Top 10 Best Fighting Game Franchises

WatchMojo

From arcade classics to modern competitive staples, these are the most influential and beloved fighting game series of all time! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're exploring franchises that have shaped the fighting genre into what it is today.

Transcript

00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're diving into the Top 10 Fighting Game Franchises.

00:12Get ready to knuckle up and throw some punches.

00:19Number 10.

00:20BlazBlue

00:21Born from the minds behind Guilty Gear, BlazBlue brought a stylish anime aesthetic, deep lore,

00:30and ridiculously technical mechanics to the 2D fighter scene in 2008.

00:35While it doesn't quite have the mainstream pull of its rivals,

00:38it's beloved by the fighting game community for its insanely complex systems like the drive mechanic,

00:43which gives each character unique properties.

00:53The story mode is basically a visual novel meets multiverse fanfic with time travel,

00:58clones, and philosophical debates about fate.

01:01It's weird, it's beautiful, and it slaps harder than a tagger backhand.

01:05Plus, Arc System Works made sure each sequel expanded the roster and refined the combat,

01:10making BlazBlue a must-play for fighting game purists who like their fights fast

01:15and their combos 50 hits deep.

01:25Number 9.

01:26Soul Calibur

01:31If swords and spinning kicks are your thing,

01:33Soul Calibur delivers like a pizza with perfect footwork.

01:36Debuting in arcades as Soul Edge in 1995,

01:39it carved out a space by focusing on weapon-based combat,

01:42something its peers mostly ignored.

01:45With 8-way run movement,

01:46flashy counters,

01:47and a guard impact system that feels like mental chess,

01:50it's definitely more than just button mashing.

01:57Each installment raised the bar, especially Soul Calibur 2,

02:00which had console-exclusive characters like Link, Heihachi, and Spawn.

02:04Random?

02:05Yes.

02:06Iconic?

02:07Absolutely.

02:08The series peaked in popularity during the early 2000s,

02:11but still commands respect for its visuals, music,

02:14and mechanically rich fights.

02:16And let's be real,

02:17if you never spent 30 minutes customizing a character just to recreate Shrek,

02:21were you even playing Soul Calibur?

02:23Number 8- The King of Fighters

02:30SNK's The King of Fighters is basically the Avengers of 2D fighters,

02:40except with more punching and fewer quips.

02:42Debuting in 1994,

02:44it combined characters from SNK's previous titles into a massive crossover tournament.

02:49Its signature three-on-three team system changed the genre by making matchups more strategic

02:54and match lengths more intense.

02:56While the franchise hasn't always had the spotlight in the West,

03:02it's a powerhouse in Latin America and Asia,

03:05especially in competitive scenes like Mexico and China.

03:08With fluid animation, a massive roster,

03:11and some of the most brutal boss fights in gaming,

03:13The King of Fighters has erred its stripes.

03:20Number 7- Marvel vs. Capcom

03:27Two words- Hype incarnate.

03:29Marvel vs. Capcom brought comic book energy and arcade chaos to fighting games

03:33with wild crossover matchups and tag-team mayhem.

03:37From X-Men vs. Street Fighter to the beloved Marvel vs. Capcom 2,

03:41the series let us do what every nerd dreamed of,

03:43make Spider-Man punch Ryu in the face.

03:46Its 3v3 format and over-the-top supers turned every match into a firework show,

03:55with combos that could last longer than a Netflix binge.

03:58Sure, Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite stumbled with its art direction in Missing Mutants,

04:03but the legacy of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 still reigns supreme in tournament halls.

04:08Plus, there's no greater rush than hearing

04:10Welcome to the world of Marvel vs. Capcom

04:13while Iron Man shoots lasers in your face.

04:22Number 6- Guilty Gear

04:28Anime fighters owe a lot to Guilty Gear,

04:31a franchise that combines rock and roll vibes,

04:33frame-perfect combat,

04:34and character names like Soul Bad Guy.

04:37It's aggressively stylish,

04:38thanks to the insane guitar riffs and unique art design.

04:41But, make no mistake, Guilty Gear is hardcore.

04:45This isn't a pick-up-and-play kind of fighter.

04:47It's fast, it's technical,

04:49and it'll make you question your reflexes.

04:51But when you land that realm and cancel into a 60% damage combo,

04:55chefs kiss.

