting games you can download on Steam right now.

‘Street Fighter 6’ (2023)

The newest installment in the popular Street Fighter series lets you create your own fighter and roam around Metro City in a new mode called World Tour. The game features a versatile Drive System that gives players lots of ways to attack and defend from the very beginning. You can also pick a control scheme – Modern or Classic – to match your experience level. The game boasts a diverse cast of returning favorites and new characters, each with unique fighting styles. Built with the powerful RE Engine, the game offers incredibly detailed characters and stunning visuals.

‘Tekken 8’ (2024)

This fighting game continues the epic rivalry between the Mishima family with a dramatic story and fast-paced action. A new ‘Heat’ system rewards aggressive play by temporarily boosting your character’s abilities. The game features a diverse cast of both returning and brand-new fighters, each with their own unique fighting style. Built using Unreal Engine 5, it delivers stunning visuals and realistic damage. Players can also enjoy a comprehensive online experience with a virtual lobby for interacting and competing.

‘Mortal Kombat 1’ (2023)

This game reimagines the classic series with a brand new universe created by Fire God Liu Kang. It introduces the Kameo Fighter system, letting players team up with a partner who can assist in battles with special moves. Expect the series’ trademark gore and a captivating story mode. Players can also dive into Invasions mode, a regularly updated single-player experience with RPG-style progression and challenges. The game boasts stunning updated graphics, bringing the characters and arenas to life with incredible detail.

‘Guilty Gear -Strive-‘ (2021)

The game boasts a beautiful visual style, combining 3D models with the look of 2D anime. A unique feature called ‘Wall Break’ lets players move between different areas during battles. Online matches are incredibly smooth thanks to excellent rollback netcode, even with players far apart. The game offers a diverse cast of characters, each with their own special moves and detailed stories. The high-energy heavy metal soundtrack, created by Daisuke Ishiwatari, perfectly matches the game’s fast-paced action.

‘Dragon Ball FighterZ’ (2018)

This game, inspired by the hit anime series, features fast-paced team battles where players fight 3-on-3 with stunning visual effects. You can build a team with legendary characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza, unleashing devastating special attacks. The game faithfully recreates the anime’s style with beautiful animation and dynamic camera work. It offers a brand new story mode alongside a variety of online competitive modes. Easy-to-learn controls make it perfect for anime fans, while still providing enough complexity for serious players.

‘The King of Fighters XV’ (2022)

This installment of the long-running SNK fighting series sticks with the familiar three-on-three team battles. It introduces the Shatter Strike and an enhanced Max Mode, giving players more ways to strategize during fights. The game boasts a large and diverse roster of characters, including returning favorites and new faces. Online matches are smooth and reliable thanks to rollback netcode. Players can also enjoy a gallery mode and create custom soundtracks with the DJ station.

‘Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising’ (2023)

This game builds on the original with fresh characters, gameplay features, and story content. It’s easier to pick up and play thanks to simpler controls for special moves, making it great for both newcomers and fans of mobile RPGs. New abilities like Ultimate Skills and Dash Attacks add more strategy to battles. If you need a break from fighting, there’s a fun party mode called Grand Bruise Legends. Plus, a free version lets you try out different characters each week.

‘Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3’ (2017)

As a huge fan, I can tell you this game is a blast! It’s a super exciting crossover where you get to see Marvel heroes like Spider-Man and Wolverine team up (or fight!) against Capcom legends like Dante. You battle in teams of three, and the combat is incredibly fast-paced. What I love most is being able to pull off crazy air combos and call in assists to really pressure my opponents. Plus, the character roster is huge – there are so many different fighters to choose from and experiment with. This version on Steam has everything that came out before as downloadable content, and they’ve even made the game run better, which is awesome!

‘BlazBlue: Central Fiction’ (2016)

This game concludes the series’ main storyline and boasts a large cast of over thirty playable characters. Each character has a special ability, called a Drive, that shapes how they play. The game’s story mode is presented like a visual novel with fully voiced dialogue. Recent updates have added rollback netcode for smoother online play, benefiting the dedicated community. With its intricate mechanics and quick movement, the game offers a lot of depth for competitive players.

