Best for Mature Audiences: Mortal Kombat XL
Mortal Kombat XL is the most mature PS4 fighting game on the list full of deadly combo attacks, up-close-and-personal crushing X-ray sequences and the infamous “fatality” finishers. Fans of the original series and new gamers entering the foray will appreciate Mortal Kombat XL’s simplistic control schemes and solid based gameplay.
Featuring all the DLC from its original release, Mortal Kombat XL boasts a 33-character roster with old school fighters such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero, as well as new unexpected additions, including The Predator, Alien and Leatherface. Friends can settle the score with the game’s offline player vs. player mode or take it up a notch online with ranked or random fights. You can also join a faction for constant tournaments with cross-platform integration. Mortal Kombat XL’s expansive, single-player mode comes with both a plot-driven story campaign with entertaining voice acting, as well as an end challenge series mode that’ll test your abilities of combos, special moves, blocking and how you anticipate attacks.
Best for Techniques: Tekken 7
Tekken 7 brings its latest next-generation installment to the PS4 — everyone’s favorite technical fighter that has you thinking about every punch you make. The fundamental gameplay mechanics in the series has players use tactical sidestep maneuvers, complex juggling combos, and hit ranges from high, mid, and low that each demand effective understanding of their properties in order to win.
Like other traditional fighters, Tekken 7 focuses on one-on-one battles and introduces two new mechanics to the series that allow critical attacks once health is low, as well as the ability to continue attacks while being attacked. The 36-character roster in Tekken 7 gives players a diverse cast of fighters both new and from older Tekken titles (and even Akuma from Street Fighter) that specialize in their own abilities, nuanced movements that give them their own unique playability whether you’re a beginner or expert. The massive move list, character customizations, online and offline fights and arcade mode will keep you busy. In short, it’s an easy-to-pick-up-but-hard-to-master PS4 fighter.
Best for Graphics: Dragon Ball FighterZ
The best graphics for a fighter game on the PS4 easily go to Dragon Ball FighterZ, which makes cartoon animations come to life. The 2.5D fighting game based on the Dragon Ball series features an art design and animation styles with 1080p and 60FPS that looks like the actual TV show.
If you are familiar with the anime, your jaw will drop to the floor; Dragon Ball FigtherZ has the best TV-to-game graphics that stick to its character authenticity with sharp and bright effects of action sequences, audio, energy attacks and beautifully drawn backgrounds. Gameplay is accessible to both new and casual gamers with a control scheme that replicates older familiar fighting games without the overload of excessive button combos to pull off attacks. You’ll pick three out of 24 your favorite characters such as Goku, Vegeta and Piccolo and square off in an impressive single-player story mode, offline fights with friends, a challenging arcade option and even online competitive multiplayer matches.
Best for Robot Battles: Gundam Versus
If you want to fly a giant robot and battle in space, Gundam Versus has you covered. The third-person fighter is a port from the original Japanese arcade game with improved graphics and gameplay where players fight in a team battle format of two-versus-two or three-versus-three. You’ll get to dart in and out of areas as you dodge enemy lasers, missiles and engage with over 94 different Gundams that span over 17 different Gundam series, each with their own customizations. The high-octane fighting game has huge maps with destructible environments and tons of different attack approaches whether you want to get up-close-and-personal with laser swords or fly around evasively while launching some missiles.
Best for Cross-Overs: Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
Injustice 2: Legendary Edition is an epic cross-over fighting game that lets you live out your childhood fantasy of having the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fight off against Batman. The best cross-over PS4 fighting game includes characters such as Hellboy, Sub-Zero, Superman and other surprise cameos.
The solidly built Injustice 2 follows the rules of traditional fighting games using different combinations of directional inputs and button presses to pull off a variety of combo attacks and super moves in order to knock out an opposing fighter. The game stands out with its RPG elements of equipped loot won in battles and leveling up via experience points that allow upgrades to strength, defense, health and special attack abilities. Players can take on the game’s main campaign story mode about a post-war fight with Batman and Superman, compete in online competitive matches, an arcade or a multiverse objective-based mode.
Best for Realism: EA Sports UFC 2
EA Sports UFC 2 has players pick real-life UFC athletes in a PS4 fighting game that’s grounded in a little more realism than the rest of the games on the list. Developers behind the game aimed to make it as realistic as possible, with lifelike graphics, detailed animation sequences, commentary from Joe Rogan and a knockout physics system that gives it a more visceral and immersive touch.
You want to punch Conor McGregor in the face? EA Sports UFC 2 will allow you to, and you can choose one of over 250 fighters, including Ronda Rousey or even make your self in the game’s character creation mode. The mixed martial arts fighting game follows the rules of the real UFC as players fight using a variety of attacks from kicks, punches, submissions and takedowns, as well as incorporate a defense strategy of blocks and parries in order to defeat opponents. You can fight with friends in versus mode, practice your moves or even jump in the big leagues with career mode as you step into the Octagon and battle the best.