04:56Guilty Gear Strive finally cracked the mainstream by refining its systems

05:04and bringing in slick visuals that blur the line between 2D and 3D.

05:08This one is definitely a full-blown adrenaline concert.

05:11You'll learn to love the chaos after losing 200 matches in a row.

05:15Number 5- Dragon Ball

05:27From pixelated punches on the NES to the cinematic clashes of Dragon Ball fighters,

05:32the Dragon Ball fighting games have powered up alongside their Saiyan protagonists.

05:36Starting with titles like Dragon Ball Z Super Butuden back in the early 90s,

05:41these games have let fans reenact and often rewrite their favorite anime battles.

05:52The Budokai and Budokai Tenkaichi series became fan favorites,

05:56offering expansive rosters and faithful recreations of iconic scenes.

06:00Then came Dragon Ball fighters in 2018,

06:03a game so stylish and fluid it felt like controlling an episode of the anime.

06:07With over 65 million units sold across the franchise,

06:11it's clear that players just can't get enough Kamehameha in their lives.

06:15Number 4- Tekken

06:29Enter the King of Iron Fist tournament,

06:31where family therapy involves uppercuts and laser beams.

06:34Tekken punched its way onto the scene in 1994,

06:37introducing 3D movement and a diverse cast with deep backstories,

06:41mostly about patricide.

06:45The series is renowned for its intricate combat system,

06:51where each limb is mapped to a button,

06:53allowing for precise and complex combos.

06:56With over 58 million copies sold,

06:58Tekken has solidified its place in fighting game history.

07:01And let's not forget the cutscenes that range from epic showdowns to,

07:05well, bears asking pandas out on dates.

07:08It's this blend of serious combat and quirky charm that keeps fans coming back for more.

07:15Number 3- Mortal Kombat

07:25Finish him!

07:26Two words that became synonymous with gaming in the 90s.

07:29Mortal Kombat burst into arcades in 1992,

07:32turning heads and ripping them off with its digitized graphics and infamous fatalities.

07:37Not only did this series court some serious controversy,

07:40it roundhouse kicked it into the mainstream,

07:42leading to the creation of the ESRB rating system.

07:45Beyond the gore,

07:51Mortal Kombat offered a rich lore of realms, gods, and ninjas color-coded like a bag of Skittles.

07:57With over 85 million units sold,

07:59it's clear that gamers have a deep, perhaps slightly concerning love for spine-ripping action.

08:04And with recent titles like Mortal Kombat 1 refining its gameplay and providing fun guest fighters,

08:10the franchise shows no signs of enduring a fatality.

08:13Number 2- Super Smash Bros.

08:23What happens when you throw a plumber, a space bounty hunter, and a pink puffball into an arena?

08:28Super Smash Bros.

08:29That's what.

08:30Debuting in 1999,

08:32this crossover brawler took beloved Nintendo characters and eventually guests from other franchises

08:37and made them duke it out in chaotic, item-filled arenas.

08:41Unlike traditional fighters,

08:42Super Smash Bros. emphasizes ring-outs over health bars,

08:45leading to frantic battles where the stage itself is often your biggest enemy.

08:55With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasting a roster of over 80 characters,

08:59it's like the gaming world's most ambitious family reunion.

09:02And with over 75 million copies sold,

09:05it's clear that players love to settle it in Smash.

09:14Before we continue,

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09:28Number 1.

09:31Street Fighter

09:37The granddaddy of them all,

09:38Street Fighter didn't just define the genre.

09:41It is the genre.

09:42Since 1987,

09:43it's been the gold standard for 2D fighters,

09:46introducing mechanics like combos and special moves that are now staples in the industry.

09:51Street Fighter 2 alone is credited with launching the 90s fighting game boom,

09:55filling arcades with quarter-slapping enthusiasts eager to prove their mettle.

10:04The series' iconic characters like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Guile's hair are gaming legends.

10:10With over 56 million units sold,

10:12Street Fighter remains a tournament staple and a beloved franchise that continues to evolve, ensuring that the fight is far from over.

10:18Were there any fighting games that you felt got punched out of the list?

10:25Be sure to let us know in the comments.

10:27Did you enjoy this video?

10:34Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,

10:37and be sure to subscribe and ring that bell to be notified about our latest videos.

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