What are the best PS4 fighting games? When it comes to hardcore communities, fighting games have some of the most dedicated players out there. The genre breeds all kinds of competition, and fortunately, the PlayStation 4 is home to a very impressive selection of beat-'em-ups, from traditional 2D brawlers and 3D fighters to even anime-based titles.
There's something for just about everyone, but what are the best fighting games on PS4? We've gathered together what we think are the top titles on Sony's system, taking into account polish, content, popularity, and the sheer strength and depth of their combat systems. For a more comprehensive guide to the best PS4 games, click through the link, or perhaps check out our best PS4 anime games if you're big into Japanese titles.
Best PS4 Fighting Games
Below is a full list of the best PS4 fighting games. These are our favourites in the genre, as determined by our editorial team.
17. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (PS4)
For our money one of the best licensed anime fighters on PS4, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the pinnacle of CyberConnect2's long running series. Oozing detail and polish, this is an incredibly enjoyable team-based brawler, and it's stuffed with content. Its story mode covers the ending act of Naruto Shippuden and its bombastic boss fights do the source material real justice. An overall fantastic and gorgeous package, even if its gigantic character roster has a fair few competitive balancing issues.
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16. Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON (PS4)
Definitely not in line with most of the other games on this list, Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON (phew!) isn't what you'd call a traditional beat-'em-up, but it's got all the hallmarks of a great competitive experience. Combining deadly melee combos with tense long range shootouts, this is a primarily team-based arena brawler. A heavy emphasis on movement is what gives this title its depth, and a gigantic roster of playable mobile suits should give enthusiasts more than enough toys to play around with. What's more, Maxiboost ON offers a wide range of single player, co-op, and multiplayer modes, making it an impressively robust Gundam package.
15. The King of Fighters XIV (PS4)
Sporting a massive character roster and some of the best team-based battles on the platform, The King of Fighters XIV is a well crafted release with plenty of depth. It may leave something to be desired in terms of presentation — even after its post-launch graphical overhaul — but it's still well worth a look if you're a fan of technical 2D brawlers. Experimenting with team composition and open-ended combos is the meat of this nicely executed title.
14. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round (PS4)
Look past the ridiculous season passes and the title's potentially distracting obsession with the female form, and you'll find a competent, fast, and fun fighting game in Dead or Alive 5: Last Round. A 3D brawler that's relatively easy to pick up and play, it's a great option for those who are trying to find their footing in the genre. It's also got a good amount of game modes to pick through and a large character roster. It may not be the most recent entry in the series, but we still think it's the best Dead or Alive that money can buy.
13. Melty Blood: Type Lumina (PS4)
What do you mean, you've never heard of Melty Blood? A fast-paced fighting game series that's always had a hardcore following, Type Lumina is the latest instalment. It's quite a technical title, with an emphasis on tight combos, cancels, and quick movement. But on a fundamental level, Type Lumina is relatively easy to get into. A useful automatic combo system can educate newcomers on the general flow of a match, and individual special moves usually don't require complex button inputs. What's more, the Melty Blood games have a unique tone which bleeds (pardon the pun) into the grounded but intriguing character roster. Oh, and the soundtrack is pretty special.
12. Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r] (PS4)
![Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r] (PS4)](https://images.pushsquare.com/4450b6cdb615c/under-night-in-birth-exe-late-cl-r-artwork.900x250.jpg)
Don't let the unforgivable name put you off: Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r] is a great 2D fighter, complete with a diverse and interesting cast of playable characters. [cl-r] is the latest instalment — a hugely updated version of the previous release, [st]. Overhauled mechanics make this edition the best yet, and although the game doesn't quite hold the prestige of other combo-heavy brawlers like Guilty Gear or BlazBlue, Under Night In-Birth still has much to offer and master.
![Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late [cl-r]](https://images.pushsquare.com/products/11887/100x100.jpg?v=3eee1f53d4b92df6b708f380449c0e7b)
11. Injustice 2 (PS4)
Injustice 2 doesn't quite measure up to the other heavy hitters of the genre in terms of gameplay design, but it makes up for that by providing one of the best overall fighting game packages on PS4. Incredibly polished and fit to burst with things to do, it's an easy recommendation whether you're a casual combatant or a veteran bruiser. Of course, DC characters aren't to everyone's tastes, but the roster is brimming with personality and variety, and the effort that's gone into making each fighter feel true to the source material is impressive.
10. Mortal Kombat 11 (PS4)
Mortal Kombat's never looked as good as this, and some intriguing gameplay twists add a welcome kick to this latest instalment. While Mortal Kombat 11 does struggle with a few dodgy design choices in its various single player modes, the, er, kombat itself is still bloody good fun. The ridiculous story mode is solid as well, and if you're a fan of totally over the top violence, you won't find more outrageous kills anywhere else.
9. BlazBlue: Central Fiction (PS4)
A lovely looking 2D fighter, BlazBlue: Central Fiction supposedly finishes off the series' mental storyline. As expected of an Arc System Works title, the combo-based combat is tight, fast, and as complex as you want it to be. Central Fiction refines a bunch of the franchise's core mechanics, and with a large, varied character roster to wrap your head around, there's plenty of room for experimentation and a lot of strategic depth to dig into. A real treat of a fighting game.
Comments (70)
WOW 2 Dragon Ball and a Naruto game on the list
The fact that a terrible game like Xenoverse 2 beats out KoFXIV and DoA makes this invalid to me.
@IBeAGamer Well it is a better game???
Injustice 2 is my favorite from the list. As a huge RPG fan, the loot/gear chase really pulled me in.
King of Fighters 14, Street Fighter V, Soul Calibur 6, Injustice 2, Dragon Ball FighterZ and Tekken 7 are the games I play. Fighting EX Layer ain’t a bad game either. Wish there was a little love for that one.
That reminds me, I still have SFV on my HDD damn, will get back to it one day, games are big nowadays requires time just as big.
@IBeAGamer you mean "in your opinion"
remember opinions are not fact
Am I missing something with a lack of Mortal Kombat XL. That was a really polished fighter.
@Kidfunkadelic83 MKXI's out relatively soon, so it's kind of a case of waiting to see whether it delivers before adding a MK game to the list.
Great list. I really need to get around to buying Tekken 7.
You're all wrong. Mesuking from Yakuza Kiwami is obviously the greatest fighting game ever made!
@ApostateMage An innocent and pure game in which bugs fight for the freedom of the forest!
@ShogunRok Highly disagree.
Xenoverse 2 was abysmal from what I played.
@FullbringIchigo I did state "to me".
MK XL all day long for me. Ridiculously polished, huge amount of content, plays fantastically, looks superb. Massive oversight in my opinion.
Surprised to see T7 top the list. I love playing it, but I thought other games would overtake it.
I want to make a recommendation myself: Under Night In-Birth. It did come out on PS3 first, but it's latest iteration is available on PS4. Like Guilty Gear, it's an easy to pick up anime fighter with plenty of depth, style, and one of the better tutorials I've seen, and plenty of modes. If it's still on sale, I hope people give it a try.
@IBeAGamer fair enough
on a side note i really like DBXV2 (being a huge DB fan helps) but i don't think it should actually be on this list, yeah it has fighting mechanics but it's more of a RPG Lootfest than a fighting game
@ShogunRok
Dead or Alive 6 is coming out on February 15th, yet Last Round is on the list. You want to rethink your excuse for not having Mortal Kombat XL on the list?
I agree that the lack of MK XL is a huge oversight. I get choosing only one NetherRealm game for the sake of variety, but c'mon, one does not simply leave MK out of the fighting games party
Soul Calibur 6 is my favourite easily.
It is worth buying for the single player alone!
