15 BEST PS5 Fighting Games To Play In 2023

If you own a PlayStation 5 console then you should not sleep on these PS5 Fighting games.

From the early days of SEGA, MEGA drive to the current gen PlayStation 5 console, some of the best fighting games have made a mark on countless players in the industry. Fighting games are no longer simple beat’em up types where players just throw punches and kicks at each other.

Instead, this video game genre has evolved significantly in terms of graphics, complex combo systems, environmental interactions & much more. That is why we have curated the best PS5 Fighting games list & entailed the top 15 games to experience on PlayStation 5 console.

Key Highlights
  • Fighting games are games where two or more players face off against each other in battle. There can be 1v1 fights or team fights, such as 3v3.
  • Fighting game genres are also one of the most popular video game genres in today’s Industry. Graphics, Game Mechanics, Interactions, and many other things have evolved tremendously in these games.
  • If you’re a PS5 player, then it’s worth knowing the Top 15 Best PS5 Fighting Games for the year 2023. These include:
      • Dragon Ball FighterZ.
      • Samurai Showdown 2019.
      • Street Fighter V.
      • BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.
      • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl.
      • Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown.
      • Marvel VS Capcom Infinite.
      • Brawlhalla.
      • Injustice 2: Legendary Edition.
      • Soulcalibur VI.
      • Tekken 7.
      • King Of Fighters XV.
      • Guilty Gear Strive.
      • EA Sports UFC 4.
      • Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate.
  • Each game has its own unique mechanics, playing styles, combat techniques, interactions, quality, and gameplay.
  • So learning them can be quite a challenge but if you do start to get the hang of the game it can also be fun and rewarding at the same time.

Here are some interesting details about our Top 15 Fighting Games:

GameAwardRelease DateDeveloperPlatforms
Samurai Showdown 2019Nominated for Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2019June 25, 2019SNKArcade, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
BlazBlue: Cross Tag BattleNominated for Fighting Game of the Year at the D.I.C.E. AwardsMay 31, 2018Arc System WorksNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Arcade, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
Nickelodeon All-Star BrawlNominated for Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2021October 5, 2021Ludosity and Fair Play LabsNintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate ShowdownNot AvailableJune 1, 2021Sega AM2 and Ryu Ga Gotoku StudioPlayStation 4
Marvel vs. Capcom: InfiniteNominated for Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2017September 19, 2017CapcomPlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
BrawlhallaNominated for Best Competitive Game at Google Play Awards 2020October 17, 2017Blue Mammoth GamesmacOS, PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Dragon Ball FighterZBest Fighting Game, Game of the Year, and Fan Favorite Fighting GameJanuary 26, 2018Arc System WorksPC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S
Injustice 2: Legendary EditionFighting Game Of The YearMay 11, 2017Midway Games and QLOCAndroid, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Soulcalibur VINominated for Fighting Game of the Year at D.I.C.E. AwardsOctober 19, 2018BANDAI NAMCO Studios, Project Soul, and DimpsPC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
Street Fighter V: Champion EditionFighting Game Of The YearFebruary 14, 2020Capcom and DimpsPlayStation 4, Arcade game, and PC
Tekken 7Game, Franchise Fighting at NAVGTRFebruary 18, 2015BANDAI NAMCO StudiosPlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Arcade game
King Of Fighters XVNominated for Best Fighting in The Game Awards 2022February 14, 2022SNKPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC
Guilty Gear StriveBest Fighting GameJune 11, 2021Arc System WorksPlayStation 4. PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
EA Sports UFC 4Nominated for Game, Franchise Fighting at NAVGTRAugust 14, 2020EA Vancouver and EA CanadaPlayStation 4 and Xbox One
Mortal Kombat 11 UltimateFighting Game Of The Year and Best Fighting GameApril 23, 2019NetherRealm StudiosPC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S

Our list contains a mix of fighting game titles that were released on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Some of the PS4 releases were re-released for PS5 with ultimate editions containing extra fighting characters, improved graphics, and other subtle additions.

15. Samurai Showdown 2019

samurai showdown 2019
  • Developer: SNK
  • Release Date: June 25, 2019

The Samurai Shodown series is one of the most cherished assets owned by SNK, but it is also one of the company’s most erratic; the series has produced several highly renowned releases, and there are a couple that has received very poor ratings.

SNK’s creators have, thankfully, taken into account the complicated history of the series and made a concerted effort to zero in on what it is that sets Samurai Shodown apart from other games in the genre of fighting.

Getting a sense of how well everything can be controlled by playing with the different characters and seeing their individual actions and skills is probably the best way to do this. The different attack weights provide a sense of substance, and even fundamental maneuvers like standing, crouching, and dashing are a lot of fun to perform.

The central gameplay, as enjoyable as it is, is only one component of a much larger offering. Those who were hoping for a compelling experience playing the game alone may find themselves a little let down by it. Although there are fewer names on the roster than there are for some other fighters, there is still a great deal of variation.

However, despite the fact that there are a large number of characters, the narrative mode is not very engaging. It merely provides each character with an introduction and a conclusion, as well as a few simple cutscenes, and there is a final boss who does not seem to have any connection to a large portion of the cast.

The concept of online play is essential to the development of current fighting games, and the online duels in Samurai Shodown are of a playable standard. Since the netcode is dependent on input latency, the quality of your experience when playing online will mostly be determined by the distance between you and your opponent, as well as the quality of your connection.

In Dojo mode, you are able to download a player’s ghost data and compete against a computer-controlled opponent that plays similarly to the player.

