Guides & Editorial

The best fighting games on PS4 and PS5

Whether you’re searching for casual multiplayer clashes, or training up to be an EVO-worthy contender, there’s a huge range of PS4 and PS5 fighting games that will sate your inner warrior.

What is a a fighting game?

Tracing their legacy all the way back to the arcade cabinets of the 1980s, fighting games are one of gaming's foundational genres. From the early days of Karate Champ (1984) and Mat Mania (1985) to the latest iteration of modern titans like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, the basic setup has remained the same.

Focusing on a roster of unique competitors, players are tasked with competing in a series of one-on-one matches, aiming to reduce the opponent's hit points to zero before the time runs out. Typically played side-on, focusing on a 2D arena of combat, play involves trading direct blows with your opponent, with an emphasis on positioning, combos, blocks and special attacks. 

Over the decades, the complexity of fighting games has massively increased, with the genre developing into a gaming subculture complete with complex jargon, in-person competitions and high-profile championship players. 

Popular fighting games

Long-running legends

Get acquainted with the true titans of the genre who've been a mainstay of the fighting game scene for decades.

Street Fighter 6

Available on both PS4 and PS5, Street Fighter 6 is the latest evolution of the long-running series, featuring innovative new gameplay features and enhanced visuals for every aspect of the game. Powered by Capcom's proprietary RE ENGINE, action is spread across three distinct game modes: Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub.

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SoulCalibur VI

The soul still burns - and it burns brighter and stronger than ever. The series’ trademark weapon-based combat returns to its roots while innovating with stunning new Critical Edge attacks that can instantly turn the tide of battle.

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Tekken 7

After 20 years of familiar warfare, the Mishima feud finally reaches its explosive conclusion. Series favorites clash with all-new fighters to settle old scores and wrestle for control of a global empire.

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Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

This is the definitive edition of Mortal Kombat 11. Experience two cinematic story campaigns, unleash iconic Fatalities and master 37 diverse fighters with a range of combat styles and weapons, from series stalwarts like Raiden to cinematic icons such as RoboCop.

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Anime-style fighting games

Stylish smackdowns

Japan's passion for arcade competition, hand-drawn animation and larger-than-life characters come together.

DNF Duel

One of the most popular and widely-played RPGs in the world, Dungeon and Fighter returns as an action fighting game for PS4 and PS5. Choose from 16 charming characters, each with their distinct skills and personalities. Outsmart, outplay, or downright beat up your opponents and become the master of the Ultimate Will!

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My Hero One's Justice 2

Inspired by the enormously popular Shonen anime series My Hero Academia, My Hero One's Justice 2 is an over-the-top sequel to its forerunner. Take control of the series' most iconic heroes and villains and duke it out in massive arena fights that push each character's unique abilities to the limit. 

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Guilty Gear -Strive-

This fresh new chapter in the long-running series elevates fighting game visuals with incredible 3D anime-inspired character design, animation and dynamic camera effects. An overhauled combat system makes for the most accessible installment yet, featuring a 15-character base roster each with unique weapons, designs and fighting styles.

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Dragon Ball FighterZ

Arc System Works brings its fighting game expertise and visual flair to one of the most popular anime series of all time. Frenetic three-on-three dream battles between the universe’s mightiest warriors unfold in spectacular detail, featuring a full offline story mode, local multiplayer for up to two players and two online battle modes. 

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What to know more?

Fighting games FAQs

While the fighting game scene has its major players (such as Street Fighter and Tekken), there's no singular titan that dwarfs all others in terms of player base and popularity. Most enthusiasts enjoy a variety of games and will move between them as new events or content appear.

It's hard to say. Fighting games tend to be highly scalable. Complete novices can have a great time trading punches in local multiplayer, but the skill ceiling for online matches can be sky-high. Best to pick a game that really appeals to you and spend time getting to know the characters offline with friends, or in arcade mode.

There are! Brawlhalla, featured below is free to play, though it's more of a brawler than a traditional fighter. Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters, however, the latest installment in the long-running fighter series, features multiple game modes and characters, as well as local and online multiplayer and is free to play.

Truly impossible to say, but there are plenty of contenders: Street Fighter's Ryu and Chung Li are both hugely iconic characters; Mortal Kombat's Lui Kang, Sonya Blade and Sub-Zero are also titans of the scene; meanwhile, Tekken's Kazuya and Heihachi Mishimi have been been the series' focal characters for almost three decades.

Brawler-style fighting games

Wild-card warriors

Outside the core fighting genre, there are other games that share the same DNA but with a slightly different take. 

Crash Team Rumble

Heroes and villains from the Crash universe clash in this wild, multiplayer-focused, 4v4 online brawler game from the team that brought you Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time. Select your character from a cast of Crash favorites, then enter the arena, where you and your teammates will compete against four rivals to bank the most Wumpa fruit in your drop-off zone.

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Them's Fightin' Herds

Available on PS4 and PS5, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a 2D fighting game featuring a cast of adorable animals designed by acclaimed cartoon producer Lauren Faust. Beneath the cute and cuddly surface, a serious fighter awaits, featuring offline story and arcade modes, local and online multiplayer, complete with console and PC crossplay, and rollback netcode.

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WWE 2K23

Take in the ultimate WWE experience with expanded features, gorgeous graphics, and legends like Roman Reigns, "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and more. WWE 2K23 is the latest entry in the long-running wrestling franchise, featuring two paths in the MyRise offline career mode, multiplayer for up to four players locally and eight players online. 

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Brawlhalla

Up to eight players can brawl in this free-to-play platform fighter where history’s greatest warriors scrap for supremacy. A vast cast of original characters is frequently bolstered by famous faces from gaming and popular culture, such as John Cena and Lara Croft. Crossplay is supported across a wide range of platforms, with low-latency competitive play made possible by server-based rollback netcode.

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Retro fighting games

Old-school showdowns

Classic titles that helped to shape the fighting game genre make the leap to the modern age with masses of new features.

Capcom Fighting Collection

Revisit ten classic arcade titles from the golden era of fighting games from series such as Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Cyberbots, and the first home console port of Red Earth. Take on opponents around the world in online play (including rollback netcode), now supported by all included titles. This is the perfect collection for both arcade veterans and those who are new to the genre.

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The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match

The second ‘UM’ entry in the legendary franchise brings together 66 characters from every version of the game - the largest roster in KOF history. This update improves and rebalances every aspect of combat, and introduces robust online play (featuring Rollback Netcode).

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Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

11 years after it first hit arcades, Virtua Fighter 5 returns in its ultimate form. While the timeless and technical fighting mechanics remain unchanged, the Yakuza series Dragon Engine gives the action an impressive graphical makeover.

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Samurai Shodown

The much-loved arcade blade battler gets the reboot it deserves. Series favorites like Haohmaru and Nakoruru receive faithful, vivid 3D makeovers, while battles remain as tense and tactical as they ever were.

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