Top 20 Best Retro Fighting Games

Street Fighter II Turbo is considered the most balanced and refined version of the game that defined the entire fighting genre. Electronic Gaming Monthly named it the best arcade game of all time in 1997, and Complex ranked the SNES version sixth on their list of The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time, calling it the best fighting game on the console. Famitsu gave the SNES version a score of 36 out of 40, making it their highest-rated game of 1993. The game's precision controls, balanced roster, and legendary special moves system established the template that fighting games still follow today.

Tekken 3 is widely regarded as one of the best fighting games of all time and one of the best PlayStation games ever made. It sold over 8 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling PS1 games. The game features buttery smooth combat, gorgeous visuals, and introduced iconic characters like Jin Kazama, Hwoarang, and Ling Xiaoyu. Over 2,000 gamers on Ranker voted it the #1 PlayStation fighting game. The game refined 3D movement, introduced sidestepping, and had one of the best character rosters in fighting game history. Additional modes like Tekken Ball and Tekken Force provided endless replayability.

SoulCalibur was the launch title that defined the Dreamcast and remains one of the most critically acclaimed fighting games ever made. Over 800 gamers voted it the #1 Dreamcast fighting game on Ranker. The game featured revolutionary graphics with amazing lighting and highly detailed backgrounds, combined with truly 3D fighting mechanics that were unprecedented at the time. Its fluid animation and clean, next-gen visuals blew collective minds and became a true system-seller. The weapon-based combat added strategic depth that set it apart from other fighters.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 features an immense roster of 56 characters from Capcom fighting games and Marvel franchises like X-Men and The Avengers. It's considered the best Marvel vs. Capcom ever made and still stands tall as one of the greatest fighting games ever created. The game is still played competitively today and was set to be one of the main games at EVO 2020. Its chaotic 3-on-3 tag battles, incredible combo potential, and memorable cast have cemented its legendary status in the fighting game community.

Often hailed as the most playable and in-depth fighting game ever made, Garou: Mark of the Wolves set itself apart from its Fatal Fury predecessors with a newer cast of characters and higher emphasis on speed and fluidity. The unique Tactical Offense Position (T.O.P.) system allows players to select a portion of their health bar for boosts and access to powerful attacks. The innovative Just Defend mechanic lets players recover health and avoid chip damage by perfectly timing blocks. Many consider it one of SNK's greatest achievements, with depth that could take months to master even one character.

Often referred to as the pinnacle of the KOF series, this Dream Match game brings together characters from previous entries without being tied to a specific storyline. Boasting an impressive roster of 38 fighters and fine-tuned gameplay mechanics, fans are treated to a faster, smoother experience. It remains one of the most balanced fighting games ever made and is still beloved in arcades worldwide, especially in Latin America and Asia. SNK's crown jewel for hardcore fighting game fans.

Third Strike features precision gameplay with impressively fluid animation rendered beautifully on the Dreamcast. It's now widely regarded as one of the best fighting games of all time. The revolutionary parry system allows players to parry an opponent's move by pressing towards them at the right moment - this mechanic would later be the center of the most famous moment in fighting game history: EVO Moment 37 (Daigo's full parry of Chun-Li's super). The game's technical depth and high skill ceiling make it a tournament favorite to this day.

Arcade Sushi ranked Super Street Fighter II Turbo as the best fighting game, adding that it is easily the most loved, and the most played game in the franchise. This version introduced Super Combos and the secret character Akuma, adding new layers of depth to the competitive scene. It served as the backbone for Street Fighter for generations and is still played in competitive tournaments today, cementing its place as one of the best arcade fighting games of all time.

SNK brought elegance and brutality together with this weapon-based fighter that focuses on timing and spacing. Built from the ground up with improvements over its predecessor, it's considered one of the greatest fighting games of all time. The beautifully drawn sprites and Japanese cultural themes set it apart from other fighters. Its unique approach to combat - where single strikes can be devastating - created a tense, strategic experience unlike anything else in the genre.

