Best Nintendo Switch Fighting Games

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (Switch)

Capcom's Street Fighter is responsible for popularising the one-on-one fighting game genre, as well as siring movies, comics, toys and much more besides.

This collection pulls in every mainline entry to create an utterly essential package for fans of the franchise; from the game that started it all in 1987 to the polished and technical masterpiece that is Street Fighter III: Third Strike, Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection leaves no stone unturned when it comes to celebrating the history of this amazing lineage. Essential.

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Mortal Kombat 11 (Switch)

Mortal Kombat 11 is the best Mortal Kombat since MK2, a bold and bombastic entry that boasts a fighting model that finally matches the slapstick theatrics of gory Fatalities. It's further proof that MK, much like Street Fighter, has just as much relevance today as it did in the '90s thanks to the way it's evolved while retaining its core identity.

On Switch, it's a performance-first experience that nails 60fps, and boasts every mode and mechanic from other versions, only with a noticeable downgrade in the aesthetics department. The heavy-handed application of microtransactions makes customisation far less appealing than it should, but that aside, MK11 is one of the best fighters on the console.

For our money, Mortal Kombat 1 went too far, with cutbacks to visuals and performance issues that make it impossible to recommend on Switch.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy (Switch eShop)

While its online portion is lacking, this collection of games will be the dream ticket for fans of the Naruto series. The cel-shaded visuals make it feel like you're playing an episode of the anime, while the fun and slick ninja combat only serves to reinforce this impression.

The ability to tag in other characters is a nice touch as well, making Naruto Shippuden a welcome addition to the Switch's brawling game library – even if you don't know anything about the media property it's based on.

Samurai Shodown II (Neo Geo)

SNK's Samurai Shodown series recently got a new lease of life on modern consoles, so what better way to get a grounding in the franchise than going back to what is arguably one of its best entries?

This second instalment improved on the already amazing original with new characters and fine-tuned mechanics and boasts some utterly gorgeous 2D sprite art and stirring music. The sequels may offer improvements of their own, but this is the one Samurai Shodown offering we'd recommend without hesitation.

Pocket Rumble (Switch eShop)

If you were lucky enough to own a Neo Geo Pocket back in the day, then you'll be familiar with SNK's selection of pint-sized ports of its famous fighting game properties, which included Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown and King of Fighters.

Pocket Rumble is heavily inspired by these games, using the same limited colour scheme you'd see on SNK's underrated portable. It's also deep and engaging, making it a solid option for fans of old-school competitive fighters.

Guilty Gear 20th Anniversary Edition (Switch)

Guilty Gear 20th Anniversary Edition is a fantastic addition to the Switch’s roster of fighting games and sits right up there with the very best examples of the genre the platform has to offer, mostly due to the fact that XX Accent Core Plus R is just about the strongest, most technically refined entry in the series.

The original game is showing its age, but it’s still an absolute blast and together these two games provide fight fans with a neat look at how the 2D era of Guilty Gear developed from inception to its most polished and refined point.

Disappointing online performance sullies what is otherwise an absolutely essential purchase, but there's still more than enough single-player content here to make this collection highly recommended.

Pokkén Tournament DX (Switch)

This re-heated Wii U port is a Pokémon fan's dream come true – rather than relying on turn-based combat to see who is the very best, you can take to a 3D arena and smash the seven shades of poop out of a rival 'mon to finally decide once and for all who is king (or queen).

Robust single and multiplayer options make Pokkén Tournament DX one of the most impressive competitive fighters on Switch, although the lack of mechanical depth may put off serious fighter fans.

ARMS (Switch)

While some may disagree with this being lumped in with the likes of King of Fighters and Street Fighter, ARMS is, in our opinion, just as worthy of being called a fighting game.

Sure, you're moving around a 3D arena and many of your attacks are projectile-based, but it has all the hallmarks of a pugilistic classic; you can dodge and block incoming blows, throw your opponent with a well-timed grab and – when the time is right – demolish them with a potent special move.

ARMS is effortlessly one of the best combat titles money can buy on any system, and is a must-have for every Switch owner.

