Best Fighting Games For Beginners

Heavy hitters such as Mortal Kombat 1 and Tekken 8 tease fighting game fans with cinematic brawling action. At the same time, Street Fighter 6 showcases a more dynamic character creation system, so it’s natural for newcomers to the fighting game scene to wonder what all the hype is about. With events such as EVO pulling quite the crowd in a lively competitive scene, beginners may be curious as to what makes the genre an exciting gaming category.

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Thankfully, fans who feel overwhelmed with many fighting game concepts can try genre titles specifically designed to offer jaw-dropping action without complicated finger-breaking concepts. That said, just which fighting games are best suited for beginners?

Updated on February 28, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With Tekken 8 capping the Devil Gene Saga and the tumultuous infighting of the Mishima-Kazama families that spawned into an all-out global war, fans of the fighting game genre can still turn to previous Tekken entries and genre rivals such as Street Fighter 6 for intense fighting game matches. However, newcomers who feel overwhelmed branching out of Tekken 8 should still try honing their skills in other games specifically tailored for building their experience as fighting game players. Among must-try games in this regard include the latest installment in the Devil Gene Saga, a hit Team Ninja title, a fighting game featuring animals, and even a card game.

14 Yomi

Grasp Fighting Game Mechanics Without The Hassle Of Fights

While not necessarily an intense fighting game in the traditional sense, Yomi allows players to bask in the thrill of the battlefield from the palm of their own hands. Technically a video game adaptation of the card game of the same name, Yomi tasks players to knock out a player through different action cards that follow a rock-paper-scissors weakness system and effects depending on which moves they choose. Following the traditional fighting game system, Blocks defeat Attacks, Attacks defeat Throws, and Throws defeat Blocks.

Where Yomi becomes special is its integration of other fighting game-related mechanics. Winning with Blocks earns more cards and is helpful against Attacks, which can be used to chain combos. However, players can make opponents think they're about to chain attacks before pulling a Throw on their Block, gaining control of the field. Despite being a card game, Yomi trains players in the innate mental gymnastics of the fighting game genre.

13 Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

Straightforward Mechanics Can Introduce Game Gimmicks To Players

Despite a rather lackluster initial foray into the fighting game scene, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising showcases the potential of the Granblue Fantasy RPG franchise to become a thrilling weapons-based 2.5D anime fighter. The game's 28-player roster, in-depth story, new mechanics, and even special modes make Versus: Rising a feature-packed offering worthy of being picked up by fighting game newcomers.

While Versus: Rising's slate of new mechanics can seem overwhelming, they become a worthwhile addition to the game's accessible gameplay loop. Ultimate Skills with special properties, Bravery Points that provide punishments for blocks, and anti-block Raging Strikes add versatility to a player's options in combat. Understanding what these skills imply and integrating them into a character's unique fighting style can give players an idea of what more competitive fighting game titles have on offer.

12 Tekken 8

Decent Roster Of Beginner-Friendly Debut Characters

At first glance, Tekken 8 boasting the same robust combo system as its predecessors might make it seem like a tricky game to pick up. However, compared to other titles, the Tekken newcomer offers a jampacked story, more accessible debut characters, and fully customizable characters to make the fighting game experience more alluring to genre newcomers. Moreover, Tekken 8's slate of new features makes the title a worthwhile first game for those just dipping their toes into the competitive fighting game genre.

Key to this is the game's Replay Mode, which essentially allows one to "replay" a match against a human opponent to try and find ways of countering strong enemies they lost to. This can help players further explore Tekken 8 mechanics, such as the ability to recover health through offense and the Heat System that enhances attacks for a limited time. This comes with the franchise's other slate of unique mechanics, such as Rage Art specials and wall breaks.

11 Dead Or Alive 5: Last Round

Unique Interruption Triangle Forces Players To Adapt To Different Playstyles

Technically the final "update" for 2012's Dead or Alive 5, gamers can get the definitive experience with Dead or Alive 5 Last Round as it consolidates features and characters across its different iterations. However, while fighting game newcomers may immediately notice how Dead or Alive 5 has quite the roster of fanservice-y characters, it's the more active combat style combined with the title's new interactive mechanics that make it a thrilling first fighting game experience.

The key to Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is the return of its Interruption Triangle System, where technically all moves can be punished provided players understand how characters act. Here, normal-attacking Strikes defeat Throws, the traditional smackdown Throw defeats Holds, and intercepting Holds counter Strikes. Newcomers to fighting games might find it tricky to adjust to how Throws don't defeat Strikes in DOA 5, and it's understanding this adjustment that can help fighting game newbies adjust to most other games.

