The platform fighter genre has long been dominated by the Smash Bros games. The Nintendo series is so big that other similar titles always get compared to it. MultiVersus hasn't been able to avoid those comparisons, either.
Yet, the game is good enough to escape Smash Bros' long shadow and prove that more of these types of games exist. Or, more importantly, that Smash Bros isn't the only good one. You should know, though, that MultiVersus isn't the only alternative to the Nintendo game. So, if you like what you've played of MultiVersus, maybe you want to try different games of its ilk. To that end, here are some good suggestions that aren't Smash Bros.
7 Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
One of the best things about MultiVersus is the inclusion of iconic characters from franchises owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. In Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, you get fighters from Nickelodeon shows instead. It makes for an even more surreal roster as you can have the likes of Spongebob and CatDog fighting Ninja Turtles and Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
From a gameplay perspective, it features the standard fast-paced platform brawling you expect from these types of games. And your experience with MultiVersus means you'll pick it up fairly quickly. After all, the title doesn't feel particularly original, but it's fun nonetheless.
6 Stick Fight: The Game
When you think of iconic fighters in video games, stick figures probably don't come to mind. Yet, they serve as the playable brawlers in this chaotic fighting game. Four figures are placed on a level, which serves as their battleground. And they fight till the death.
When there is only one remaining, the stage quickly switches, and everyone respawns to battle again. The goal is to win more rounds than everybody else. It may sound repetitive, but each stage is vastly different. Plus, there are a whole host of unique weapons, which adds some variety to combat.
5 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Have you ever wanted to see Sackboy from Little Big Planet go up against God Of War's Kratos? Well, that's the sort of dream fight that PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale offers. The game's roster contains characters from several classic PlayStation series, including Uncharted, Killzone, and Metal Gear.
They compete in brawls that are a little slower and more technical than is standard of the platform fighter genre. It also has a unique mechanic where your attacks build up your own super meter instead of the enemy's damage meter. If you let it fill, you can unleash some stylish super attacks.
4 Lethal League Blaze
Lethal League Blaze is a very original type of 2D fighter. After all, you don't punch or kick your opponent. Instead, you have to hit them with the special ball that is on every stage. You do so by smacking the ball and having it ricochet off the walls, floor, and ceiling in the hopes it'll cannon off one of your enemies. However, they're able to volley it back in the hopes of hitting you.
There are other game types that mix things up, but it's generally a mixture of volleyball, dodgeball, and fighting. And along with being very enjoyable to play, its presentation is also great with its brilliant art style and amazing soundtrack.
3 Gang Beasts
Gang Beasts is a party game where a group of you control some strange floppy creatures and attempt to fight each other. The objective is to eliminate all your opponents, so that you're the last blobby person standing. To achieve that feat, you punch, grab, and even headbutt your adversaries.
You can knock them out, but to actually eliminate them, you have to either throw them out of bounds or into a hazard. Each stage has its own hazards, ranging from speeding trains to grabby octopuses. Learning how to use them on your opponents without wiping yourself out in the process is key to victory.
2 TowerFall
There are plenty of great archers in the video game world. The playable characters in Towerfall should also be considered among the best, considering they have to fire their arrows during extremely fast-paced battles.
In the standard multiplayer mode, everyone gets a limited number of arrows, and you all jump around a 2D level trying to hit each other. Admittedly, you aren't forced to use your bow as you can also kill people by jumping on their heads. If everyone besides you succumbs to arrows or feet, you win the round. That is the core idea, but there are a few other modes that mix things up.
1 Brawlhalla
Outside of Smash Bros, there aren't many platform fighters more famous than Brawlhalla. The game has all the hallmarks of the genre. It contains colorful characters and weapon pick-ups. Plus, you kill your opponents by knocking them off the stage.
Where it differs from othergames is that it's a freemium title, meaning it's free to play. That doesn't diminish its quality, though, as it's still a very enjoyable game with great presentation. On top of that, the game includes some great crossover characters from the likes of WWE, Street Fighter, and The Walking Dead.