The King of Fighters '98 (Neo Geo)

While Street Fighter is arguably the most famous one-on-one fighting series on the planet, there once was a time (in Japan, at least) when SNK's King of Fighters franchise ruled the roost.

Famed for its deep roster of characters, fine-tuned mechanics and unique three-character team system, the series has seen a staggering number of entries (SNK used to release one every year) and debate rages as to which is the best; we personally think it's this '98 instalment, which was seen as a 'greatest hits' package at the time because it pulled in so many fighters.

A fine brawler that is definitely one to download if you're even the remotest bit interested in this style of game.

BlazBlue CentralFiction Special Edition (Switch)

BlazBlue Centralfiction Special Edition may a few years late to Nintendo Switch, but that time hasn't dulled the sharpness of its 2D fighting package. Not only does it give the Ragna saga a proper send-off with a story mode that's so rich in character development it could be a full anime season in its own right, but it offers a staggering number of modes to keep you playing long after the credits roll.

It runs silky-smooth docked or in handheld modes and runs like a dream online. The lack of an English dub still rankles, and new adopters are going to have to do a lot of research to understand what's going on, but it's well worth the effort.

Switch is blessed with not one, but two brilliant BlazBlue fighters, the other being the spinoff BlazBlue: Cross Battle Tag. As a compelling alternative to Centralfiction, it's a slightly 'diluted' version, arguably better suited to newcomers, but offers similarly amazing presentation and tight gameplay, so fans can't go too far wrong.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves (Neo Geo)

Of all of SNK's 2D one-on-one fighters, Garou: Mark of the Wolves ranks as perhaps the best.

While it's technically part of the Fatal Fury series it is considered by many fans to be a stand-alone experience; it's much deeper and more involved than its forerunners, and its appeal is enhanced by the fact that it features some amazingly smooth 2D animation.

If you want a technically rewarding 2D scrapper then you can't really go wrong with this fine effort.

Dragon Ball FighterZ (Switch)

Dragon Ball has seen more than its fair share of video game adaptations, but few have come close to replicating the feel of the anime as well as Dragon Ball FighterZ.

While it initially seems like your typical tag-based one-on-one fighter, the screen-filling special moves really do dazzle – and the fact that it's so accessible yet rewards high-level play means that everyone from novices to veterans is catered for. Add in a solid single-player campaign mode and you've got one of the best fighters in recent memory; the Switch port is also insanely faithful to the PS4 and Xbox One editions.

If you simply can't get enough Dragon Ball, you might also want to check out Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. It offers an astounding amount of content and its deep customisation options and superbly tuned fighting mechanics make it a really enjoyable and rewarding experience, even if it's not quite up there with FighterZ.

Fantasy Strike (Switch eShop)

Fantasy Strike isn’t going to blow anyone away aesthetically and its arcade mode is a little barebones. However, in terms of gameplay, it absolutely achieves what it sets out to, offering fun and accessible fighting action to newcomers whilst at the same time possessing enough technical depth in its roster of characters to keep more seasoned fighters interested.

Online ranked team matches and Boss Rush modes are an absolute blast and, in stripping away many of the complex layers that have built up around fighters over the years, this is a game that’s rediscovered the simple pleasures that lie at the beating heart of the genre.

Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] (Switch)

Don't let this one's comically unwieldy title put you off. Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] is a super slick, fast-paced fighter that manages to successfully straddle the line between being instantly accessible and welcoming for newcomers and in-depth enough to satisfy hardcore fight fans. Its lineup of 21 fighters is much more exciting than their anime stylings may suggest, and the Chronicles mode gives fans of the visual novel element of the game plenty to sink their teeth into.

With the most comprehensive training and tutorial modes we've ever encountered in a fighting game, this is easily one of the most well-rounded, satisfying and instantly engaging brawlers on Switch and – even with an online mode which needed some attention – there's plenty for fans of the genre to sink their teeth into here.

