Since the resurgence of the fighting game genre, it's seen plenty of high points. Tekken went from feeling stagnant to gaining a new lease on life in Tekken 7. Mortal Kombat got bloodier than ever before its developers Netherrealm Studios put the claret away to give DC a Marvel contender with the Injustice games.

King of Fighters and Guilty Gear came back in from the cold, Super Smash Bros Ultimate lived up to its name, and the indie scene saw a slew of underrated fighters like Them’s Fightin’ Herds and Punch Planet. 2023 promises to continue this upward trend with more promising titles.

Updated on November 18, 2023, by David Heath: With the year almost over and done with, there aren't too many fighting games left to look forward to. The rest will be ringing in 2024, which has a lot to live up to as 2023 was one of the strongest years for the fighting games in a long time. Both the AAA and indie scenes were full of highlights, some of which have taken the genre in interesting new directions. However, hindsight is 20/20 compared to foresight. Due to one circumstance or another, some games planned for 2023 got delayed to the following year or didn't offer much in the way of updates. So, this list has been updated to mark out the best fighting games that were released in 2023, and the top games that are still to come in 2024.

20 Orbitals

Metascore: N/A

• Platform Fighter with Gravity Mechanics.
• Demo available on Steam, full game due out in 2024.

Platform fighters currently don't have a lot of choice, not that they're likely starved for it thanks to the almighty Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Their next best chance would be to delve into the indie scene, where they'd find games like Orbitals. Made by Alleyway Games, and featuring a playable demo on Steam, players navigate through the stages by manipulating their own gravity. This way, they can avoid errant shots by sticking to the ceiling or switching to the sides to catch their opponents unaware.

There are multiple weapons for them to pick up and use, as well as monsters and other creatures lurking in each stage to attack anyone who gets too close. The demo features a tutorial, a multiplayer battle mode, and online play via Steam's Remote Play Together. The full game will feature a story mode, P2P online mode and matchmaking, and many more monsters, moves, and special abilities. But it will join the re-release of MultiVersus in 2024.

19 Blazing Worldstars

Metascore: N/A

• Anthro-based one-on-one fighter.
• Demo available. Full game release date to be determined (TBD).

With the last few flashy 2D franchises like King of Fighters and Guilty Gear having gone 3D a long, long time ago, there are still some people out there who miss those smoothly animated sprites. People like Bloodrune Entertainment, who made the furry fight fest Blazing Worldstars. The game's full release is still yet to be announced, but Bloodrune has provided a range of playable demos of the game since 2022.

It uses Street Fighter's 6-button layout and parries but has KOF-like rush combos where players have to be quick to keep their chains going. On top of that, it has the Enhance System, where each character gets their own unique buff a la Street Fighter 5's V-Triggers. Some could get super armor for tanking hits, or gain whole new move sets to get the advantage over their opponents. It's an intriguing indie game that players should keep an eye on.

18 Trajes Fatais: Suits Of Fate

Metascore: N/A

• 2D one-on-one fighter inspired by King of Fighters and Guilty Gear.
• Demo available. Full game release date TBD.

Another team inspired by SNK's premier fighting game franchise is Onanim Studio who, with Valente Studio, created Trajes Fatais: Suits of Fate. Like Blazing Worldstars, its full release has yet to be determined beyond a "coming soon" notice. But it also has a demo available for people to see how it plays. So far, it has a curious story where its characters are imprisoned by an entity and have to break free using powers based on their dreams and desires.

Like KOF, the game uses a 4-button layout: 2 normal attacks and 2 power attacks. Then it sprinkles a little Guilty Gear into the mix as its super meter, or Gana Meter, can be used to cancel moves like GG's Roman Cancels. Players low on life get advantages like lower super move costs, and they can use their Gana Meter as a second life bar if they're at death's door. If the smooth, 90s-esque graphics don't pull the curious in, the gameplay will.

17 Final Fury

Metascore: N/A

• First-person VR platform fighter.
• 2023 release pushed back to 2024.

Kluge Interactive previously brought VR players a new, fun way to dance in Synth Riders. Now they aim to do the same for fighting games with Final Fury. Various studios have tried to take fighters into a first-person, motion-control direction over the decades, be it the Virtual Boy's Teleroboxer managing the first, and the notorious Fighters Uncaged aiming for the latter on the 360 Kinect.

Final Fury plans on being more expansive, with free-roaming 3D stages to race around on for an advantage while throwing punches and gesture-based special attacks. It'll have more familiar elements controlling things, like life bars and a super meter, but the way characters pull off combos is bound to be different from the norm. It was planned for a 2023 release on all major VR platforms, but due to delays, it's since been pushed to 2024.

16 Project L

Metascore: N/A

• 2-on-2 Tag fighter based on League of Legends.
• Full game estimated for release in 2025.

