Visit our list of all the best PC fighting games for the full lineup.
10. Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition
If there’s one thing Mortal Kombat achieved other than its fluid fighting mechanics, it’s the gore. The satisfying, eye-popping gore. Since time immemorial, the series is never afraid to show off the brutality of death. From decapitation, freezing, stabbing, head-cracking, impaling and more, Mortal Kombat succeeded at every possible death.
Komplete Edition contains all the Downloadable Content from NetherRealms’ first Mortal Kombat game. This includes all the new characters like Kenshi, Rain, Skarlet and the notorious Freddy Krueger. Experience the deadliest tournament with all the iconic Kombatants in MK history. Picking up after the events of Armageddon, stop an evil emperor hell-bent from taking over the world. Pretty generic, but that’s how most MK deals with their story.
Considered as a Reboot of the entire franchise, feel the new yet familiar combat that the series was once known for. With the Unreal Engine, experience high quality overkills in the most satisfying ways especially with the game’s new X-Ray supers.
Choose and play from its dynamic gameplay modes such as Tag Team and Challenge Tower. Lauded for its smooth optimization to the PC, this is Netherrealms’ proof that they can make a decent Mortal Kombat game.
It has a playscore of 8.13
9. Injustice: Gods Among Us - Ultimate Edition
Two NetherRealm games in a row show how much they love the fighting genre. The glorious superhero powerplay from DC Comics makes a grand debut to the videogame industry. Superman loses his faith to humanity and our favorite superheroes are at the brink of civil war. Watch Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more DC characters as they test their moral compass to ensure the safety of humanity.
Ultimate Edition is pretty much every other “enhanced” title. It’s smoother, better and it contains all the Downloadable Content from the original such as 6 new characters, 30 new skins, and 60 new STAR Labs Missions.
It’s the definitive Injustice experience. The original made a good impression to the fans and critics due to its impressive story, fluid fighting mechanics and refined visuals. There’s no other way to experience the first Injustice game without this one.
It receives a playscore of 8.15
8. Lethal League
Games like these are always a big surprise when they successfully gain the love of gamers and critics. Team Reptile’s fighting game mixes two unlikely genres: Sports and Fighting. It’s a competitive fighting game where players fling an anti-gravity ball to defeat their opponent. It’s not your everyday ball, it’s a continuously speeding projectile that feels like it’s about to go boom.
Featuring a unique bunch of characters, these street-level heroes unleash their batting skills to remove their opponent from the map. It’s similar to Super Smash Bros but it involves a constant moving projectile instead of big punches and kicks.
The game’s best feature lies in its versus mode. With up to 4 players and a banging soundtrack, go in an all-out batting war in local or online play. Provided with GGPO technology, feel the high-speed nature of the Lethal League in a seamless online experience.
It’s in a league of its own, this game has a playscore of 8.20
7. Nidhogg
Step into the dueling pits and witness an award-winning fighting game with an unlikely combination of mechanics: Fencing and Tug of War. Deal out ripostes, thrusts, and any exceptional fencing movements to take down your opponent. Be on your most vigilant state because any point of opportunity is the key to victory. It’s fast, graceful and it’s full of yelling and stabbing.
Packed with a jumpy electronica soundtrack, revel in your sophisticated fencing abilities and take down waves and waves of enemies in its single-player mode. It’s ridiculous and oftentimes serious when played with a friend. Multiplayer is much more enjoyable. Do you want to engage with fisticuffs or do quick successive lunges to your opponent? There are just so many things you can do in a limited environment.
Messhof's Nidhogg gained positive to both gamers and critics. Calling it an exhilarating experience, if not downright crazy. It’s a fun fighting game and its sequel is just around the corner.
It has a playscore of 8.21
6. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst
Mashashi Kishamoto’s masterpiece has taken the world by storm with the series’ long-awaited finale. Full Burst packs together the complete Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 experience. Which means all the DLC’s are present, new content, and refined visuals. CyberConnect2 grants us the opportunity to witness the 4th Great Ninja War.
This is CyberConnect2’s beginning on their improved dynamic ninja fighting action with the series’ iconic roster of characters, and that includes the great Jinchuriki’s. Storywise it adds new chapters including Itachi’s life after he breaks away from Madara’s seal and a Director’s Cut that features a different viewpoint during the Great War.
Additionally, the game offers 100 new missions and over 30 additional skins to choose from. If you’re a Naruto fan or anyone that loves the good ol’ ninja action, then this game is the closest thing for becoming the best Naruto game to date. It was praised for its excellent fan service, responsive controls, and a story mode that takes you deeper into the lore. However, the lack of exploration and the dumbed-down difficulty was a tad bit annoying.
It receives a playscore of 8.26
5. Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code
Another case of Japanese name oddities, the Melty Blood series is known for pioneering the visual novel and fighting game hybrid--well, among others. It's also known to be developed by Type-Moon, which rose to fame for their now established Fate/ series, and of course, their 2000's eroge visual novel Tsukihime. But, despite featuring the characters of the same Tsukihime series, French Bread's Melty Blood is fluid, smooth, and decidedly wholesome.
