The 10 Best PS5 Fighting Games

What are the best PS5 fighting games?

Fighting games have existed on every console ever made, and they continue to be incredibly popular today.

While the PS4 had tons of amazing games in this genre, the PS5 isn’t far behind. In fact, it boasts some of the greatest fighting games ever made!

Today, we’re looking at the best fighting games you can find on the PS5 and what makes them worth playing!

The 10 Best PS5 Fighting Games

To create this list, we looked at fighting games available on the PS5 and compared their gameplay and player reviews.

This has allowed us to find the absolute best fighting games on the console while knocking out the competition.

So, get ready to rumble with our list of the 10 best PS5 fighting games:

10. Samurai Shodown

The latest installment in the series that started back in 1993, Samurai Shodown is one of the best 2D fighting games you can play.

In this game, the controls are straightforward and simple, with players pressing different buttons to dish out weak, medium, and strong hits.

There are also combos players can execute to perform counterattacks, evasions, captures, and interceptions.

However, these combos aren’t super difficult to learn, making this an extremely accessible game for casual players.

What really makes this game stand out is its AI system, which actually learns from the player and evolves.

Player tactics that are learned can then be turned into ghost characters that other players can fight.

It may not be as flashy as the best Mortal Kombat games, but Samurai Shodown is still a must-play for fighting fans!

9. Brawlhalla

Brawlhalla is a massive cross-platform fighter where 8 online players can take each other on.

In online multiplayer, there are over 20 game modes to choose from. These include everything from 2v2 casual matches to games like Capture the Flag.

There are also an absolute ton of crossover characters from other series, including John Cena, Lara Croft, Ezio, and Aang!

Making this game even better is that it gets new content roughly every 2-3 weeks, so there is always something to look forward to!

For example, the new Heatwave 2023 event just dropped and it brings exclusive seasonal skins, a new podium, and much more.

Oh, and this game is 100% free to play, which totally blows our minds because it is so freaking awesome.

We highly recommend checking out this game for yourself, especially since it costs you nothing to start playing!

8. Tekken 7

Tekken 7 is the ninth overall installment in the series and it was released for arcades in 2015 before coming to consoles two years later.

Set after the events of the previous game, Tekken 7 revolves around the events leading up to the final showdown between Heihachi Mishima and his son, Kazuya.

While this game shares many of the same mechanics as its predecessor, it also introduces new elements, including Rage Arts and Power Crush.

These additions help make Tekken 7 a lot more accessible to casual players and newcomers to the series.

What we really love about this game is that every fight feels so fluid and dynamic. Nothing is clunky or awkward to execute.

Tekken 7 is easily as fun as the best PS5 FPS games, and it’s a must-play for fans of classic fighting games.

7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles

This fighting action-adventure game has been adapted from the first season of the anime, and it is absolutely amazing.

Not only does it bring to life one of the best fighting anime series, but the combat mechanics are extremely smooth.

The whole game also uses a distinct anime art style which really makes it feel like you’re playing part of the show.

In single-player story mode, everything revolves around Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist of the series, as he joins the Demon Slayer Corps.

If you’ve watched the anime, events play out similar to the first season but slightly sped up.

There is also a multiplayer versus mode where players can form into two teams of two and take on either CPU enemies or other players.

Even if you have never seen the anime, the combat in this game is more than enough to hold your attention!

6. Street Fighter V

Street Fighter is a classic fighting franchise, so of course, this game warrants a mention in our list!

This 2.5D fighting game features side-scrolling gameplay like its predecessors, but it also introduces brand-new features.

One of the new additions is the V-Gauge, which builds up as players are attacked, adding up to three new skills.

While this game only featured 16 characters at launch, it has since gained 30 more characters thanks to DLC.

Like previous games, the goal here is to go one-on-one against an opponent and knock them out.

The story mode is incredibly engaging and it manages to capture the feeling of playing an old-school arcade game.

Although many people overlooked this game because of its rocky beginning, it has since evolved into one of the best fighting games on the PS5.

Now, you can easily get hundreds of hours of playtime out of Street Fighter V exploring everything it has to offer.

Even if you have never played a game in the Street Fighter series, it is easy to jump into this one without a steep learning curve.

Street Fighter V is easily one of the best fighting games in video game history and we certainly can’t get enough of it!

5. MultiVersus

MultiVersus is a free-to-play crossover game where characters from Warner Bros. Entertainment can duke it out.

A platform fighter, in this game, players have to battle it out on stages while attempting to either deal opponents damage or knock them out of bounds.

Where there are 1v1 and free-for-all game modes, MultiVersus is primarily set up for combat revolving around teams of two characters.

