Gamereactor’s Gamer Guides: Essential Battles –

As we’ve done with puzzle games, action, RPG, platform and adventure games, we now list some of the best fighting games we love when we’re in the mood to sit back (or lock in, depending on how competitive you are) and beat people to a pulp.

While we could have filled this list of five recommendations with classics like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter and Tekken, we decide to take a different approach and ditch the franchises you all know for some recommendations that are a little more off the beaten path. That’s not to say those games aren’t good, they’re kings for a reason, and Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are two of the best fighting games of all time for many fans, but we didn’t want to discuss only franchises that everyone knows.

5. Skullgirls 2nd encore

While this game may have taken a hit in its reviews from recent controversies, none of the negative sentiment was centered around the battles and great fighting mechanics. Skullgirls was an indie fighter that hit the scene in 2013 and gave players hand-animated characters, a story mode to help them get to know those characters and the world better, and a frenetic fighting style that remains utterly unique. It was even still on the main stage of EVO in 2022, so it still has a competitive spirit that is alive and well.

4. Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ, another incredibly fast-paced fighter, relies more on your team composition, similar to something like a Marvel vs. Capcom. The reason it’s on this list instead of a game from that franchise? No, it’s not because we’re huge DBZ heads. Instead of being a fanservice game like many anime fighters tend to be, Dragon Ball FighterZ is first and foremost a fighting game and secondarily a Dragon Ball game thanks to the attention paid to making sure the mechanics are good.

3. Injustice 2

I know I said no Mortal Kombat, but that doesn’t exclude NetherRealm’s other modern franchise. The Injustice games are great superhero brawlers, and the second installment applied some great lessons learned from its predecessor. A huge selection, cinematic battles and a decent action movie story have us eagerly awaiting the next Injustice game. If only Mortal Kombat 1 could have been it.

2. Killer Instinct

ULTRAAAAAAA COMBOOOOOO!!! I can still hear those words echoing in my head when I think of Killer Instinct. The 2013 revival may not be as popular as today’s titans of combat, but the cult hit is still more than worth it. Insane combos plus a great and varied selection make Killer Instinct a truly rewarding experience for anyone willing to take the time to match up their attacks.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The only name of a major franchise on this list, it’s hard not to put Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in a list of fighting games. There are other platform fighters like Brawlhalla and MultiVersus, but they can’t really compete with Super Smash Bros. The crossover dream we all looked forward to as kids, the latest game in the series now has more than 80 fighters in its selection. Of course, having a lot of characters doesn’t mean a good game, but the real achievement of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is how all the characters feel different and have play styles that are connected to their game. Somehow this game is balanced, which feels insane to say, but it is, and it’s also a lot of fun.

What is your favorite fighting game?