Highlights

  • Fighting games can be intimidating for new players due to their lack of transferable skills, but there are brawlers available that can ease the learning process.
  • Footsies is an indie fighter that focuses on spacing-based combat, making it a great tool for improving fighting game skills.
  • Granblue Fantasy Versus and Mortal Kombat 11 are beginner-friendly games that have comprehensive tutorials and simplified mechanics to help newcomers get started.

From the late '70s to nowadays, the fighting game community (or FGC) has become a big part of the gaming landscape. From old-school boxing games to today, these titles showcase flying fireballs, helicopter-like kicks, and massive super combos.

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Despite fighting games becoming a vast genre, it's also one of the most intimidating for new players. It has next to no transferable skills with any other genre, creating a big learning curve to endure. This narrow point of entry is why it's essential for fighting games to ease the learning process. Here are some brawlers you can count on to cushion the blow.

Updated on October 14, 2023, by Chris Sanfilippo: Our latest update adds new spec boxes with information for each fighting game on our list. These specs include Developer(s), Publisher(s), Platforms, ESRB Rating, and more.

17 Footsies

footsies fighting game

Footsies

Publisher(s): HiFight


Developer(s): HiFight


Platform(s): Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Available on Steam, Footsies is an indie fighter that strips down fighting game fundamentals to their core. While most fighting games emphasize spacing or "footsies," this game exclusively emphasizes strict spacing-based combat. Players must land a single hit to win a round.

Footsies' barebones design makes it an excellent tool for fighting game players to improve their skills. Without the distraction of elaborate command inputs, colorful characters, and overstimulating stages, Footsies focuses on the mind games synonymous with competitive play.

16 Divekick

divekick round ending gameplay screenshot
divekick johnny gat

Divekick

Publisher(s): Iron Galaxy


Developer(s): Iron Galaxy, One True Game Studios


Platform(s): Windows, PS3, PS4, PSVita, Xbox One


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Drug Reference, Game Experience May Change During Online Play, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol And Tobacco, Violence

Another simplified fighter, Divekick, is a fully-fledged fighting game that removes elements such as blocking or walking, only using two buttons: one to dive and one to kick.

Divekick players can find many core principles here. The diverse cast of characters all have a unique super move, activated by pressing the dive and kick buttons simultaneously. Few fighting games can get a player to the point of playing with intentionality as quickly as Divekick.

15 BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

The Character Select Screen for BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

Publisher(s): Arc System Works


Developer(s): Arc System Works


Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Team-based fighting games may appear complicated due to their lengthy combos and flashy gameplay. For instance, consider the hectic speed of games like Marvel Vs. Capcom 2. Still, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is an excellent place to start for those interested in this sub-genre.

Without sacrificing the game's depth, BBTAG features notably easy and lenient command inputs for each character's special moves. So, if a player can perform moves as one character, they can do so with every character in the game.

14 Street Fighter 2

Street Fighter II gameplay screenshot

Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection

Franchise: Street Fighter


Publisher(s): Capcom


Developer(s): Digital Eclipse


Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows, Xbox One


ESRB: T for Teen - Alcohol Reference, Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Street Fighter 2 is a great place to start for those interested in the history of fighting games. Many core design philosophies and character archetypes of the fighting game genre can be traced back to Street Fighter 2.

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Fans' expectations for the genre keep getting higher, especially whenever a fighting game has at least 50 characters even before any DLC.

As the first fighting game to allow players to choose from several unique characters with individual abilities, attacks, and attributes, many consider it the first proper versus fighter ever made.

13 Fantasy Strike

Fantasy Strike Nintendo

Fantasy Strike

Publisher(s): Sirlin Games


Developer(s): Sirlin Games


Platform(s): Linux, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Violence

Fantasy Strike is a free-to-play indie fighter that removes elements such as command inputs and even crouching. Each special move activates at the press of a button.

The game features characters of various archetypes, meaning payers can access zoners, grapplers, rushdown characters, and even an RNG-based gambling character in a forgiving environment.

