The best fighting games for PC

Mortal Kombat 1 does so much right that it may be easier to list what it does wrong, which comes down to monetization really. You have excellent, high-res graphics and fully detailed environments that make every fight fun to watch, a surprisingly good story involving a messy multiverse clash, and an incredible roster of returning characters and guest characters to experiment with. Combat has found an excellent balance, allowing it to be both technical and easier to pick up. We especially like the ability to call in Kameo support characters to add new depth and customization to each fight.

The sixth SoulCalibur was a revival of the series, both in terms of popularity and how it rebooted the entire Soul story, bringing back everyone’s favorite characters at the start of their journeys with a sprawling retelling. But it’s not just returning fans who will find a lot to love. SoulCalibur has always been about clashing increasingly crazy weapons in 3D environments with huge moveset options, and that’s true here, too. With so many weapons and styles available, it’s a blast for newbies just as much as a challenge for experienced players deep in the competitive mode. The game received multiple seasons that expanded the roster and added more storylines, so it’s well worth picking up the complete game.

If you love stringing complex combos together, Tekken has always been a series that caters to those players. Tekken 7 elevates the combat to the best it’s ever been, combining the highly technical gameplay with new options like Rage Arts and Power Crushes. It also looks better than ever, with visuals that consistently making fighting an intense, vivid experience.

Divekick is an indie fighting game for people who hate fighting games and would rather make fun of them instead. It’s also surprisingly addictive, considering you only have two primary options — jumping or kicking. The game is laced with mocking references to other fighting franchises and delights in reminding you that your fighting skills don’t mean much when you walk away from your PC. That being said, it’s an excellent game to play with friends who’ve never picked up a fighter before (and similar social scenarios). Just keep in mind that it’s not really supposed to be competitive.