The Best Fighting Games From Each Console Generation

by

Fighting games have been a consistently popular part of the video game world for decades. Big names like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Virtua Fighter, and Street Fighter lead the way, but many smaller, dedicated games also have a strong following. Every generation of home consoles has explored fighting games, and while it took a little while for the genre to really take off, it eventually became a staple. We’ve reviewed all nine console generations to pick the best fighting game from each, judging them by their overall impact on gaming, how well they were received by players, and how well they represent the fighting game genre as a whole.

1) Heavyweight Champ

1st Gen: Atari Pong | Coleco Telstar | Magnavox Odyssey

Early video game consoles didn’t have any fighting games at first. However, Heavyweight Champ, released in 1976, was a notable exception. It was unique for its time because players used actual boxing gloves as controllers – moving them up and down controlled high and low punches, and moving them forward moved the player closer to their opponent. The game showed two boxers from the side using simple black and white graphics. While very different from modern fighting games, Heavyweight Champ was the first to feature hand-to-hand combat and can be considered a pioneering title in the genre.

2) Combat

2nd Gen: Atari 2600 | ColecoVision | Intellivision | Magnavox Odyssey 2

Early console fighting games were quite simple. While the Atari 2600 didn’t have many options, the game Combat stands out as a pioneer. Although we wouldn’t necessarily call it a traditional fighting game today, it brought competitive head-to-head action to home consoles. Combat was incredibly popular because it came with every Atari 2600, offering 27 different ways to battle using tanks, biplanes, or jets.

3) Karate Champ

3rd Gen: Atari 7800 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Sega Master System

With the arrival of the third generation of consoles, fighting games became more enjoyable thanks to improvements in graphics and technology. While several games competed for attention, Karate Champ stands out as a true original. It was one of the first games to feature head-to-head fighting between two players. A later version, Karate Champ – Player vs. Player, built on this foundation with a multiplayer mode and more refined gameplay. Although it may seem simple by today’s standards, Karate Champ was incredibly influential in shaping the fighting game genre.

4) Street Fighter II Turbo

4th Gen: TurboGrafx-16 | Genesis | NeoGeo | Super Nintendo Entertainment System

After several attempts, the fourth generation of home consoles finally delivered truly great fighting games. While earlier consoles had a few fighting games, they don’t compare to what this generation offered. Many stand out, but Street Fighter II Turbo on the SNES is widely considered the best. It was a huge step up from the original Street Fighter, establishing many of the conventions still used in fighting games today. Its faster pace and balanced selection of new special moves, across a large cast of characters, made it a standout title. It’s no surprise this game is still beloved – it’s easily one of the greatest fighting games of all time.

5) The King of Fighters ’98

5th Gen: 3DO | Jaguar | PlayStation | Nintendo 64 | Neo Geo

When it comes to fighting games from the 5th Generation, The King of Fighters ‘98 really stands out as the best. However, it was first released on the SNK Neo Geo, a home console that was very expensive. The Neo Geo was powerful enough to run the same games as arcade machines because it used the same internal parts, which drove up the price. This meant not everyone could play The King of Fighters ‘98 at home, but those who did found it to be a fresh and exciting experience. Thankfully, it became available on other consoles like the PlayStation and Sega Saturn about a year after its initial release on the Neo Geo.

6) SoulCalibur II

6th Gen: GameCube | Dreamcast | PlayStation 2 | Xbox 

The SoulCalibur series became hugely popular with the 2002 release of SoulCalibur II. It appeared on many consoles, including the GameCube, PlayStation 2 & 3, Xbox, and Xbox 360. The game was also a hit in arcades, even as they were becoming less common, and the home console versions were just as good, or even better, than the arcade experience. SoulCalibur II is known for its engaging story, well-developed characters with diverse moves, precise combat, and satisfying combo system. Remarkably, over 20 years after its initial release, a new version of the game came out for the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.

7) Ultra Street Fighter IV

7th Gen: PlayStation 3 | Wii | Xbox 360

Many gamers believe the Street Fighter series was at its best with Street Fighter II and its updated versions, but that’s not quite right! In 2008, Capcom released Street Fighter IV, which was just as successful. Then, in 2014, they listened to player feedback while creating Ultra Street Fighter IV, and the result was a truly excellent game. It launched on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and in arcades, and it was the first Street Fighter game available on Steam from day one.

8) Mortal Kombat 11

8th Gen: Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | WiiU | Xbox One

If you missed out on the Mortal Kombat games in the past, you’re in for a treat – we saved one of the best for last! The original Mortal Kombat was a hit, but the console versions weren’t quite as good as the arcade game. Luckily, the series kept going, and Mortal Kombat 11 is widely considered the best fighting game from the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One era. It’s a huge step up from previous games and was available on all major consoles (except the Wii U). While the recent Mortal Kombat 1 is also great, many fans still think Mortal Kombat 11 is the ultimate version.

9) Tekken 8

9th Gen: Nintendo Switch 2 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X|S

We waited a long time to talk about Tekken, but as of 2025, Tekken 8 is easily one of the best fighting games on the newest consoles. While Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero on the Switch 2 provides strong competition, Tekken 8 is a standout title, both within the Tekken series and among its peers. It offers a compelling story mode and incredible fighting action, pushing the franchise forward with fresh ideas. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game looks amazing. Though opinions vary, Tekken 8 currently stands out as the best fighting game of this generation.

Honorable Mentions

Choosing the best games from any console generation is tough, and unfortunately, we had to cut some great titles. However, several games deserve a special shout-out because they almost made the top spots. It was hard to leave out any version of Super Smash Bros., but the competition was surprisingly strong. We also can’t forget Killer Instinct, which is widely considered one of the best fighting games of all time. Mortal Kombat II on the Genesis is another fan favorite, and there are plenty of others we wish we had more space to discuss, including Marvel vs. Capcom, Injustice, Dragon Ball Fighter Z, Pokkén Tournament, and Virtua Fighter.

What console generation did your favorite fighting game come out on? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/7-most-overpowered-characters-in-fighting-games-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-31 17:14