WHAT TO PLAY

Fighting games

262 games in the catalog

Fighting games rest on a simple idea: you control a character who has to get past opponents with fists, feet or a weapon. Two branches grew out of it early on. Versus fighters are one-on-one duels decided by knowing the roster, timing and reading the other player. Beat 'em ups send a hero, often with a friend, through a scrolling stage full of enemies.

The genre took shape in arcades in the first half of the 1980s, when Hong Kong karate and kung-fu films had reached Western audiences. Arcades suited it: a fight can be explained in a few seconds, and two people standing side by side have an immediate reason to play against each other or together.

It lasted because it is hard to exhaust. The same set of moves can be played for hundreds of hours, and the gap between a beginner and an experienced player is visible at once. Versus fighters also built a tournament scene that is still active today.

Today (2015 onwards)

26 games in the catalog

The recent years are about returns and new directions. Streets of Rage 4 (Dotemu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush, 2020) and TMNT: Shredder's Revenge (Tribute Games, 2022) showed that a classic brawler with hand-drawn art still works. Versus fighters leaned on rollback netcode, which hides the lag of online play; Guilty Gear Strive (Arc System Works, 2021) is built on it. Sifu (Sloclap, 2022) took kung-fu into a single-player 3D action game where the character ages each time he is defeated. And in virtual reality the fight becomes swinging a weapon the game simulates physically, as Blade & Sorcery does.

Tekken 8 – boxart PS5

Tekken 8

PS5Series Bojová hra ⏱ M

A more aggressive, faster Tekken thanks to the Heat mechanic; the Mishima clan's vendetta continues.

Mortal Kombat 1 – boxart PS5

Mortal Kombat 1

PS5SwitchSeries Bojová hra ⏱ M 🔞 18+

A reboot of the series' mythology; Kameo fighters add a second character to every match.

Street Fighter 6 – boxart PS4

Street Fighter 6

PS4PS5SeriesSwitch 2 Bojovka ⏱ L

Nejpropracovanější Street Fighter dneška i pro starší PlayStation.

Sifu – boxart PS4

Sifu

PS4PS5 akční bojovka ⏱ M

Kung-fu pomsta, kde se každou smrtí stárne a hra se učí s vámi.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge – boxart Switch

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge

Switch Beat 'em up ⏱ S

A brawler returning to the arcade Turtles games of the late 80s and early 90s against the Foot Clan.

Series

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge

Series Beat 'em up ⏱ S ⭐ Must-play

A pixel-art celebration of the Ninja Turtles in the spirit of '90s beat 'em ups, for up to six players.

Blade & Sorcery: Nomad – boxart Quest

Blade & Sorcery: Nomad

Quest Akcni soubojova hra ⏱ M 🔞 18+

A physics-based combat sandbox with no story; sword, bow, and magic all in one hand.

Guilty Gear Strive – boxart PS5

Guilty Gear Strive

PS5 Bojová hra ⏱ M

An anime fighting game with cel-shaded graphics; a slower pace opened the door to newcomers.

GORN – boxart Quest

GORN

Quest Fyzikální bojovka ⏱ S 🔞 18+⭐ Must-play

A grotesque, physics-driven gladiator brawl; humor from your own weapon bouncing back into your face.

Kirby Fighters 2 – boxart Switch

Kirby Fighters 2

Switch bojová hra ⏱ S

Up to four copies of Kirby in an arena, each with a different ability sucked in from across the series.

Paprium – boxart MD

Paprium

MD Beat 'em up (moderní) ⏱ S 🔞 18+

A legendary modern beat 'em up whose release was plagued by years of controversy and waiting.

Star Wars: Squadrons – boxart PCVR

Star Wars: Squadrons

PCVR Simulátor / vesmírná bojovka ⏱ M

Convincing space fighter cockpits in VR; you manage power, weapons, and shields.

The HD generation (2005–2014)

47 games in the catalog

HD consoles brought detailed characters and, above all, online play. Street Fighter IV (Capcom, 2008 in arcades, 2009 on consoles) revived the two-dimensional fight with 3D models and let people play opponents from around the world, though network lag became one more opponent. Scrolling brawlers returned with Castle Crashers (The Behemoth, 2008), a downloadable game for four players, and the hand-drawn Dragon's Crown (Vanillaware, 2013); both borrowed character progression and gear from RPGs. NetherRealm's Injustice (2013) built on Mortal Kombat and added parts of the environment that could be used in the arena.

