Skip to main content

The best fighting games for PC

While everyone has their preferred platform for fighting games — usually whatever is most comfortable for their fingers — playing on PC is a particularly versatile experience. PCs have the broadest compatibility with control options, from mice and keyboards to Bluetooth controls to retro gamepads and joysticks. Also, depending on your internet setup, your PC may have the most reliable internet connection for playing online, too.

PCs have also been helped by the growing number of desktop-friendly releases. Where it was once hit-or-miss if a fighting game would show up on PC, it’s been quite reliable for the past several years, so there’s an excellent collection built up. Let’s take a look at the top contenders!

Further reading

Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat 11
84 %
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia, DUPLICATE Stadia
Genre Fighting
Developer NetherRealm Studios
Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Release April 22, 2019
Mortal Kombat 11 does so much right that it may be easier to list what it does wrong (the challenge mode is underwhelming). You have excellent, high-res graphics and fully-detailed environments that make every fight fun to watch, a surprisingly good story involving a messy multiverse clash, and an incredible roster of returning characters and guest characters to experiment with. Combat has found an excellent balance from previous MK games, allowing it to be both technical and easier to pick up. We especially like the ability to switch around several preset moves to different options, allowing you to customize a moveset for how you like to play.
Mortal Kombat 11 – Official Announce Trailer

Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
81 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One
Genre Fighting
Developer Iron Galaxy Studios, Double Helix Games
Publisher Microsoft Studios
Release November 22, 2013
The latest version of Killer Instinct was built with Xbox and PC gameplay in mind, so it’s more than ready for your PC — and frankly, we prefer it with PC’s broader control options, since the Xbox controller mapping feels a little odd. It’s both a beautiful game that retains its ability to build up huge combos with terrifying characters (yes, even the Battletoad) and an incredibly smooth online experience thanks to some stellar netcode. If you are looking for a new fighting experience and haven’t tried Killer Instinct before, make sure it’s on your list. The definitive edition with all available characters is a must-have.
Killer Instinct Season 3 Launch Trailer

The King of Fighters XV

The King of Fighters XV
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Fighting
Developer SNK Corporation
Publisher Koch Media, SNK Corporation
Release February 17, 2022
This edition combines many of the best parts of King of Fighters that came before, creating an excellent experience that any fighting fan should try at least once. The roster is packed, the 3v3 team-based fighting is tight, and the stages are wild. We also like the creative mode options, from spectator modes and Party Mode to visiting the DJ station to pick out your favorite songs from a large catalog. With ray tracing, it can also look incredible on a dedicated gaming PC.
KOF XV|TERRY BOGARD|Trailer #10【TEAM FATAL FURY】

SoulCalibur VI

SoulCalibur VI
82 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre Fighting
Developer Project Soul
Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release October 18, 2018
The sixth SoulCalibur was a revival of the series, both in terms of popularity and how it rebooted the entire Soul story, bringing back everyone’s favorite characters at the start of their journeys with a sprawling retelling. But it’s not just returning fans who will find a lot to love. SoulCalibur has always been about clashing increasingly crazy weapons in 3D environments with huge moveset options, and that’s true here, too. With so many weapons and styles available, it’s a blast for newbies just as much as a challenge for experienced players deep in the competitive mode. The game received multiple seasons that expanded the roster and added more storylines, so it’s well worth picking up the complete game.
SOULCALIBUR VI PSX Gameplay Trailer

Guilty Gear: Strive

Guilty Gear: Strive
92 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Arcade, PlayStation 5
Genre Fighting
Developer Arc System Works
Publisher Bandai Namco Studios, Arc System Works America, Arc System Works
Release June 11, 2021
If you’ve played or watched Dragon Ball FighterZ or other Arc System Works games, you already have an idea about their style. But Guilty Gear has always been a more unique — and in some ways, more meaningful — experience for fighting fans. This version acted as a minor reboot to the series, reinventing mechanics and adding in-demand features like area transitions. However, the innate 2D/3D combat looks far better than ever and continues to be one of the best things about this flashy, innovative game (paired with the pounding soundtrack, of course).
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Trailer#1 - ARCREVO America 2019