Best for Intensity: For Honor
Set in a fantasy medieval period, For Honor for the PS4 is the type of intense fighting game designed to make you feel every heavy second of battle. Players will feel the weight of their movement and weapon as they carefully calculate their strategies and anticipate their enemies during tense and heart-pounding fights.
For Honor is a third-person fighting game where you can pick characters from three factions that represent knights, samurais and Vikings with multiple classes that vary in speed, damage or resistance. Multiplayer spans six modes with up to four players, but the game really shines in its one-on-one duels where players slowly approach one another in sweat-dripping encounters and try to maintain their stamina, which depletes with every heavy shielded block, nimble dodge and weighted sword swung slash. Tactics are important, and the main story mode will acclimate you to the game’s control scheme and mechanics with heroes who each have their own skills, combat styles and melee weapons.
Best for Wrestling: WWE 2K18
A little less serious and a lot more hilarious, WWE 2K18 is the best professional wrestling fighting game on the list that lets you play all your favorite wrestling stars, including The Rock, Kurt Angle and even Ric Flair. The game has multiple modes that allow you to create your own funky character, battle in online private matches and even compete in events.
The entertaining WWE 2K18 has a huge roster of 47 playable characters that span the WWE universe with modern day superstars such as Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode to legendary classics such as John Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The varied wrestling action gameplay puts you in the middle of the ring where you don’t just punch and kick, but climb ladders and soar from the skies as you pile drive opponents into tables, whack ‘em with chairs and even overload and break the ring. Of all the fighting games on the list, WWE 2K18’s creation mode is the most expansive, allowing players to make any type of wrestler they want with dramatic entrances, goofy outfits and unique signature moves.
Best for Anime Fans: J-Stars Victory Vs+
J-Stars is finally getting its premiere in America with J-Stars Victory Vs+, the best new PS4 fighting game for anime fans that comes straight from Japan. Fighters include 52 characters from the Shonen Jump magazine with series such as Naruto, Bleach, Dragon Ball, One Piece, Ruroni Kenshin and more.
J-Stars Victory Vs+ isn’t your traditional, 2D fighter game, but instead features gameplay where fighters move around in a 3D battlefield based off settings from each anime series. Each fighter has their own unique set of attacks with regular moves, power attacks, area-based attacks and finishing moves that transition into a cinematic sequence when performed. Multiple modes are included in the game: There’s a multiplayer story mode divided into four campaigns, a Victory Road mode where players complete objectives during fights, a two-player local offline battle mode with up to four players via online, as well as a single player arcade option.
Best for Mature Audiences: Mortal Kombat XL
Mortal Kombat XL is the most mature PS4 fighting game on the list full of deadly combo attacks, up-close-and-personal crushing X-ray sequences and the infamous “fatality” finishers. Fans of the original series and new gamers entering the foray will appreciate Mortal Kombat XL’s simplistic control schemes and solid based gameplay.
Featuring all the DLC from its original release, Mortal Kombat XL boasts a 33-character roster with old school fighters such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero, as well as new unexpected additions, including The Predator, Alien and Leatherface. Friends can settle the score with the game’s offline player vs. player mode or take it up a notch online with ranked or random fights. You can also join a faction for constant tournaments with cross-platform integration. Mortal Kombat XL’s expansive, single-player mode comes with both a plot-driven story campaign with entertaining voice acting, as well as an end challenge series mode that’ll test your abilities of combos, special moves, blocking and how you anticipate attacks.
Best for Techniques: Tekken 7
Tekken 7 brings its latest next-generation installment to the PS4 — everyone’s favorite technical fighter that has you thinking about every punch you make. The fundamental gameplay mechanics in the series has players use tactical sidestep maneuvers, complex juggling combos, and hit ranges from high, mid, and low that each demand effective understanding of their properties in order to win.
Like other traditional fighters, Tekken 7 focuses on one-on-one battles and introduces two new mechanics to the series that allow critical attacks once health is low, as well as the ability to continue attacks while being attacked. The 36-character roster in Tekken 7 gives players a diverse cast of fighters both new and from older Tekken titles (and even Akuma from Street Fighter) that specialize in their own abilities, nuanced movements that give them their own unique playability whether you’re a beginner or expert. The massive move list, character customizations, online and offline fights and arcade mode will keep you busy. In short, it’s an easy-to-pick-up-but-hard-to-master PS4 fighter.