‘Killer Instinct’ (2013)

This fighting game, once only available on consoles, is now available on Steam with its signature fast-paced combat and energetic heavy metal soundtrack. Gameplay centers around skillfully executing and defending against combos, creating a tense and strategic back-and-forth between players. The game features a varied cast of characters, including both familiar monsters and unique sci-fi fighters. Each character has their own distinct stage and music that evolves during battles. Its strong online performance and well-balanced gameplay keep players coming back for more.

‘Skullgirls 2nd Encore’ (2013)

This fighting game is known for its striking, hand-drawn visuals and dark, stylish look. You can play as a single, strong character, or build a team of two or three. It’s easy to learn, with a thorough tutorial that covers both the basics of fighting games and how to master each character. The game has a loyal fanbase and is regularly updated with new characters and improvements to keep things balanced. Its smooth online play, thanks to rollback netcode, and imaginative character designs help it stand out from other fighting games.

‘Melty Blood: Type Lumina’ (2021)

This game, based on the world of the Tsukihime visual novel, offers fast-paced, aerial battles and a special Shield system. A key feature is the Rapid Beat mechanic, letting players create combos with simple, repeated button presses. Players can also unlock powerful attacks and strategic moves using the Moon Drive and Moon Skills systems. The game’s character list includes favorites from the updated visual novel, as well as guest characters from the Fate series. It’s known for its smooth character movement and challenging, strategic gameplay.

‘SoulCalibur VI’ (2018)

This fighting game delves into the history of the powerful Soul Edge and Soul Calibur swords. It introduces the Reversal Edge system, letting players dramatically defend attacks and strike back. Players can also create completely custom fighters or design characters inspired by their favorites from other games and stories. The game features a diverse cast, including guest characters like Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher. With two separate story campaigns, there’s plenty of single-player content to enjoy.

‘Injustice 2’ (2017)

From the creators of Mortal Kombat comes a new fighting game packed with DC Comics’ most iconic heroes and villains. Players can customize their characters with unique looks and abilities using a ‘Gear System’ that rewards them with loot. Combat is over-the-top and features dynamic environments and powerful special moves. The game’s story follows a world where Superman has become a ruthless dictator. For solo players, ‘Multiverse’ mode offers ever-changing challenges and rewards.

‘Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes’ (2024)

This new installment of the beloved anime fighting game returns with its signature Grind Grid system, encouraging players to be both aggressive and strategically mindful of their positioning. It boasts improved graphics, a fresh roster of characters joining the original cast, and emphasizes realistic combat with intricate movement and spacing. To ensure smooth online competition, the game includes rollback netcode for high-quality matches worldwide. The story continues the epic narrative of Hollow Night.

‘Rivals of Aether’ (2017)

This fighting game lets you play as characters who command fire, water, air, and earth. It’s all about quick movement and smart positioning, and it does away with typical ledge-grabbing. The game boasts colorful pixel art and a roster of unique animal fighters. Players can also create and share their own characters and stages through Steam Workshop. Plus, there’s a thriving competitive scene and reliable online gameplay.

‘Brawlhalla’ (2017)

This free-to-play fighting game lets up to eight players battle it out on different stages. What makes it special is the weapon system – everyone uses the same moves, but the weapons you find change how those moves work. The game has a growing list of characters, including both brand new heroes and familiar faces from franchises like Ubisoft, WWE, and Star Wars. You can play with anyone, on any platform, thanks to full cross-play, and there’s a huge community of players worldwide. Plus, the controls are easy to learn, so you can jump right in and start having fun!

‘MultiVersus’ (2024)

This fighting game lets you play as characters from Warner Bros. favorites like DC Comics, Looney Tunes, and Adventure Time. It’s designed for team battles, with a focus on two-player cooperation where you can combine character powers to help each other. The game has a unique look and features the original voice actors for each character. Players can also unlock perks to customize their fighters and improve their skills, and the online play is optimized for smooth, competitive matches.

‘Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid’ (2019)

This team-based fighting game lets you battle as your favorite Power Rangers from throughout the show’s history. It’s a fast-paced, classic tag team fighter where you can switch between characters and call in assists. You can play with friends on almost any platform thanks to full cross-play and carry your progress across all of them. The game also features a story crafted by comic book writers and includes voice actors from the original Power Rangers series. Plus, the easy-to-learn controls make it fun for both beginners and experienced players to pull off awesome combos and special moves.

