Fighting Games Outside Of Tekken And Mortal Kombat In 2024 That You’re Missing Out On

Fighting games, we’ve all grown up playing them and talking about them, but have we really ever wondered what’s out there beyond the staples in the industry? Goliath franchises such as Tekken, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat that sell millions of copies and come from high-budgeted studios are nice and all, but is that all that there is to it? Definitely not.

Over the course of the last few years or so, I’ve come across some exceptionally well-made fighting games that deserve a lot more attention than what they get. And with this piece, I intend to highlight just that. Follow along with the piece as I go over some worth-buying renditions in the fighting game space.  

The Fighting Games Space Has A Lot To Offer; You Just Need To Look Hard Enough

If you wish to contribute to the list with a suggestion of your own, I highly recommend taking to the comments section and firing up a discussion there. 

1. Killer Instinct 

The first entry on the list is one of the oldest fighting games that came out for last-gen consoles all the way back in 2013. This particular release is a reboot of the franchise, which traces its humble beginnings to the early 1990s. The fighter title came to life as a free-to-play launch title for the Xbox One, featuring high-end visuals at the time, and an interesting cast of characters with remarkable gameplay. 

More than a decade later, Killer Instinct has stood the test of time, and if you want to get into all that it offers, the Anniversary Edition of the game is a good place to start. It includes a swath of guest characters and seasonal content. It’s also on Xbox Game Pass, so if you’re a member already, consider yourself sorted. 

2. Dead Or Alive 6

Koei Tecmo’s Dead or Alive is another big name in the realm of fighting games, but it’s still not on the same level of popularity as Tekken or Street Fighter. The latest iteration in the series — Dead or Alive 6 — came out in 2019, going on to enjoy a welcoming reception thanks to its beginner-friendly gameplay approach, striking visuals, and personality-driven characters. 

On a side note, it’s been reported that potential reboots of Koei Tecmo are in the works, and word has it that these would include Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden games. 

3. Samurai Shodown

As far as simple controls and an uncomplicated design go, Samurai Shodown is one of the most prolific fighting games out there that will get you hooked on its fantastic gameplay. The art style of the game, although unusual, is catchy, and the soundtrack is pretty riveting as well. The game belongs to a long-running franchise and puts great emphasis on weapon-based combat rather than just no-holds-barred fistfighting. 

4. Guilty Gear Strive

I genuinely feel like Guilty Gear Strive does not get talked about enough, because of the sheer level of quality on display here. It’s a great place to be in for a fighting game enthusiast, no questions asked, and I wouldn’t be saying all this had I not sank hundreds of hours into it myself. The best part? The gameplay is relatively simple, so it all comes across as a fantastic entry point for players across the board.

Just so you know, Strive has rolled over 1 million units as of August 2022, having been released in 2021 by Arc System Works.  

5. Midnight Fight Express

To imagine that a single person made this is just simply incredible, where the game really has you second-guessing about the authenticity of the latter, particularly because of how high-quality Midnight Fight Express feels on a frequent basis. It’s often got called “Sifu with more gore” and I certainly see why. 

It’s not technically a traditional fighting game, but rather more on the beat-em-up side. I still couldn’t help myself from not talking about it. The storyline is engaging, the combat is addictive, and the art style is eye candy all the same. Don’t sleep on this one.