Tekken 7

Tekken 7
78 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Arcade
Genre Fighting
Developer Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release February 18, 2015
If you love stringing complex combos together, Tekken has always been a series that caters to those players. Tekken 7 elevates the combat to the best it’s ever been, combining the highly technical gameplay with new options like Rage Arts and Power Crushes. It also looks better than ever, with visuals that consistently making fighting an intense, vivid experience.
Tekken 7 - Announcement Trailer (Official)

Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6
RP
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Fighting, Arcade
Developer Capcom
Publisher Capcom
Release December 31, 2023
It’s not out quite yet (in fact, it’s currently set for 2023), but the countdown has begun, and fans already can’t wait. If you’ve loved Street Fighter before or are looking for a new fighting game to have fun with and a competitive pool that’s certain to be huge, make sure VI is on your calendar. The game has an incredible, updated visual style, complete with paint flourishes and X-ray modes, plus lots of updated mechanics including Drive moves. An extra-large roster has been promised, and the game is shaping up to be the title for other fighters to beat.
Street Fighter 6 - Announce Trailer

Divekick

Divekick
66 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre Fighting, Indie
Developer Iron Galaxy Studios, One True Game Studios
Publisher Iron Galaxy Studios
Release August 20, 2013
Divekick is an indie fighting game for people who hate fighting games and would rather make fun of them instead. It’s also surprisingly addictive, considering you only have two primary options — jumping or kicking. The game is laced with mocking references to other fighting franchises and delights in reminding you that your fighting skills don’t mean much when you walk away from your PC. That being said, it’s an excellent game to play with friends who’ve never picked up a fighter before (and similar social scenarios). Just keep in mind that it’s not really supposed to be competitive.
Divekick Gameplay Trailer

Editors' Recommendations

Tyler Lacoma
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
The best gaming PCs for 2023: Dell, Origin, Lenovo, and more
Lenovo Legion Tower 7i gaming PC sitting on a table.

You don't need to build your own computer to get the best gaming PC. While that still provides the best value, brands like Lenovo, Alienware, Acer, and Origin have gotten fiercely competitive in the past few years, and these companies are producing some of the best gaming desktops you can buy.

Our top pick is Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i Gen 8. It comes with the latest CPU and GPU options from Intel and Nvidia, and it's reasonably priced, especially considering its excellent thermal management. Plus, we have over half a dozen other picks for different budgets and gaming needs that we identified through our extensive collection of desktop reviews.

Read more
Best gaming laptop deals: Save on Alienware, Razer, HP and more
The Corsair Voyager a1600 gaming laptop set up with a monitor and other accessories on a desk.

Many of the best laptops are great for multi-purpose use, but if you’re looking to take on some of the best PC games, you’re going to want to get yourself a gaming laptop. The best gaming laptops offer hardware geared specifically for gameplay action, and many of them offer some savings. That’s certainly the case right now, as there are a lot of gaming laptop deals taking place. Many of the best laptop brands have gaming laptop deals taking place, and the likes of big time gaming brands like Alienware and Razer have models discounted right now as well.
HP Victus 16 — $600, was $900

With the HP Victus 16 you’re getting an incredible gaming laptop. As it’s built for this deal it has specs that are closer to entry-level gaming laptops, but that shouldn’t be any reason to stay away if you’re shopping on a budget. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, a 13-generation Intel processor, and 8GB of RAM. It also has a popular mobile graphics card in the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. The HP Victus 16 comes with Windows 11 preinstalled, and should have you gaming in no time once you get it out of the box.

Read more
The best Xbox Series X games for 2023
Key art for Starfield

After an uneven console cycle with the Xbox One, Microsoft's latest consoles are aimed at getting the ship back on course. The Xbox Series X is a next-generation powerhouse that rivals gaming PCs, while the Xbox Series S is an affordable stopgap for those who are curious about trying new games.

There's no shortage of games to play on either console thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which gives players immediate access to a library of titles old and new. That built-in catalog is an extra value on top of all the new games available on the system that take advantage of its impressive technical specs. When it comes to first-party exclusives, the Series X is still growing. Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 gave a good boost to the console's library following a somewhat sparse first year. More games are also on the way. Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition will bring exclusives like Starfield and the potential addition of all Activision Blizzard games would further bolster that list, but the console's real strength lies in third-party support.

Read more