This game also features a perk system where players can customize their characters to have specific passive abilities.

The open beta for this game came with 17 playable characters, and it quickly gained a ton of fans.

Unfortunately, the beta has since ended and the game is now shut down until 2024 when the full game will officially be released.

If you were lucky enough to play the beta, you’ll know how awesome this fighting game is.

However, if you missed out on the beta, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the full release in 2024!

4. DNF Duel

A spin-off of the Dungeon & Fighter series, DNF Duel is a 2.5D fighting game with some fantastic visuals.

There are a number of modes in this fighting game, including Free Battle, Story, Arcade, and Survival for local play.

Story mode is particularly awesome because it allows you to play through the origin stories of all 16 characters.

Likewise, online, you can take part in ranked matches or free matches that randomly pair you against another player.

If you need to work on your skills, there is also a training mode where you can work on your combos to perfect your technique.

The combat in this game is gorgeous and fast-paced. It looks like something out of an anime but plays like Mortal Kombat.

For a fighting game, it has remarkably good writing in terms of story and it’s easy to lose hours in story mode.

We will say that the learning curve is a bit steep if you’re a new player, but we’ve found that using practice mode makes it fairly easy to get your bearings.

Between the fluid combat and stunning visuals, DNF Duel makes you feel like one of the strongest anime characters during every match!

3. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

The 11th installment in the Mortal Kombat series, this game is simply amazing in terms of gameplay, story, and graphics.

MK11 features two cinematic stories that are all about stopping Kronika from rewinding time and rewriting history.

There are 37 fighters to choose from, including three that are brand new to the series.

Making a return are classic fatalities, and with the enhanced graphics, they look particularly brutal.

What we really love about the Ultimate edition is that it comes with thousands of skins, weapons, and gear for customization.

It also includes all prior guest characters, including RoboCop and The Joker, who are incredibly fun to play as.

The only real downside is that it can be a bit tough for new players, because this isn’t a game where you can just mash buttons.

Instead, you’ll have to make an effort to learn the combos so that you’ll stand a fighting chance against opponents.

Of course, the character you use matters too, so you can check out our MK11 tier list to learn more about who’s the best!

2. The King of Fighters XV

Set after the events of the previous game, The King of Fighters XV revolves around two fighters who have supernatural powers.

The story is focused on the next King of Fighters tournament and all of the contestants entering it.

However, when you have powers related to the multiverse, nothing ever really goes according to plan.

Along with the main story mode, there are local versus matches and a training mode where you can practice your moves.

Like other games in the series, the classic 3v3 team matches have returned and they’re incredibly fun.

Online there are also a ton of options, including room matches, casual matches, and ranked matches.

If you’re playing online, it is really easy to be addicted to trying to make the leaderboards, though we haven’t been able to crack them yet!

There are 39 fighters to choose from, all with their own unique styles and abilities that can be activated with combos.

King of Fighters XV has one of the most comprehensive combat systems in the genre, and fighting game fans shouldn’t pass it up!

1. Guilty Gear Strive

Taking our number one spot is arguably one of the best modern 2D fighting games, Guilty Gear Strive.

First off, let’s just say that the graphics and art style of this game are simply stunning!

Not only are the different stages beautiful, but the actual combat animations are basically flawless.

Seriously, playing this game feels like watching an epic anime series that you’re in complete control of.

While it is the seventh installment in the Guilty Gear series, Strive is seen as a complete reconstruction of the franchise.

Although the core of the series remains, many features have been revamped to make it easier for new players to jump in.

One thing we really love about this game is that the new mechanics are user-friendly and simple to understand.

However, the game retains its depth for series veterans to enjoy, making it an all-around great fighting game for everyone.

There are 15 playable characters in the base game, each of which you can learn more about during story mode.

Of course, there is also a robust online PvP mode, so you can take on other players from all over the world.

Guilty Gear Strive is by far the best in the fighting game genre right now on the PS5, and we highly recommend checking it out!

Summary

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of the 10 best PS5 fighting games and found a few you’re eager to play.

Fighting games have been popular since the days before home consoles, and they remain the go-to genre for millions of fans.

While all of these games are amazing, we definitely recommend checking out Guilty Gear Strive first if you haven’t already!

Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best PS5 fighting games:

1. Guilty Gear Strive
2. The King of Fighters XV
3. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
4. DNF Duel
5. MultiVersus
6. Street Fighter V
7. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles
8. Tekken 7
9. Brawlhalla
10. Samurai Shodown

What’s your favorite PS5 fighting game? Leave a comment below.