Samurai Shodown is an excellent remake of the original game. It preserves what made the original entertaining and distinctive, but it also comes at a time when high-damage, high-stakes fighters like this are rare, which results in its fighting feeling both new and familiar at the same time. It is simple to pick up and play, which gives it a lot of strategic complexity, which in turn results in incredibly intense and violent battles.

Pros:

  • The gameplay is very rewarding and the skill ceiling is high.
  • Samurai Showdown 2019 has an amazing cast of characters with beautiful animations.

Cons:

  • The netcode is horrible, making online battles very frustrating.
  • The player base has shrunk considerably and it is a rare sight to find a match online.
  • There is no offline mode content.
  • The load times can be very long sometimes.

14. BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

blazblue cross tag battle
  • Developer: Arc System Works
  • Release Date: June 5, 2018

Fighters in 2D anime such as the BlazBlue series may be scary due to the complex movesets they need and the precision with which they must be executed. The gameplay methods of BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, on the other hand, have been simplified, and the game incorporates characters from three other franchises into the fray. This is a departure from previous entries in the series.

All four series are combined into a single, five-button fighting game in Cross Tag Battle. Even the most historically complicated characters in the cast stay true to form when it matters the most, despite the fact that it can seem to be a little too simple.

You’ll recognize familiar maneuvers that have comparable attributes from respective games, but the circumstances under which they may be executed have been altered. Additionally, the Partner talents will need some practice to master.

The battle mechanism in Cross Tag Battle is rather complex, and it will take some time before players feel completely at ease with it and understand all of its subtleties. On the other hand, the process of being brought up to speed is excellent.

After gaining some practice in the single-player mode, you’ll want to take the battle online, where you’ll spend most of your time. In the online component of Cross Tag, there are numerous lobbies catering to players of all skill levels.

Cross Tag Battle is an incredible delight with an abundance of options thanks to its large pool of playable characters and adaptable combat system. This is true whether you are playing through the narrative mode by yourself or taking on skilled opponents online.

You are compelled to go deeper and commit more time to get the most out of the well-liked members of this ensemble in BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle as a result of the game’s remarkable synthesis of gameplay styles and systems from four separate worlds.

Pros:

  • BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle has very deep gameplay mechanics that are hard to master but easy to get into.
  • It has a fleshed-out cast of characters with unique character designs.
  • Rollback netcode is being added to the game, making the online experience very smooth.

Cons:

  • BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is very old and there are not many players online, making matchmaking almost non-existent.
  • It does not have a lot of offline modes to play.
  • The battles can feel too fast and one-sided sometimes due to characters having mix-up loops.

13. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl

nickelodeon all-star brawl
  • Developer: Ludosity, Fair Play Labs
  • Release Date: October 5, 2021

The Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl video game is quite obviously patterned after the Smash Bros. series of fighting video games. The game features a cast of classic Nickelodeon characters. This game has drawn its influence from a variety of sources, including the controls, the stage, and the game types, all the way down to the design of the UI.

The principle of the game is straightforward: a number of your beloved Nickelodeon figures from the early 1990s to the current day are attempting to eliminate each other from a variety of themed stages by shooting each other with different weapons.

Smash fans will recognize the gameplay right away, but even those who have never played a platform fighter before shouldn’t have too much trouble getting used to it. For players who have been fans of Nickelodeon characters, having this Best PS5 Fighting Game will sure keep them off the edge for a while.

That the fighting is similar to that of Smash does not mean that it is precisely the same since there are some major differences that make All-Star Brawl distinct from Smash. It is a pretty innovative approach to execute these attacks while lowering the likelihood of a false input, and as a player who regularly misses the target tilt threshold in the Smash Bros. series of video games, this is something that I really appreciate.

It seems like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl has good mechanics, which is fantastic news. However, for a game that is making a concerted effort to compete on an equal footing with Smash, it falls short in a number of key instances. The fact that Super Smash Bros. works well on several levels, including as a game for competition, as a game for parties, and as a platform for providing fan service, is the primary reason for the game’s meteoric rise in popularity.

In the end, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a good competitive platform fighter, but it lacks numerous crucial components that are necessary for the genre. All-Star Brawl is a game that offers a lot of contentment if you play it with a group of friends who want to compete in games similar to Smash Bros. and if you have a lot of affection for the roster of animated characters that Nickelodeon has to offer.

But whether you want major single-player experiences or a fun messing around party fighter that you can play casually with friends and family, you’re going to go back to Nintendo’s Smash series.

Pros:

  • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl has a huge cast of nostalgic Nickelodeon characters.
  • The online is amazing and has a huge player pool with seamless matchmaking.
  • Good gameplay with enough depth and a decently high skill ceiling.

Cons:

  • Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl does not have too much additional content.
  • It may not feel polished or can feel unfinished.
  • There are not a lot of online or offline modes you can play.

12. Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown

Virtua Fighter 5 ultimate showdown
  • Developer: Sega AM2
  • Release Date: June 1, 2021

Experienced gamers of Virtua Fighter will find the gameplay of Ultimate Showdown to be quite comfortable and familiar. The original Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown serves as the inspiration for the game’s core combat engine, and all of the techniques, characters, and stages from that game have been ported over into this one.

The combat in Virtua Fighter 5 was among the greatest you could find anywhere, and the game’s remarkable complexity of gameplay has kept many people playing for years on end. The visuals and the soundtrack, on the other hand, have been totally reworked in the Dragon Engine, and this is what makes the game fresh.

As was said before, the vs. play mode is, without a doubt, where the majority of the gameplay in Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown can be found. The game places a strong emphasis on competition as its primary driving force, going so far as to display clips from a variety of matches on the page where you pick the game option.