Best for Graphics: Dragon Ball FighterZ
The best graphics for a fighter game on the PS4 easily go to Dragon Ball FighterZ, which makes cartoon animations come to life. The 2.5D fighting game based on the Dragon Ball series features an art design and animation styles with 1080p and 60FPS that looks like the actual TV show.
If you are familiar with the anime, your jaw will drop to the floor; Dragon Ball FigtherZ has the best TV-to-game graphics that stick to its character authenticity with sharp and bright effects of action sequences, audio, energy attacks and beautifully drawn backgrounds. Gameplay is accessible to both new and casual gamers with a control scheme that replicates older familiar fighting games without the overload of excessive button combos to pull off attacks. You’ll pick three out of 24 your favorite characters such as Goku, Vegeta and Piccolo and square off in an impressive single-player story mode, offline fights with friends, a challenging arcade option and even online competitive multiplayer matches.
Best for Robot Battles: Gundam Versus
If you want to fly a giant robot and battle in space, Gundam Versus has you covered. The third-person fighter is a port from the original Japanese arcade game with improved graphics and gameplay where players fight in a team battle format of two-versus-two or three-versus-three. You’ll get to dart in and out of areas as you dodge enemy lasers, missiles and engage with over 94 different Gundams that span over 17 different Gundam series, each with their own customizations. The high-octane fighting game has huge maps with destructible environments and tons of different attack approaches whether you want to get up-close-and-personal with laser swords or fly around evasively while launching some missiles.
Best for Cross-Overs: Injustice 2: Legendary Edition
Injustice 2: Legendary Edition is an epic cross-over fighting game that lets you live out your childhood fantasy of having the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fight off against Batman. The best cross-over PS4 fighting game includes characters such as Hellboy, Sub-Zero, Superman and other surprise cameos.
The solidly built Injustice 2 follows the rules of traditional fighting games using different combinations of directional inputs and button presses to pull off a variety of combo attacks and super moves in order to knock out an opposing fighter. The game stands out with its RPG elements of equipped loot won in battles and leveling up via experience points that allow upgrades to strength, defense, health and special attack abilities. Players can take on the game’s main campaign story mode about a post-war fight with Batman and Superman, compete in online competitive matches, an arcade or a multiverse objective-based mode.
Best for Realism: EA Sports UFC 2
EA Sports UFC 2 has players pick real-life UFC athletes in a PS4 fighting game that’s grounded in a little more realism than the rest of the games on the list. Developers behind the game aimed to make it as realistic as possible, with lifelike graphics, detailed animation sequences, commentary from Joe Rogan and a knockout physics system that gives it a more visceral and immersive touch.
You want to punch Conor McGregor in the face? EA Sports UFC 2 will allow you to, and you can choose one of over 250 fighters, including Ronda Rousey or even make your self in the game’s character creation mode. The mixed martial arts fighting game follows the rules of the real UFC as players fight using a variety of attacks from kicks, punches, submissions and takedowns, as well as incorporate a defense strategy of blocks and parries in order to defeat opponents. You can fight with friends in versus mode, practice your moves or even jump in the big leagues with career mode as you step into the Octagon and battle the best.
Best for Intensity: For Honor
Set in a fantasy medieval period, For Honor for the PS4 is the type of intense fighting game designed to make you feel every heavy second of battle. Players will feel the weight of their movement and weapon as they carefully calculate their strategies and anticipate their enemies during tense and heart-pounding fights.
For Honor is a third-person fighting game where you can pick characters from three factions that represent knights, samurais and Vikings with multiple classes that vary in speed, damage or resistance. Multiplayer spans six modes with up to four players, but the game really shines in its one-on-one duels where players slowly approach one another in sweat-dripping encounters and try to maintain their stamina, which depletes with every heavy shielded block, nimble dodge and weighted sword swung slash. Tactics are important, and the main story mode will acclimate you to the game’s control scheme and mechanics with heroes who each have their own skills, combat styles and melee weapons.
Best for Wrestling: WWE 2K18
A little less serious and a lot more hilarious, WWE 2K18 is the best professional wrestling fighting game on the list that lets you play all your favorite wrestling stars, including The Rock, Kurt Angle and even Ric Flair. The game has multiple modes that allow you to create your own funky character, battle in online private matches and even compete in events.
The entertaining WWE 2K18 has a huge roster of 47 playable characters that span the WWE universe with modern day superstars such as Shinsuke Nakamura and Bobby Roode to legendary classics such as John Cena and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The varied wrestling action gameplay puts you in the middle of the ring where you don’t just punch and kick, but climb ladders and soar from the skies as you pile drive opponents into tables, whack ‘em with chairs and even overload and break the ring. Of all the fighting games on the list, WWE 2K18’s creation mode is the most expansive, allowing players to make any type of wrestler they want with dramatic entrances, goofy outfits and unique signature moves.