As 2023 draws to a close, Project L has yet to reveal its retail name, or that much detail since its EVO 2023 demo. Developed by Riot Games Inc., it's their hand-to-hand spin-off from League of Legends. It was estimated for a full release in 2024, but it's now more likely to reach players around Spring 2025, provided everything runs smoothly. As people wait for more details, this is what's currently known about the project.

It’s a tag-based game where the two "champions" can pull off the usual shenanigans: tagging in & out, assist attacks, and the "Dynamic Save" where the Assist character breaks an opponent’s combo. It also combines LoL’s gameplay with fighting game meter mechanics as they pull off different Abilities. Confirmed characters thus far include Ahri, Darius, Katarina, and LoL's unofficial mascot Jinx.

15 Varvarion

Metascore: N/A

• 3D weapons-based arena fighter.
• 2023 Release pushed back. New release date TBD.

While fisticuffs are fine, some people prefer their fighters to be armed. There’s something expressive and dynamic about a good weapons fighter, even if they're thin on the ground beyond Samurai Shodown and Soulcalibur. Polygonomicon’s Varvarion aims to bolster the subgenre's ranks by combining 3D sword-fighting action with anime-esque stunts and visuals.

Players roam around the stage, fighting grunts and other foes as well as each other as they get to grips with their weapons. It’s not enough to just hack and slash away, as they will have to learn to evade, block, and riposte to get the advantage. The game's latest trailer from August 2023 even revealed players could get help from at least 2 AI companions. However, it still has yet to get a set release date.

14 Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Metascore: N/A

• 3D sequel to classic 2D one-on-one fighter.
• Name and initial roster revealed at EVO 2023. Due out in 2024.

The original Garou: Mark of the Wolves didn’t get the recognition it deserved. The game played well and was beautifully animated. It rivaled Street Fighter 3: Third Strike despite running on much older hardware. While a sequel was in the works in the early 2000s, it was canceled, and the story of Rock Howard was left on an open cliffhanger. So, fighting game fans were over the moon when SNK announced it would finally get a sequel with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

Revealed officially at EVO 2023, it was confirmed that Rock Howard and Terry Bogard would return. Terry's brother Andy, and old fighting partner Joe Higashi will also be back in some capacity as per their concept art. Many more more popular characters from Garou and the Fatal Fury games were also hinted at via audio cues in the trailer, like B.Jenet, Gato, and the buoyant kunoichi Mai Shiranui. It'll be one of the more interesting games to look out for in 2024.

13 Die By The Blade

Metascore: N/A

• Cyberpunk-themed weapons fighter with realistic, bloody gameplay.
• Demo Available. Full game release date TBD.

Another issue with weapons-based fighting games is that lethal-looking attacks aren't always so lethal. Characters in Soulcalibur chop, stab, and impale each other multiple times and are only inconvenienced rather than brutally maimed. Grindstone’s Die By the Blade fixes that by following cult classic PS1 fighter Bushido Blade's lead, where all it takes to win (or lose) is the right hit in the right spot.

One sword swipe to the opponent's neck or point to the gut can end the match, while slices elsewhere can limit their attacks or keep them from moving. It’s a serious, more realistic take on weapons combat within a neat, samurai-punk setting. The game was initially set for release in 2021, and then it was pushed back to 2023. With a month and a half left in the year as of this writing, the game is likely to be another 2024 release.

12 Tekken 8

Metascore: N/A

• The next installment in the classic 3D fighting game franchise.
• Initial 2023 release date pushed back to January 2024.

Initially planned for a 2023 release, Tekken 8 will now ring in the new year at the end of January 2024. It has a bundle of new mechanics to separate it from its mighty predecessor Tekken 7. Most notably, its "Heat" mechanics favor aggressive play by boosting the player's strength, attack chains, and speed. They can smash them into danger zones for extra damage, or lock them into super combo-esque Heat Smashes and the returning Rage Arts.

Players can now take chip damage by default, but they can't die to it like in 2D fighters thankfully. It also offers one of the largest default rosters for a fighting game, featuring 32 characters, including perplexing newbies like Victor Chevalier and Reina Mishima. Plus, in a step up from T7, it'll have better single-player options like the Quests Mode and its story mode 'The Dark Awakens'. To say it'll be a big release is an understatement.

11 God Of Rock

Metascore: 62

• Music-themed fighter that mixes rhythm action with fisticuffs.
• Available since April 17th, 2023.

Fighting games and rhythm games have a few things in common, from their tight timing requirements to their love of combos and chain hits. Still, there hasn't been an attempt to bring the two together since Slap Happy Rhythm Busters on the PS1. At least until now with Maximum Games’ God of Rock. It pits the world’s greatest musicians against each other by making them hit their beats on time while hitting each other.