The fact that the game places such a heavy emphasis on competitive matching, on the other hand, means that the single-player modes have taken a back seat to it. You merely have access to a simple arcade game in which you face off against a lineup of computer-controlled opponents, as well as a training mode.

The arcade mode is fairly simple to use. Even while it’s not certain, extra single-player content could be included in the game at some point in the future thanks to a patch.

As a result of the game’s significant emphasis on both local and online multiplayer competition, the netcode for Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown needed to be particularly robust. “Rollback” netcode, which can be seen in games like Mortal Kombat 11 and Guilty Gear Strive, is the approach that is now most often used to address the issue of latency in fighting games.

The game Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown uses a bespoke system about which Sega has not provided any information on its inner workings. Given the wide range of internet connection speeds available throughout North America, it is unrealistic for us to anticipate that every possible participant will have a configuration that is optimal for playing the game.

If you are interested in fighting games and are wondering about the quality of the fights in Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, it is simple to suggest giving the game a try. If you can tolerate some dodgy random connections and a shortage of material for single-player play, you will discover a fighting game experience that is really fulfilling and only gets better the more time you engage in it.

Pros:

  • The training mode is great with several different options that allow you to experiment with different things.
  • The movement and the combat are satisfying.
  • It has diverse combo strings with a lot of potential.

Cons:

  • There are no other offline modes besides training mode or arcade.
  • The online mode is horrible due to suffering from delay-based netcode.
  • There is no story mode to connect you with any of the characters.

11. Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite

Marvel Vs Capcom infinite
  • Developer: Capcom
  • Release Date: September 19, 2017

The newest incarnation of Capcom’s performer crossover combat game, Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite was released earlier this year. It utilizes well-known gaming mechanics and characters but displays them in a manner that is completely original.

Since its inception, the Marvel vs. Capcom concept has seen just a few minor tweaks, but Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite marks the most substantial of them. Because of this, the game is not only enjoyable and gratifying to play, but it also addresses a number of the most significant problems that were present in its forerunner.

The introduction of the Infinity Stones, each of which, according to Marvel canon, represents a separate aspect of the world, represents the most significant change that has been made in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite. 

The rabbit hole becomes darker when you take into account the tagging system, and it is in this area that the other significant alterations to the series may be found. The tagging system has been streamlined, but Capcom has ensured that it retains its depth.

In a similar vein, it does not seem like “Off The Ground” maneuvers play a significant role for the whole of Infinite. Due to the fact that there is a smaller window of opportunity currently, it is somewhat more difficult to carry off these movements. Again, when you see one occur, you know that it was carried out in a skillful manner.

Naturally, there are those people who won’t even consider the possibility of playing Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite with that level of detail. They claim that Capcom has included a one-button auto-combo feature in the game in order to make it easier for casual players to pick up a controller and start making interesting things happen. This is a move that treats longtime fans of the series unfairly.

The netcode for Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite has shown to be trustworthy in terms of locating matches, and the network performance of those matches is, for the most part, consistent. The process of matching players is swift, and it usually doesn’t take long to locate someone to duke it out with.

When both players have full connectivity, the game runs with the same fluidity as when it was played offline. The fights that take place throughout the tale are exciting to follow as well. Requesting of players on a regular basis that they destroy Ultron Sigma’s mechanical robots, which have a low health bar but a high quantity.

It’s too bad that Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite’s presentation isn’t more impressive because of how good the gameplay is. There have been many improvements made to the aesthetics, and although it appears much better in action than it does in still photographs, the still images do not do it justice. The quality is both variable and terribly inadequate across the board.

In spite of this, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a fantastic fighting game because of the gameplay mechanisms that underpin it. Even though the game was released first on PlayStation 4, you can count this gem as the Best PS5 fighting game on the console for Marvel and Capcom fans.

Pros:

  • Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is a fighting game classic with your favorite characters from both Marvel and Capcom universes.
  • The gameplay and fast-paced and very fun with a high skill ceiling.
  • Infinity stones are a great new mechanic.

Cons:

  • The art style might not be too appealing to some people
  • The game balance is not the best, with top-tier characters being very frustrating to fight.
  • The story mode is mediocre.
  • The load times can be long sometimes.
  • Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is hard to get into as a complete beginner.

10. Brawlhalla

Brawlhalla
  • Developer: Blue Mammoth Games
  • Release Date: October 17, 2017

The free-to-play, four-player fighting game Brawlhalla, which was previously only available on the PC, is now available for the PlayStation 5. You won’t find a game on the platform that comes close to the Smash Bros. experience quite like this one.

It is evident that it does not have the fascination of putting renowned heroes against one another, but when it comes to the actual fighting, it does a rather excellent job of imitating the quick and tumultuous style of Nintendo’s fighting game.

The roster of Brawlhalla has a wide variety of heroes and anti-heroes, ranging from a Viking who is half-man and half-bear to an Italian gangster from the 1950s who wears a trilby hat. Within the context of the game, each of the roughly thirty-odd legends, as they are referred to, has a comprehensive history.

In addition, each of them has stats that are one of a kind and two different weapons at their disposal during combat. The game starts to differentiate itself from its source material with the introduction of this new weaponry system. Each character utilizes the same hand-to-hand moveset, and the combat begins with none of your characters armed in any way.

After a brief period of time, weapon pickups begin to fall into the arena. At this point, each fighter comes into their own and begins to differentiate themselves from the others.

In spite of the abundance of choices available to you, the controls are straightforward and simple to understand. Even though there is a basic tutorial that walks you through the controls, it won’t take you very long to figure out how to use them on your own.

If you spend enough time playing with one legend, you can raise their level. Not only does leveling up provide access to new color choices, but it also grants access to new stances, which fundamentally alter a character’s starting statistics in some way.

