Fighting games are a part of history and have been since the days of video game invention. And over many decades, the games have become more refined and explored, and during the eras of pixel-to-3D rendering there are some series that stand out on top. Whether that is due to the modes on offer, the character roster players can choose from, the spectacle of the fights and the flashy moves, or the integral mechanics of the game have brought players back for more.
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Some of these games defined a generation of players and consoles alike. One such console is thePS3.Sony’s juggernaut console launched a thousand fists and kicks and revolutionized the fighting genre fans know today in all of its splendor. However, which games appeared victorious overall and took the fighting crown back in thePS3’sheyday?
8Tekken Tag Tournament 2
A fighting game known for its particle effects, juggling combo mechanics, and a fighting style that goes beyond the 2D planes of such other games.TekkenTag Tournament 2includes a wide variety of fighters spanningdifferent martial arts, origins, and even sometimes different species.
In a game proving quality trumps quantity there may not be amyriad of modesto engage with, however, their fighting mechanics were almost perfect. Taking the single-fight experience and doubling the fun by introducing tag teams proved to be a massive hit in online multiplayer.
7Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 & Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds
Comics and cartoons have been holding crossover events for years. However, Capcom has decided to run with the idea includingTatsunoko Vs. CapcomandStreet Fighter X Tekken.The PS3’s installments ofMarvel Vs. Capcom2 & 3prove to be victorious against its other competitors.
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Taking the best parts of each Marvel andCapcom franchise, many fans regarded it as the best fighter that was available on the PlayStation Network at the time with spectacular graphics,simple move sets, and character choice. A fine brawler for those wanting the best of both I.P. worlds.
6Soul Calibur 4
This Japanese fighter has each character in the roster equipped with different weapons from bo staffs to nun-chucks and titular good and evil swords:Soul CaliburandSoul Edge.
The sixth entry into the series debuting on the PS3, this game shines and oozes quality coming over the adversity of a bad marketing job and finding a solid and dedicated fan base. A game crammed with many different modes and a surprising, but well-received,character creation modefor those players wanting to insert themselves in the game or create the power-tripping anime fantasy they have yet to explore.
5Persona 4 Arena & Arena Ultimax
ThePersonaseries has never been precious with its characters even though their main story games are often dark and deal with aspects of the human psyche and metaphysical abstract concepts. On their days off theydance to musicor in this case, settle their disputes with a good old-fashioned slugfest.
In this iteration,Arena & Arena Ultimax,transplants characters into a roster where players can pick their favorites to do battle. Players may seem a bit lost with this game as it is aimed specifically at those who played the original flagship RPG. However, for the fans and already invested players, this is a resplendent fighting game with surprising depth and quality of the fighting mechanics.
4Mortal Kombat (2011)
From chain-slinging with Scorpion to giving the cold shoulder with Sub-Zero,Mortal Kombatis a powerhouse of a game in a series of well-renowned games. Regraded as the game that brought the franchise back on track by bringing the arcade experience into players' living rooms, this installment brought a breath of fresh air to the series and set up a platform for many (successful) sequels to come.
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Taking its 2-D pixilated roots and bringing it to modern times, this reboot was a commercial hit within the fighting game community and with gamers on the whole with its brutal style and over-the-top attacks making each attack and finisher feel visceral and brutal.
3UFC Undisputed 3
Unlike the other games based on fantastical fighting championships, this game takes the real high-octane thrill of fighting in the octagon and brings it to the gamer’s hands.
With strikes, grapples, submissions, and knock-outs:Undisputed 3is the ultimate game on the PS3 for fans of mixed martial arts. This game also comes with the upside that is dedicated to just fighting, and some fans of the sport may find their favorite people to play with, while newcomers can jump straight into the fights that brought them to purchase the game in the first place.
2BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger & Continuum Shift
BlazBlueis a long-running fighting series established back in 2008 with a more weird, eccentric character design than other games in the genre. A very polished 2D fighting experience with aninteresting complex loreand loving chibi animations thrown in.
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This game may not appeal to mainstream fighting fans with a complex story that encourages players to play through each character’s narrative to unlock interconnecting storylines. Some players, however, may be put off byBlazBlue’sstory arcs, which are laden with Japanese-style anime tropes.
1Street Fighter 4 & Super Street Fighter 4
The fourth installment in one of the biggest fighting franchises,Street Fighter,this game is touted by some fans as a spiritual successor to theStreet Fighter 2game that started the large roster of the modern-day adaptation.
A solid mechanic-based fighting game fought between two players with a large roster of new and returning characters. Compared to the current day iterations, players may find the modes available to play are a bit sparse. However, it is a good place for fans of the genre and new gamers to start off with. The super version just brings a more refined experience of the base game.
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