While fighting games can have a somewhat steep learning curve and barrier of entry when it comes to playing with intentionality, they can be one of the most rewarding types of competitive multiplayer games around. While every console generation is home to its fair share of fighting games, Steam is full to the brim with some of the best fighting games around, containing both modern fighters and classics alike.
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However, with such a massive pool of games, many of which have varying quality of netcode, it can be difficult to figure out which games are right for you. So today, we're going to examine the ten best fighting games that are currently available on Steam.
10 Rivals Of Aether
Rivals Of Aether is a highly underrated platform fighting game that draws a great deal of inspiration from the Super Smash Bros. series while maintaining its own identity. With several guest characters such as Shovel Knight and Ori from Ori and the Blind Forest, the game features a diverse roster that caters to a wide variety of play styles.
As the Smash Bros. series is exclusive to Nintendo consoles, Rivals of Aether is a great choice for fans looking for an alternative for Steam. To top it all off, the game features netcode that blows that of Smash out of the water.
9 Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown is currently the most recently released fighter by veteran developer of the genre, SNK. A 2.5D weapon-based fighting game, Samurai Shodown is characterized by the high damage outputs of each character on the roster and the series high risk, high reward gameplay.
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As the game is based more upon fighting game fundamentals and footsies rather than combos, it is a great choice for those who dislike lengthy combos.
8 Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3
While Marvel Vs. Capcom Infinite has a somewhat disastrous reputation, the widely beloved previous entry in the series, Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is still available on Steam. A fast-paced team fighting game that is based around flashy combos and over-the-top super moves, Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 is viewed by many as one of the best games in the genre.
It should be noted however that due to the game's age, it tends to have a much smaller active player base than the majority of other entries on this list.
7 Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid
Like Rivals of Aether, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is a criminally underrated fighting game available on Steam. Featuring characters from across the Power Rangers franchise history as we as guest characters in the form of Ryu and Chun Li, the game's fast-paced team combat is reminiscent of that of Marve Vs. Capcom.
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The game features excellent online systems with great netcode and cross-play that helps players find online matches quickly.
6 Street Fighter 5
The most recent entry within the Street Fighter series, Street Fighter 5 is a great jumping-on point for fighting game newcomers and fans of the series alike.
With a solid roster that features a blend of returning faces from the series past and newcomers alike, Street Fighter 5 places emphasis on fighting game fundamentals. It also features combos and gameplay systems that are incredibly forgiving to newcomers.
5 Mortal Kombat XI
The most recent entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise, Mortal Kombat XI is a game with several things going for it. Featuring a respectable roster size and above-average netcode, the game's online presence is held up by its sizable playerbase that ensures that players can find matches online.
Additionally, the game features rewarding yet easy-to-learn gameplay that helps it cater to newcomers and veterans alike.
4 Skullgirls
Another criminally underrated fighter, Skullgirls is a 2D fighting game that features hand-drawn and traditionally animated sprites and a distinct jazz-inspired aesthetic. Unlike the majority of fighting games that either have players select a single character or a team, Skullgirls allows a player to choose one to three characters, evenly distributing a health bar so players are able to play how they want.
As for online capabilities, the game features great online net code and has a somewhat small but dedicated fanbase. Despite being released nearly ten years ago, the game recently added a new playable DLC character in Annie with several more slated for future releases.
3 Dragonball FighterZ
Dragonball FIghterZ is without question one of the greatest anime fighting games of all time. Developed by longtime fighting game developers, Arc System Works, the game features 2D gameplay akin to that Marvel Vs. Capcom while featuring a massive cast of characters from the Dragon Ball franchise.
In addition to featuring flashy combos and impressive visuals, the game has solid netcode that is backed up by a sizable player base that makes finding matches online quite easy.
2 Tekken 7
For fans of 3D fighting games, it's hard to find a better option on Steam than the most recent entry in the Tekken franchise, Tekken 7. Toting a sizable roster and a solid online player base the game features some of the most finely tuned 3D fighting gameplay in the genre's history.
Tekken 7 even extends an olive branch to fans of other fighting game franchises such as Street Fighter and The King of Fighters, including guest characters that have their own mechanics from these respective games.
1 Guilty Gear Strive
The most recently released entry on this list, there's a lot to appreciate about Guilty Gear Strive. A 2.5D fighting game with a massive online player base, stellar net code, and easy-to-learn but hard-to-master gameplay, Guilty Gear Strive is truly a game that feels tailor-made for steam.
The icing on the cake is that Strive also happens to be one of the most visually impressive fighting games ever released. While the roster is currently on the slimmer side, the game is slated to have several DLC characters added in the coming months.