There is a simple single-player tournament mode, as well as a training option, if you wish to brush up on your abilities. Offline play is possible for up to four people.

Due to the fact that this is a free-to-play game, there are a few different currencies that you need to be aware of. The good news is that you may get wealth and fame just by playing the game. During regular gameplay, you will earn gold, which may be used toward the purchase of additional legends.

Brawlhalla is an enjoyable fighter that has engaging and punchy gameplay, and it comes close to capturing the sensation of being among the finest fighting games available for the PlayStation 5.

Pros:

  • Brawlhalla has very generous dev support and communication for the game including big prize pools for competitive tournaments.
  • Huge cast of well-designed characters that are original and have unique gameplay.
  • The game is not only available on major consoles and PC, but also on mobile devices.
  • It has cross-play between all playable platforms.
  • The music is very catchy.

Cons:

  • The balance is not the best.
  • It can seem like there is not a lot of variety in gameplay sometimes.

9. Dragon Ball FighterZ

dragon ball fighter z
  • Developer: Arc System Works
  • Release Date: January 26, 2018

FighterZ’s visuals appear like Dragon Ball at its absolute finest, whether they are stationary or moving, and they adhere extremely closely to the guidelines that were established by the creator of the series. It does not matter how you have seen the program in the past since having the choice to choose between Japanese and English voice acting makes it simple to feel linked to the actions that are taking on on-screen.

The players’ characters in Dragon Ball FighterZ have the ability to dash through the air at any moment, fire off energy blasts as if they were nothing, and unleash a barrage of tiny punches and kicks to stun an opponent who is trying to defend themselves.

While they are attacking, all of the combatants are heard shouting enthusiastically at the top of their voices (in a positive manner) every few seconds.

FighterZ retains all of its intricacies whilst being user-friendly, much like any other top-tier fighting game available for the PS5. Even while super attacks and teleports are simple to pull off, they still have timing requirements and combination prerequisites. To pull off these tactics, players need to have an expert-level understanding of analysis and strategic play.

To play FighterZ, you don’t even need to have aspirations of being a skilled online combatant. There is a substantial narrative mode included in the game that, if you watch all of the available cutscenes, might take you a dozen or more hours to complete. Fans of Dragon Ball will like the game despite the fact that it may seem a little drawn out at times and isn’t all that challenging until the very end.

The premise of the situation is that a group of clones of the most powerful warriors on the globe are loose and causing mayhem. To put an end to them, the good guys and the bad guys from Dragon Ball must join forces. The players take control of a brand-new persona known as Android 21, which is connected to everything in some way.

Just as in battle, Arc’s strong design talents make the 3D models and surroundings in cutscenes appear very similar to true 2D animation. This is especially noticeable in the environment. Although FighterZ comes very close to duplicating the appearance of the anime, the forced engagement seems like it’s a step in the wrong direction.

In a similar vein, the game’s basic and very tiny overworld seems pointless, despite the fact that it tries to offer value. The game makes an effort to encourage you to continue playing by providing unlocked avatars for the overworld. Despite the fact that this may seem appealing, the only way to get these items is via opening random treasure boxes.

Fighting game competitors will appreciate playing Dragonball FighterZ because of its high level of complexity and uniqueness. Nevertheless, there is little doubt that it was conceived with the intention of winning over the affections of the most devoted fans of Dragon Ball.

Pros:

  • Beginner players will find Dragon Ball FighterZ to be quite friendly.
  • Beautifully animated cinematics and ultimate super attacks are available.
  • The original Dragon Ball Manga is heavily cited in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
  • The movement and combat are incredibly exciting and fast-paced.
  • There are several online multiplayer game modes that let you engage in different conflicts every time.
  • Characters who have never spoken to one another in the manga or anime appear in the story mode and some character introductions.

Cons:

  • There aren’t a lot of different offline modes in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
  • Poor developer communication has long been a problem.

8. Injustice 2: Legendary Edition

Injustice 2 legendary edition

Since the relaunch of Mortal Kombat in 2011, NetherRealm has been on an upward trajectory, and with the release of Injustice 2, the company has moved one step closer to refining the kind of fighting game that it has developed.

The game is rich, deep, and sophisticated, but it is also accessible to newbies owing to move lists that are reasonably easy to understand and a range of fresh gaming chances that are gratifying.

It may seem strange coming from a fighting game, but the narrative in Injustice 2 is one of the game’s main draws. It takes place over the course of a lengthy campaign that is packed with some of NetherRealm’s most outstanding cutscenes from that era.

The cast welcomes back a number of recurring characters, including The Flash and Green Lantern, among others. However, Injustice 2 features other characters that are unlikely to become fan favorites, like as Atrocitus, the Red Lantern, and Swamp Thing.

In Injustice 2, the Legendary version, players may choose from a cast of 38 characters, each with their own unique set of superpowers and combat styles. Each player character has a unique ability that, when used in the midst of a battle, may instantaneously activate a status boost or call an underling.

Learning special moves and combinations does not need much effort. On the other hand, mastering combination timing requires a significant investment of time and effort. There are a variety of ways that characters might fit into these different types of fights.

However, as is typical for a NetherRealm game, the majority of assaults initially seem weighty and methodical in their execution. Despite this, beginners have the ability to quickly wow each other with easy two-button Super techniques that halt the action for an extravagant and theatrical combination strike. Alternately, players may stop an oncoming combo strike by using the Clash ability on their character.

The only thing that can really prepare a new player for the game is their own personal experience. When seen in this light, Injustice 2 offers a wealth of educational possibilities throughout the Multiverse. The allure of gear-based prizes and the fact that fight modifiers are produced at random both contribute to the mode’s overall enjoyment.