‘Them’s Fightin’ Herds’ (2020)

This standalone game stars animal characters created by the artist behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It has a simple four-button fighting system, and each character uses unique magical abilities. Players can enjoy a story mode full of exploration, platforming, and challenging boss fights. Built using the same technology as Skullgirls, it offers smooth online play thanks to its excellent rollback netcode. The game has a cute and appealing art style, but its gameplay is surprisingly complex and competitive.

‘DNF Duel’ (2022)

So, I’m really into this new fighting game – it’s based on Dungeon Fighter Online, which I already love! You pick characters based on their DFO classes, but the controls are way simpler than the RPG. Instead of complicated combos, special moves are done with just one button and a direction. There’s a Mana bar you have to watch, so you can’t just spam powerful attacks – you actually have to think about when to use them. And the graphics are gorgeous! They’re done in that awesome, high-quality 2D style that Arc System Works is famous for. Best of all, you can play online with rollback netcode, and there’s even a ranked ladder if you’re competitive like me.

‘Samurai Shodown’ (2020)

This fighting game centers around intense, high-pressure battles where even a small error can be devastating. It rewards careful play, maintaining distance, and precise timing rather than relying on complicated button combinations. The game boasts a beautiful art style inspired by classic Japanese paintings and ink wash techniques. Players can choose from returning favorites and new characters, each wielding a unique weapon. The online experience has been significantly improved with the addition of rollback netcode for smoother competitive matches.

‘Street Fighter V: Champion Edition’ (2016)

This edition of the fifth main game includes nearly every character, stage, and costume released for it. It introduces the V-System, with V-Triggers and V-Skills, which give each character special moves and boosts. Players can enjoy a variety of game modes, including a cinematic story mode, arcade mode, and survival mode. For many years, this game was the main focus for competitive fighting game players. It boasts a large and varied cast of characters spanning the entire history of the series.

‘Mortal Kombat 11’ (2019)

This game tells a story about time travel, letting you battle classic versions of characters against their updated selves. A key feature is the ‘Fatal Blow’ – a powerful attack you can use when you’re almost defeated. You can also heavily customize your characters with different skins, gear, and moves. For ongoing challenges and prizes, check out the ‘Towers of Time’. The game boasts stunning, realistic graphics with incredibly detailed characters and environments.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R’ (2022)

This game is a revamped version of the beloved fighting game based on the popular JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure manga and anime. It boasts a huge selection of characters from across the entire JoJo saga, each with their signature powers. Battles involve iconic series elements like Stands and Hamon. The game’s visuals are designed to look like the original artwork by creator Hirohiko Araki. New modes and gameplay tweaks have been included to make the experience even better for fans.

‘Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2’ (2017)

Okay, so this game was seriously groundbreaking. It looks amazing – like a super high-quality 2D anime, but everything is actually in 3D! The combat system is insane, though. There’s this thing called Roman Cancel, and it lets you mess with the timing of everything to create these crazy, long combos. Plus, the characters are all over the place – totally unique and they each play so differently. They even have a story mode that’s basically a movie – you just sit back and watch, which is cool. Honestly, it’s a game that rewards you for really digging into the mechanics, and the character designs are just fantastic.

‘BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle’ (2018)

This game combines characters from BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY in exciting team battles. You fight with a partner in two-versus-two matches that are easy to learn but offer plenty of stylish moves and helpful assists. Matches are quick and let you create unique teams by mixing characters from different series. There are also single-player modes to enjoy, plus an online system for playing against other players. Over time, the game added even more playable characters through downloadable content.

‘Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite’ (2017)

This game brings back the popular two-on-two team battles and adds a new element: Infinity Stones. Each of the six Stones grants players special powers and abilities that can dramatically impact a fight. The game’s story mode is a cinematic experience where heroes from Marvel and Capcom join forces to defeat Ultron Sigma. Players can seamlessly chain together combos and switch between characters mid-battle. The game boasts a wide selection of beloved characters from both the Marvel and Capcom universes.

