If you enjoy the fighting genre then there are already some great titles that you will want to keep tabs on. We’re going to list out some of our most anticipated fighting video game titles launching this coming year below. Likewise, you’ll want to check back as we’ll continue to update this list when new exciting video games are announced.
Click Here For The Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2021
#4 Streets of Rage 4
- Developer: Lizardcube, Guard Crush Games, Dotemu
- Publisher: Dotemu
- Platforms: PC, NS, PS4, XBO
- Release: 2020
- Co-op: Yes
- Competitive Multiplayer: TBA
If you had the Sega Genesis back in the day then there is no doubt you had a couple of Streets of Rage titles with it. The game series was a classic and it’s brought out three installments over the 1990s but since then the franchise had laid dormant. It was years before we got the official announcement of a Streets of Rage 4 and this year we’re finally going to see the game launch into the marketplace. Not much information has been released quite yet as we only know that it takes place a decade after the events of Streets of Rage 3 and that we will see some familiar faces return like Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding. While not technically a fighting title in the sense of a battle between players, this is a much-beloved beat ‘em up franchise where gamers will go through a variety of stages while unleashing some fury to the enemies that come across your way.
#3 One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows
- Developer: Spike Chunsoft
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: TBA
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive: Yes
One Punch Man is a wacky and popular anime series. Overall, the show is based around a variety of heroes that stops foes all over the world. However, one hero stands out from the rest, Saitama. With his ability to stop any foe with just one punch, the hero is essentially unstoppable. Now a new fighting game is in the works from developer Spike Chunsoft.
Within One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows, players will find a 3V3 fighter with a variety of characters featured within the One Punch Man franchise such as Genos, Hellish Blizzard, Mumen Rider, Speed-o’-sound Sonic and of course the main hero, Saitama. It seems that players will be fighting off the enemy with their selected hero characters while they wait for Saitama to reach the area in order to deliver the finishing punch. Unfortunately, that is all we know about the game so far.
#2 Granblue Fantasy Versus
- Developer: System Works
- Publisher: Xseed Games
- Platforms: PS4
- Release: 2020
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Yes
Granblue Fantasy Versus is the next installment to the Granblue Fantasy series which got its start back in 2014. This is a 2.5D fighting game but the development studio at Arc System Works is hoping that the overall fighting experience for newcomers will be easier to understand. So far, we know that the development studio is supplying a feature called Skybound Arts. This is essentially a powerful move that can be used by a press of a single button. However, after it’s used there is a cooldown period. Now this cooldown can actually speed up if players perform more impressive combination attacks against their opponent so while the Skybound Arts is a nice tool to have if you’re new to the fighting game scene, there is some incentive to learn the more complicated move combinations within the game.
Outside of the multiplayer and traditional fighting game modes, Arc System Works will include a campaign. This campaign mode is quite a bit different as its a beat ‘em up style side-scroller. Players will be fighting off a slew of different enemies as they progress through the level while also facing against bosses.
#1 Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
- Developer: CyberConnect 2
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
- Release: January 17, 2020
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: N/A
This is a slight oddball fighting game we’re tossing into the list. Normally, when it comes to Dragon Ball Z video game titles, there is just a strong emphasis on 1v1 fights with a story progression through various cutscenes. In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot players will be going through the game as a third-person RPG. You’ll be able to explore the in-game world and complete side quests all while going through the Dragon Ball Z anime series story.
With that said, the game will go back to the traditional fighting game style when players encounter an enemy. Now, this game will probably be void of the standard fighting game modes itself as Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is stated to be a single-player game so don’t go in expecting to play some 1v1 with a buddy either locally or online.
Bonus
Bounty Battle
- Developer: Dark Screen Games
- Publisher: Merge Games
- Platforms: PS4, NS, XBO, PC
- Release: July 23, 2020
- Co-op: Online/Local
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online/Local
There are a few battle arena fighters that are available in the market. However, the top IP in the market is Super Smash Bros. It’s a game that’s proven to be popular with each entry and with each installment, we get a ton of new characters added into the roster. With that said, there are still plenty of games that come out to compete against Super Smash Bros in hopes of gaining an audience, one of those that looks to be quite a popular entry when it launches is Bounty Battle.
In Bounty Battle players will be given access to a roster of different characters from indie titles hits. Included in the mix is Dead Cells, Guacamelee, Darkest Dungeon, Owlboy, among others as we’re told that there are thirty characters at launch each with their own moves and special attacks. This game also features a few different game modes as well so you don’t have to strictly fight in skirmishes with other players or AI. This is also a 2D style fighting game and from the footage showcased, it looks to be quite chaotic and intense.
Mighty Fight Federation
- Developer: Komi Games Inc.
- Publisher: Komi Games Inc.
- Platforms: PC, XBO, PS4, NS
- Release: 2020
- Co-op: N/A
- Competitive Multiplayer: Online
Everyone loves a good party fighting game. 2020 may have a classic hit on their hands with Mighty Fight Federation. Players will be going through wacky over-the-top battles set in a 4-player arena. What may sway the more dedicated fighting game veterans is that there are dedicated combo move sets for each character. Outside of the brawling gameplay style, there is said to be a story campaign along with an arcade mode which should keep you battling in-game even if your friends log off for the day.