Injustice 2 provides a wide variety of opportunities to interact with its cast of characters and to put your skills to the test without making any of those activities seem monotonous. The addition of gear adds even more depth to this variant. The richness of customization and expression that comes with gear finally makes up for the fact that item management is tethered to an economy that is overly complicated.

Similar to Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite, Injustice 2 was also released first on PlayStation 4. However, the Legendary edition makes it a complete game and the Best PS5 fighting game involving all DC characters on the console. 

Pros:

  • The story mode can be very fun.
  • Injustice 2 is probably the easiest fighting game a beginner with no prior knowledge can play.
  • It has very simple special move inputs.

Cons:

  • The online modes are completely dead with no players online.
  • Some of the moves and controls can feel very clunky.
  • Injustice 2 does not get any more support from the devs.

7. Soulcalibur VI

Soulcalibur VI
  • Developer: Bandai Namco Studios, Dimps
  • Release Date: October 19, 2018

The pervasive feeling of adventure that can be found in SoulCalibur sets it apart from other games in its genre in a meaningful way. It emphasizes this by having stirring orchestral music and grandiose narrations about destiny that cannot be changed and destinies that are intertwined.

This sense of exploration and discovery is brought to the fore in SoulCalibur VI’s two different narrative modes. The majority of the plot in Libra of Souls is conveyed via written words, yet despite this, it is all surprisingly fascinating, with conversation and descriptions laying the atmosphere for the final battle and imbuing even the most forgettable adversaries with some personality.

When you successfully complete these missions, you will be rewarded with an experience that will allow you to level up; here is when the RPG hooks are at their most powerful. You’ll be able to wield more powerful weapons as you level up, each of which will have a unique appearance and set of abilities. Along with being more resilient, foes also become more challenging thanks to the addition of unique combat situations.

The game mechanics of the role-playing game provide the additional option to choose a food item to bring into combat with you. These give perks to the player, such as greater counter damage and a health boost at the beginning of each new round.

There are also subtle hints scattered throughout Libra of Souls that drive home the concept that you are a nomadic warrior on an adventure of epic proportions. Another aspect of the game is the decision-making sequences. Some of these sequences may simply determine how you interact with a particular individual, while others will determine the balance of your soul between good and evil.

The straightforward nature of SoulCalibur’s gameplay is part of what makes it so appealing. The rules of engagement are straightforward at their most fundamental level, and the rapid tempo of conflicts means that decision-making must be based as much on instinct as it is on well-researched strategies and the ability to be reactive.

One of the greatest fighting games available for the PlayStation 5 is SoulCalibur VI, which comes highly recommended. It features a low entrance barrier while yet having a high skill ceiling, much like all of the finest games in its genre.

Pros:

  • The gameplay mechanics are great and polished.
  • Beginners can have a relatively easy time getting into the game.
  • The single-player mode has a lot of content.
  • There are a lot of unique characters in the roster.

Cons:

  • There are not a lot of online modes available in Soulcalibur VI.
  • The story mode is incredibly tedious and not fun to play at all.
  • The netcode is horrible.
  • The matchmaking can be difficult due to few players playing the game.

6. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition

street fighter V champion edition
  • Developer: Capcom, Dimps
  • Release Date: February 14, 2020

The tradition of the Street Fighter series is upheld by the latest installment, Street Fighter V, which has a broad roster of characters that bring the game’s impressive combat engine to life. Combatants, both fresh and seasoned, compete for your attention with personalities that are contagious and combat techniques that are one of a kind.

It is immediately obvious that there is a lack of modes in Street Fighter V, some of which have been present in Street Fighter games since they were first released. More significantly, someone who does not have the motivation and knowledge of a serious competitor cannot possibly grasp the game’s movelists and mechanics.

The Focus Attack, which was a simple move to perform, has been removed from Street Fighter V. This is one of the changes that stand out the most when comparing Street Fighter V to its predecessor. But in actual play, it eventually slowed down matches and added to the idea that the game’s cast was watered down since it was accessible to every character.

Other, more nuanced changes also add to the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of Street Fighter V. Even while blocking causes players to absorb some damage from an incoming strike, the only way for a character to perish while blocking is if they are struck by a Critical Arts attack.

As a result of the decreased risk of passing away as a result of chip damage, it is now possible for combatants who are down to their very last bit of health to stage a comeback.

Fights inside this framework feel fantastic, and Street Fighter V’s one-on-one duels, whether they take place in person or online, are always tight and exciting. It is very essential that the online components of Street Fighter V function well since, apart from the actual fighting, there isn’t much else for the ordinary player to do in the game.

You may acquire Fight Money by competing in online fights, progressing through the narrative mode chapters, and leveling up characters. This makes it a viable substitute for real-world currency. This connection presents a significant challenge in the event that the servers crash while you are playing the game; you will be sent out to the main menu, and all of your previous progress will be lost.

Street Fighter V still has a long way to go, and if Capcom wants to keep casual gamers interested in the game, it has to fix the problems that currently exist in it. That might very well occur if it continues to adhere to the planned updates that it has forecasted; only time will tell. 

Those who are prepared to stick it out now will find one of the greatest combat engines available, with a fantastic cast of characters and smartly balanced fighting styles that make the game both tough and enjoyable.

Street Fighter fans can’t wait for the next SF game to release and enjoy the next generation’s glory of graphics, in-game dynamic engine, and all new things possible. That is why we consider Street Fighter V: Champion Edition as the Best PS5 fighting game under the SF category for now.

Pros:

  • There is a huge variety of classic characters from old Street Fighter games.
  • The player pool is huge and it is very easy to find online matches.
  • The devs support the competitive circuit of the game with entertaining tournaments and big prize pools.
  • There is cross-play available between every platform.