Weird not to see Mortal Kombat XL on the list
@ShogunRok You mean MKXI as in MK11? That’s an entirely different game, well sequel. MKXL should of still been considered for the list. Are there any other fighters on the list that have pending sequels? If so shouldn’t they have been made void for the list also?
@GKO900 I thought it would be there also. I'm not a big fan of the genre but I picked up XL for $5 and have enjoyed what I have played so far.
Tekken 7, 3D fighting in all its glory. Mandatory game in any fighting fan’s library.
I personally prefer the fighting in SF V but I played online until I reached the point where it stopped being fun. This has nothing to do with the quality of the game, I just didn’t enjoy the way I was playing anymore. Still, the fighting is phenomenal.
Injustice 2, to me, delivers the best presentation. Glorious storymode, awesome stage transitions, endless multiverse madness.
Guilty Gear XRD Rev 2 looks great and the fighting is smooth but I have no idea what’s going on storywise. The online multiplayer lobby is the most deserted place on the entire PSN.
I just got DB FighterZ in the current sale but I haven’t played yet and I need to get into Soul Calibur VI soon.
Mortal Kombat X, Tekken 7 and Injustice 2 were great, I can’t wait for Dead Or Alive 6.
Tekken at the No.1 spot, like it should be! Still surprised that it wasn't even mentioned amongst the best fighting games at the game awards smh, also Knee should've taken that best E sports fighting game player instead of SonicFox for real.
@Yogsoggoth You got me, real reason is I just don't like Moron Kombat.
@MaccaMUFC Nah I'll be real, I actually forgot Dead or Alive 6 even had a release date that's so soon.
If you all really, really want MKX on the list I'll put it on next time we update.
@ShogunRok I figured whoever made this list literally just forgot about MKX while they were making the list. It couldn't have been intentionally left out... could it? However you feel about the narrative in the MK games, it's a tight 2D fighter all around, huge amount of content (kontent?), robust multiplayer, etc.
Yeah, it's an oversight.
Honestly a little surprised Xenoverse 2 made the list while BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle didn't. Though it looks like I'm the only one lol
No love for Street fighter 30th anniversary! 😢
@Ps4_all_the_way
That’d be my top pick by a county mile as well.
I'm not a huge fan of MK because I feel it takes itself a bit 'seriously' compared with SF (and I don't think this genre should take itself too seriously personally), but it should it still be on a list of best fighting games. I mean, it's the second biggest hitter behind SF.
Injustice 2 is my favourite as I'm a DC fan and as a largely solo player there is a ridiculous amount of content to keep you going and as others have said Mortal Kombat XL really should be on that list. I'd also put the Street Fighter collection on there as there can't be many better packages for fighting fans
@ShogunRok Well if you do add MKX in the next update you’ll be making quite a few people happy judging from the comments, also maybe don’t put it last place otherwise people will be wishing a fatality on you ☺️
@ShogunRok I was just giving you a bit of a hard time, no offense. I picked up MKXL in the sale for $5 and think it's an "okay" fighter. All the characters feel pretty much the same, so far.
Forgetting the release date for DOA 6 is understandable. The series just doesn't generate the same level of interest as Soulcalibur, Tekken, or Street Fighter. A real shame because it's a great fighter that's held back by its peculiar obsession with fan service.
I thought Street Fighter x Tekken was going to be number one when it didnt show...
@eltomo That's not even a PS4 game lol
I personally can't get into arena fighters like Xenoverse, the same way as traditional 2D fighters and Smash. The mechanics seem a little too clunky for my liking, and the act of comboing, and then moving towards your opponent to start another combo seems really tedious, especially after watching Xenoverse footage.
Still think Injustice 2 is the best on the console personally, Tekken 7 is great though the story is a little lame and the roster isn't the best but the actual fighting is a massive return to form for the series, by far the best since Tekken 3.
Glad Gundam Versus made it in barely but is there no love for UnderNight?
Updated the list. Mortal Kombat is finally on it.
The only game I really want to play that isn't on this list is UnderNight. Will likely be added in the next update!