10 Them's Fightin' Herds

Exclusive Magic Attacks Emphasize The Importance Of Character Gimmicks

Fighting game newcomers who want to start playing a more playful take on the genre should consider trying Them's Fighting Herds, the spiritual successor of the unreleased fighting game of devs from Mane6 based on My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The cartoonish take on the game isn't to be underestimated, however, as the 4-button experience features fighters with wildly different abilities interspersed with universal mechanics such as basic combos, sweeps, launchers, and anti-air attacks.

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However, where Them's Fightin' Herds becomes interesting is the inclusion of a magic system. Fighters have different magic properties and attacks that come with them, with some combatants filling up their magic over time while others start matches with a full meter with no way to recharge. Magic attacks vary from character to character, with options such as summons, dynamic movement, and powerful strikes that complement their base build.

9 Guilty Gear Strive

Multiple Mechanical Offerings Allow For More Versatile Strategies

While Guilty Gear Strive continues the franchise’s rather complex plot about all-powerful Gears, its revamped gameplay makes this Arc System Works game more accommodating for fighting game newcomers. Still boasting an 8-direction, 6-button (6B) layout like its predecessors, Guilty Gear Strive has a more straightforward approach to its mechanics.

Mission Mode forces players to learn the game’s fundamentals through set objectives, while systems such as Clashes, Faultless Defenses, Psychic Bursts, and Roman Cancels facilitate smoother combos. Although Strive maintains its high skill ceiling, having a more accessible gameplay loop can teach gamers playstyles they can apply to other high-octane fighting games.

8 Injustice 2

Accessible Controls Emphasize Customization & Encourage Combo Mastery

Although the events of Injustice allowed Batman’s Insurgency to stop Superman’s regime for global domination, the arrival of Supergirl changes the game completely in Injustice 2. Fans of the comic books can once again see their favorite heroes duke it out in a brutal fighting game, with NetherRealm studios following a simpler control scheme and a visually customizable Gear System for gamers to create their favorite versions of their heroes.

On top of straightforward direction-based light, medium, and heavy attacks, Injustice 2 units only need a single button to access signature Character Powers, Throws, and even stance flips. Complications do arise should fans want to dominate multiplayer, as the game’s system is combo-demanding. However, the game’s single-player campaign does wonders in encouraging players to explore Injustice 2 combat in-depth.

7 Mortal Kombat 1

Mechanics Are Integrated Into Story Mode

When Liu Kang won control over the Hourglass in Mortal Kombat 11, he attempted to reform a fairer world in Mortal Kombat 1. While much of the game’s events take place in a pre-Mortal Kombat setting, disaster hits the fan quickly when dark forces begin to move about. Regardless of this expected story trajectory, Mortal Kombat 1 becomes a decent foray into both the franchise and fighting games at large given its overall approach to gameplay.

Presentation-wise, MK1 boasts a comprehensive tutorial and a lengthy campaign that gives players a chance to use all available characters. Features-wise, the game retains signature gory Fatalities and Brutalities, with a new Kameo Fighters mechanic that diversifies gameplay. The game’s 4B setup makes combos accessible, encouraging players to spam moves while also learning how to string combos.

6 Tekken 7

A Solid Training Ground For Environmental Interactions

The plot of Tekken 7 concludes the ongoing blood feud between Kazuya and Heihachi Mishima that began as far back as Tekken 1, with as many as 52 characters bearing witness to a world brought to its knees with wanton destruction. Tekken 7 remains an enjoyable game with a heavy emphasis on combos and environmental interactions. Newcomer Akuma from Street Fighter also arrives in the game with his own mechanics, such as trading Rage Drive for a Super Drive to facilitate his SF moveset.

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Unique to the game are cinematic Rage Arts, hit-absorbing Power Crushes, and ground-hitting Screw Hits. Wall hits and stuns remain a franchise staple, facilitating combos much faster. Unlike other fighting games, Tekken 7’s accessible combo kit makes button mashing a decent first-timer’s go-to maneuver before they learn combo strings for more powerful attack chains.

5 Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid

Highlights The Importance Of Planning

With a story based on the Boom! Studios Power Rangers comics, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid unites Ranger teams across the Multiverse in a bid to defeat Lord Drakkon, an evil version of Tommy Oliver. Despite playing similarly to Injustice with its simple button layout, Battle for the Grid becomes an unexpected hit in the fighting game scene with its heavy emphasis on tag-team battles.

Unlike other fighting games, Battle for the Grid is a 3v3 tag-team fighter that facilitates fast and loose tag assists and switches. This system meshes well with the game’s accessible button layout as well as a separate Megazord meter to call forth the series’ iconic robots. Newcomers will appreciate Battle for the Grid teaching them about timing and moveset planning in fast-paced battles - something they can apply in other games.