Cons:

  • The gameplay can be incredibly slow-paced and boring.
  • The attacks and buttons feel very unsatisfying and clunky.
  • Street Fighter 5 does implement rollback netcode for online matches but the execution is horrible and the netcode is comparable to any standard delay-based netcode. 
  • The graphics are mediocre.
  • There is a huge amount of native delay in the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game.

5. Tekken 7

tekken 7
  • Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
  • Release Date: June 2, 2017

The Tekken series has been popular in arcades for a very long time, but the console ports of the games are the ones that really made an impression on many players. Tekken 7 upholds the majority of these cherished customs and once again provides the series’ trademark fast-paced, punishing combat that has been its hallmark feature.

The fighting game Tekken places emphasis on using space and moving laterally during battle. To a great extent, this is a game of inches; most of the striking, kicking, and grappling takes place at close range, and there is very little room for mistakes. The combat method in Tekken 7 may seem intimidating, but it’s really not as challenging as the game makes it seem at first.

The most significant criticism that can be leveled against Tekken 7 is that it does an inadequate job of explaining the nuanced workings of its gameplay mechanics. The move lists for each character often include approximately one hundred items, which is an excessively large number to learn and memorize. The greatest thing you can do is enter training mode and go from one move to the next as quickly as you can.

Tekken 7 has more than 30 playable characters, so there are plenty of combatants and opponents to analyze and learn from. A remarkable roughly one-quarter of the roster consists of fresh new members. It’s possible that the addition of fireballs and hurricane kicks will look out of place in the Tekken franchise.

In addition to the two to three hours that are spent on the main tale, each character who is not present during that time is given their own small chapter. There is a wide variety, and not all are created equal; however, there are some that are delightfully purposefully awkward and humorous.

Tekken 7 plays true to the series’ reputation for antics and generously provides you with access to the complete back catalog of cutscenes from previous games in the series. Unlocking all of the Tekken histories in this collection is like taking a fantastic walk down memory lane since there is a lot of it to discover.

Tekken 7 is still an excellent fighting game that comes highly recommended. Its broad roster is stocked with a wide spectrum of characters and fighting techniques, which demands to be taken seriously while simultaneously ridiculing the more bizarre whims that it indulges in the process.

Pros:

  • Tekken 7 has amazing unreal engine graphics.
  • The movement and the gameplay are very satisfying.
  • Tekken 7 possibly has the largest pool of players out of any fighting game, making matchmaking seamless.
  • A huge cast of classic Tekken characters with beautiful new animations.
  • It introduces guest characters as DLC from different games.

Cons:

  • It can be incredibly hard to get into Tekken 7 if you are not familiar with the Tekken series.
  • If you are completely unfamiliar with your opponent’s character it is too hard to beat them and you are forced to learn the match-up which can take several days.
  • Tekken 7 does not have a lot of online modes.
  • The netcode is not the best.

4. King Of Fighters XV

King of Fighters XV
  • Developer: SNK
  • Release Date: February 17, 2022

The King of Fighters series is responsible for popularizing the idea of a fighting game that is played in teams. This is the series’ claim to fame. In King of Fighters, you do not control a single character but rather a team of three warriors that compete against the group controlled by your opponent.

Movement is another important aspect of the Kingdom of Fantasy. Although it’s not nearly as open-ended as titles like Guilty Gear, KoF still gives you a lot of leeways to move about the map. These possibilities of mobility are accompanied by a variety of standard and special moves, each of which is exclusive to a particular character.

However, arguably the most appealing aspect of KoF is the enormous cast of slickly drawn and instantly recognizable characters that it has. Although not the game in the series with the most playable characters, King of Fighters XV still has a roster that’s jam-packed with talent. The base package of the game already contains all of the game’s 39 new and returning cast members.

Even if your favorite wasn’t selected for the roster, there are still a large number of new and returning characters for you to get familiar with and construct your teams around. In addition to the game’s vast cast of characters, SNK has packed KoFXV with a variety of game modes and additional content.

The amount of work that was placed into the cutscenes and the endings of the game is remarkable. The endings are mostly made up of still pictures and text, are rather long, and provide a satisfying sense of satisfaction for the time and effort you put in.

In addition, the DJ Station mode has a number of hidden conclusions and soundtracks, all of which may be accessed by using certain player-made teams. The idea behind it is intriguing, but the game makes it very difficult to determine which character combinations are necessary to access the content.

The online rollback, on the other hand, is probably going to be the most appealing feature to competitive players. Online play in King of Fighters XV is highly smooth and pleasant, and the game’s overall performance is superior to that of any other new King of Fighters game released to date.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with Kingdom Hearts XV, both in terms of the range of playable characters and the many game modes. Even the inclusion of online rollback seems to be less of a revolutionary step forward and more of an attempt by SNK to catch up with the standards that gamers of fighting games have come to expect.

However, most King of Fighters veterans and newcomers seeking a new title to plunge into probably won’t care that King of Fighters XV isn’t breaking up the fighting game paradigm in any significant way. It has fights that are filled to the brim with a distinct style and personality, setting it apart from the majority of other fighting game series. And it should be more than enough to sate the appetites of a good number of gamers.

KOF XV is a proper PlayStation 5 release, and this title is not holding back any tricks when it comes to gameplay, design, and butter smooth graphics. Considering all that the game offers to the players of the KoF series, we think calling this title the Best PS5 fighting game will be justice. 

Pros:

  • The online uses rollback netcode which is a huge plus in any fighting game.
  • The visuals have been polished and look amazing.
  • Gigantic roster of classic characters.