12 Samurai Shodown

Samurai Shodown Jubei ready to strike

Samurai Shodown (2019)

Franchise: Samurai Shodown


Publisher(s): SNK, Athlon Games, Deep Silver, Netflix


Developer(s): SNK


Platform(s): Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS


ESRB: Rated M for Mature - Blood And Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence

Samurai Shodown (2019), a weapon-based fighting game, places the spacing and hard-hitting nature of games like Footsies and Divekick within a more traditional fighting game experience.

Heavy slashes and super moves deal absurd amounts of damage, but they're easy to read. So, the emphasis is on spacing and predicting your opponent's actions rather than lengthy combos.

11 Guilty Gear Strive

May petting Mr. Dolphin in Guilty Gear Strive

Guilty Gear Strive

Franchise: Guilty Gear


Publisher(s): Arc System Works


Developer(s): Arc System Works


Platform(s): PS4, PS5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

One of the premier anime fighting game franchises on the market, the Guilty Gear series has always been known for its fast-paced gameplay, edgy rock music, and visual flair. However, it hasn't always been the most accessible.

Luckily, the most recent entry in the Guilty Gear series, Guilty Gear Strive, is significantly more forgiving for newcomers, offering players solid tutorials and flexible mechanics that make the game a blast.

10 Granblue Fantasy Versus

The finishing blow of Vira's Affection Abyss Super Skybound Art in Granblue Fantasy Versus.
GranBlue Fantasy Versus

Platform(s)
PS4 , PC
Developer(s)
Arc System Works , Cygames
Publisher(s)
XSEED Games
ESRB
T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

While Arc System Works is known for complex fighting game series, such as Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, the company also has a catalog of games designed for beginners. One example is Granblue Fantasy Versus, a spin-off/sequel to the mobile RPG.

GBVS has plenty of beginner-friendly tools. Its tutorials are deep, breaking down basics, character skills, and matchup guides. A single-player-focused RPG Mode teaches the ropes of the game within a side-scrolling beat-em-up environment.

9 DNF Duel

Kunoichi performing the MP Special Move Flame Tornado in DNF Duel

DNF Duel

Publisher(s): Koei Tecmo


Developer(s): Arc System Works, Eighting, Neople


Platform(s): Windows, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Blood, Violence, Users Interact

DNF Duel features similar beginner-friendly mechanics as GBVS, including simplified command inputs. Plus, the game's tutorials are as detailed, if not more so, than its peer.

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Still, while DNF Duel is a quick game to learn, its levels of complexity run deep. For instance, the game's MP Skill system heavily emphasizes deft resource management. Plus, its canceling mechanics open the possibility for long strings of combos.

8 Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat 11 DLC News Scorpion WB Games Nether Realm
Mortal Kombat 11

Franchise
Mortal Kombat
Platform(s)
Stadia , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X , PC , Switch
Developer(s)
NetherRealm Studios
ESRB
M for Mature: Intense Violence, Blood and Gore, Strong Language
Expansions
Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection

While the arcade era of Mortal Kombat relied on absolutely brutal AI to get teenagers to pump quarter after quarter into the machine, modern Mortal Kombat games are much more forgiving.

Mortal Kombat 11's tutorials break down simple and advanced mechanics, including a comprehensive frame data lesson, very well. Combine that with easy fatalities triggered by a single button press, and newcomers will rip out spines in no time!

7 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Intense Gameplay, 4 Way Match
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Franchise
Super Smash Bros.
Platform(s)
Switch
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
ESRB
E for Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes

Objectively speaking, it's impressive how Super Smash Bros. has become a competitive juggernaut in the FGC. However, at its core, Super Smash Bros. is one of the most beginner-friendly fighting game franchises around.

Unlike almost every other fighting game, the control scheme of this series has largely stayed the same since the first entry, and the same is true about its core mechanics. As a result, its move inputs are simple for the youngest gamers to play.

