Summary
- MMA games offer varied representations, from arcade-style to simulation gameplay.
- EA Sports UFC 5 is praised for its graphics but criticized for lacking striking depth.
- UFC Undisputed 3 is widely regarded as the best MMA game, offering realistic and immersive gameplay.
Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is a relatively under-represented sport in video games, be that because of its fairly modern nature or its more niche following for many years. It could also be argued that all facets of MMA are difficult to replicate in video games, given the prominence of grappling in the sport, a stark difference when compared to other combat sports.
Despite the low number of MMA games when compared to other sports, there are still some incredible titles that any fan of MMA will love. These range from UFC games, to nostalgic explorations of Pride, to a mix of various historical and modern MMA promotions. Not all MMA games are made equal, but there are a good number of them that offer various ways to have fun and offer varied representations of the sport.
UFC 5: Best Strikers In The Game
Striking is the most popular aspect of UFC 5, and these fighters excel at it.
6 Pride FC: Fighting Championships
A Nostalgic Look At A Legendary MMA Promotion
PRIDE FC: Fighting Championships
- Released
- January 11, 2003
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 2
Pride FC was an MMA promotion that started life in Japan. The now-defunct promotion was famous for its brutal and shocking displays of MMA, often pitting fighters of different weight classes against one another. Pride FC was known for its spectacle and for housing many fighters who would go down in the history books as legendary pioneers of the sport.
Pride FC: Fighting Championships is a far more arcade-styled example of an MMA video game, playing more like a standard fighting game than any simulation of the sport. Despite its casual nature, it is still a historic game, allowing players to take control of legendary Pride FC fighters such as Sakuraba, Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock, and many more. The arcade styling holds the game back from a higher place on the list, but Pride FC: Fighting Championships is still worth playing, especially for fans of MMA history.
5 World of Mixed Martial Arts 5
The Pinnacle Of MMA Simulation and Management
World Of Mixed Martial Arts 5
- Released
- January 29, 2018
- ESRB
- Not Rated
- Developer(s)
- Adam Ryland
- Genre(s)
- Sports, Management, Simulation
World of Mixed Martial Arts 5 is the fifth game in the series by Adam Ryland, a developer known for management and simulation games. The game allows players to take control of an MMA promotion, booking fights, dealing with contracts, engaging in promotional work, and managing every other aspect of the business.
UFC 5: Secret Moves Only The Pros Know
Some of the best moves in UFC 5 are hidden and unique; here are the best ones, along with instructions on how they can be performed.
This already compelling concept is only made better when players look into the community creations surrounding the game. There are plenty of roster and promotion mods that allow players to take control of various MMA promotions, even down to specific years and roster compositions. The game fails to reach a higher spot on the list, as many think of partaking in MMA competition when playing an MMA game, although World of Mixed Martial Arts 5 is perfect for fans of both MMA and management games.
4 EA Sports MMA
A Casual-Friendly MMA Game With Fun Animations
- Developer: EA Tiburon
- Platform(s): PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
- Release Date: October 21, 2010
- Genre: Sports
EA Sports MMA was released as a competitor to the first UFC Undisputed game in 2010. It was EA Sports' first MMA title and centered around a series of promotions, notably not including anything to do with the UFC. At the time, EA Sports had refused a video game contract with the UFC, ultimately releasing EA Sports MMA a couple of years after discussions with the UFC.
EA Sports MMA is a far more casual MMA title, but pioneered some systems, such as the 'sweet spot' submission mechanic, which would later go on to be used in both UFC Undisputed and the EA UFC games. Despite its more casual nature, with simplified striking and grappling, EA Sports MMA has incredible animations, especially for knockouts. EA Sports MMA doesn't make it higher on the list as it isn't the most representative of the sport, although it is still incredibly fun.
3 EA Sports UFC 5
The Best-Looking MMA Game
EA Sports UFC 5
- Released
- October 27, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Genre(s)
- Sports, Fighting
EA Sports UFC 5 is the fifth EA UFC title, taking place on a new engine for the series that allows for improved graphical fidelity and animation quality. UFC 5 iterated upon previous titles to make a more modern UFC game, taking its position as the best-looking MMA game to date.
UFC 5: The Best Kickboxing Combinations
Learn how to use some of the best kickboxing skills in UFC 5 to take down opponents with ease.
For most players, UFC 5 is the best example of MMA gaming. It is both graphically and mechanically impressive, with a continually updating roster and an active competitive community. Despite this, many players would argue the striking is lacking when compared to previous UFC titles, and the polished gameplay and animations have removed some charm that was present in earlier MMA titles.
2 EA Sports UFC 2
An MMA Game With Solid, Competitive Striking
UFC 2
FINISH THE FIGHT EA SPORTS™ UFC® 2 innovates with stunning character likeness and animation, adds an all new Knockout Physics System and authentic gameplay features, and invites all fighters to step back into the Octagon® to experience the thrill of finishing the fight.
- Released
- March 14, 2016
- ESRB
- T For Teen: Blood, Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- EA Vancouver
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
EA Sports UFC 2 is the second EA Sports UFC game, and their third MMA game overall. It featured a deep roster, taking place at one of the heights of modern MMA. UFC 2 was released at the height of McGregor popularity, releasing in 2016, the year in which he would obtain 'double-champ' status, marking a massively popular period for MMA.
EA Sports UFC 2, despite not being the most modern EA UFC title, is often favored due to its striking mechanics. Many players argue that the striking system, in both its speed and responsiveness, was the best in the series. This can be felt clearly when playing UFC 2, especially after playing the more modern titles. This striking system gives UFC 2 the edge over the more modern UFC 5 on the list.
1 UFC Undisputed 3
The Best MMA Game
UFC Undisputed 3
- Released
- February 14, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
UFC Undisputed 3 was the third title in the UFC Undisputed series, the premier UFC video gaming series, before EA received the license. It iterates upon previous entries in the series, including a wide and legendary roster of both UFC and Pride FC fighters.
UFC Undisputed 3 was incredibly popular, generally considered to include some of the best systems in MMA gaming. Both the striking and the submissions felt realistic and immersive, combined with a roster of fighters from one of the most popular periods in MMA history. Many MMA fans consider UFC Undisputed 3 as the peak of MMA simulation in gaming, equal parts fun and immersive.