Fighting games (aka versus fighting games)
Fighting games are a genre of action video games that focus on close-quarters combat between two characters, typically controlled by players, who engage in hand-to-hand combat against a single opponent for the entire duration of a match. These games are characterized by their fast-paced, strategic gameplay where players must use a variety of attacks, blocks, and counter-moves to defeat their opponent.
A distinctive trait of fighting games is the inclusion of special attacks, which are unique and often visually spectacular moves that characters can perform. These special attacks usually require specific combinations of button presses and joystick movements to execute, adding a layer of complexity and skill to the gameplay.
Among the most iconic and influential fighting games of all time are Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat.
Most popular fighting games
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Aaargh
DOS1988 Binary Design
Aaargh (1988) is exactly what you’ll scream as your giant monster stomps through cities with all the grace of a drunk kaiju. On DOS, this arcade-ish game lets you smash stuff, roast villagers, and battle other monsters in duels that feel like two rubber suits colliding. It’s dumb, loud, and charmingly awful — the kind of game you&...
Battle Arena Toshinden
DOS1996 Tamsoft Corporation
Battle Arena Toshinden was the first game in the Toshinden series and was originally released for the Sony PlayStation in 1995 and later for DOS. Battle Arena Toshinden introduced 3D graphics to the fighting game genre, allowing characters to move in a three-dimensional space.The game featured a diverse roster of eight playable characters, eac...
Body Blows
DOS1993 Team 17
Body Blows is a 2D fighting game developed and published by Team17, released in 1993. It was initially launched for the Amiga and later ported to MS-DOS. Body Blows was one of the few fighting games to emerge from Europe during the early 1990s and was heavily inspired by the success of games like Street Fighter II. Body Blows features traditio...
Brutal: Paws of Fury
DOS1995 GameTek
Budokan: the Martial Spirit
DOS1989 Electronic Arts
Choose an Enemy
DOS1991
Dangerous Streets
DOS1994
Death Sword
DOS1988 Palace Software
Death Sword (also known as Barbarian in Europe), is a fighting game developed by Palace Software, set in a fantasy world full of huge sword-wielding barbarians. Compared to modern brawlers, Death Sword gameplay may seem slow, but at the time it was considered adequate. Instead of rushing into multiple chain combos, the slow pace allow the players t...
Endless Horror
DOS1993
Metal & Lace
DOS1993NSFW MegaTech Software
Metal & Lace: The Battle of the Robo Babes is a video game developed by Megatech Software and published by Forest Interactive in 1993. It's an adult-themed fighting game for MS-DOS.In the game, players control customizable female robots known as "Robo Babes" in one-on-one combat. The emphasis on customization allows players to modify their robo...
Mortal Kombat
DOS1993protected Midway Manufacturing Company
Mortal Kombat is one of the most popular one-on-one fighting games, and it's no surprise that it has spawned numerous sequels. Players choose from seven digitized characters and battle their way to the top, facing all other opponents. One of the game's most distinctive features is the "Fatality", a special finishing move that allows players to defe...
Mortal Kombat 2
DOS1994protecteddemo Midway Manufacturing Company
Mortal Kombat II is an arcade fighting game released by Midway in 1993. It's the sequel to the original Mortal Kombat (1992). The game introduced several new fighters, including Kitana, Mileena, Baraka, and Jax, alongside returning characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, and Raiden. The game takes place in Outworld, ruled by the evi...
Mortal Kombat 3
DOS1995protected Midway Manufacturing Company
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting action game developed by Midway Manufacturing Company and released by GT Interactive Software in 1995 for DOS and Windows as well as for many other platforms. Mortal Kombat 3 is the third chapter of the acclaimed Mortal Kombat series that spawned many sequels, a few TV series and even movies (with various degree of suc...
No Exit
DOS1990 Coktel Vision
One Must Fall 2097
DOS1994freeware Diversions Entertainment
One Must Fall: 2097 is a fighting game released in 1994 by Epic MegaGames. Set in a futuristic world, the game features giant humanoid robots known as HARs (Human-Assisted Robots) controlled by human pilots. The storyline revolves around a tournament organized by the multinational corporation WAR (World Aeronautics and Robotics), where pilots compe...
Pit Fighter
DOS1991 Atari
Pit Fighter is an arcade-style fighting game that was originally released in arcades in 1990 by Atari Games. It was later ported to various home gaming platforms, including DOS, the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and others. It was one of the first arcade games to feature digitized live-action charactersThe game is a...
Pray for Death
DOS1996protected Light Shock Software
Primal Rage
DOS1995 Atari
Rise of the Robots
DOS1994 Mirage Technologies
Sango Fighter
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1993freeware Panda Entertainment Technology Co.
Sango Fighter 2
DOS1995freeware Panda Entertainment Technology Co.
Savage Warriors
DOS1995 Kalisto Entertainment
Sexy Fighter
DOS1993NSFW Kingformation
Street Fighter
DOS1988 Capcom
Street Fighter 2
DOS1992 Capcom
Street Fighter II is a classic arcade fighting game developed and published by Capcom. It was first released in 1991 as a sequel to the original Street Fighter. Street Fighter II is widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic video games of all time, credited with popularizing the fighting game genre and shaping the arcade scene of th...
Street Fighter 2 Championship Edition
DOS1996 Capcom
Super Street Fighter 2
DOS1996 Capcom
Super Street Fighter II is an enhanced version of the iconic arcade fighting game Street Fighter II, developed and published by Capcom. It was released in 1993 as an upgrade to Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting and introduced several new features, characters, and gameplay mechanics to the series.Super Street Fighter II expanded the roster wit...
The Amazing Spider-Man and Captain America in Dr. Doom's Revenge!
DOS1989 Paragon Software
The Way of the Exploding Fist PC
Windows 10/112008freewareremake
Time Slaughter
DOS1996freeware Bloodlust Software
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