Tekken: Dark Resurrection isn't just the best fighting game on the PSP, it's the definitive way to experience Tekken 5 - widely regarded as one of the best fighting games of all time. It introduced robust single-player modes like Gold Rush, brought back Tekken Bowl, and featured fan-favorite characters like Lili and Dragunov making their debut. The portable version delivers a console-quality experience that proved the PSP could handle serious fighting games.

Mortal Kombat II perfected the original's formula, introducing more brutal Fatalities, deeper character movesets, and refined gameplay. It expanded the lore to include Outworld and its emperor, Shao Kahn. Fan favorites like Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao, and Baraka debuted in this game. The controversy surrounding its violence helped establish the ESRB rating system, making it one of the most historically significant games in the medium.

Though audiovisual compromises were inevitable in the conversion from arcade to console, Killer Instinct's ridiculously over-the-top, combo-heavy gameplay remained largely untouched. Its roster of characters was bizarre and incredibly varied, and the game's speed along with those legendary combos was a massive selling point. The C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER mechanic added a unique defensive element that differentiated it from other fighters of the era.

Building upon its predecessor, The Last Blade 2 refines gameplay mechanics and expands the roster with four new characters. Players can choose between Speed and Power modes, and the Super Cancel mechanic provides opportunities for devastating follow-ups. The EX mode combines the best of both abilities. Set in the twilight years of Japan's samurai era, it features some of the most beautiful 2D sprites ever created. SNK's legendary title had a super limited release on original Neo Geo hardware, making it highly sought after.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 is consistently ranked among the top PlayStation fighting games, with over 2,000 Ranker voters placing it second only to Tekken 3. The game introduced the ISM system allowing players to choose between different fighting styles (A-ism, X-ism, V-ism), adding unprecedented depth. The PSP version, Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, is considered perhaps the purest distillation of old-school Street Fighter gaming out there, bringing together all characters and balancing tweaks from various releases.

Taking the series' trademark gore and fast pace to new heights, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 offered an intricate fighting experience. With an impressive roster of 22 kombatants, including the iconic Scorpion and Sub-Zero, new gameplay elements such as the introduction of a run button and Brutality finishing moves contributed to its more aggressive tone. The game perfected the MK formula before the series transitioned to 3D.

SNK's Fatal Fury franchise has become such a Nintendo staple that Terry has even found his way into Super Smash Bros. Fatal Fury Special is an updated and improved edition of Fatal Fury 2, featuring a new combo system, speedier gameplay, and a far larger roster including access to all bosses from FF2. The Game Gear version is considered the best fighting game on that platform, while the SNES port brought quality arcade action home. The plane-switching mechanic added unique strategic depth.

Dead or Alive 2 was packed with game modes, featuring a complex fighting system, large interactive arenas, and varied combatants including Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa. The counter system added a rock-paper-scissors element that rewarded defensive play and reads. It was one of the best fighters at the time and showcased the Dreamcast's graphical capabilities. The multi-tiered stages with environmental hazards were revolutionary for the era.

Over 700 gamers voted on Ranker's Best Nintendo DS Fighting Games, with Jump Ultimate Stars taking the #1 spot. Described as the closest thing to Super Smash Bros. on the DS, it features an enormous roster of characters from Weekly Shonen Jump manga including Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, and many more. The unique deck-building system for character selection and support adds strategic depth. Many fans consider it simply the best DS fighter.

This game positioned itself as the standard that subsequent fighting games on the GBA must meet or beat. It compromises nothing in delivering the arcade King of Fighters experience to a handheld. The game features smooth animations, responsive controls, and maintains the strategic team-based combat the series is known for. It proved that portable devices could deliver legitimate fighting game experiences.

Over 500 gamers voted Punch-Out!! as the #1 NES fighting game on Ranker. While technically a boxing game, its pattern-recognition combat and memorable cast of opponents (Glass Joe, King Hippo, Mr. Sandman) created a fighting experience that influenced countless games to come. The game requires precision timing and strategy to climb through the ranks to face Mike Tyson (or Mr. Dream). Its accessibility combined with deep challenge made it a classic that still holds up today.