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma – boxart Vita

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma

Vita Bojovka ⏱ L

A stylized 2D fighting game with hand-drawn sprites and animation like an anime series come to life.

Marvel Contest of Champions – boxart Mobil

Marvel Contest of Champions

Mobil Fighting ⏱ XL

3D fighting game with Marvel heroes; one-on-one battles and endless combos.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax – boxart PS3

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

PS3 bojová hra ⏱ M

A fast 2D fighter from the makers of BlazBlue, where your Persona attacks as a second layer of combat.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS – boxart 3DS

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

3DS Fighting / Party ⏱ L

The first full-fledged Smash Bros. in your pocket; a free-for-all brawl on the go.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – boxart Wii U

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Wii U Bojovka ⏱ XL ⭐ Must-play

The flashier half of the twin release with the 3DS version; percentage-based battles that even newcomers can grasp.

Dead or Alive 5 Plus – boxart Vita

Dead or Alive 5 Plus

Vita Bojovka ⏱ M

A fighting game built on a strike-throw-counter triangle; even the arenas themselves are dangerous.

Dragon's Crown – boxart Vita

Dragon's Crown

Vita Beat 'em up ⏱ L

An arcade beat 'em up combined with RPG progression; six classes, dungeons, and Vanillaware's signature style.

Injustice: Gods Among Us – boxart Wii U

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Wii UPS3Mobil Bojovka ⏱ M

The Mortal Kombat fighting system set in the DC universe; a dark, dictatorial Superman as the threat.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition – boxart Vita

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition

VitaPS4 Bojovka ⏱ M

Battles of DC heroes in a dark alternate reality where Superman becomes a tyrant.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst – boxart PS3

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst

PS3 Bojová hra ⏱ M

An expanded edition of the fighting game from CyberConnect2, completing the story through the battle of the fourth war.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows – boxart X360

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

X360 Akční / beat 'em up ⏱ M

A three-dimensional beat-'em-up with four turtles, plagued by technical issues and a cool reception.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection – boxart PS3

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai HD Collection

PS3 Bojová hra ⏱ M

An HD remaster of two PS2 fighting games; the gameplay and content remained faithful to the originals, unchanged.

The arrival of 3D (1995–2004)

103 games in the catalog

After 1995 the third dimension took over. Virtua Fighter (Sega) and Tekken (Namco) had shown polygon fighters in 1993 and 1994, and in the following years it became the norm. Soul Edge (Namco, 1995) brought weapons into 3D, and Bushido Blade (1997) dropped the health bars altogether: one clean hit could decide the round. Movement into the depth of the arena meant a new kind of dodge, the sidestep, while SNK and Capcom kept 2D alive with team play: The King of Fighters was fought in teams of three, the Marvel vs. Capcom series in pairs. Power Stone (1999) then let two players loose in a free arena full of items.

Dead or Alive Ultimate – boxart Xbox

Dead or Alive Ultimate

Xbox Fighting ⏱ M

A double pack with a remake of the first game and a reworked second one; multi-level arenas.

Def Jam: Fight for NY – boxart PS2

Def Jam: Fight for NY

PS2Xbox Fighting ⏱ M 🔞 18+

A brutal street brawler featuring hip-hop stars like DMX and Method Man.

Mortal Kombat: Deception – boxart Xbox

Mortal Kombat: Deception

Xbox Bojova hra ⏱ M 🔞 18+

Builds on the series reboot with interactive arenas full of deadly traps for opponents.

Onimusha: Blade Warriors – boxart PS2

Onimusha: Blade Warriors

PS2 arénová bojová hra ⏱ S

A spin-off turns the adventure-driven Onimusha into an arena fighting game with characters from across the whole series.

Tekken 5 – boxart MAME

Tekken 5

MAMEPS2 Bojovka 3D ⏱ S

Arkádový Tekken 5 bez režimu Devil Within, ale s tempem automatu.

Astro Boy: Omega Factor – boxart GBA

Astro Boy: Omega Factor

GBA Beat 'em up / Action ⏱ S

Treasure at full tilt; action that won't let you go.

InuYasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale – boxart PS1

InuYasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale

PS1 Fighting ⏱ S

An anime fighter; for fans of the series.

Kung Fu Chaos – boxart Xbox

Kung Fu Chaos

Xbox Bojová hra ⏱ S

A party parody of kung-fu movies; a fictional director comments on the fights like a film shoot.