Cons:

  • The training mode is lacking a lot of features.
  • There is barely any offline mode content.
  • Story mode is written horribly and has no logic.
  • Some of the classic and beloved characters are locked behind DLC.

3. Guilty Gear Strive

guilty gear strive
  • Developer: Arc System Works
  • Release Date: June 11, 2021

The Guilty Gear Like a great many of the fighting games that came before it, Strive is considered to be at the very top of its genre. This is a tradition that is carried on by Strive, and as it does so, it also adds a few of new elements that enhance its already daring anime-inspired flash without making the game any more difficult to understand.

As the seventh main installment in the Guilty Gear series, Strive’s combat system is already somewhat of a tried-and-true favorite among fans of the series. Many of the subtleties included in more recent games in the series have been carried over into Strive. When it comes to the gameplay, Strive will seem very much like a fighting game in the vein of Street Fighter to newcomers and casual players.

There have been two significant alterations made, and veteran players will need to readjust to each of them. The “Gatling system,” which was a type of hierarchy for canceling strikes in order to maintain combinations, is removed by Strive.

The “Roman Cancel” system, which is a hallmark of the series and enables players to swap half of their tension meter in exchange for a shorter animation either before or after an attack in order to recover health more rapidly, has been altered in this game.

The game has a high level of technical difficulty, but it also has a feeling of spectacle that is accessible to everyone. The word “COUNTER” appears in enormous letters across the screen if one player touches the other in order to stop the latter from attacking.

If one player is able to corner the other and deliver a few well-placed blows, they will be able to knock their opponent out of the corner and into a new portion of the arena. Lessons are designed with developing consistency in mind, which has both positive and negative connotations.

The characters in Guilty Gear have always been the element that made the game stand out from others. In the same manner, as in the past, the roster of Strive produces a broad array of strategies, which enables them to manage a battle in their own individual methods.

There are just two new characters on the roster of 15 available in Strive, but both of them fit in well and provide different ways to play the game. However, the way in which the characters control things is just half of the equation. The game’s visual aesthetic, as well as the designs of its individual characters, feature the same imaginative and diversified design.

The actual Guilty Gear anime in Strive isn’t nearly as intriguing as the description makes it seem, however. The combat in Guilty Gear Strive, on the other hand, is absolutely flawless. And that is the primary consideration. It is a game of extremes, much like the other titles in the Guilty Gear series.

If you’ve previously attempted to read the series but gave up due to its difficulty of it, I wouldn’t anticipate a different result this time around. Strive is the perfect fighting game to play whether you’re seeking for a challenge or if you simply want to screw about with something that looks good and has beautiful graphics.

Pros:

  • The visuals are among the greatest ever created for a fighting game.
  • An extremely large player pool enables you to engage in as many battles as you choose.
  • Each of them has a unique character design and a rich backstory.
  • You can battle players from all around the world in Guilty Gear Strive thanks to the rollback netcode.

Cons:

  • In Guilty Gear Strive, defense requires a lot more guesswork than it does quick execution.
  • Connection issues are common, and the lobbies are a complete disaster.
  • Even if you try to maintain some distance from your opponent during combat, Guilty Gear Strive penalizes you, which may be incredibly annoying.
  • Too much time is spent on the loading screens.

2. EA Sports UFC 4

EA Sports UFC 4
  • Developer: EA Vancouver
  • Release Date: August 14, 2020

EA’s UFC sports games have been improving since the UFC 2 title, and the EA Sports UFC 4 is by far the best iteration in this series of video games. If you love following UFC boxers on Instagram and don’t miss a live match of them punching each other in the face, then UFC 4 is your PS5 fighting game that you should not be sleeping on.

Following the release of EA Sports UFC 3, which was met with lackluster reception, the fighting brand seemed ready to take a step back and concentrate on making improvements to the game’s backend systems. After taking a break of almost two years, EA Vancouver launched UFC 4 with the intention of addressing a significant number of the issues that plagued the previous installment (2018).

This time around, there will be a more streamlined approach to how players will engage in combat, as well as the addition of some more contemporary game variants.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) series isn’t always easy to sell to those who are into fighting games. Not only have the most recent handful of games stayed similar enough not to demand considerable attention, but the sport of UFC itself doesn’t evolve often enough for a video game to reflect it accurately.

The presentation of a sports video game is consistently regarded as one of the most important elements, and UFC 4 more than lives up to expectations in this regard. Even though Joe Rogan’s voice is not included in the game anymore, the commentary for bouts and the broadcast style are spot-on recreations of the real-life components of UFC.

In terms of the actual gameplay, not a whole lot has changed from UFC 3 to UFC 4; however, some aspects have been simplified. Fighting is still accomplished by repeatedly pressing a sequence of buttons. You will still have the ability to put together a variety of combinations in order to deliver some devastating kicks and punches to your adversaries.

It may take some time to grasp the complexities of each fighter or to perfect your own arsenal of techniques, despite the fact that combat may seem to be simple at first glance. It leaves a lot of replay value there for anyone who likes getting into the ring and training, so it’s definitely worth considering.

EA Vancouver invested a significant amount of time and effort into updating a large number of the game modes that were included in UFC 4. They also added a few new game modes, such as an Online World Championships and the brand new Blitz Battles mode.

There is also a relegation system in play, which means that if you start doing poorly, you will be demoted to a lower tier than you were previously in.

There is also a relegation system in play, which means that if you start doing poorly, you will be demoted to a lower tier than you were previously in. Players face off against one another in the brand-new Kumite arena, and the fights include an array of vintage and traditional sound effects as they attempt to knock each other unconscious.

