Top 10 Greatest Fighting Game Franchises
Fighting games were very popular in the '90s and that's where most the most acclaimed franchises we know today got their start, but don't forget about the newer ones. And here they are.
I'm a fan of all fighting games, but I believe Tekken is much better than MK because it has more complicated and professional gameplay.
Unfortunately, Tekken's developers are terrible at marketing, which I think makes their games low budget. I think that's why MK has much more content, with better story modes and entertaining features like fatalities, brutalities, the krypt, etc.
So yeah, I think Tekken 8 will be able to compete with MK11 because they made a lot of money with Tekken 7. But again, it won't sell as much as MK because the Japanese are geniuses at creating art but terrible at marketing compared to the US.
Watching videos of various fighting games, they all look similar to me. Aside from their own little differences (like MK's gore), they have similar designs. Smash stands out, being far different from any other game but still being fun and requiring as much skill as any other fighter. Not only can it be played with more than two players, but it can also be played with up to eight at once. That's amazing.
But then there is, of course, its biggest catch: its roster. Mario, Sonic, Ryu, and Pac-Man can all fight each other, and they feel pretty true to their series. Not only can no other fighting game match the magnitude of Smash's roster, but no game can at all.
I've been an MK fan since the 90s when I was only three years old. My parents failed at trying to keep me away from violence. I went out of my way to see the movies and play the games. In other words, there was nothing stopping me from seeing and playing Mortal Kombat. I would go to the arcades with friends and play MK1. Scorpion has always been my favorite character, but I did give Johnny Cage kudos for punching Goro's nuts! Haha.
One of the finest fighting game franchises to exist. Since its debut, it has influenced traits now seen in modern games, such as combo juggling and finishing moves. Without it, franchises like Street Fighter and Tekken wouldn't have been pushed to the heights they are at now.
I love fighting games: Mortal Kombat, Tekken, King of Fighters, and all, but in my opinion, Street Fighter is the best. The characters are really interesting, and almost every game is amazing.
Yes, I know, Street Fighter V wasn't really good in the beginning, but I think SFV Champion Edition is one of the best Street Fighter games out there.
But anyway, Street Fighter is a legendary franchise.
The fact that Mortal Kombat is currently in the lead is really depressing to me. The only good MK game since MK2 was the reboot in 2011. People need to look at the series, not just one good installment. As a series, Street Fighter is undoubtedly better in both mechanics and critical acclaim. SF4 single-handedly revived the fighting genre in the current generation as well.
The combat is some of the best of any fighting game I've ever played. The character creation is really cool, the use of created characters in online play is awesome, the guest characters are great, and the story is pretty interesting. Really looking forward to SCVI, whenever that comes out.
At least in this game, you can't possibly win by button-mashing and spamming. The 8-way moving system is a must-have. Smooth gameplay.
In the more recent SC games, you have a detailed character creation, so you're not obligated to play with the same guy or gal over and over. The story is absolute crap, but that's not that important in fighting games anyway.
This is so underrated. The King of Fighters is a great game, and the storylines are well told through characters such as Athena.
Easily the best! Sadly forgotten today, but back in the '90s, it RULED the arcades.
Without The King of Fighters '94, we wouldn't have the KoF series in the first place. KoF is awesome!
The biggest fighting franchise that does not involve death but delivers enormous amounts of violence.
The series became one of the most recognized franchises ever.
A series with gameplay that truly puts your technical skills to use, with blindingly fast pacing, a refined engine, and a stunning variety of combos and techniques. The overall depth and variety offered by this combat system are difficult to match and have evolved significantly since the unorthodox yet intriguing original game.
The hand-drawn, sprite-based graphics are beautiful, especially the character models, and the backgrounds are breathtaking. Daisuke Ishiwatari's compositions for the soundtrack provide an energetic and uplifting feel and complement the furious action perfectly. The overall artwork of this series is creative, original, and well-conceived.
The characters are all unique, likable, and inspiring, with surprisingly involving storylines and backgrounds, and strong, memorable personalities. Their names, moves, clothing, and overall design are full of rock and heavy-metal references. The franchise is almost guaranteed to introduce players to great bands they have never heard of.
An underground series that has always deserved more praise and attention than it has received. It has earned its place among the best fighting game franchises around, regardless of what kind of legacy it may leave.
It doesn't have any magic projectile blasts like other fighting video games, just good ol' martial arts skills. At the time of Virtua Fighter 2, it was the most groundbreaking video game of its time. Graphics, gameplay, and fun factor were all #1.
Fighting games have been a staple for me since first laying hands on Street Fighter II as a kid. As an adult, I've waited a long time to see the comeback of Killer Instinct. The new game delivers in a way I hadn't expected.
This is the first fighting game I've played that truly feels like it's you vs. your opponent, not you vs. the input system. Commands are easy and intuitive, and the breaker/counter system makes for the most mind-games-intensive experience ever. When you beat someone, it's obviously because you outplayed them, not because you managed to pull off the most damaging combo or special first.
My number one fighter of all time.
Best 3D fighting games when it comes to characters, audio design, maps, the counter system, skill gap, and most importantly, the sexiness. A great fighting game with sexy girls in sexy outfits is bound to be the best fighting game franchise ever.
In my opinion, Dead or Alive is one of my favorite fighting games of all time. Unfortunately, the series is only recognized for jiggle physics, and sadly, people only focus on that instead of the fun, over-the-top gameplay. Despite the franchise's memorable greatness, I pretty much love the modes in the game (like tag team, survival, story, etc.) and have been playing the franchise since Dead or Alive 2 on DC and PS2, eventually playing the rest of the series on Xbox consoles.
Don't forget about the other fighter Capcom made. Not as popular as Street Fighter, but still a solid game.
One of the most fun games with the coolest cast of characters I've ever played.
