These 10 Beat the Competition Down: The Top Fighting Games Ever
Jul 24 '06
The Bottom Line Street Fighter to Mortal Kombat, Virtua Fighter to Tekken, and everywhere in between; ten fighting games you should have in your collection.
Few things in life are as beautifully simple as the Thunderdome-style combat of fighting games. What other genre can get away with so little plot while having such addictive gameplay, deep replayability, and simple to learn/hard to master control?
These are the simple pleasures of the video game world. The objective is basic and straightforward. The subject is one we all know, a pure type of violence seated deep in our subconcious. Moreover, the excitement escalates when we have friends to play with. So, for your enjoyment, below are my top ten best fighting games of all time (or at least until now).
10. Power Stone 2
Nintendo had Super Smash Brothers, the Dreamcast had Power Stone. The sequel, while hard to find, is the superior game, but either is a blast. Four players can wreak havoc on an interactive 3D environment at once, picking up objects to use as weapons or collecting the namesake power stones which give a boost of, well, power. Where Super Smash Brothers Melee is the party fighter you kick back and relax with, Power Stone 2 is the one you use to settle bets.
9. Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
Street Fighter II is arguably the grandaddy of all fighting games, pioneering some of the best (and worst) cliches of the genre. It also had more than its fair share of sequels and spinoffs, with all of the minor changes this brings. So, why not bring every version, every character, every nuance together into one huge game? That's exactly what Capcom did, and thanks to obvious efforts to keep the graphical and aural polish up instead of hacking together yet another "best of" compilation disc, this one shines.
8. Dead or Alive 2/Hardcore
Even though Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore is a PS2 port of the Dreamcast's Dead or Alive 2, it's worth discussing them as separate games (though they get lumped together here for the sake of making a pretty list). The original DoA may have been most famous for its "bouncing breast mode" but both versions of the sequel showcase DoA's excellent combo and counter mechanics, two things that few other fighters do as well -- and no other fighter does both as well together. While the Dreamcast version is no graphical slouch, practically at the same level of Soul Calibur, most players give Hardcore the PS2 nod for visuals (I don't). However, Hardcore does lack something its sibling has; four-player tag-team mode, which makes this one you want to pick up for the Dreamcast if you can. And yes, they still bounce.
7. Super Smash Brothers Melee
Some fighting games go for finesse, skill, and tricky combo systems. Others, like Super Smash Brothers Melee, do just fine with simple button mashing. Don't get me wrong; skill does pay off. But even novices can pick up SSBM and get in a lick or two, thanks to the relatively simple controls. Add four-player support and some of the most recognizable characters from across the Nintendoverse, stir, and serve up some sweet party-style beatdown.
6. Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Take a few dozen characters from Capcom's extensive library, add in a few dozen characters from the expansive Marvel universe, put them in 3-on-3 tag-team battles royale, and you have Marvel vs. Capcom 2. A seminal 2D fighter, MvC2 has practically everything you need; a postively huge roster, nearly endless team combinations, spectacular special and super moves, and a superbly polished presentation to tie it all together.
5. Mortal Combat: Deadly Alliance
Few dynasties have had the ups and downs of Mortal Kombat; insanely popular at its inception, even bringing about attention from federal legislators, and then a string of hit-and-miss releases that had even diehard fans scratching their heads at times. Deadly Alliance puts the series back on the upswing with a revamped combat (or, rather, kombat) system that nevertheless doesn't stray far from its roots. There are weapons, different stances, and some 3D movement thrown in, but of course, and most important of all, the blood and gore are in full effect. Deadly Alliance is worth playing if only to see what all the fuss is about.
4. Soul Calibur III
Soul Calibur is the essential weapons-based fighting game, featuring characters from around the world with traditional arms such as swords, staves, and axes to more unconventional entries like... whatever the heck those are that Voldo uses. Actually the fourth in the series if you count the original Soul Blade, Soul Calibur III loses none of the good points and expands further with new characters, new weapons, a create-a-character mode, and even a pseudo-strategy game. With each new title, this is one that gets better and better, and Soul Calibur III is the best yet.
3. Fight Night Round 3
They say that clothes make the man. Does this, by extension, mean that graphics make the game? If it does, then Fight Night Round 3 truly has it made. You might see the ads, with drops of sweat and blood alternately pouring down and flying off of pugilists' faces, and think "nah, the actual game doesn't look like that." Well, it's awfully close. Thankfully, graphics isn't all FNR3 has; the boxing mechanics are superb, with real differences between defensive and offensive styles, and the character roster has just about every fighter you'll ever want. Don't forget the career and create-a-fighter modes, either.
2. Tekken 5
There's a war among 3D fighters. You're either on the side of Tekken or Virtua Fighter. While the battle rages on, the crown alternating back and forth, there's no denying that Tekken 5 is the best yet in the series and is one heck of a game. An awesome collection of bare-knuckle brawlers representing just about every martial arts style you can find in an encyclopedia is just the beginning. Extras like an "arcade" career mode (ripped from Virtua Fighter, natch), character customization (also ripped...), an actually good beat-em-up side game replacing the pitiful "Tekken Force", and arcade-accurate versions of Tekken 1, 2, and 3 round out what is the ultimate console Tekken experience.
1. Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution
Some people would put Tekken above Virtua Fighter, and I'm okay with that. Some would put Street Fighter above them both, but we don't talk about those kinds of people. Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution represents the pinnacle of the series that started 3D fighting in the first place, and is a shining example of just how technical a fighting game can be. True, this leads to a steep learning curve; you can't just pick out a few combos for your favorite character and go to town. But the satisfaction of plumbing the depths of this game is unmatched in any other. Evolution adds a career mode that simulates playing through the arcade circuit, even with opponents based on real tournament champs, and some customizable content. It just doesn't get more intense.
And there you have it. Ten reasons to get a friend (or three) over, crack open a few beverages, and mash buttons into the wee hours of down while screaming and groaning enough to get the neighbors to call the cops -- who just may sit down and play a few rounds with you.
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