Samurai Shodown (Switch)

While Samurai Shodown has taken a very slight visual hit as part of its protracted journey to Switch, the most important thing is that the core 60fps gameplay remains intact. The downgrade is most noticeable when playing in handheld mode, but it's still incredibly enjoyable and compelling, especially if you appreciate fighting games that exercise your mind as well as your fingers.

The single-player portion of the game is perhaps a little too lacking by modern standards and some of the ideas don't work as well as they should (Dojo mode, we're looking at you) but with its appealing cast of fighters, decent multiplayer options and a host of new gameplay ideas to keep things feeling fresh, Samurai Shodown is nonetheless a confident and assured update of a classic fighting game series – and bodes well for SNK's future attempts to resurrect its enviable stable of titles for the modern era.

Kirby Fighters 2 (Switch eShop)

Given that it arrived with practically zero fanfare, Kirby Fighters 2 is a surprisingly brilliant Smash Bros.-style spin-off that simplifies its big brother's control system but still offers a healthy amount of depth with its 22-character roster.

Its Story mode, in particular, is a clever and compelling way to make each battle feel important, and that mode alone lasts long enough to make it a worthwhile purchase for solo and co-op gamers.

Capcom Fighting Collection (Switch)

Capcom Fighting Collection does exactly what it sets out to do, and bar a few very minor presentational oversights, is a product with years of longevity.

It’s a shame to lose those bonus characters present in previous console releases, and you do need to consider what appeals to you when considering a purchase. If you want the best Darkstalkers collection, look no further. Bar Red Earth, however, this isn’t the first time these games have been released, and it surely won’t be the last.

A purchasing decision comes down to whether or not you just want the most polished, accurate, easy-access versions to date on your TV or on the go. If the answer is yes, it’s a no-brainer.

SNK Gals' Fighters (Switch eShop)

20 years before it was spiritually reawakened as SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, the Neo Geo Pocket Color added another fine string to its bow with the enjoyable handheld combat of SNK Gals’ Fighters. With a few extra changes for Nintendo Switch – namely support for far easier-to-set-up local multiplayer and a handy rewind feature – this classic portable fighter is now in the rudest of health.

It’s not the deepest of fighting games, but with an already strong Neo Geo presence on the platform, this cutesy battler is a fine way to perfect your combos on the go.

If you can't get enough of pocket-sized fighters, King of Fighters R-2 is another good pint-sized scrapper.

Rivals of Aether (Switch eShop)

Rivals of Aether is a deep and addictive platform fighter that borrows its base concepts from Super Smash Bros. and then runs off in its own direction, resulting in a surprisingly complex indie alternative to Nintendo's brawling behemoth.

There's a fantastic roster of characters here each with their own special moves and unique abilities to dig into, every one of which is wonderfully animated in the game's crisp and clean 16-bit graphical style. Solo and local party play are well served with a bevvy of fun and flexible modes for up to four players and, if the developer can get the currently problematic online aspects of things in order, this all amounts to a game that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Smash or any other platform fighter we've played on Switch thus far.

Samurai Shodown Neo Geo Collection (Switch eShop)

The Samurai Shodown games are among the best in the fighting genre: the seven games on offer in the Samurai Shodown Neo Geo Collection are perfect examples of this, and the exceptional Museum mode will keep you busy for hours.

Its online may be a non-starter and it may have offered even more titles if it had lifted its self-imposed Neo Geo-only restrictions, but that doesn't take away from what's an otherwise strong collection of brilliant fighting games.

SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium (Switch eShop)

Despite some re-release shortcomings, SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium remains not only a charming piece of history but a comprehensive fighting game with impressively taut elasticity.

Bursting with movesets that accurately mirror the arcade counterparts from which they’re derived, it represents the moment that a legendary rivalry thawed out and shook hands, and a fanfare for SNK’s excellent but ill-fated handheld. There also remains something special about having so many faces from so many different series occupying the same screen space, and in such good spirits.

Seeing pocket-sized Kyo and Chun-Li battle it out on her Great Wall stage or Ken and Ryu’s fireballs trailing across Krauser’s cathedral is an experience worth revisiting. It’s an object of both its time and format, and you need to be prepared for that; but SNK versus Capcom? That really is the match of the millennium.

