Fighting games are a great way to relax on the couch, keep your gaming reflexes sharp, and compete with your friends. If you aren’t that familiar with this video game genre, you might think that all fighting games are pretty much the same but that can’t be further from the truth. Some can be action-packed while others are story-driven.

You also have brawlers and platform crashers, and they all have very distinct 3D or 2D art that sets them apart. So in this article, we’ll show you the best fighting games to play on your Xbox with your friends or solo. Just make sure to track the amount of time you spend playing them as they can be very addictive.

If you want to play your Xbox fighting games on your PC, check out our detailed guide on how to play Xbox game pass games on a PC.

1. Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate

Mortal Kombat is probably the most famous fighting game series out there. The franchise even has several movies based on the games. That said, it’s packed with action, cool moves, and epic fatalities, and it even has a solid storyline that will keep you hooked while playing the campaign. Also, Mortal Kombat 11 comes with a variety of DLC characters and mechanics upgrades that make this game feel well-balanced.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate offers both single and multiplayer experience, and some new, yet well-known characters like RoboCop, Terminator, and Rambo are there to spice up the experience.

2. Street Fighter 6

The latest installment of the Street Fighter series came out in June 2023 and as expected, it became one of the best fighting games the Xbox has to offer. This fighting game features several game modes that allow you to train solo against other fighters, compete against other players in ranked matches, or enjoy a single-player story mode.

You can play this game alone, or with friends. The online mode allows you to pair up with players of the same skill level as yours. The more you progress, you’ll find the game pairing you with more challenging opponents. However, that’s where the real fun begins! You’ll have to work hard on your gameplay and understand the mechanics in order to beat some of the more advanced opponents, both in single-player mode and online.

3. Killer Instinct

Although published in 2013, Killer Instinct is getting a 10th-anniversary update in late 2023. This highly-rated fighting game is finally getting balance adjustments, improved matchmaking, and 4K support for Xbox consoles! Although we’re still waiting for this update, you can try out Killer Instinct now.

What sets this fighting game apart from the rest of the bunch is its unique mechanics. Although combos are part of almost all fighting games, Killer Instinct offers much more. There are combo breakers, ultra combos, and moves that rely on the specific scenery that’ll make your fighters look and feel incredibly epic. Also, you have an interesting Instinct Mode mechanic that lets you earn unique bonuses during combat. All in all, it will remind you of Street Fighter but the mechanics set it apart.

4. Dragon Ball FighterZ

Looking for a 3v3 fighting game? Consider trying Arc System Works’ Dragon Ball FighterZ. This game takes the original anime art and brings it to a new level with bombastic action. Moreover, the gameplay is fast-paced and very fluid, catering to the speedy reflexes of younger generations.

Dragon Ball FighterZ has a very simple fighting style, but as you progress you will find it harder and harder to master this game. Mindlessly mashing the buttons won’t get you far. You’ll need to learn some very imaginative combos in order to trigger amazing-looking cinematic attacks.

5. Injustice 2 Legendary Edition

Are you a fan of Mortal Kombat but you’re tired of the same old Sub Zero, Liu Kang, Raiden, and the gang? You should try out the Injustice Series. There are several installments in the series, all developed by NetherRealm Studios, the creators of the MK games. Injustice brings the storyline from the DC Comics and wraps it into the Mortal Kombat gameplay to deliver a completely new experience.

There are two games in the series, with Injustice 2 Legendary Edition being the latest. It comes with all the DLCs and you’ll have all the DC heroes and villains to play with. But the Legendary Edition also brings in some guest fighters such as Hellboy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

6. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite

If you would rather pass on Injustice 2 because you prefer the Marvel universe, don’t worry, we got you covered with Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite! This is another 2v2 game, but this time fights include characters from both the Marvel and Capcom universes. In fact, Marvel vs. Capcom has several installments, but Infinite brings polished game mechanics and easy-to-master gameplay.

The game story revolves around the fact the two universes collide, and the heroes from both need to group up to defeat the evil Ultron Sigma. But the storyline is there just to set the mood, and the true star of the game is the fun and casual gameplay.

7. SoulCalibur VI

SoulCalibur VI is the latest installment of a franchise that’s been around since 1998. This game heavily focuses on melee combat and although 3D, it’ll remind you of some old arcade titles. If you played some of the previous SoulCalibur installments, you should know that this one completely reboots the storyline.