There are 40+ tracks for players to get to grips with, and 12 characters with their own unique harmonic and pugilistic styles. It popped up on April 17th, 2023, and showed a lot of potential in its genre blending. However, it needed some updates to stabilize it on PC and can be hard to play on smaller displays. Even after that, it got more plaudits for its ambition than its execution. Still, it earned itself a Best Fighting Game nomination at the 2023 Game Awards.

10 Pocket Bravery

Metacritic User Score: 8.0/10

• Chibi fighting game inspired by SNK's Neo Geo Pocket fighting games like SNK Vs Capcom: Match of the Millennium.
• Available since August 31st, 2023.

Created by Statera Studio, Pocket Bravery came out of nowhere and impressed players and critics alike enough to get nominated for the 2023 Game Awards. That's high praise enough for an indie game in a year packed with top contenders. Like Trajes Fatais, the game was inspired by SNK's library. But instead of their Neo Geo efforts, the game modeled itself on their Neo Geo Pocket games, hence the name.

Still, don't be fooled by the cute SD-looking characters. The game is just as technical as those classic 2D games, with an elemental 'Ichor' system that players have to get to grips with to get the advantage. It does offer beginner-friendly Accessible controls as well as the more traditional Default options. But it's otherwise aimed at experienced fighting game fans, with tricky trials and rollback netcode for online matches.

9 Idol Showdown

GameFAQs Score: 4/5

• One-on-one fighter based on Hololive VTubers.
• Available since May 5th, 2023.

Fighting games can be strange sometimes. Them's Fightin' Herds was a My Little Pony fangame that became its own original property, yet had more robust options for fighting game fans than many big releases. So, even the most unusual releases can offer a great time. Idol Showdown only emphasizes that by being a fighting game "made by Hololive fans, for Hololive fans" via Besto Games.

Available on Steam for free, players pick their favorite Hololive VTuber and fight each other with moves inspired by their best songs and performances. It features a wide range of stages from the Hololive universe, and has quick and snappy gameplay aided by its rollback netcode. Contrasting with Pocket Bravery, the game has more beginner-friendly controls for casual fans and veterans to have fun with. For a fan game, it's a very solid package.

8 Fraymakers

Metascore: N/A

• Platform fighter based on Indie Game Mascots.
• Available in Early Access since January 19th, 2023.

Platform fighters have formed their own niche since Super Smash Bros became a big hit with fans. Nintendo’s brawler was the only game in town for a while. Nowadays, there's a little more choice with the upcoming re-release of MultiVersus and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 bringing more mascots into the melee. Fraymakers does the same, but with indie video game characters like Octodad, Welltaro from Downwell, and Commander Video from Bit.Trip Runner.

The game will even include Assist characters that dig very deep, bringing in characters from Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, I Wanna Be the Guy, and VVVVVV, among others. It's the classic Smash experience with a fresh set of cult game favorites. The full game is set for 2025, but it's been available to play via Early Access since January 19th, 2023. While it's only a taste of the final release, it's a good option for those who want to see how it develops.

7 Your Only Move is HUSTLE

Metacritic User Score: 8.8/10

• Turn-based fighting game based on reading the opponent's moves.
• Available since February 3rd, 2023.

One of the skills players can develop while playing fighting games is "yomi", the ability to read the opponent's moves and predict what they're going to do before they do them. It's not necessarily unique to fighting games, as board games like chess favor thinking ahead to press the opponent into performing certain moves. But fighting games do require their players to do it faster if not on reflex.

Your Only Move is HUSTLE (YOMIH) by Ivy Sly is all about this technique. Instead of memorizing combos and skills, players can do it all first-try. But they have to take turns doing so, chaining a wide range of skills together to form a hard-hitting combo. That is, if they read their opponent accurately, or they'll leave themselves open for punishment. Aside from testing their reading skills, it's also a handy tool for creating impressive, custom fight scenes like a less-gory, interactive callback to the old StickDeath animations on Newgrounds.

6 Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Metascore: N/A

• Expanded sequel to one-on-one fighting game spinoff of smartphone RPG series.
• Due out on December 14th, 2023.

If anyone missed ArcSystem Works' fighting take on Cygames' RPG franchise the first time around with 2020's Granblue Fantasy Versus, its sequel Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is set to come out on December 14th, 2023, likely making it the last big release of the year. Everyone from the original game returns, alongside new characters Anila and Siegfried, alongside others who were meant for inclusion in the first game.

They won the GBVS Cygames Cup Special poll, guaranteeing them a spot in GFV. But they were shifted to the forefront of its sequel instead. Which might be for the best as it aims to be a more complete release. The game will have rollback netcode and crossplay, alongside autocombo-esque Triple Attacks, and new Dash Attacks akin to those seen in Under Night In-Birth and French Bread's other top fighters.

5 King Of Fighters 13: Global Match

Metascore: 79

• Re-release of KOF's last and best 2D 3-on-3 team fighter.
• Available since November 16th, 2023.

