The fighting game genre is probably one of the oldest gaming genres dating back to 1987 when a game called Heavyweight Champ used to be played on an arcade machine. Nowadays though, people don’t have to go to an arcade machine to play a fighting game, as developers have been doing a great job in creating breathtaking fighting games for modern platforms like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and PC.
Knowing that, let’s go over the top 5 fighting games in 2023 that you can try out if you own any modern console or PC.
Tekken 8
Tekken 8 is an upcoming fighting game to be released by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Tekken is a fighting game franchise that dates back to 1994 when Tekken 1 was born, and after that, the developers at Bandai Namco kept creating newer versions of the game till we got to Tekken 8.
In the above video, you can see the first reveal trailer that we got during the Sony State of Playback in 2022, and we have been getting reveals of Tekken 8 characters every now and then for the different characters in the roster.
If you are a fighting game fan, then trying out Tekken 8 is a must as the story is super engaging and interesting, the gameplay is just next level with super high-quality effects and the overall playstyle of Tekken is just beautiful.
Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat is a fighting game coming to the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, PC, and Nintendo Switch on September 19, 2023, and the game is getting its first gameplay reveal during the Summer Game Fest event that will be hosted on June 8.
Mortal Kombat 1 is one of the top fighting games due to the fact that it is one of the most iconic ones in the market. In fact, Mortal Kombat 1 (the old version), was released all the way back in 1992 and the game has seen so many iterations since then.
Spoiler Warning: Mortal Kombat 1 is going to be a reboot for the game and this was made in a genius way in Mortal Kombat 11, Raiden gave his godhood to Liu Kang, and then he was able to defeat Kronika, the time bender and then revert the time to the past and start a New Era.
Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 5’s release was so negative that many individuals were reluctant to give it a second chance. However, Capcom has taken great care to ensure that Street Fighter 6 will make a significantly better impression. The upcoming installment will feature optional simplified controls and a Party Mode designed for casual fans while retaining the intricate and traditional setup along with online modes cherished by long-term enthusiasts. All of this will be presented in a vibrant new art style accompanied by an engaging soundtrack.
Beloved characters such as Chun Li and Guile will make a return, alongside new characters that have captured the hearts of fans. Among them are Jamie, a skilled kung fu master, Kimberly, an artistic ninja, and Marisa, a formidable Greco-Roman powerhouse.
King of Fighters 13
The King of Fighters XIII has aged remarkably well due to its highly detailed and animated graphics, although its development process faced challenges. Despite its prolonged long time and limited financial success, particularly following the underwhelming release of KOF 12, the game’s visual direction remained impressive. Conversely, the subsequent entries in the series, KOF 14 and KOF 15, were developed more efficiently but featured less visually appealing graphics. These newer installments played a vital role in revitalizing both the series and SNK as a whole.
Nonetheless, KOF 13 remains a fantastic game that will receive renewed attention with its upcoming release of the Global Match edition. This updated port will introduce a rollback netcode to enhance the online gameplay experience, promising smoother matches compared to the original releases.
God of Rock
God of Rock introduces a unique fusion of fighting and rhythm gameplay, where the world’s greatest musicians engage in battles by accurately hitting their beats while also engaging in combat. With over 40 tracks to master and 12 characters, each possessing their own distinctive harmonic and pugilistic styles, the game offers a fresh and enjoyable approach to both genres. It presents an exciting opportunity for players to explore this innovative combination of gameplay mechanics, promising a fun and refreshing experience.