Fighting games have long been a popular genre, especially on PlayStation consoles. The PS4 has an excellent lineup of fighting titles that offer intense head-to-head combat, iconic characters, and innovative gameplay. Here are 7 of the absolute best fighting games available on PS4.
An Introduction to PS4 Fighting Games
Fighting games pit two players against each other in close-quarters combat, often using special moves and combos to try to knock out the opponent. Gameplay is fast-paced and explosive, with matches usually best 2 out of 3 rounds.
The PS4 excels in this genre thanks to multimedia capabilities that bring the fight to life with vibrant graphics, bone-crunching sound effects, and smooth 60fps animation. Popular franchises like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken have made strong entries on PS4, while new IPs like Guilty Gear Xrd have also left their mark.
Whether you enjoy crushing skulls as Scorpion, mastering movesets as Yoshimitsu, or just button mashing with friends, PS4 fighting games offer pulse-pounding fun.
7. Tekken 7
Key Features: 30+ playable fighters, cinematic story mode, online versus battles
Review: 4.5/5
The King of the Iron Fist Tournament returns in [Tekken 7][tekken]. This installment amps up combo potential with new abilities like Rage Arts and Power Crushes to help you make epic comebacks. The solo campaign wraps up the Mishima clan saga with CGI cutscenes putting you ringside as Heihachi and Kazuya faceoff. Among the diverse roster, guest fighter Akuma of Street Fighter fame fits right in with fireballs and aerial rages. The real draw here is competitive online bouts where mixups and mind games separate the dan from the grandmaster.
Buy Tekken 7 on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-tekken]
6. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
Key Features: 40 playable fighters, team battles, ranked matches
Review: 4/5
[Street Fighter V: Champion Edition][sfv] celebrates over 25 years of Street Fighter excellence by compiling 4 seasons worth of DLC into one packed release. Familiar faces like Ryu and Chun-Li return with newcomers Menat and G bringing the roster to 40. V-Triggers add a splash of spectacle while the new V-Skill system lets you customize specials. The visuals pop with vibrant colors and fluid animation brought to life through the power of Unreal Engine 4. You can battle solo against AI, locally with a friend, or take the fight online to prove your world warrior prowess.
Buy Street Fighter V on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-sfv]
5. Soulcalibur VI
Key Features: Weapon-based combat, robust character creator, epic story mode
Review: 4/5
The Soulcalibur series stands out from other fighters by integrating weapons into its refined combat system. [Soulcalibur VI][soul-calibur] lets you wield swords, axes, staffs, and more with lethal grace. The strategic battle system encourages you to block, sidestep, and parry attacks before exploiting openings for critical strikes. Furthermore, the deep character creator enables wild customization so you can fight as yourself and share unique fighters online. With a fleshed out main story and additional Chronicles mode detailing each warrior’s motivations, this weapons-based fighter cuts deep.
Buy Soulcalibur VI on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-soul-calibur]
4. Mortal Kombat XL
Key Features: 30 playable fighters, over-the-top fatalities, gory visuals
Review: 4.5/5
[Mortal Kombat XL][mortal-kombat] dials the gore up to 11 with bloody fatalities like the Heart Rip and Brain Slice. This edition comes packed with a hellish roster spanning guest fighters like horror icons Leatherface, Jason Voorhees, the Predator, and more. X-Ray attacks show bones and organs crunching in wince-worthy detail. Players can also run the nostalgic arcade ladder or take on over 200 challenge towers. While the Fatal 8 story mode isn’t quite cinematic, it sets up grudge matches galore. With tight controls and in-your-face shenanigans around every corner, MKXL satisfy your bloodlust.
Buy Mortal Kombat XL on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-mkxl]
3. Guilty Gear Xrd: Rev 2
Key Features: Anime visual style, air dashes/long combos, rocking metal soundtrack
Review: 4.5/5
The [Guilty Gear][guilty-gear] series stands out from peers with its heavy metal visual aesthetic and aerial focused combat. Rev 2 amplifies the intensity by introducing instant kill attacks and simplifying mechanics for an easier point of entry. The anime-inspired graphics pop with cel-shaded style flair including fiery blasts and shadow creatures roaming about. Chaining air dashes into combos feels immensely satisfying once you get a handle on the high mobility characters. Players can jam out to killer riffs while clashing swords in lightning-fast showdowns.
Buy Guilty Gear Xrd: Rev 2 on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-guilty-gear]
2. Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
Key Features:30+ DC heroes/villains, gear system, epic story mode
Review: 4.5/5
What if Superman turned tyrant and Batman had to lead a superhero uprising? [Injustice 2: Legendary Edition][injustice] explores this idea in an alternate timeline DC slugfest. The gear system lets you customize the look and stats of fighters like Flash, Aquaman, and Blue Beetle. You can level up characters by playing through the cinematic story then take the mayhem online or build AI loadouts for asynchronous play. DLC characters provide even more variety including Hellboy swinging right hooks and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles teaming up. Epic supermoves and stage transitions liven up the polished combat system making this a legendary package DC fans shouldn’t miss.
Buy Injustice 2 Legendary Edition on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-injustice]
1. Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate
Key Features: 37 playable fighters, custom variations, gory fatalities
Review: 5/5
[Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate][mk11] earns the top spot for delivering pulse-pounding, bone-crunching fights paired with fine-tuned mechanics that make every hit feel impactful. This complete edition includes all DLC featuring the return of Sindel, Rain, Mileena and guest star Rambo blasting foes with machine guns. Shocking X-Ray attacks give way to brutal Fatal Blows as health bars drain. Savage new fatalities include skinning opponents alive and buzz saw beheadings. With customizable variations and online crossplay support, you’ll be Kumite clashing and Fatality trading with friends across platforms in the next evolution of Mortal Kombat mayhem. Finish them!
Buy MK11 Ultimate on Amazon: [Click Here][buy-mk11]
Conclusion
The PlayStation 4‘s fighting game library punches and kicks with some of the greatest virtual fisticuffs and steel clashes around. Classic series like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter are in fine form while fresher series like Guilty Gear provide new flavor. So gather your crew, pass the controllers, and get ready to land KO after gleeful KO with these dynamic, decidedly-violent brawlers!
As for a top pick, I‘m awarding my gold medal (shaped like a dragon kick) to Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate for the most savage fights matched with deep customization that begs you for just one more round. Fatality!
