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The best fighting games on Nintendo Switch

the best fighting games for xbox one mortal kombat 11
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nintendo consoles are no strangers to fighting games, but only Smash tends to come to mind when talking about the best Switch games. Similar to the best shooters on Switch, you have to dig a little deeper to find quality fighters for the system outside of that platform fighter. That said, there is a strong library of all kinds of fighters that play great on the hybrid console, making it easy to challenge a friend to a match anywhere. The fighting game genre includes some of the best big-budget games out there, as well as the best indies, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget and experience level.

If you’re in the mood for a different type of competition, check out the best party games for Nintendo Switch.

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
87%
4.5/5
E10
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting, Platform
Developer
Sora, Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher
Nintendo
Release
December 07, 2018
Smash Bros. may not need an introduction — in fact, Ultimate might be the reason that you bought a Switch in the first place. This brawler is packed with video game characters, offers more than 100 stages, and allows you to play with up to eight different friends (plus a single-player mode to get to learn the basics). Whether you’re whacking away as Sephiroth or bashing your baddies as Ash Ketchum, there’s endless fun to be had here no matter what kind of gamer you are. Just make sure your internet connection is strong if you are playing online.
Super Smash Bros. is coming to Nintendo Switch!

Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat 11
84%
4.5/5
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Fighting
Developer
NetherRealm Studios
Publisher
WB Games
Release
April 22, 2019
Mortal Kombat 11’s Switch port doesn’t disappoint, especially if you like lots of bloody action and one of the best stories seen in recent fighting games. It’s also packed with characters, including some great guest options, all of which are brilliantly animated for maximum carnage. The many different modes ensure there’s always something to do or unlock, so you can switch it up whenever you desire. The gameplay can be as technical as you want, making it a great choice for serious fighting fans looking for a one-on-one matchup. The only downside is that the Switch’s native screen is a little too small to enjoy all the detail behind this game, so you may want to dock it to a larger display for maximum effect. We know Mortal Kombat 1 is out and technically available on the Switch, but that’s one game that didn’t survive the translation to Switch in a passable state.
Mortal Kombat 11 – Official Announce Trailer

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore
73%
T
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Arcade, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting, Arcade
Developer
Lab Zero Games
Publisher
Marvelous USA, Inc., Arc System Works, Autumn Games, Skybound Games
Release
July 07, 2015
Skullgirls has had a long road to reach the Switch, so you shouldn’t pass it by! This game originally came out in 2012, but the stylized characters and amazing animation make it look completely modern. With the new edition, you get all the new characters and updates for the best version of the game yet. What makes this game unique, aside from the art style, is that you choose how many characters you play as. You can focus on being a single character, or split your health pool between two for more versatility.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore - Launch Trailer

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid

Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid
80%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Fighting
Developer
nWay
Publisher
Lionsgate Games, nWay
Release
March 26, 2019
Don’t judge this fighter just because it’s based on a licensed property. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is a rock-solid fighter that just so happens to feature your favorite color-coded heroes. If you were a fan of the fighting systems in Marvel Vs. Capcom, then you owe it to yourself to check this one out. It has a great roster for fans of the franchise, with battles being 3-on-3 affairs that offer a ton of potential and matchups to learn. It also helps that this game features fantastic rollback netcode for smooth matches, even on the Switch’s Wi-Fi.
Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid - Announcement Teaser

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
79%
T
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting, Arcade
Developer
Capcom
Publisher
Capcom
Release
May 29, 2018
This Switch title packs 12 Street Fighter games into one, allowing you to experience the full history of the franchise and get caught up on the story if you are looking forward to future releases. Any Street Fighter title that’s been enabled with online pay in the past (such as Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting) can be played online here, too. There’s also added quality of life improvements such as easy pausing. Considering Street Fighter 6 didn’t make its way to Switch, this is your next best option.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection - Announcement Trailer

Arms

Arms
70%
E10
Platforms
Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Nintendo EPD, Nintendo
Publisher
Nintendo of America, Nintendo of Europe, Nintendo
Release
June 16, 2017
ARMS is certainly one of the most unique fighting games we’ve seen in a long time, with melee characters that come bearing spring-loaded arms (literally their arms) to punch each other with and activate their special abilities — with some help from the JoyCon controllers. It’s fairly whimsical fun that’s suitable for the whole family, and the 3D environments allow for some surprisingly intense strategies. There are modes for both one-versus-one play and sports options with multiple players.
ARMS - Demonstration - Nintendo E3 2017

