10 Best Fighting Games of the 2010s, Ranked

by

Fighting games became incredibly popular in the 2000s, and that popularity continued throughout the 2010s. The decade saw some of the best games the genre has ever produced, with improved graphics and sound making them even more impressive. We’ve compiled a list of the ten best fighting games from the 2010s, ranking them based on reviews at the time of release, how popular they were with players, their lasting influence on the genre, and, most importantly, how enjoyable they are to play. When a series released multiple games in the decade, we chose the highest-rated one.

10) Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Capcom followed up their popular Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds with an enhanced version called Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 in 2011. While the original Fate of Two Worlds was already a great game, Ultimate refined the gameplay, particularly in aerial combat and the X-Factor system. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was a critical and commercial success, largely thanks to its larger roster of characters and improved multiplayer. Despite these changes, Fate of Two Worlds still holds up as a fantastic game. Plus, players who already owned Fate of Two Worlds could upgrade to Ultimate at a reduced price, which was a nice bonus.

9) Skullgirls

Released in 2012, Skullgirls is a 2D fighting game where players battle with teams of characters. The game’s story focuses on the Skull Heart, a magical artifact that grants wishes to women, but can turn them into a monster known as a Skullgirl if their intentions aren’t pure. Skullgirls is a beautifully animated and well-designed fighting game with satisfying gameplay. While the initial character selection was a bit limited, the game has been updated over time with downloadable content, greatly expanding the roster. It remains a fantastic independent fighting game and one of the best new fighting game franchises to emerge in the 2010s.

8) Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Originally an arcade game, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 quickly became popular on home consoles. Its large selection of characters – featuring almost everyone from previous Tekken games – was a major draw. Players can create teams of two or fight one-on-one. Although it refined the Tekken fighting system, the game didn’t sell well, which unfortunately impacted future development of the series.

7) Guilty Gear Xrd

Released in arcades in 2014 and later on home consoles, Guilty Gear Xrd lived up to the high expectations set by previous games in the series. Its impressive cel-shaded graphics, refined fighting mechanics, and overall gameplay make it a standout title for both fighting game enthusiasts and fans of the Guilty Gear franchise. While some players noted the character roster was a bit small, this is a minor issue in an otherwise excellent game. With consistent updates over the years, Guilty Gear Xrd remains a fantastic addition to this popular fighting game series.

6) Soulcalibur VI

Despite being called Soulcalibur VI, this is actually the seventh game in the series. It’s a fresh start that revisits the story from the very first Soulcalibur released in 1998. The game keeps the classic fighting style fans love, but adds new features and a compelling story where your choices matter. It’s one of the best fighting games ever made, and it’s beautifully done. While not perfect, Soulcalibur VI is a fantastic addition to the genre and a standout title in the series, especially from the 2010s.

5) Street Fighter X Tekken

In 2012, Capcom and Namco brought their iconic fighting franchises, Street Fighter and Tekken, together in Street Fighter X Tekken, a crossover game that delivered exactly what fans hoped for. The game lets players battle with teams of two characters, switching between them during matches. Beyond the competitive multiplayer, Street Fighter X Tekken also offers a surprisingly engaging single-player story mode. Although this wasn’t the first time characters from both universes clashed, Street Fighter X Tekken noticeably favored Capcom’s gameplay style, a decision that was well-received by both players and critics.

4) Mortal Kombat X

Released in 2015, Mortal Kombat X was the tenth main game in the Mortal Kombat series and quickly became a standout fighting game. Set 25 years after the previous installment, it offered a compelling single-player story and fantastic multiplayer action. In 2016, Warner Bros. released Mortal Kombat XL, an enhanced version that included all characters and downloadable content available at the time. Whether you played the original or the expanded version, the game provided a wealth of content and a polished experience on consoles, solidifying its place as one of the best fighting games of the decade.

3) Dragon Ball FighterZ

Released in 2018, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a visually stunning fighting game available on most gaming platforms and has been consistently updated since its launch. Players battle in teams of three, with each character offering a unique support ability. The game was a critical and commercial success, praised for its overall design, story, graphics, diverse roster of characters, and music. It has sold over 10 million copies and continues to be popular years later, earning the title of Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards in 2018.

2) Injustice 2

While many fighting games are based on comics, the Injustice series stands out. It began with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, which was accompanied by a popular comic book. The sequel, Injustice 2, released in 2017, expanded the story with more characters, better controls, and more powerful moves. Injustice 2 was highly praised for its overall design and improved gameplay, although some players didn’t like the way rewards were earned. It won many awards and is considered one of the best fighting games of the last decade.

1) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Nintendo fans are passionate about the Super Smash Bros. series, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, released in 2018, was a huge success. It received excellent reviews and was loved by players, becoming the highest-rated fighting game of the 2010s. The game boasts an impressive roster of 89 playable characters from various Nintendo and other franchises, along with tons of extra content. It quickly became a top-selling game for the Nintendo Switch, with over 37 million copies sold by 2025.

What fighting game released in the 2010s do you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with others on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/10-best-fighting-games-of-the-2000s-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2026-04-02 20:14