Most Timeless Fighting Games

New releases often rise to the top in the world of fighting games. However, a heap of titles defined the genre as it stands today, and these games still bring together fans with their innovative gameplay and timeless charm.

Related

7 Strangest Parts Of Mortal Kombat Lore, Explained

The lore of Mortal Kombat often takes a backseat to the fighting, as it should, but NetherRealm have created some crazy lore to set their games in.

While many in the long line of fighting games have been forgotten, several of these games still see tournament play at events like Evo and are referenced as must-play classics of the genre. These examples are just a few of the most timeless fighting games that fans should experience if they haven’t already.

6 Street Fighter 2

The King Of Re-Releases

It’s hard to ignore the impact of Street Fighter 2. Releasing initially on arcade machines, the game has had too many ports to count, often adding the ability to change the speed of the gameplay or adding new characters to the already generous cast for such an early title.

This second release in the series made combos – moves that can be chained into each other – a hallmark feature of everything that came after. The popularity of the game and the range of characters who all captured their own style made this a game that is hard to leave behind. Managing to still feel modern in its newest ports, Street Fighter 2 will continue to keep up for the foreseeable future.

5 Mortal Kombat XL

A Game Still Going Strong

Mortal Kombat X is chock-full of characters that fill every niche for new players and series fans. Robot ninjas meet lightning gods and fire demons and every one of them tears the others apart in gruesome fatalities that are as excessive as they are hilarious. The real lasting quality for genre enthusiasts comes from some of the series’ best gameplay.

Characters are reactive and distinct enough to give the game a treasure trove of content that extends into a long list of online game modes and functionality that is a cherry on top for players looking for more to conquer. The XL edition of the game adds an exciting collection of horror movie icons to seal the deal for fans of Alien, Friday the 13th, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Predator.

4 Tekken 3

The 3D Fighter For Fighting Fans

One of the most fluid beat ’em ups to this day, Tekken 3 brings the fighting game genre into 3D and asks players to use quick reactions, reversals, and complex combos to defeat any enemies. The roster is varied and eclectic enough to allow for more wacky and unpredictable picks, but there is enough deep strategy to the game that players today can still master.

Related

Tekken: 7 Underrated Characters

The Tekken cast is so big at this point that it can be easy to overlook certain characters, with these individuals being particularly underrated.

It can be a little alienating to new players, particularly to any who are unfamiliar with the genre as a whole. However, pushing past that, there is a rich game here with playable bears, a guest spot for Gon the lizard, and a special volleyball minigame. Tekken 3 feels a little underwhelming in the current landscape of fighting games, but the gameplay alone makes it timeless.

Accessible All-Star Cast

With 48 characters on its extensive roster, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 pits the likes of Spider-Man and Wolverine against Ryu, Jill Valentine, and Phoenix Wright. The sheer number of fan favorites that can be selected is enough of a draw, but the game’s continued success has likely come from the gameplay. The game is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds and so boasts the perfected formula with tweaks made to pacing, character balancing, and aerial combat where issues had been found.

6:36

Related

The 10 Best PS5 Fighting Games, Ranked (April 2024)

The best PS5 fighting games beat out the competition, either by offering up an ultra-realistic simulation or a fun-filled pick-up-and-play experience.

This makes it a rare case of a fighting game studio choosing to perfect a flawed system rather than moving on to the next. Despite a newer Marvel vs. Capcom game released a few years after the release of this entry, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 remains a polished game that fighting game fans continue to revisit.

2 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Features One Of The Best Rosters In The Genre

The trailer for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate declared proudly that “Everyone Is Here,” and now that the final DLC for the game has been released, and the game has been left to sit for a moment, it is hard to argue with the statement. Beloved characters from every part of gaming history make an appearance, either directly through fighters or through assist trophies and Pokeballs that can be tossed into the middle of combat to add a pinch of chaos to proceedings.

Smash Bros. will always be a go-to party game, alongside the likes of Mario Kart, but Ultimate set itself apart with competitive options, online play, and a remarkably balanced roster despite the massive 82-character list. With stages to fight on that go from Game Boy classics to Mario Odyssey‘s New Donk City, it is hard to argue with the star power Ultimate brings to the table and the slick fighting will continue to be a competitive favorite for years to come.

1 Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)

The Most Recognizable Champion Fighters

The undisputed champion of timeless fighting games, Super Smash Bros. Melee has been a competitive staple at events like Evo since its release. The fluid combat was a breath of fresh air on the GameCube and fans have remained invested in the tournament scene due to the wide range of techniques that can be used. Wave dashing and teaching have become accepted as integral parts of the gameplay experience. A crossover between Nintendo characters that was unmatched in scope at the time, it was the GameCube’s best-selling title and the orchestra soundtrack and colorful cartoony visuals have made this a nostalgic adventure that players still lose themselves in.

Tournament play, while not supported by Nintendo themselves, is still widespread and beloved. Melee has become more than one of the best fighting games of all time, instead taking its place as one of the best video games ever released.

More

The Most Iconic Character Archetypes In Fighting Games

Fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat follow character archetypes, which can identify the playstyle of the character.