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ
85%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Arc System Works
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
January 26, 2018
The pinnacle of anime fighters, this game does an excellent job of bringing DBZ characters to life in vivid, flashy action, throwing out endless combos like they’re nothing and juggling powering moves with (hopefully) perfect timing. It’s also an excellent tag-team fighter, allowing you to switch rapidly between different characters on your team to gain timely benefits. There are around 20 different characters to experiment with, plus DLC. You may want to turn down the volume, though — the DBZ yelling is … very authentic.
Dragon Ball FighterZ - E3 2017 Trailer (Official)

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
4/5
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting, Platform
Developer
Fair Play Labs
Publisher
GameMill Entertainment
Release
November 07, 2023
While the first game was a little rough around the edges, Nickelodeon’s sequel brawler is an improvement in every way. It’s packed with fan-favorite characters and continues to get updates that improve performance, add new characters, and introduce voice acting to make it all seem that much more real. While it works best if you don’t take the fights too seriously, you can certainly play with a hardcore mindset if you want.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 - Exclusive Announcement Trailer

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy
70%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting, Adventure
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
July 27, 2017
Most arena fighters have never been as flashy or full of spectacle as the Naruto Shippuden series. Even if you don’t know or care about the anime, this collection of all three titles is worth the investment, plus it’s a great recap of essentially the entire Naruto saga. This game is more about fun and looking cool than tight, tactical gameplay, though. If you’re looking for a game to kind of turn your brain off with, look no further.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy Announcement Trailer | Switch
Jesse Lennox

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry.

Originally double-majoring in English and Education, Jesse came into games media as a profession by accident. After an unfortunate layoff, he took his passion for writing about games seriously and was lucky enough to find Digital Trends and other outlets such as Pocket-Lint, Classic Nerd, and Gamepur to write for. He has held numerous writing positions, as well as several editing roles, and is always on the hunt for new opportunities to grow his skillset.

Based in Colorado, Jesse spends at least two hours every morning training in the gym to set his mind straight before a full day of writing and gaming.

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Cyber Monday deals on PS5 games: Our top picks so far
Kratos yells in God of War Ragnarök.

The Sony PlayStation 5 remains one of the most popular gaming platforms, and if you find yourself in search of some new games to take on, we’ve got some great news now that Cyber Monday has officially arrived. There are plenty of PS5 games among the best Cyber Monday deals, and we’ve rounded all of our favorites up below. You’ll find Sonic, Madden, Resident Evil, and plenty of others among them. And if you’re looking for some savings on other ways to get your game on, don’t miss all of the Cyber Monday Nintendo Switch deals, Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals, and Cyber Monday Alienware deals going on.
God of War Ragnarok — $30 $70 57% off

With this adventure game you can journey through the Norse realms and explore beautiful worlds brought to life by an attention to detail you won’t likely find in many other PS5 games. God of War Ragnarok has a pretty impressive Cyber Monday deal, as it’s discounted from $70 down to a sale price of just $30. For the pixel junkies out there, the game will let you switch between full 4K resolution at 30 frames per second and dynamic resolution upscaled to 4K at 60 frames per second, and if you’re looking for ultimate immersion, God of War Ragnarok has multidirectional 3D audio so you can hear enemies approaching from any direction.

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Asus ROG Ally is $150 off for Best Buy’s Cyber Monday sale
Playing the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme in handheld mode.

Want to take your PC games with you everywhere? Then listen up! Gamers can take advantage of some great Cyber Monday deals,  as there are a lot of great gaming console deals with which to score some savings. One of them is a deal on the Asus ROG Ally (Best Buy) with a Z1 Extreme processor. It's marked down to $500 at Best Buy. This is a savings of $150 from its regular price of $650. That's a fantastic deal and might we remind you this is one of the better Steam Deck alternatives out there.

 
Why shop this Asus ROG Ally Best Buy Cyber Monday deal?
There are a couple of models of the ROG Ally, with the Asus ROG Ally Z1 being the more affordable option and this Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model having some additional performance specs. We consider both models among the best handheld gaming PCs, though it’s likely more intense gamers will prefer this Z1 Extreme model.

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Pay only $700 for this gaming PC with RTX 4060
The iBuyPower Scale gaming PC on a white background.

Gamers always look forward to Black Friday deals because this is the season for huge savings on powerful machines. Best Buy has an offer for the iBuyPower Scale gaming PC, with a $250 price drop from $950 to a more affordable $700. You're going to have to be quick with your purchase if you want to get this gaming desktop for a much lower price than usual though. Bargains like this almost always sell out quickly and the deal may end anytime now.

 
Why you should buy the iBuyPower Scale gaming PC with RTX 4060

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