Get Ready To Unleash Some Combos in These 2 Player Fighting Games
There are many games out in the world to scratch your competitive itch nowadays ranging from MOBAs to shooters. When it all comes down to it, though, there’s nothing more satisfying than the feeling you get after beating your opponent in 1v1 combat. 2 player fighting games have been around for decades and have always been a pillar of competition in gaming. There are so many fighting games coming out nowadays, though, that it can be difficult to know what’s worth getting into. With our list here we hope to inform you about what’s worth your time and hopefully find you a game that’s really worth sinking your teeth into.
10. Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite gameplay
Despite many obvious hurdles along the way, Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite was able to make it out and be a truly fun and enjoyable game. As the fourth iteration in the Marvel vs Capcom entry, Infinite takes the series back to its roots by being a 2v2 fighting game. You can take many of your favorite Marvel and Capcom characters and team them to battle against your friends or online for supremacy.
Probably the best thing about Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite is the sheer amount of freedom the game offers you. The game implements a free tag system that allows you to tag into your other character at any time and this system allows you endless possibilities. Unlike previous entries in the franchise, this system allows for the game to really feel like you’re playing a team. The fighting is just truly satisfying and creative and is definitely worth your time.
The gameplay in Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite is very fast and freeform
The beauty of the game is the ability to play your favorite Marvel and Capcom characters
9. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 gameplay
While most of the games on this list fall into the traditional fighting game category, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 stands out as a unique and flashy fighter. The game is 3D 1v1 fighter, but it features free movement and simplified controls. The game is very fast and fun and makes for a very fun and unique fighting game.
I described the game as having free movement which means that your character will move where you point them which makes this the game with the most freeform movement you can get in a fighting game. In addition to the freeform movement the game features simplified controls where you only have one melee attack button and one ranged attack button as well as several items, a jump button, and a charge button to modify your attacks. The game’s combat is very flashy and attempts to emulate the show as closely as it can. It’s a very fast and fun game that is a just a great time with friends.
The game is very flashy and is a joy to look at
The expansive story mode takes you through the conclusion of Naruto’s epic story
8. BlazBlue: Centralfiction
BlazBlue: Centralfiction gameplay
The same year that Street Fighter IV brought fighting games back to the mainstream, a lesser known game known as BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger hit store shelves. 8 years later, BlazBlue is still alive and kicking with the fourth entry in the franchise hitting in 2017. BlazBlue is a fast-paced 2D fighter that features fast movement and intricate combos that will keep you engaged for hours and hours. BlazBlue is the first game on this list that falls into the subcategory of “anime” fighters, which tends to describe games with an anime artstyle and fast paced movement, often with versatile movement in the air.
The first entry was criticized at the time for being “too easy” but over the near decade of evolution the neutral game and combos of the game have evolved to be some of the most complex in the fighting game community. The cast is so heavily varied that you can play the simple, Street Fighter style characters, a character that is inspired by the gameplay of MOBAs, and even multiple characters that allow you to control multiple characters at once. If you want a game with a lot of depth to truly sink your teeth into for hours and hours, BlazBlue is the game for you.
At this point BlazBlue’s cast has grown so large that there’s a character for everyone
The gorgeous artwork will keep you entranced for hours on end
7. Skullgirls
Skullgirls gameplay
The unfortunate thing about fighting games is that most of the company’s releasing them have been around for many years, but Skullgirls was able to break through this roadblock and find success where others before it failed. One of the things that allowed Skullgirls to thrive is the unique team mechanic that allows you to play one, two, or three characters. It takes a lot of inspiration from games such as Marvel vs Capcom 2 while still feeling wholly unique.
Another unique thing that allows the player a lot of freedom is that the game allows you to assign any move of one of your characters as their assist, making for many interesting and unique strategies. Gameplay is very fast with rounds often ending very quickly due to the long and damaging combos that you are capable of. Over many years the community has found more and more optimization to make the game feel almost like a puzzle to solve for a new player. The game’s community is very dedicated and welcoming so if you want a complex game that can offer you many possibilities for your lineup, Skullgirls is the perfect game to jump into.
Skullgirls offers a unique team experience unlike any other fighting game of its kind
Characters like Big Band add significantly to Skullgirls’ very unique roster
6. Injustice 2
Injustice 2 gameplay
What’s better than fighting your friends? Fighting them with your favorite characters from the DC universe in Injustice 2! Injustice is a traditional 2D 1v1 fighter brought to you by the same studio that makes Mortal Kombat. In the game you can choose from a plethora of characters from the DC universe and engage in fisticuffs to the (near) death! In addition to the DC characters, the game has since added guest characters such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles so there’s something for everyone.
The meat of Injustice lies in the diversity of its large cast which each give you something for your playstyle. Whether you want to zone, rush down, or just play the neutral game Injustice has someone for you. The way that Netherrealm Studios make their combat means that combos are mostly about memorization which allows you to learn the optimal stuff very quickly. If you’re interested in the more casual side of the game, you can also dive into the expansive story mode and gear system which allows you customize your character’s stats, appearance, and even give them new moves.
The super moves in Injustice 2 provide for some fantastic visual imagery
The game offers a large and interesting cast for you to pit against each other
5. Street Fighter V
Street Fighter V gameplay
If someone says the words “fighting game” to you, there’s no doubt in my mind that the first image that would pop into your head is Street Fighter. So it’s no surprised that the latest iteration in the classic series, Street Fighter V, makes its way onto this list. The classic 2D fighter returns with its iconic cast and intense neutral-based gameplay and it’s more accessible than ever.
