10 Best Fighting Games You Should Try If You Like Tekken

With Tekken 8 in its players’ hands for close to a year now, fans of Bandai Namco’s fighting extravaganza may be on the lookout for other titles that give them a similar adrenaline surge and action-packed gameplay to try out against online rivals or against their buddies on a weekend gaming party.

Fortuntately, there are a number of options at their disposal that could provide a comparable if not altogether different experience with innovative ideas and mechanics that allow them to test their skills against talented opponents or AI-powered enemies based on their preference. Let’s dive in!

10. Tekken 7

While Tekken 8’s predecessor may seem like a downgrade to many, many of the same mechanics remain in Tekken 7 while offering enough differences to feel like an altogether different fighting game all on its own. Featuring mechanics similar to Tekken 8’s Rage system, the explosive narrative and expansive cast of characters make Bandai Namco’s previous entry in the franchise a viable alternative to its latest one.

It would be an excellent choice to purchase on sale, especially if the edition features all of the game’s DLC characters and story expansions, providing hours of entertainment at a discounted price for those who are looking for a familiar fighting fix.

9. Soul Calibur 6

The 2018 reboot of Bandai Namco’s Soul Calibur franchise allows players to fight with more than just their fists in a title that brings all of the studio’s expertise to the table with additions that can provide some variety to fans of Tekken’s martial arts-focused style of fighting.

With various innovative flourishes to its 3D fighting formula such as Soul Charges and Reversal Edges working well with the ability to run in 8 different directions, Soul Calibur 6 is sure to excite its players with an accessible yet challenging fighting system that is sure to create a lot of unique battles and unforgettable moments in a title that is best enjoyed played with company.

8. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R

This hidden gem from Bandai Namco ditches the arena fighting formula of its other anime adaptations to bring a straight-up 2.5D fighting title that can be easy to learn but hard to master on account of its unique and nuanced mechanics that are designed to improve its players’ skills while also providing a learning curve that is not too hard to hop on to.

Featuring a majority of the anime’s cast, this is a title that has a lot of potential to create match-ups between its characters that are sure to be exciting enough to forget the real world for many hours on end.

7. Super Smash Bros Ultimate

This crossover fighter from Bandai Namco is a great option for those on the Nintendo Switch, featuring characters from a number of Nintendo classics duking it out in a fighting game that sees them pitted against each other as they try to be the last one standing in matches that involve up to 8 players.

While it may eschew the more traditional fighting game format featured in the Tekken franchise, its popularity as one of the greatest games of all time makes it a must-have for any fan of Nintendo’s unique characters and for those looking to try their hand at an unconventional fighting game that is sure to capture their hearts even as their thumbs ache from its frenetic action.

6. Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

This fighting title from SEGA could be seen as an inspiration for Tekken’s martial arts-focused gameplay, although it is a more simplified version of Tekken 8’s more explosive moves and fancy attacks. It takes the format back to its basics in a title that requires a lot of practice to truly nail down but is one that is very rewarding for those who can take the time to master its many nuances.

This 2006 title can still be enjoyed on current-gen consoles through backward compatibility and is one that every fighting game fan must try at least once for its impact on the genre and the manner in which its systems continue to influence modern fighting games.

5. Dead Or Alive 6

This 2019 fighting game from Team Ninja is a great entry point for newcomers to the genre with beginner-friendly tutorials that can allow them to come to grips with the genre as a whole while providing them with some impressive visuals that can be quite immersive once its players get the hang of mechanics like the Fatal Rush and Break Hold.

Its visuals are a highlight, elevating the experience on offer, while its gameplay can be quite fun to engage with in its well-implemented versus mode that allows for a lot of unique match-ups against opponents from a frankly overwhelming cast of characters.

4. Street Fighter 6

Capcom’s 2023 addition to the Street Fighter franchise, often seen as a rival to Tekken, features everything a fan of fighting games could probably want from a current-gen experience in the genre. Its 2D format features additions to its tried and tested mechanics that elevate it above its predecessors while also leveraging the power of AI to make pulling off spectacular combos a lot easier.

As comfortable with local and online matches as it is with providing a story mode that allows a player character to explore locations like Metro City and the island of Nayshall, it is a love letter to Street Fighter fans that doubles up as an excellent alternative to Tekken 8.

3. Mortal Kombat 1

Netherrealm’s soft reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise is everything a Tekken fan would hope for in a fighting game. While its main campaign brings a lot of nuance to the table, allowing each of its characters to shine with their unique powers on display in each of their basic moves and combo attacks, features such as the X-Ray move return from previous installments in the franchise alongside finishing moves that showcase Netherrealm’s penchant for violent and bloody titles at its finest.

While the Khaos Reigns DLC’s story is largely forgettable, the unique characters and guest appearances it adds to the base game make the Ultimate Edition of this title a smart choice to pick up on sale this holiday season.

2. Injustice 2

Netherrealm’s 2018 follow-up to the original Injustice is a masterpiece of a title for fans of DC characters, bringing many familiar faces to a variety of arenas that has the potential for hours of gameplay in its excellent campaign featuring Braniac and a more violent take on Superman while its many competitive modes have the potential for a lot of replay potential as players pit DC’s heroes and villains against each other in a fighter that has withstood the test of time.

It performs exceptionally well on current-gen consoles while it can be obtained at a significant discount with all of its DLC considering its age. We highly recommend giving the Ninja Turtles a try if you pick up its Ultimate Edition!

1. Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

While it is a departure from Tekken’s formula, Dragon Ball Sparking Zero is the fighting game to beat in 2024. Bandai Namco’s take on the Dragon Ball IP is an excellent fighting game that doubles up as the definitive experience for fans of the popular anime, featuring an astounding number of playable characters and branching storylines that allow players to witness alternate versions of events they may be familiar with from watching the show.

With a lot of innovative mechanics, graphical flourishes, and creative additions from the Japanese publisher, this is a game that a fan of fighting titles simply cannot miss.

An honorable mention that must be given its due is Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, a 2017 title that features the franchise’s first cinematic story mode while bringing characters from both Marvel and Capcom into the fray in a game that must be seen to be believed.

These titles are sure to give you hours of entertainment as you punch and kick your way to victory using their various innovations, bringing the best of modern fighting games to your screens in ways that must be experienced on current-gen consoles.

We cannot wait to see what the genre – and the talented developers on this list – come up with in the future. Rest assured, they are sure to further push their players’ skills to the limits with innovative new additions that bring thrills and frustration in equal measure as the best fighting games are designed to do.