But there are many changes and improvements not only to the RPG story mode but also to the game mechanics. You have a new roster at your disposal which includes Geralt from the Witcher series, alongside the old characters. If you’re looking for a fighting game that focuses on weapons instead of punches and kicks, this is it. Just make sure to not spend too much time in front of the screen because the animations are “explosive.”

8. BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend

BlazBlue is a fighting game with many installments, but for a long time, it was available only for the PlayStation platform. That is until the Xbox version of BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend was finally released. This 2D fighting game, developed by Arc System Works, follows in the footsteps of the famous titles from the same developer, Guilty Gear, and the Dragon Ball Z games.

BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma Extend is a fast-paced game with 20 characters to choose from. Although a fighting game, BlazBlue is known for its developed storyline and the Chrono Phantasma Extend doesn’t lack anything in this field. But if you get invested in the series, take note that the newest title, BlazBlue: Central Fiction, didn’t get its Xbox release.

9. Dead or Alive 6

Although released in 2019, Dead or Alive 6 remains one of the most popular Xbox fighting games, because its fighting elements are realistic, and you get the feeling of really being hit (minus the pain, obviously). However, compared to the previous game, Dead or Alive 5: Last Round, this one has a more balanced battle system, and the fights seem more intense.

You can see the characters get brutally hit in slow motion and you’ll also notice visible damage as the fight progresses. The developers went as far as implementing sweat physics to show you how sweaty so you really feel like you’re involved in the fight. So join the tournament once again and fight your way to victory defeating some very powerful opponents.

10. Guilty Gear Strive

Guilty Gear is a good-looking fighting game with amazingly detailed artwork. Not only are the characters vibrant and colorful, but the backgrounds are very inspiring and imaginative. But don’t assume this game is all about its awesome 2D art.

The fighting system in Guilty Gear is not very unique, but it’s fluid and fast-paced so it’s definitely fun. However, both fighting game veterans and newbies can easily master it in no time. This might be a downside to some, but a casual gamer who just wants to relax while kicking some butt will appreciate it. The story behind the fighting would mean something to all those who played the previous installments of the game, but if you choose to, you can completely ignore it and still have fun just fighting.

11. Tekken 7

The Tekken series started in 1994, and although its last installment, Teken 7, was released in 2015, it’s still one of the most popular fighting game franchises. This game has a long history and solid reputation for being demanding but also highly rewarding. Also, its characters have highly developed backgrounds and storylines worth exploring. This arcade-like 3D fighter lets its players enjoy slow-motion scenes that get triggered during the climactic final moments of the battle.

If you have played Tekken before, you’ll be glad to hear that Tekken 7 picks up the story where it was left in Tekken 6 when we watched the showdown between Heihachi Mishima and his son Kazuya. But if you’re just starting the Tekken series and you chose this installment, you might get confused with the storyline. Nevertheless, you can still enjoy the cinematic moves, combos, and fast-paced playstyle.

12. The King of Fighters XV

One of the latest titles among the fighting games for the Xbox Series X is the King of Fighters 15. It came out in 2022, and it quickly gained popularity among the fans of this genre. The best part is that KOF XV is a massive sequel to the previous series installments, and it combines all the heroes from all the previous games.

Veterans of the King of Fighters will love the game, but it can be challenging to master for newbies. But don’t overthink it, KOF XV has an extensive tutorial where you’ll learn not only the basics of the fight but also some combos and techniques that are available to your hero.

13. EA Sports UFC 4

MMA recently became extremely popular in the sports fighting genre and EA Sports jumped on the wagon with its UFC series. The latest entry is UFC 4 where you can assume the role of your favorite athlete from the MMA league, or try out any of the legendary fighters.

UFC 4 is a typical MMA game and its main focus is to take your opponents down by any means necessary. You can deliver punches and chokes, but the main goal is to take your opponent to the ground and make them tap to submission. You can also wait for the referee to call the fight and the judges to reveal their scores.

14. Samurai Shodown

If you prefer weapon-based fighting games like SoulCalibur, you should try out Samurai Showdown. This game was released in 2019 as a revival of its 90s predecessor. This new installment is true to its legacy and the fights are slow-paced and focus on your fighting strategy.

However, there are some new concepts in Samurai Shodown in the form of characters’ playstyles, new rage explosion mechanics, and the lightning blade attack finishing move. You’ll quickly find your favorite hero as each character can pull off some incredible hard-hitting moves unique to them, but satisfying for you.

What’s your favorite fighting game to play on your Xbox? Let us know in the comments below!