In addition, UFC 4 has a revamped and updated version of its career mode. You will be prompted to create an avatar for your fighter very immediately after starting the game, and the degree of personalization available to you is rather extensive.

UFC 4 has seen significant improvements made to a variety of its fundamental features and elements. After you have progressed very far in the game, there is not a great deal more for you to accomplish. Some of the most enjoyable moments may be found in offline modes.

The fact that there aren’t too many other fighting game alternatives even on the market means that gamers basically have no choice but to purchase UFC 4.

Pros:

  • EA Sports UFC 4 is very accessible to new players who are not familiar with the sport.
  • The hits are satisfying to land and the gameplay can be very fun.
  • Commentary is very accurate and in-depth.

Cons:

  • The graphics are outdated and very underwhelming.
  • There is a lack of both online and offline modes.
  • The submission system can be very frustrating.
  • Career mode can get repetitive.

1. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate
  • Developer: NetherRealm Studios
  • Release Date: November 17, 2020

NetherRealm Studios have perfected its fighting formula over the years, and MK11 is the perfect example of it. Mortal Kombat 11 was already an excellent game on PlayStation 4. However, the PlayStation 5’s Ultimate edition takes things up a notch by giving butter-smooth graphics, complete DLC characters, and other small goodies. If you want to perform gut-wrenchingly and spine-shattering FINISH HIM Fatalities, then MK11 Ultimate is an easy pick for the best PS5 fighting games to play in 2023. 

Both PC and console versions of MK11 have upgrades of a similar kind. The next-generation editions operate at a resolution of “dynamic 4K.” Under optimal conditions, it operates at 4K resolution, but it may dynamically switch between several resolutions in order to keep the game running smoothly.

It seems that MK11 makes more effective use of the HDR capability. Metal surfaces give the impression of being more reflective, and it is much simpler to make out the tiniest of details in gruesome finishers, character clothing, and projectile particle effects while playing on metal. And the promise of the dynamic resolution was never broken by the fight since it was never choppy at any point.

In addition to improvements to the game’s graphics, this update introduces a cross-play matchmaking beta that may be used in specific game types.

The PS5 iteration has an extra twist of its own. When you take damage, the DualSense haptics in your controller will cause a rumble to occur on one of its sides. It points in the direction from whence the harm originated. This is a deceptively smart method, but it does not provide much assistance.

The plot, however, serves as an excellent introduction to some of the series’ most well-known characters, and the fact that Kronika can manipulate time means that this is true even if you’re just a casual follower of the show. A pleasure is getting to see how the characters interact with one another when they are their younger and older selves.

On the other hand, the narrative mode achieves that elusive but elusive equilibrium of being adequate without outstaying its welcome. The story devices are consistently absurd, particularly when members of the same family or romantic partners get into deadly arguments with one another. Nevertheless, if nothing else, it is a deliciously garish and outrageously extravagant visual spectacle.

The diverse cast of characters included in Mortal Kombat 11 features a good number of the series’ illustrious warriors in addition to some of the excellent newcomers seen in Mortal Kombat X.

Alterations to the characters are another factor that contributes to maintaining the variety. The ability for each character to choose between multiple sets of special techniques that vary their playstyle is one of the ideas that was brought back for Mortal Kombat X.

In Mortal Kombat 11, you now have the ability to create these loadouts; nevertheless, for real competitive play, only two established movesets are permissible. In spite of this, it indicates that there are a few factors to think about while choosing which fighter to choose.

The mechanics of MK11 have been significantly streamlined thanks to a number of fundamental modifications, which have led to a combat system that has a sense of being more dynamic and aggressive than its predecessors. The complicated special meter system has been streamlined, making it possible to employ amplified movements almost whenever they are needed.

If you’ve never played any of the games in this series before, it might be overwhelming to understand all of the intricate details of the combat system, special techniques, and combo strings for each character. The good news is that Mortal Kombat 11 offers a lot to assist you in becoming familiar with practically all of its core ideas.

Klassic Towers makes its way back into Mortal Kombat 11 in addition to the game’s main narrative mode. You will engage in combat with a number of foes before facing off against the game’s final boss, Kronika, in this more basic single-player mode.

MK11 isn’t only a sequel for fans of the franchise and those who are dedicated to NetherRealm. For anybody who even has a passing interest in seeing merciless warriors beat the crap out of each other, it’s a doorway into the world of fighting games, and it’s one of the best ways to get started.

The act of fighting is kept incredibly entertaining no matter what your skill level is, thanks to streamlined mechanics, and full tutorials urge you to get into the nitty-gritty of the gameplay. The narrative mode is an enjoyable adventure, and there is a broad cast of characters with distinct playstyles and backstories to choose from.

Pros:

  • Mortal Kombat 11 has a diverse group of guest characters introduced in it.
  • Rollback netcode is used for online matches.
  • Mortal Kombat 11 features voice chat online which is an extreme rarity for fighting games.

Cons:

  • NRS has announced that they are not supporting Mortal Kombat 11 anymore.
  • Some of the gameplay mechanics are very frustrating to deal with.
  • The character animations are very stiff and awkward.
  • The controls feel clunky.

Verdict

That is pretty much everything you need to learn about the PS5 Fighting Games that you’d want to play alone or with friends on this awesome & powerful console. We have played more than 20 plus fighting games titles on PS5, and after a lot of scrutinies, we curated this list for all the players.

Next: BEST Tom Clancy’s Games

Was this article helpful?

Thanks! Do share your feedback with us. ⚡

How could we improve this post? Please Help us. ✍

Irfan Ansari


With four years of Video Game Journalism and Tremendous love for Gaming, Irfan loves chatting and writing everything about video games.

Related Articles