When it comes to fighting games, you know the good ones from the bad ones pretty easily. So, if you’re looking for fighting titles to try out in 2024, this list will help you out.
Update: We will continue to update this list periodically throughout the year, so you will likely see some games removed or added. These games are not ranked in any particular order, as the focus here is to showcase titles we are excited to see hit the marketplace.
#12 Coreupt
Coreupt is a brand-new fighting game from the group called Team Coreupt. They wanted to make a “fast and frenetic” fighting title that very much resembles series like Killer Instinct or even Mortal Kombat, albeit with a different story to have fun with.
How so? In this universe, there’s a dark force roaming through the stars. The warlord at its head is bent on using their power to forever change the universe. How that goes is entirely up to you and the character you fight as.
You’ll have the choice to either join an alliance to fight against the evil warlord Dragonov or join the warlord’s side and help bring destruction across the stars!
Once you dive into the gameplay, you’ll see a nice variety of fighters with unique moves that have devastating impacts and can go at blinding speeds. The devs designed the game to be “flashy,” and I think they lived up to the hype on that.
Plus, like many fighting games, you’ll have the chance to climb the online leaderboards and see just how well you rank against other players.
#11 Varvarion
We’re going to start this list with two different styles of sword fighting games. The first one is Varvarion, and you’ll see very quickly why this one is so much different than the other.
Mainly, this title is all about recreating the over-the-top anime fights that you see on television and in films. They want you to be as grandiose in your attacks and dodges and feel the “anime power” going through you as you take on your opponent.
Plus, as you would expect, the character models embody what it means to be an anime character, so feel free to try them out for power or “aesthetic” reasons…
#10 Trajes Fatais: Suits of Fate
What happens when a costume party gets WAY too real for the people involved? Well, you’ll find out because you’ll have to fight them off!
In Trajes Fatais: Suits of Fate, a costume party for the birthday girl gets taken up a notch when a certain entity traps everyone within a barrier and makes it so the costumes they wear imbue them with power. Now, the birthday girl and her bodyguard must survive the night and fight off everyone in their new forms!
With multiple modes to have fun in, you will want to dress up for the occasion. Get it?
#9 Orbitals
There are many ways to make fighting titles unique, and that includes rewriting what you expect to find in the gameplay.
For example, Orbitals will put you on a battlefield that’s full of dangers, and you have to shoot and blast your way out of it. The fun part is being able to take on these threats via gravity boots that’ll help you manipulate your gravity and thus help you move around with ease while also setting up other attacks.
But remember! The other players can do that, too! So, you’ll need to use your arsenal and skills well to come out on top!
#8 Rivals 2
When you get a sequel title, you know you’ve done something right. Rivals 2 will attempt to build upon the great gameplay system that the first game had while also adding new characters and styles to their “platform fighter” for gamers to enjoy.
For those who missed the first game, the title focuses on fighters who live in a world where elements can be controlled and used to bolster attacks. With a wide variety of characters and styles to choose from, plus the arenas themselves, you’ll have many options to use as you fight.
So pick your character, learn your element, and beat down any that stand in your way!
#7 Blazing Worldstars
While it’s true that many games are trying to “innovate” and attempt to “take things to the next level, Blazing Worldstars tries to take things back to the “golden age” of fighting titles.
In this case, they’re trying to bring things back to where things were in the 90s when Capcom and SNK dominated the 2D fighting game market with their titles. To that end, this game brings in many of the best traits of those fighters so you can have a deep combat system that is easy to use but difficult to master.
Plus, the game even looks old-school with its graphics.
#6 Final Fury
One of the things that fighting games, in general, don’t do is “give you the perspective” of the one being in the fight. Then, when they do, it still doesn’t “feel real.”
However, with Final Fury, things will change. The game is a VR title set in a sci-fi world where a massive tournament is being held. You’ll pick one of the fighters and then go into the ring and attempt to win it all.
As a VR title, you’ll need to use your movements to control their bodies and attacks. Each character plays differently, so figure out which works for you and dominate the field!
#5 UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes
While I’m not a fan of the name, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes is the first “numbered sequel” the franchise has seen in a while, and that moniker brings with it new visuals, a key chapter in the overarching story, and more. Plus, the 2D fast-paced arcade fighting style will be familiar to those new to the series, as it feels like Guilty Gear or BlazBlue.