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos – boxart MAME

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

MAME Bojová hra ⏱ S

The first crossover of Capcom and SNK fighters; development was handled by the experienced studio Noise Factory.

Sonic Battle – boxart GBA

Sonic Battle

GBA Bojová hra ⏱ M

1-on-1 arena with the Sonic crew; Emerl learns opponents' moves and grows with the player.

Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus – boxart Xbox

Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus

Xbox Bojova hra ⏱ M

A fighting game from the creators of Killer Instinct, emphasizing authentic martial arts like kung fu.

Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO – boxart GCN

Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO

GCN bojová hra ⏱ M

Stejný křížovkový souboj Capcomu a SNK, ale s tlačítkem, které umí spustit speciál jedním stiskem.

8- and 16-bit (1986–1994)

77 games in the catalog

Between 1986 and 1994 the genre split in two. Renegade (Technos, 1986) moved the brawl onto city streets and Double Dragon (1987) added two-player play; Final Fight, Golden Axe and Streets of Rage then shaped the scrolling beat 'em up into the form we know. Among versus fighters the turning point was Street Fighter II (Capcom, 1991): six buttons, special moves entered by joystick motions, a different skill set for every character, and chained combos. Mortal Kombat (Midway, 1992) added digitised actors and finishing moves, Samurai Shodown added weapons, and Killer Instinct brought long combos that the opponent could interrupt.

Alien vs. Predator (Capcom) – boxart CPS

Alien vs. Predator (Capcom)

CPS Beat 'em up ⏱ S 🔞 18+

One of the highest-rated arcade brawlers ever made — hordes of xenomorphs against the legends.

Armored Warriors – boxart CPS

Armored Warriors

CPS Beat 'em up ⏱ M

A beat 'em up where you pilot colossal combat mechs instead of street brawlers.

Asuka 120% Burning Fest – boxart X68k

Asuka 120% Burning Fest

X68k Bojovka ⏱ S

A fighting game about school clubs made exclusively for the X68000; known for unusually snappy controls.

Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors – boxart MAME

Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors

MAMECPS Bojovka ⏱ S 🔞 18+

Street Fighter's combat system in a horror setting; faster and more airborne combos.

Killer Instinct – boxart MAME

Killer Instinct

MAMEGBSNESXONE bojová hra ⏱ S

Původní arkádová podoba slavné bojovky - plynulejší, ostřejší a o rok starší než port na SNES.

Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force – boxart X68k

Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force

X68k Beat 'em up ⏱ S

A beat-'em-up with level progression where each one ends in a one-on-one fighting-game duel.

Samurai Shodown – boxart MAME

Samurai Shodown

MAME3DO Bojovka ⏱ S ⭐ Must-play🔞 18+

Weapon-based fighting with an emphasis on timing; beautiful.

Samurai Shodown II – boxart Neo Geo

Samurai Shodown II

Neo Geo Fighting ⏱ S

SNK's 1994 title moved away from combo-mashing; one precise katana slash can take half your health.

Streets of Rage 3 – boxart MD

Streets of Rage 3

MD Beat 'em up ⏱ S

Faster, harder; reassessed today as excellent.

Super Punch-Out!! – boxart SNES

Super Punch-Out!!

SNES Sport / Fighting ⏱ S

Polished boxing; fast and satisfying.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo – boxart MAME

Super Street Fighter II Turbo

MAME3DO Bojovka ⏱ S ⭐ Must-play

The culmination of Street Fighter II's refinements; hidden Akuma and the series' first Super Combo meter.

Tekken – boxart MAME

Tekken

MAMEPS1 Bojovka ⏱ S ⭐ Must-play

One of the first 3D arena fights; the four-button limb control scheme became iconic.

The beginnings (until 1985)

5 games in the catalog

It began with simple duels on limited 8-bit machines. Karate Champ (Data East, 1984) set two fighters against each other with hits scored by judges, and Kung-Fu Master (Irem, 1984) sent a lone hero up the floors of a building full of enemies. Technically that meant a few large sprites, one screen and a joystick with a single button, so moves came from combining a direction with the button. Way of the Exploding Fist on the ZX Spectrum (1985) squeezed well over a dozen attacks out of that. Yie Ar Kung-Fu (Konami, 1985) put a string of opponents with different fighting styles in front of the player, and that variety pushed the genre on.

See all in the games list