‘Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2’ (2023)

This game builds on the first one with better graphics, new ways to play, and a bigger roster of characters. You’ll see faces from popular Nickelodeon shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Avatar: The Last Airbender. A new feature, the Slime Meter, lets you boost your attacks or protect yourself. There’s also a brand-new single-player mode with challenging, unpredictable levels. The fighting is quick and competitive, but still easy for younger players to pick up and enjoy.

‘Idol Showdown’ (2023)

This free fighting game on Steam lets you play as popular talents from Hololive. It’s surprisingly polished, with each character having their own special moves and support characters inspired by other streamers. The game uses advanced online technology to ensure a smooth experience for players around the world. It’s easy to pick up and play, but also has enough complexity to satisfy competitive fighting game fans. Created as a loving tribute to the virtual YouTuber world, the game is constantly being updated.

‘Lethal League Blaze’ (2018)

This fighting game is different – instead of directly attacking, players hit a ball back and forth, trying to knock it into their opponent. The ball gets faster with each hit, making matches fast-paced and intense. Each character also has unique powers to control the ball. The game has a cool, modern look and a driving electronic music soundtrack, and you can play with up to four friends locally or online.

‘Garou: Mark of the Wolves’ (2020)

Widely considered a masterpiece of 2D fighting games, this SNK title offers deep and rewarding gameplay. Its innovative ‘Just Defend’ system lets skilled players perfectly time their blocks for a health and speed boost, while the ‘T.O.P.’ system allows players to customize their health for increased damage and recovery. The Steam release features modern online play with rollback netcode, and the game’s beautiful pixel art and animation still look fantastic today.

‘The Last Blade 2’ (2016)

This fighting game is set in Japan’s Bakumatsu period and emphasizes exciting sword fights and a strong sense of atmosphere. Players can customize their fighting style by choosing between Power, Speed, and Extreme modes. A key skill is ‘Repel,’ a parry system that lets you quickly turn the battle in your favor if you time it right. The game’s stages are beautifully designed to capture the historical setting, complete with traditional music and detailed environments. This updated version also includes rollback netcode, ensuring smooth and reliable online matches.

‘The King of Fighters ’98 Ultimate Match Final Edition’ (2014)

Many fans consider this game to be the best in the series. It boasts a huge selection of characters from the franchise’s early days. Players can customize their experience with different fighting styles – Advanced, Extra, or Ultimate. Recent updates on Steam have added smoother online play with rollback netcode and better matchmaking. Its balanced gameplay and complex mechanics still make it popular for competitive fighting.

‘The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match’ (2015)

This latest installment of the beloved team-based fighting game boasts the biggest character lineup ever! It brings back favorites from the NESTS storyline and introduces gameplay tweaks, including new moves. Known for its deep and intricate combo system, the game also features Max Mode for devastating attacks. Online play has been significantly improved with the addition of rollback netcode, and the game’s visuals have been refreshed with updated character art and stages.

‘Pocket Bravery’ (2023)

This fighting game stands out with its appealing retro look, reminiscent of classic handheld titles. It’s easy to pick up with a four-button control scheme, but offers depth through elemental powers that change up special attacks. You can enjoy a story mode, arcade mode, and smooth online matches thanks to rollback netcode. Plus, you can personalize your favorite fighters with a variety of skins and colors. The game is fast-paced, feels great to play, and is a loving tribute to the best 2D fighting games of the past.

‘Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe’ (2017)

This quick and exciting 2D fighting game lets you build your character’s moves before each fight. Choose from a variety of special moves and powerful super attacks to create a playstyle that fits you. The game boasts a diverse roster of quirky characters, each with their own unique abilities and impressive combos. You can enjoy several game modes, including arcade, versus, survival, and a practice mode. With its fast-paced action and wide range of characters, this game is a real standout on the platform.

‘Blade Strangers’ (2018)

This fighting game brings together characters from popular indie titles like Cave Story, Code of Princess, and Azure Striker Gunvolt. It’s designed to be easy to pick up and play, but still has enough complexity to satisfy experienced players. The game boasts beautiful 2D character art and detailed 3D backgrounds. You can enjoy a variety of single-player modes, and there’s also online competition with a global leaderboard. With its diverse cast, it’s a great choice for fans of different indie games.

Tell us which of these fighting games you play the most in the comments.

2026-02-11 07:19