The game is set one year after the events of Shiki Tohno's investigation into a mysterious series of murders. This particular title, while being the first made for the Ringside Arcade Board, marks the end of the long-running series. It features a whole collection of playable characters, including the previous PS2 exclusives. The freedom of choice is evident in the game, as you pick from a total of 31 different fighters, each with three separate playstyles to discover. Weave through its intriguing narrative or compete with players around the globe in Rank and Player matches.
Waiting 15 years for a western release, this has been the fulfillment of many fan's dreams. And while it's not exactly friendly to curious newcomers, their top-notch animations and fast-paced combat can definitely make up for the grind.
It has a playscore of 8.3.
4. Street Fighter IV
Following its successful premiere on the PS3 and Xbox consoles, Street Fighter jump kicked its way to the PC in an unexpected but much-awaited released in 2009. It gave the once-envious and console-less population their first taste of the franchise's new generation. A culmination of the lessons learned by the franchise in the 20 years of experience, Street Fighter IV has nailed the fundamentals of their formula, finishing it off with a polished glint.
Compared to V's more narrow approach to competitive fighting, IV seems more diverse and welcoming. With their refined lineup, every character has its own edge in the fight. One thing that's different in this iteration is the Focus Attack that lets you charge and absorbs attacks to bring your opponents down in battle. It's a special move that will give you an advantage in both offensive and defensive play.
While everything's been vastly improved in their recent Ultra version, they've sadly been left wanting for more reviews. But, despite their vanilla roster and balance, IV still has much of the charm of the series. Learn your moves, time your combos, and demolish whoever stands in your way. Or you could just participate in some heavy button mashing to catch victory.
It has a playscore of 8.35.
3. Rivals Of Aether
Set in a world where Fire, Earth, Water, and Air collide. Choose your champion and manipulate the elements together in this fast and frenetic Indie fighting game. Some players are even calling it the Smash game they deserve since it contains similar gameplay elements to Nintendo’s iconic brawler.
Dive into the game’s Story Mode where you uncover the stories from each of the Elemental Champions. Go into a fiery adventure with Zetterburn, or feel the earth crumbling with Kragg’s story. Players can also test their mettle with Abyss Mode where players survive a gauntlet of shadowy fighters to climb the leaderboards.
But the game’s real fun lies in its Online Mode. If you really want to put your fighting skills to the test, play with a friend or go into its ranked matches.
It’s a Smash clone, yes. But it’s not a bad one. It has a playscore of 8.40
2. Skullgirls
Conceptualized during the college days and haunted by development issues, Lab Zero's work of love has definitely come a long way since its release in 2012. For fighting fans on the PC, Skullgirl's place in this list is no surprise. This 2D fighter marries a creative, and engaging style with controls that are both friendly, and competitively balanced. It's the kind of game that's easy on the eyes, easier to pick-up, and even harder to master--making it a favorite for veterans looking for a tight duel, and newcomers looking for some multiplayer fun.
Enter their art deco arenas, and enjoy the anime-steampunk feel of their roster of eight characters. Modeled after Marvel vs Capcom 2's New Age of Heroes, they share plenty of similarities--with tag-team battles, character assists, and combos. But what really sets them apart the amount of creativity poured onto each of their fighters. Explore each of their moves, and find out which playstyle fits you best.
While their fanservice art has been divisive at best, it's still one of the finest looking fighters out there. With punishing AIs, extremely accurate hitboxes, and competitive online community, Skullgirls will stay in the genre's hall of fame for a long time.
It has a playscore of 8.51.
Here are the runners-up before we reveal the number one:
11. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
An updated version of the original game, experience UMVS like never before with new characters, updated HUD, UI, graphics and more. It receives a playscore of 8.07
12. Dragon Ball Xenoverse
An action packed look into the saiyan-dominated world of Dragonball. Relive your favorite battles, and visit the iconic locations. It has a playscore of 8.06.
13. Koihime Enbu
A reimagining of Romance of the three kingdoms, packed with a little more girl power. With clean visuals, and satisfying controls, it has a playscore of 7.77.
14. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma EXTEND
The third in Arc System Work's popular BlazBlue series. Witness the return of the beloved gang, with new scenarios and characters. It has a playscore of 7.73.
15. Street Fighter X Tekken
A crossover from two of Japan's biggest fighting games. Pit Ryu and Ken against the infamous Mishima crew, and discover the secrets of Pandora. It has a playscore of 7.66.
The best fighting game on the PC is:
1. Tekken 7
Lo’ and behold, QLoc’s critically acclaimed fighting game dominates our list. Step into the seventh King of the Iron First Tournament and witness the end of the Mishima Feud. These pesky family problems aren’t gonna go running around forever and destroying the world.
As per usual, Tekken 7 was released as an Arcade game first during 2015, then it received a huge port to the consoles and PC. Upon its release, it gained the respect it deserves. Powered by the Unreal Engine 4, experience Tekken like never before. The smooth texture and dazzling special effects are a few of its best features.
Gameplay is better than ever. With two new features called Rage Art and Power Crush, this can really change the tide of each round. Just by watching a single match can really entertain you. Especially with their sweet slow-motion effect for that clutch jabs. It was praised for its insanely accurate hitboxes and reasonable balance changes.
With over 39 playable characters, both old and new, watch how a fighting game stood the test of time. It’s definitely the best Tekken game to date and obviously the best on our list.
It receives a playscore of 8.56