6 Soul Calibur 6

Soul Calibur V Mitsurugi Blade Drawn Ready

Soul Calibur 6

Publisher(s): Bandai Namco Entertainment


Developer(s): Bandai Namco Studios, Dimps


Platform(s): PS4, Windows, Xbox One


ESRB: Rated T for Teen - Blood, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

Made by the same company behind Tekken, you might assume that adding weapons to a fighting game made by Bandai Namco Studios would be more complex. But it is just the opposite.

While Tekken is an uphill battle for newbies, the Soul Calibur series is much more inviting. While there are complex move inputs, Soul Calibur 6 relies more on mental warfare and timing.

5 Killer Instinct

Glacius stares down at Sadira to begin a battle in the 2013 Killer Instinct reboot
Killer Instinct (2013)

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox One
Developer(s)
Double Helix Games , Iron Galaxy
Publisher(s)
Microsoft Game Studios
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence

The reboot gods have blessed us when it comes to Killer Instinct. Microsoft Studios brought this series into the new age in 2013 and introduced many people to fighting games.

When an open combo system meets simple move inputs, you have the perfect world for a button-mashing beginner to explore freely. Plus, Dojo Mode takes you through the entire game, from the basics to the advanced ends of gameplay.

4 Dragon Ball FighterZ

Dragonball Fighter Z gameplay
Dragon Ball FighterZ

Franchise
Dragon Ball
Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , Switch , PC
Developer(s)
Arc System Works
ESRB
T for Teen: Cartoon Violence, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes

While this game doesn't have the most straightforward mechanics, Dragon Ball FighterZ introduces a wide array of systems without drowning players in the details. And the fantastic graphics and animation make it feel like you're controlling the anime!

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Instead of your traditional head-to-head scenario, FighterZ has three fighter teams tag out on the fly. The special moves are cinematic and satisfying to watch, keeping players engaged while they learn the fundamentals.

3 Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix/Pocket Fighter

Ken hits Ryu with an amplified Tatsumaki Senpukyaku in a bar fight at DeeJay's pub, MAXIMUM, in Pocket Fighter, a game in Capcom Fighting Collection.

Capcom Fighting Collection

Publisher(s): Capcom


Developer(s): Capcom


Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PS4, Windows, Xbox One


ESRB: T for Teen - Blood And Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact

Capcom launched many fighting games in the nineties, including multiple Street Fighter series and Darkstalkers. However, one of the company's most peculiar entries is Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix (Pocket Fighter).

Pocket Fighter was Capcom's effort to entice younger players into the fighting game genre. While the game has some deep mechanics, its foundation is straightforward. There are auto combos, power-ups, and simplified move inputs. Plus, this game is hilarious!

2 Skullgirls

Skullgirls Gameplay
Skullgirls

Platform(s)
Android , iOS , PC , PS3 , PS4 , PS Vita , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Developer(s)
Reverge Labs
Publisher(s)
Autumn Games
ESRB
T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence, Blood, Use of Tobacco, Partial Nudity

Skullgirls is a breakout indie hit in the FGC. So, it makes sense that a minor scale game would be a good start for a beginner. A smaller roster of characters and less overwhelming mechanics make for an excellent start for the newer player.

Skullgirls also has a tutorial covering more than most fighting games. Does every fighting tutorial answer how to throw a punch or kick? Yes. But none answered when or why until now, thus teaching players strategy in addition to controls.

1 Street Fighter 6

Chun-Li glowing Blue via the Cancel Timing Display setting, showcasing that she's allowed to cancel into specific Special Moves or Super Arts in Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter 6

Franchise
Street Fighter
Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Developer(s)
Capcom
Publisher(s)
Capcom

Street Fighter 5 primarily targeted the eSports crowd, resulting in a launch with limited single-player content that felt rather exclusionary. Luckily, Street Fighter 6 remedied this issue and set a new standard for accommodating beginners!

SF6 has bountiful training tools, including simplified control schemes, in-depth tutorials, and a robust training suite. However, World Tour mode stands out by introducing newbies to fighting game fundamentals in an organic and digestible way.

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