Best fighting games to play in 2026

If you’re in the mood for fists, feet, and over the top special moves flying across the screen, the fighting game world has never been hotter. From blood-soaked rivalries to comical, over-the-top brawls, you can experience the best fighting games of 2026 without leaving your chair.

From brutal 1-on-1 showdowns in classics like Street Fighter to chaotic team battles in Dragon Ball FighterZ, and colourful fighters tossing punches and projectiles in Guilty Gear and Tekken, fighting games deliver fast, thrilling combat that never loses its appeal. Here are our picks for the best fighting games of 2026.

Best fighting games in 2026

Here are some of the best fighting games to play in 2026:

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Street Fighter 6

2XKO

Mortal Kombat 1

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Street Fighter 6

It wouldn’t be a list of the best fighting games without a mention of the Street Fighter series, and Street Fighter 6 carries forward the franchise’s legacy while pushing it into bold new territory. The game’s World Tour mode puts players in the shoes of a custom fighter, traveling from Metro City to Nayshall, learning from legends like Ryu and Chun-Li, taking on rival Bosch, and uncovering the schemes of the villainous JP.

The game’s Fighting Ground mode brings classic 2D battles to life, with the new Drive Gauge enabling players to chain Drive Impact, Drive Parry, and Overdrive moves for tense, high-stakes combat. Meanwhile, Battle Hub lets players challenge rivals online, show off their skills, and fully customize their avatars. With a roster bringing together returning favorites and wild newcomers, the mix of story, strategy, and showmanship makes Street Fighter 6 one of the most electrifying fighting games around.

2XKO

Riot Games has taken the League of Legends universe and turned it into a high-octane 2v2 tag-team fighter with 2XKO. Players choose two champions and can tag between them during combat, letting them chain combos, call in assists, and execute supers with fluid, impactful precision. 2XKO’s Fuse system introduces strategic complexity, allowing teams to experiment with synergies and adapt their playstyle, from aggressive offence to supportive setups.

The game features familiar champions like Ahri, Ekko, and Yasuo, bringing their classic moves into fast-paced, action-packed battles, while heavy hitters like Darius and Warwick make a big impact in every match.

Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1 kicks off a new chapter for the legendary franchise, updating classic characters for a new era while keeping all the blood-soaked, over-the-top action fans expect. The story reboot gives Liu Kang a central role as the master of reality, resetting the timeline and bringing familiar fighters back with surprising twists.

Combat feels deeper than ever thanks to the Kameo system, which lets you call in secondary fighters to extend combos, trap opponents, or mix up strategies, turning every match into a dynamic puzzle. Fan favorites like Mileena and Raiden return with their signature flair, while new Kameos such as Stryker and Motaro shake up the action and keep every match unpredictable.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves brings the classic series back to life with style, strategy, and plenty of flair. Picking up years after Garou: Mark of the Wolves, it follows Rock Howard’s search for his past while Terry Bogard and other familiar faces return to the fight. The game introduces newcomers like Billy Kane, Vox Reaper, and even real-world stars Cristiano Ronaldo and DJ Salvatore Ganacci, alongside veterans to create a diverse roster of brawlers, grapplers, and zoners.

Combat is deep, with the Rev Meter, Rev Arts, and S.P.G. system adding layers of offense, defense, and combo creativity. Moreover, Smart-feinting and Braking give advanced players new ways to extend combos and open opportunities in battle.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is literally the “ultimate” mash-up of chaotic crossover fighting, throwing over 80 fighters from Nintendo and third-party franchises into the same ring, from Ryu and Sephiroth to newcomers like the Inkling Kids and Incineroar.

The game expands the series’ legacy while fine-tuning speed, knockback, and character movesets, making every match feel fast, frantic, and ridiculously fun. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s World of Light adventure mode adds an RPG-style single-player experience, letting players explore a hand-drawn map, unlock characters, and equip Spirits that boost stats and grant special abilities.

Comic book-inspired visuals give each battle a vibrant, larger-than-life feel, and eight-player Smash matches turn every fight into a chaotic spectacle. On top of that, robust customisation options, tournament brackets, and thoughtful accessibility improvements make it easy for newcomers to jump in without taking anything away from the competitive edge that veterans love.