Them's Fightin' Herds (Switch)

Them’s Fightin’ Herds isn’t entry-level stuff, and it's impressive that an indie developer has created something that professional teams take years to master. Soft and furry in appearance though it is, this is a robust and fleshed-out fighting game, and one that demands practice.

It’s challenging even on its default difficulty with AI that won’t fall prey to simple or repetitive routines. While its story mode is engineered toward a particular fanbase, the wild combo-building demonstrates an excellent multiplayer experience.

Thematically, its draw might be limited, but there’s no real ceiling in its appeal to fighting game fans. While would have been nice to have had a few more characters out of the box and a little more invention in its world-building backgrounds, if you’re here for pure fighting game action, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Breakers Collection (Switch eShop)

Breakers Collection feels like a passion project. It delivers a game that still feels incredibly modern and visceral to a new era of players. When mining its combos and developing its dizzyingly broad array of tactical options, new players will no doubt be surprised by the high bar of Visco’s work.

While its menu presentation is somewhat less explosive than the game itself, the level of thought that’s gone into its modernisation through crucial up-to-date features can’t be spoken of highly enough. This kind of treatment should be standard when revisiting bygone classics, yet so often it isn’t.

Breakers Collection, to that end, gets it very right.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes (Switch)

Under Night In-Birth II Sys:Celes is a cracking sequel that brings meaningful change to the series' core combat, adds rollback netcode and three strong new characters to an already enthralling roster, and all looks, sounds, and plays every bit as good as its dazzling predecessor.

Chronicle mode has been axed, and it's a shame it hasn't been replaced with something else, but this remains a top-notch effort, a deep and addictive anime fighter that should please long-time fans and interested newbies alike.

Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Switch)

With Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, there's a decade of gaming evolution here, including what is arguably the pinnacle of Capcom's fighting game craft. Perfectly preserved and presented, everything is beautifully formed and wonderful to play.

Assembled with real clarity, Capcom has thoroughly delivered the goods, from its ton of bonus features to its rollback netcode, with years' worth of combative nuance to explore, learn, and exact in the online arena. Oh, and don't just get it for Marvel vs. Capcom 2; everything is excellent here, but The Punisher, in particular, is awesome.

Rage of the Dragons NEO (Switch eShop)

Rage of the Dragons NEO is a peach of a game. Plucked from the Neo Geo library, it’s been brought back to life with a smooth online experience and a comprehensive package stuffed with bonuses.

It’s not for everyone, and don’t be surprised if you get beasted online initially, but for those willing to eke out the depths of its tag team strategy and combo extension methods, it's a furious, flashy, adrenaline-fuelled affair that looks great, sounds great, and plays even better.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch)

Was it ever in doubt? While genre purists may flippantly dismiss Super Smash Bros. because it's not a 'proper' fighting game in the same style as Street Fighter or Tekken, most right-minded people will see it for what it truly is: a fantastically fun experience which is accessible to all but hides an almost unfathomable degree of depth.

The fact that it's focused around multiple players means that it's the perfect party piece, while the single-player 'World of Light' mode will keep you glued to your Switch even if you don't have anyone else to play with. With the biggest roster of characters yet seen in a Smash game, this is a towering accomplishment – and effortlessly the best brawler on the console.

Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition (Switch)

Guilty Gear Strive is a bold step in a new direction for the Guilty Gear series. Its visual creativity and attention to detail without fault, Arc System Works has again gone above and beyond in its graphical evolution. True, there are some background clashes, but when all is said and done, it’s dazzling. With all DLC characters unlocked, there’s a lifetime of learning here, as well as tons of modes and bonuses to pore through.

While Strive is perhaps only the first step for Guilty Gear’s new evolutionary arc, and its sequels will no doubt improve certain aspects and find a way to better appease fans new and old, it remains undeniably solid. The most impressive aspect, though, is the strength of the port here, crafted with a kind of magic to perform near enough 1:1 with its multi-platform counterparts. And the soundtrack? Whether it's your heaven or hell, it most certainly rocks.