10 Best Fighting Games of the 2000s, Ranked

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Fighting games were incredibly popular in the 1990s, but mostly found their home in arcades. Over time, they started appearing on home consoles, a trend that continued into the 2000s. Although arcades still released new fighting games, the home console versions became dominant, with some truly great titles appearing in the new decade. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most popular fighting games from the 2000s, ranking them based on reviews from when they were first released, how well-liked they were, and how much they influenced the genre. If a series had several games released, we chose the one that received the best reviews.

10) Mortal Kombat: Deception

As a big Mortal Kombat fan, I always thought Mortal Kombat: Deception was a standout title from the 2000s – it really was a game changer! It didn’t just refine the fighting style we already knew and loved, but added a bunch of cool new stuff. What’s even more amazing is that it was the first fighting game to let you battle people online! Now that seems normal, but back then it was revolutionary. It wasn’t perfect, of course, but it was a fantastic first try, and it clearly resonated with other fans too – the game sold over a million copies and was a huge success!

9) Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom

Capcom has a history of successfully crossing over its characters with other franchises, as seen in its Vs. series, and Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom from 2008 is a prime example. This fighting game pits characters from Capcom against those from Tatsunoko Production, including popular heroes from series like Casshan, Yatterman, Golden Warrior Gold Lightan, Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, Karas, and Tekkaman: The Space Knight, among others. Featuring many familiar Capcom faces, the game delivers the excellent fighting mechanics and controls players expect from a Capcom title. While originally released in arcades, it was ultimately limited to the Wii due to a contractual agreement.

8) Guilty Gear X2

Released in 2002, Guilty Gear X2 was the third main game in the Guilty Gear series and built upon the story while adding new characters and gameplay features. It was initially available in arcades and later became very popular on the PlayStation 2. Publisher Sammy Studios continued to support the game with updates over the years, most recently with Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R in 2012. While considered by many to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest fighting games of all time, its complex mechanics can be challenging for newcomers.

7) Virtua Fighter 5

The Virtua Fighter series has been a huge success for Sega, and many fans consider Virtua Fighter 5 to be the best installment, particularly from the 2000s. Originally released in arcades in 2006, it was later brought to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Sega didn’t stop there, though, releasing updated versions like Virtua Fighter 5 R in 2008 and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. in 2021. Sega consistently updated and re-released Virtua Fighter 5 over the years, cementing its place as one of the publisher’s best fighting games.

6) Tekken 5

Released in arcades in 2004 and on PlayStation 2 in 2006, Tekken 5 continues the story from the previous game and introduced new features. Players could customize their characters with items earned in the game, and the game featured a roster of 32 fighters. Like many games of the era, Tekken 5 received updates after launch and was a major success, receiving high praise from critics. It sold almost 10 million copies, and many fans consider it the best Tekken game of the decade – and one of the strongest installments in the entire series.

5) Marvel vs  Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

The Marvel vs. Capcom series is known for being one of the best crossover fighting game franchises ever made. When it comes to the 2000s, the choice for the best game is clear: Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. Luckily, it’s also a standout fighting game of the decade. New Age of Heroes improved on earlier games with its 2.5D graphics, team-based three-on-three battles, assist system for characters, more responsive controls, and enhanced artwork. It’s a significant upgrade in almost every way, and boasts a fantastic selection of playable characters. Widely available on many systems, Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is easily considered one of the best fighting games of the 2000s.

4) Dead or Alive Ultimate (DoA 2)

While the Dead or Alive series had many great games in the 2000s, the original Dead or Alive 2 wasn’t one of them. However, a significantly updated version was included in Dead or Alive Ultimate (released in 2004). This remake of Dead or Alive 2 featured improved graphics and used the gameplay mechanics from Dead or Alive 3, along with extra content and a new character. Because of these substantial changes, it essentially feels like a brand new game, and many consider it the best in the entire series.

3) Soulcalibur II

The original Soulcalibur was a major success on the Sega Dreamcast, and the sequel built upon that foundation even further. Many consider Soulcalibur II, released in 2002, to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest fighting games of the 2000s. It perfectly balances gameplay, graphics, and characters, making it a standout 3D fighter. Even after more than 20 years, it remains impressive. Importantly, Soulcalibur II isn’t overly complicated, so it’s enjoyable for both newcomers and experienced fighting game players.

2) Super Smash Bros. Melee

Released on the GameCube in 2001, Super Smash Bros. Melee quickly became the dominant fighting game. It featured all the characters from the original Super Smash Bros., and added even more from popular series like Fire Emblem. In fact, Melee introduced many international players to the Fire Emblem characters for the very first time, as the series hadn’t yet been released outside of Japan. The game was a huge success and is still considered one of the best fighting games – and overall games – ever made.

1) Street Fighter IV

Fans often argue about which Street Fighter game is the best. While I personally favor Street Fighter II (as you may know from my previous articles), most agree that Street Fighter IV, released in 2008, is the better game. It’s a significant step up from earlier titles, with improved graphics, gameplay, and controls. Capcom continued to refine and re-release Street Fighter IV over the years, making it not just the best fighting game of the 2000s, but a strong contender for the greatest of all time.

What fighting game from the 2000s do you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-30 16:16