Samsho II, IV and V Special
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
KOF '98 UM
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
...all come highly recommended.
Tekken is the only one that can keep my interest, nearing 400 hours now and I keep learning new stuff. It is so difficult and has so much depth and that's why I love it. It's also super fun to watch imo.
I found the new Tekken to be a massive disappointment, Soul Calibur a bit too but not quite as much. The super moves completely ruin the Tekken gameplay for me.
King of Fighters 14 is my personal favorite PS4 fighting game.
How does power rangers battle for the grid rank?
Obvioustly it's all a matter of opinion but I dont really did the complicated nature of a game like Tekken. Imo my top 3 would be MK11 as the combat is ridiculously polished with alot of nice content to unlock and modes to play. I've literally
never played another fighter as much as this game and still play it almost every night. Ultra SFIV (Technically a ps3 updated version but still amazing) and then Soul Caliber.
Updated with Granblue and Under Night.
1. Samurai Shodown
2. Soul Calibur VI
3. Street Fighter V (it became great once Capcom stopped f'ing around. Champion Edition is the culmination of that)
4. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round
5. Injustice 2
"Doriya!!!" - Kazuya Mishima
Nothing can top ufc 3
1)Injustice 2
2)MK XL
Streetfighter V was a joke too me.
Tekken no Arcademode
Dead or Alive 6 a insult too gamers
Soulcaliber 6 base characters in a seasonpass fail.
hmm, what a odd list especially when ultra street fighter 4 is missing and tekken 7 is n01 and is the most barebones in the whole series 🤔
@huyi
I'd agree about Tekken being no. 1 but that USF IV port is pretty shoddy, not surprised it didn't make the list.
I'll always be too nostalgic Tekken 3 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 will always be the best games for me
*****, did you guys see the price of Under Night In-Birth?? 50 dollars!! and its only going to go up. Can someone explain this ***** to me please!?
Bloody Roar needs to make a next gen appearance. Or a very very late this gen appearance.
Injustice 2 is definitely number one.word up son
Mortal Kombat XL is my favorite on this list. I don’t know why, but I like it more than Mortal Kombat 11.
Tekken 7 definitely deserves the top spot. I'd put soul Calibur 6 at number two!
Late reverse birthing your ex under cover of night sounds like a terrifying experience... [rl-⅞]
It's all subjective in the end, but Granblue is the only one I'd extremely disagree with. It's not even "beginner-friendly", IMHO. I'd say that DOA5/6, MK11, and Guilty Gear Xrd are the most beginner-friendly due to the robust tutorial modes. THAT is what's important to beginners, having an avenue to understand how fighting games work, and not just limiting the game design so that there's a lack of complexity and variety. Idk, that's the only game I refunded on this list, lol. Limited roster, weird netcode issues for me.
Really wanted to like it, but just didn't end up enjoying it at all. I'll probably give it another shot when it's on super sale ($10?).
I'm sorry, Tekken 7 is a great game and all but every time it shows up on one of these lists as #1 I just want to scream.
I've played some great games this year but GG Strive is the one I've put most hours into, and that number is only going to grow
as of 2021 the list is barren .
We need a new street fighter - we endured the pain of V long enough
We need a new MvC or a DC vs Marvel game
Cock fighting in Far Cry 6? 🐓
Soul calibur 6 lack of vibrator function is off putting. I have been playing this game since soul blade. Makes wish I never picked it up. When review fail to mention little details like that. Am that's the reason it's not higher on the list.
No Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition? 😂
Author is a HUGE Arc System works and anime fan, the fact that anime fighting games are better than Nether Realm games is absurd, sorry but its true.
i would have not had a problem with this if you just added " in my opinion"
I can vouch for Divekick; it only uses 2 buttons (jump, kick), there is no walking but diverse characters. 12 year-olds can pick it up in 30 seconds, but it is pure genius to play, fight, and kick your opponent in the head.
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