Fighting games have seen something of a resurgence over the last few years with the release of some big names such as Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 heralds a new golden age for the genre. Things don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon as there are still quite a few of them exciting fighting games on the horizon for fans to get excited, from established IPs entering the PvP arena space to indie developers breaking into a crowded market.
Even within the genre itself, there are several different kinds of games that suit specific preferences or play styles. Players who enjoy the rush of one-on-one combat have some interesting games just around the corner, but there are also plenty of fighters coming soon, so whatever their preference, fans will almost certainly be able to enjoy a new favorite fighter soon.
A combination of devils
Competitive and cooperative all in one
- Release date: TBA
- Developer: Punkzilla
- Platforms: PC
A combination of devils is the next evolution of platform battles, taking concepts from popular games such as Smash Bros. and brings a new set of characters and a whole new environment. The game has several goals in mind: it aims to position itself as a competitive fighter that veterans will appreciate, while remaining accessible to new players with easy-to-understand movesets and additional soccer-like modes for more people than ever to revel in the mayhem.
visually, A combination of devils it has a classic cartoony feel that feels both familiar and different, but still has enough visual clarity to keep its competitive integrity intact. It's already received a lot of early praise from demos at various shows, so only time will tell if its ambition and charm can take the game to the same heights as the giants of the fighting game space.
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls
Pit Earth's mightiest heroes against each other
MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls is a superhero fighting game that many players have been dreaming of for decades. It's not the first time iconic characters like Spider-Man and Captain America have appeared in the fighting game genre, but this new tag-fighter looks to be a cut above all previous iterations. The game revolves around 4v4 battles across different cinematic scenes, with as much explosive action and superpowers as any Marvel blockbuster.
Everything looks over-the-top and over-the-top, and the game leans heavily on a unique anime-inspired aesthetic that makes every scene look like a panel from the manga. The roster itself may start small at launch, but with over 50 years of characters to draw from, it won't be long before fan favorites enter the arena, and there's no telling how many more heroes could be added in the coming years if MARVEL Tōkon manages to take off.
2XKO
The next chapter for the league universe
2XKO is Riot's first foray into the fighting game space, and with a large library of existing characters to choose from, it looks like a match made in heaven. Despite taking champions and regions directly from League of Legends lore, the two games couldn't be more different. Rather than being a slow-burning team-based MOBA, 2XKO takes legends from the land of Runeterra and throws them into 2v2 battles of speed, skill and unmatched aggression.
The game already has a huge amount of hype around it because not only does its IP carry a lot of weight, but the actual game stands on its own. It's fast and fluid and offers players plenty of opportunities to express their skills from the moment the timer starts. As a tag fighter, this individual expression becomes crazier as players level up to master the fine details of each character and the interactions they have with each other.
Invincible VS
Bridging the gap between comics and games
Invincible VS brings the brutal superhero universe to the gaming world, allowing players to transform into fan-favorite characters from the hit graphic novel and animated show in a fight to the death. Combos are the key, landing massive weight with every swing, kick and punch, leaving opponents bloodied and bruised. The game is set to launch with several modes, from a cinematic story to a more competitive multiplayer offering to satisfy fighting fans of all kinds.
While the world may be a bit more specialized than other fighting games, that doesn't mean it can't be just as, if not more, satisfying than some of the bigger names on the market. Overall, Invincible VS looks like a compelling new title from a new studio that has taken some bold steps forward to prove that with enough talent and a good enough IP, any franchise can become a beloved fighting game.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection
Back to the classics
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Collection is a compilation that many MK fans dreamed. The game contains several versions of the first four games in the series, as well as several spin-offs and portable versions, and collects them all in one place to give players access to the beginnings of the fighting game genre in all its glory.
This release isn't a remaster per se, but simply serves to bring the old-school experience into the modern era, meaning the games original feel and iconic visuals remain intact. There are even a few extras for longtime fans, like an interactive documentary that explores the history Mortal Kombat franchise as well as handy features that allow players to unlock developer menus and secret characters without having to worry about lengthy unlocking processes.