The title has 24 characters to play as, and the battle system has been tailored to fit both experienced fighters and relative newcomers. You can even do intense combos by pushing a single button! I definitely approve of this, as it shows that the dev team cares about the people who might be playing this game, regardless of their experience levels.
If you are a longtime fan, you’ll enjoy the next chapter of the main story and love the updated visuals while also learning every character’s new moves.
Speaking of the story, the “Hollow Night” tale is about to end! The world is heading to the brink of destruction, and the “endless nights” are building up to something dangerous. It’s up to you and your allies to save the world and shine a light on a new day. But can you do it?
#4 WWE 2K24
The wrestling world is a very interesting place currently, and I know many of you want to play as your favorite wrestling stars, both past and present. Thankfully, WWE 2K24 is a worthy addition to your wrestling gaming lineup, and it builds off of what 2K23 did last year.
Whether your favorite wrestler is from Raw, Smackdown, or NXT, you’ll find someone fun to play as and then help them rise through the ranks to become the main champ of the brand. You can also go full-tilt and create a male or female wrestler so you can put your own spin on what you think it means to be a “great wrestler!” Shoot for the moon and see if you can come out on top!
Or, if managing is your thing, you’ll have the General Manager mode, where you’ll draft a roster of superstars for your brand and work hard to have the best show in WWE! Just remember, working with the superstars won’t always be easy!
Plus, they have a special “40 Years of Wrestlemania” mode where you can participate in some of the most legendary matches the event has ever seen. So step into the ring and get the win!
#3 MultiVersus
Yes, after long last, MultiVersus appears to be coming back this year. Player First Games made waves last year by “pausing” their “beta” of the 2v2-focused fighter, but it seems to be coming back “stronger than ever.”
For those who didn’t play it during beta, MultiVersus plays like Smash Bros, Nickelodeon All-Stars Brawl, and others. The focus is on characters from the Warner Bros Discovery library, meaning you’ll have everyone from Batman to Shaggy to Lebron James and more at your disposal. That might sound odd, especially when you see some of these different characters and IP’s in the game, but the dev team makes it work.
The true “thrill” of the fight in Multversus is being able to do tag team fights as your main thing, increasing what you can do with friends or allies as you fight for dominance. There are other modes to do, however, including doing 1v1 fights or getting some training in to ensure you’re up to the task.
The big question about MultiVersus is how things will be “improved” upon its “true arrival.” I’m not sure how it’ll go, but at the very least, we’ll have a chance to see if the team did indeed put…players…first..
#2 Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero
Fans have been asking for the Budokai Tenkaichi series to return for years. Thankfully, we’re getting its true successor via DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO! So, are you ready to start your next epic fight?
Admittedly, I know that this game might not come out in 2024, as it could easily move to 2025, but I’ll keep things positive for now, mainly because there’s PLENTY to be positive about with this title. The game will bring various Dragon Ball characters from the series’ long history together and tailor them to fit certain fighting styles so players can have epic and unique matches across its many modes.
So far, the roster includes fan-favorite characters like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Jiren, Top, Hit, Majin Buu, Gohan, Roshi, Broly, Kale, and so many more are still yet to be shown! So, if you’re a long-time fan of Dragon Ball, you’ll have plenty of incredible dream matchups to create. And with the “Power vs. Speed” moniker that the game is focusing on, things will be cranked to the max quickly!
With more reveals coming and new details like environmental reactions being shown off, this could be the best Dragon Ball fighting game ever.
#1 Tekken 8
Platform: PC PS5 XSX|S
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Steam | PlayStation | Xbox
While it’s true that Tekken 8’s story will bring many to the table, especially given how the last entry finished a key part of the tale, many of you are more interested in the game because of its fighting system. After all, it’s really good.
Bandai Namco’s latest entry into the fighting game world has plenty going for it, thanks to its hard-hitting system. While there are plenty of unique attacks, everything is about hitting your opponent as hard as possible and looking good while doing it.
With multiple modes to enjoy, you’ll find the style that fits your needs. So jump in now and enjoy!
