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The best fighting games for Xbox Series X

By and
King performs a victory pose in Tekken 8.
Namco Bandai

Xbox missed out on a lot of fighting games in past generations, but this time around it’s making sure its players aren’t left out of the fight. In fact, many of the best Xbox Series X games are in the fighting genre, with more to come as the generation goes on. These games are pure tests of skill, with two players facing off with nothing but themselves to rely on. These typically were a very intimidating genre, but modern fighters are much more welcoming with tutorials and teaching tools that elevate them right next to the best FPS games for Series X. If you’re ready to take on a new challenger, here are the current best fighting games on the system.

These fighting games rank among the best multiplayer games on the Xbox Series X, but you can also get great single-player games by checking out any of the best RPGs for Series X as well.

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Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat 1
77%
3.5/5
M
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting, Adventure
Developer
NetherRealm Studios
Publisher
WB Games
Release
September 19, 2023
Mortal Kombat 11 set a new mark for visuals and nuanced combat, combining some of the best parts of previous titles for buttery-smooth gameplay, a relatively easy learning curve for new players, and tons of fun options for customizing both your character and their movesets. Mortal Kombat 1 reboots the timeline (or creates a new one? — it’s complicated) but doesn’t take a single step back in terms of features. The story is a fun and surprisingly high-quality little adventure, the extra modes are varied and fun to experiment with, and the core mechanics are as fine-tuned as ever. If you enjoy hideous monsters, bloody finishers, and gruesome executions in your fighters, no other game can compete.
Mortal Kombat 1 - Official Announcement Trailer
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Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6
87%
4.5/5
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting, Arcade
Developer
Capcom
Publisher
Capcom
Release
June 02, 2023
We missed the last entry on Xbox One, but Street Fighter 6 is such an improvement right out of the gate that it almost makes it forgivable. This is not only the most complete package a Street Fighter game has offered, but it may be the best any fighting game released to date. You have all the online matches and tournaments you expect, plus add-on character creators, a massive World Tour mode, and a robust training mode. For newcomers, the modern control scheme eases players into learning how the flow of the game works without having to worry about pulling off complex inputs. Even if you’re not typically a fan of the series, this entry could very easily win you over.
Street Fighter 6 - Announce Trailer

The King of Fighters XV

The King of Fighters XV
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting
Developer
SNK Corporation
Publisher
Koch Media, SNK Corporation
Release
February 17, 2022
If you want to stay on top of the latest fighting games for the Xbox Series X, make sure to put King of Fighters 15 on your list. It’s not quite out yet, but the game will launch on February 17 with complete Series X optimization. It’s also set to be a particularly massive sequel for the series, combining heroes from all sagas for 39 confirmed characters. It will also bring back 3v3 Team Battles along with a new version of the MAX Mode and a new technique called Shatter Strike to make battles more interesting … plus a major netcode upgrade to help online tournaments work better. With so many reasons to check this game out, it’s an easy recommendation for Series X owners.

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition

Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition
Platforms
Xbox One
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Code Mystics
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
September 20, 2016
When Killer Instinct first hit Game Pass, most of it was locked behind paywalls, and fans weren’t exactly pleased with the execution. But the Definitive Edition is the perfect anecdote if you’ve been missing all your favorite monsters: It includes all 26 characters in the game, 60 fps support that makes it a great companion title for the Series X, and Xbox Play Anywhere support to help keep the community strong for those who love online combat. Get your fix of intense combo building and creature features with no downsides!

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting, Platform
Developer
Fair Play Labs
Publisher
GameMill Entertainment
Release
November 07, 2023

There ahve been a lot of attempts to mimic the magic of Super Smash Bros. and, for the most part, none have really come close. Even Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl fell short, but the sequel finally gives players not on Nintendo platforms a true competitor. Swapping out a roster of various game characters for all your favorite Nicktoons, this platform brawler was clearly made by people who know and care about the fighting game community. It’s easy to pick your favorite character, start hitting buttons, and have a good time, but the game also has deeper systems for anyone who wants to take things a bit more seriously. It’s great fun in groups and has a stellar online mode in addition to a cool single-player adventure.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 - Exclusive Announcement Trailer

Tekken 8

Tekken 8
78%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Bandai Namco Studios
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
January 26, 2024
Tekken demands a lot from its players and rewards them with incredible, god-like move sets once a character has been mastered. Tekken 8 is a particularly good example of this thanks to its gorgeous graphics, which make pulling off just the right moves even more satisfying. The story is also particularly strong this time, featuring some of the best animations in the business and quite the cliffhanger ending. With such a diverse roster, there’s bound to be at least one character you fall in love with.
TEKKEN 8 – Reveal Trailer

Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragon Ball FighterZ
85%
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Arc System Works
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
January 26, 2018
FighterZ remains king of the anime fighting genre, perfect for those who love building up to enormous attacks based on Dragon Ball moves, with a roster of everyone’s favorite characters to pick from. There’s a ton of fun to be had here, from the six-player Party mode to 3v3 tag games for carefully planning out your team to maximum effect. If there’s no such thing as an attack that’s too big or over the top, you’ll want to dash into the frenetic FighterZ gameplay ASAP.

Guilty Gear: Strive

Guilty Gear: Strive
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Arcade, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Fighting
Developer
Arc System Works
Publisher
Arc System Works, Arc System Works America, Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe
Release
June 11, 2021
If Dragon Ball isn’t your thing but you still crave an amazing anime fighter, Guilty Gear Strive is flashy, smooth, and a rocking good time. Just one look at this game in motion will have you itching to play, and when you do, you won’t want to put it down. Unlike DBZ, Strive has an amazing onboarding suite for those new to fighters, which is especially impressive considering anime fighters are played at such a faster pace than others. This is a fighting game for those who want to fight, though. Don’t expect much in the way of single-player or other modes here. All that effort was put into balancing the game and making it run flawlessly online.
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Trailer#1 - ARCREVO America 2019

Editors’ Recommendations

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Tyler Lacoma
Tyler Lacoma
Former Digital Trends Contributor
If it can be streamed, voice-activated, made better with an app, or beaten by mashing buttons, Tyler's into it. When he's not…
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