For the past few months, fans of the fighting game genre have been enjoying a resurgence, and it doesn’t look like that’s anything anytime soon, thanks to either news of several new fighting games or even having the chance to go hands-on with them.
Below are several upcoming fighting games that anyone who enjoys a good one should pay attention to. You may have noticed we don’t have any brawlers or beat ’em up listed, which is simply because they are not a fighting game. There’s a reason why they’re called what they are and not fighting games.
Street Fighter 6
Ah, yes, Street Fighter 6. Capcom’s flagship (and only) fighting game is all the hype and for a good reason. So far, Capcom has shown that it has learned from its mistakes with Street Fighter 5, and not only is the game launching with the proper game modes, yes, a proper training mode and versus mode are included, but it’s also being directed toward both newcomers to the series modern and dynamic control scheme while providing veterans the tried and true way of kicking people’s buttons.
We’ve seen two amazing betas, a lackluster and limited demo, and soon, an open beta for Street Fighter 6 will be taking place and giving everyone a taste of what’s to come. Dare I say that this might be Capcom’s best go at the Street Fighter franchise in quite some time? And if you’re either curious about fighting games, or who knows everything that’s Street Fighter, I’m sure that SF6 is going to be on your mind. I know it’s on mine.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
Release Date: June 2, 2023
Crossplay: Yes
Tekken 8
Yes, Bandai Namco can count to eight and has finally moved on from Tekken 7, despite supporting it for nearly eight years. Tekken 8 follows the events of Tekken 7, where a very upset Jin Kazama has determined that he has to finally take down his father, Kazuya Mishima. Yep, while Heihachi Mishima may be out of the picture (because he’s dead?) we’re still going to get an epic father vs son brawl. The game includes new gameplay mechanics that include the updated Rage System, Heat System, Recoverable Gauge, and Controller Style
And just like another upcoming fighting game, Tekken 8 will offer a new control scheme to entice newcomers called Special Style. With this control scheme, players will be able to perform moves and combos much easier, giving them a better fighting chance against someone familiar with the game and characters. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tekken game without a few roster changes, and while most of the cast is full of returning characters from the previous games, apparently Jun Kazama, who we thought to be dead following Tekken 2, is also back.
But my question is, who’s getting tossed into a volcano next?
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)
Release Date: TBD
Crossplay: Yes
Mortal Kombat 12
We don’t have a clue as to when Mortal Kombat 12 will be seeing a release, but we’re hoping it’s this year. However, two years ago, Netherrealm Studios released its final update to Mortal Kombat 11 and stated it was moving on to something else. And while Ed Boon and crew had been trying to keep the upcoming fighter a secret, it wasn’t until the team released a “Thank You” video that thanked the Mortal Kombat community for 30 great years… and then dropped a tease about the upcoming game.
With Mortal Kombat 12 officially being teased, it’s only a matter of time before Nettherrealm officially reveals the game. With Summer Game Fest around the corner, we could likely see the game in action for the first time.
Platforms: TBD
Release Date: TBD
Crossplay: TBD
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
While we’re still waiting on Cygames Granblue Fantasy: Relink to be released, the fighting game side of things will have seen two releases with the already released Granblue Fantasy Versus and the upcoming Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is an update of Granblue Fantasy Versus and includes new moves to existing characters and two new additional characters; Siegfried (no, not that one) and Anila. The game will also feature new story content, cross-play between the PS4, PS5, and PC, crossplay, rollback netcode, and a wacky new game mode that will pit games in multiple online matches that don’t include punching each other in the face.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC (Steam)
Release Date: 2023
Crossplay: Yes
Pocket Bravery
Coming from the indie developer Statera Studio comes Pocket Bravey, Paying homage to the fighting games of the 80s and 90s with its pixel art style and animated background. There’s a lot to like about this game, including special moves, and the characters have a nice amount of variety. While Pocket Bravey is still in development, the Brazilian fight scene has fully embraced the game, and the game was hosted in Battle Coliseum 2022… it’s not even completed yet.
If you’re interested in seeing what the hype surrounding the game is about, there’s a playable beta that can be downloaded on Steam.
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release Date: 2023
Crossplay: TBD