How can a 13-year-old game be considered new? The game has aged phenomenally well thanks to its crazily-detailed and animated graphics. Sadly, its creative direction was sadly unsustainable. Its production took too long, and the returns on investment at the time were too meager, especially with lackluster releases like KOF 12. Hence, KOF's 14 and 15, while not as pretty, were quicker to make and brought the series and SNK back to life.

Even so, it's a great game that will get a new lease on life as King of Fighters 13: Global Match. This new port aims to be a much smoother experience than back on the original ports thanks to its new rollback netcode. The game turned up on PS4 and Nintendo Switch storefronts on November 16th, 2023 after fans got a quick beta test back in June. It's a nice blast from the past for players to finish the year off in style with.

4 Guilty Gear Strive Season 3

Metascore: 87

• New season of DLC, gameplay changes, and stages to the latest entry in the Guilty Gear series.
• Began on August 24th, 2023.

Months later, and Dragon Ball FighterZ fans are still waiting for their rollback netcode update and PS5/Xbox Series X/S release. At least Guilty Gear Strive's second DLC got completed, reintroducing Guilty Gear XX’s Bridget and Xrd's Sin Kiske alongside Bedman? and Asuka R#, the fabled "That Man" or "Gearmaker" that's been spoken of since Guilty Gear X. Kind of. It's a little more convoluted than that.

But a more immediate question is who'll make it in for Season 3? So far, the Jellyfish Pirates captain Johnny has returned to slash his opponents. But there's one more character planned to come out before 2023 is done. Then 2024 will see two more rounds of the season. If ArcSystem Works is going by their popularity poll, A.B.A, Slayer, and Elphelt are the odds-on favorites. Though there's always the chance they'll introduce a new, crazy character to shake things up.

3 King Of Fighters 15 Season 2

Metascore: 79

• Finale to the latest season of SNK's latest fighting game.
• Ended November 14th, 2023.

While fans will have to wait for Garou 2, they'll be kept busy by the completion of King of Fighters 15's second season of DLC. Its mix of new characters, balance updates, and crossplay across all the game's platforms began in January with Shingo Yabuki, the Dan to Kyo Kusanagi’s Ryu, followed by Tae Kwon Do and justice enthusiast Kim Kaphwan in April.

Unlike Season 1, they were single entries rather than part of a team. Sylvie Paula Paula returned from KOF 14, as did the Arabian vigilante Najd. KOF '96 boss Goenitz turned up as a special free update and boss character like Omega Rugal. Then, to conclude 2023, Ash Crimson's Chinese ninja friend Duo Lon appeared in September, followed by sumo schoolgirl Hinako in November. All in all, they've made for an eclectic season of selections.

2 Mortal Kombat 1

Metascore: 83

• Bloody reboot of Netherrealm Studios' iconic fighting game universe.
• Available since September 19th, 2023.

Fans would've thought Netherrealm Studios' next game would be Injustice 3, or even something outside the fighting game genre. Instead, their plans for a new Mortal Kombat game got leaked during a Warner Bros earnings call. After that, Netherrealm released a trailer of a clock ticking past 11, only to zoom suddenly to 1 o'clock. It revealed that Mortal Kombat 12 would actually be Mortal Kombat 1, a reboot set in the new universe created by Liu Kang.

It sees the fire god bring Kung Lao, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Sub-Zero, Smoke, and Scorpion to his side against a threat hiding in Outworld. Since its September release, it's seen a less-than-stellar Switch port, its first DLC character in Invincible's Omni-Man, and some crazy character/Kameo set-ups. While it could be more refined, fans are much happier with its gameplay than they were with MK11, which is a good start.

1 Street Fighter 6

Metascore: 92

• The long-awaited comeback of the world's most iconic fighting game series.
• Available since June 2nd, 2023.

Street Fighter 5 left such a bad impression that many people weren't willing to give it a second chance. So, Capcom made sure Street Fighter 6 would make a better impact. Optional simplified controls and a Party Mode for casual fans, and the intricate, traditional setup and online modes for long-term fans, all wrapped in a vibrant new art style and soundtrack. Classic characters like Chun Li and Guile returned alongside new favorites, like the kung fu master Jamie, and the Greco-Roman powerhouse Marisa.

Even with newer games like MK1 around, the game is arguably still 2023's best fighter. Its beginner-friendly approach and World Tour mode just offer much more than the old Netherrealm-style story modes. Players can customize their characters and move sets as they explore the open world, where they've met the first DLC characters in SF5's Rashid and Fang's poisonous protégé A.K.I. Fans just have Ed due in Jan/Feb 2024, then Akuma in Spring 2024. But who will come after them? Only Capcom knows, and they're likely to keep schtum until the new year.

More: Best Street Fighter Games, Ranked