After nearly five years in the eighth console generation, some of the best fighting games ever made have released on the PS4. From technical skill-based brawlers to spectacle casual affairs, fighting game fans have a lot of options.
Questions abound whether scenes remain too competitive, feature extensive play modes, or even basic 3D or 2D arena battles. To help fighting game fans, we’ve compiled a handy list featuring some of our top choices in the fighting game genre.
Check out our picks below on the best fighting games for PS4.
The Best Fighting Games on PS4
5. Soul Calibur VI
Bandai Namco’s Soul Calibur franchise remains the black sheep of fighting games. From baffling guest characters to cringy ways to ‘enter the stage of history,’ you can’t help but love this oddball of a franchise.
However, Soul Calibur VI re-captures a lot of the magic that the latest entries into the series lost. The hilariously open character creator featured will have the creative gamer bursting with laughter. And after terrible single-player campaigns from IV & V, Soul Calibur VI may hold the best offering in the franchise.
Long-time fans of Soul Calibur will appreciate the Chronicle of Souls’ campaign’s convoluted franchise narrative. Along with the main story, characters hold unique mini-campaigns. And while earning SP with each to spend on in-game unlockables, you’ll doubtless discover your main fighting style.
That preference will likely carry over the Libra of Souls campaign. With its unique RPG-like structure, you’ll take on side quests, decide your moral alignment, and level up a custom fighter with the style of your choice. In fact, Libra of Souls holds countless possibilities for campaign choices, resulting in dozens of different outcomes.
Even with these two expansive campaign offerings, Soul Calibur VI bursts at its seams with other gameplay modes. With the usual offerings of an arcade, versus, and online play, fans of 3D fighters should keep their eye on this gem. Therefore, it secures its place among the best fighting games on PS4.
The Best Fighting Games on PS4
4. Injustice 2
“Every battle defines you,” made for an apt tagline accompanying Injustice 2 on its release.
The game felt like the culmination of every good idea NetherRealm Studios had since the release of 2011’s rebooted Mortal Kombat. Slower than most modern fighters, this fighting game caters to the more casual fan.
Injustice 2 puts players front-and-center into the joy of a spectacle. Incredibly high production values set the story apart from others in the fighting game genre. The Uncanny Valley was further blurred with realistic modeling and environment design. Characters like Batman sprang to life through the actor portrayals and memorable intros to each fight.
With each subsequent release, NetherRealm Studios seems to push the boundaries for visual realism in gaming. With such a high bar of production quality, Injustice 2’s single-player campaign showcases emotional nuance better than possibly any fighting game ever released. Even as the story satisfies comic book tropes, moments of loss and triumph hit home for those who persevere to the end.
Along with the campaign, a controversially addictive gear system, ever-changing multiverse towers, and flashy super moves add depth to the game’s formula. The online play holds up for players of all skill levels as well – fear of losing shouldn’t stop you from getting into a very welcoming multiplayer scene.
With the polish and features on offer here, Injustice 2 may end up as NetherRealm’s best modern fighter on the market.
The jankiness of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe remains long gone, replaced with a deeply satisfying single-player 2D fighter. With the Ultimate Edition, players have access to an expansive list of 38 characters – which include the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For superhero fans, this PS4 fighting game stands as your best entry into the fray.
The Best Fighting Games on PS4
3. Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition
Back in 2015, Capcom released the barebones skeleton of a good fighting game. Solid technical mechanics were practically the only feature Street Fighter V had to its name. Many players were turned off because of this and adopted indifference for the fighter’s beginning lifetime.
But everything changed with the release of Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition back in 2016. Adding new offline arcade modes, new characters, and a slick new UI, Street Fighter V re-took its rightful place among the fighting game elite. For the first time, Street Fighter V showed a glimmer of hope for fans tired of the fourth installment’s re-releases.
Two years after the Arcade Edition’s release, Street Fighter’s community of players seems stronger than ever. With one of the most lucrative competitive scenes available, Street Fighter V players experience thrilling skill-based adrenaline rushes. Without a shadow of a doubt, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition remains a fitting fighting game for the modern era.
A fair warning though – Street Fighter V’s complicated technical moveset may put casual fighting game fans off more than other titles. But for those willing to master its deep combo system, however, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition will provide a worthy experience.
The Best Fighting Games on PS4
2. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZ quickly became this generation’s most successful new fighting game IP. Fantastic fighting mechanics proved just one of the reasons for its success.
Folding one of the most enduring cultural pillars of anime into a technical 2D-fighter was a match made in heaven. Fast moment-to-moment action captured the original show’s magic, hitting nostalgic twangs as competitions endured. As characters showcase ridiculously excessive powers to their rivals, players in turn tap into the adrenaline-fuelled world of Dragon Ball.
In many ways, Dragon Ball FighterZ adapts many qualities of the Street Fighter franchise. The technical combo system, fast input action, and general arena style combat will instantly feel familiar to Street Fighter fans.
But Dragon Ball FighterZ pushes accessibility along with a venerable license through its mechanics. Because of its relative accessibility, it edges out Street Fighter V as a better entry point for fighting game newbies.
In short, Dragon Ball FighterZ holds the coveted easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master fighting game. As such, casual and competitive players can each find something to love about this modern fighting classic.
The Best Fighting Games on PS4
1. Tekken 7
Tekken has always combined the best elements of fighting games. Skill-driven combo mastery underlies the fantastic spectacle headed by the 20-year-old franchise.
As Tekken’s total units sold rises over 47 million, fans can attribute many aspects to what makes each title so appealing. Style, feel, and competition emphatically reigns supreme in every great Tekken entry. And every Tekken player has a story to tell – whether that’s as roommates holding bragging rights or simply burning steam after a hard day.
Tekken’s design seems driven for players to lose themselves in the artful flow of combat. With Tekken 7, Bandai Namco quite possibly released the best franchise entry yet.
Three years later, Tekken 7 arguably holds the crown for the best PlayStation 4 fighter out today. Long-time fans will appreciate the bombastic conclusion of the Mishima clan’s franchise-defining blood feud, while new arrivals breathe in the atmosphere of a fantastic spectacle. With over 30 playable characters, an intense competitive scene, and strangely appealing DLC fighters, the content pipeline remains robust with this entry.
If nostalgic childhood memories hold any sway with your purchase power, consider picking Tekken 7 up first. Even with the gorgeous Unreal Engine 4 awing players with dazzling effects, the gameplay reminds one of older Tekken titles. Just don’t get discouraged if you’re new to the franchise. With practice, anyone can master the ring within this 3D fighter.
For even more fighting game features check out our thoughts on the story mode of SoulCalibur VI, or out list of the best Mortal Kombat X characters to play.
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