I’ve mentioned the term neutral game before which is essentially the part of the game where you’re not doing anything, to simplify it. This is the part of the game that Street Fighter V hangs its hat on as the combos are often not very damaging or flashy. The kind of skill required to excel at Street Fighter often takes years to accumulate and you’ll still find yourself making simple mistakes as a veteran. This version of the game has simplified a lot of the more complex mechanics from previous entries to make it the most accessible version of Street Fighter yet.
Sometimes the simple things in Street Fighter are all you need to get enjoyment out of it
With characters new and old, there’s bound to be someone to grab your attention
4. Mortal Kombat X
Mortal Kombat X gameplay
There are many different merits to fighting games, but if you just want pure violence then there’s no other game on the market that can offer it to you but Mortal Kombat X. As the tenth entry in the franchise, Mortal Kombat X is a traditional 2D fighter that is a mainstay of the genre and has earned its spot in the upper echelon of fighting games. The main thing the mainstream audience knows about Mortal Kombat is its violence, but the more recent iterations have found themselves to have very fun and complex gameplay in addition to the base level gore.
Similar to Injustice, Mortal Kombat X has many strings of combos that allow for easy optimization. However to differentiate itself from Netherrealm’s other franchise Mortal Kombat introduces pure speed to the mix that makes rounds go by supremely fast. The game has very little downtime between the action and the combat feels very visceral as a result of the how the violence is portrayed in the game. Don’t just look to Mortal Kombat for the violence, look at it for the varied, fun, and fast-pace gameplay that will keep you entertained for hours.
The Mortal Kombat roster ranges from the traditional martial artist to a drunk man with a cane
The guest character added to the game give an in to people who would otherwise not care
3. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZ gameplay
While the main appeal of most fighting games is the moment to moment gameplay, there’s still nothing like seeing a truly spectacular looking game like Dragon Ball FighterZ. Based on the popular anime franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a 3v3 team-based fighter where you can play as many of your favorite characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. The game goes out of its way to recreate the look and feel of the show even down to recreating scenes in the game’s engine. On top of that, though, it helps that the game is very fun and engaging as it has taken the fighting game community by storm.
Dragon Ball FighterZ utilizes the team-based gameplay originated in Marvel vs Capcom 2 so you are able to pick three characters for your team and then you can switch between them or call on them as an assist. The game features simplified moves so you’ll never have to memorize complex motions in order to break into the game. The spectacle of the game makes each combo and move feel important and strong which makes for a truly engaging experience that keeps you captivated. With a varied array of characters and team lineups, you’ll find yourself enthralled by the moment to moment gameplay in Dragon Ball FighterZ.
The game features dynamic combat with all your favorite characters from Dragon Ball
You can see hidden cutscenes where the recreate scenes from the show as well
2. Tekken 7
Tekken 7 gameplay
2D fighters often tend to dominate the market, but Tekken 7 has taken a stand and made its mark on the fighting game community. Tekken is a 3D fighter, which means you can move towards and away from camera in addition to the traditional sidescrolling movement. Tekken is often described as the most difficult fighting game to be good at, but if you can get to that level it is also possibly one of the most satisfying to get good at.
Tekken 7’s gameplay is unique in that most of its characters don’t have the flashy special moves of other fighting games. Most characters in the game use exclusively hand to hand martial arts which makes for unique gameplay that is almost entirely centralized on the neutral game and mind game aspect of fighting games. Combos are relatively simple to execute compared to other fighting games, but the difficulty comes in the neutral game and movement where any given moment presents you with possibly hundreds of options.Tekken can be looked at more like a skill to be mastered rather than a fighting game and the fact that it has that much depth is truly wonderful.
The game has cinematic camera angles within fights to keep them exciting
You can customize your characters to give them a unique look
1. Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2
Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 gameplay
We’ve talked about depth, spectacle, speed, and many other things today, but in the end Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 is the game that does all these things spectacularly and more. The latest entry in the 20-year-old Guilty Gear franchise, Rev 2 is a 2D fighter that offers a great amount of spectacle, tons of depth for each character, and is one of the fastest games on the market. Guilty Gear offers a feeling of adrenaline that only a truly great fighting game can offer you and it’s truly a thing of beauty to behold.
As the originator of the anime fighter genre, it should be no surprise that the movement in Guilty Gear is unparalleled and you’ll never feel a lack of options. In addition to this the game features a series of built-in combos they refer to as “gatling combos” which just means there are certain moves that are designed to chain into one another, making basic combos very easy to execute. However, the amount that any one character is capable of is truly vast and allows you will find yourself learning new things about your character of choice for years. The game features some of the best defensive and offensive options on the market so you will always have tools for any situation you find yourself in. Every character brings something unique to the table and once you get well acquainted with your character it is very satisfying.
Without a doubt Guilty Gear is deep, fast, fun, beautiful, and exhilarating on every aspect. It will keep you entranced for hours on end and you’ll find yourself clamoring to play more once you stop. There is no doubt in my mind that Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 is the top fighting game on the market.
Guilty Gear features some of the fastest and smoothest combat among modern fighting games
The look and feel of the game is unmatched by its peers
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