Top 10 Best Xbox Fighting Games in 2023

Xbox Fighting Games include some of the best titles ever released in the genre. Between the top titles, you’ll find multiple art styles that all look fantastic on the platform. On top of that, its high power means you’re getting competitive-level performance on the esports Xbox One fighting games and Xbox Series X.

On this platform, you can find just about every type of fighter. There are weapon fighters, melee fighters, 2D, 3D, and even party platform fighters have started to pop up on the Xbox. No matter which type you’re looking for, Fighting Games on Xbox One span the heights of this type of game. The Xbox Series X has the power to display the top titles in the best quality. The best Xbox Fighting games are a great showcase of this.

Best Xbox Fighting Games

Here’s our selection of the best Xbox Fighting Games in 2023, including those you can find on Games Pass regularly.

10. Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct is one of the top fighting games on Xbox One. This franchise first arrived on the Xbox One. The platform doesn’t have a lot of exclusive fighters, but this is an interesting one. The series was originally created by Rare, primarily known for creating platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country. Since Rare’s now part of Microsoft, they’ve inherited this series of fighters too.

The latest version of Killer Instinct is now developed by Doble Helix Games, who have taken the series in a different direction. It’s become one of the best Xbox fighting games. Gameplay has some unique mechanics which set it apart from the crowd. There are combos like any other game, but the title also incorporates Combo Breakers, Ultra Combos, and more to keep the action unpredictable.

This version of the game is a Fighting Game for Xbox One, but it’s still available on Game Pass (In its definitive edition form). While a little older, the game has some impressive specs. It runs at 90 FPS both off and online, as well as having input lag of just 81 milliseconds which beats out Street Fighter and Mortal Combat. Killer Instinct is one of the few Xbox-exclusive fighting games which has really preserved. The title is still worth checking out with friends or through online play.

9. Injustice 2

Injustice 2 is the latest game in the DC comics fighting franchise. This new version adds a lot to the game, especially with the Legendary Edition which includes all the recent DLC. Like most of the best Xbox fighting games, you can grab it on Games Pass too.

The title looks fantastic on Xbox. There’s a creative roster of comic book characters, each with their own cool movesets. The fighting action is pretty solid too. There’s great room for you to grow as a player, learn further combos, and really push yourself to be the best possible fighter at Injustice.

With full DLC, this roster isn’t just iconic DC characters, there are the Ninja Turtles, Mortal Kombat’s Sub-Zero and more. It’s a fun mix of characters which opens up even more potential in his game.

8. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto

This Naruto title is a lot more fun than your average tie-in. It’s one of the most fun fighting games in this style.

This game looks amazing, especially compared to the source material. The cell-shaded graphics look great in a fighting game on Xbox One. Naturally, this dedicated game looks much better than the characters do in the Fortnite X Naruto crossover! it’s one of the best representations of high-octane Shonen fights in a game. The title is an Arena fighter, so there are 3D elements to keep in mind while you’re playing.

The title has the option for you to play one-on-one fights. However, there’s a story mode and more explore the world of Naruto. This is one of the best Naruto Shippuden games, and one of the best Xbox fighting games.

7. Samurai Showdown

Samurai Showdown is a fun take on a fighting game from SNK. The title splits off from traditional melee-based attacks that the company is known for in King of Fighters, instead has followed the world of fighting weapons. This latest Samurai Showdown came out in 2019, as a modern take on the series for arcades and fighting games on Xbox One. The developer has been behind some of the best Xbox 360 fighting games and original Xbox fighting games. This latest release is another highlight.

This new version of the series had loads of new characters that bring their own unique weapons. There are other new mechanics too, like the Rage Explosion. This gives players in the backfoot the chance at a risky comeback Lightning Blade attack to take back control of the match.

Samurai Showdown is a creative take on weapons fighting and one of the best Xbox fighting games.

6. FighterZ

FighterZ might be a Dragon Ball tie-in, but even those who don’t watch the series have a lot to like here. This is a 2D fighter based around combos along with large-scale Ki attacks. Players each have three fighters that they can switch out on the fly to keep the action going. It’s one of the best PS4 fighting games as well as being one of the top fighting games on Xbox One and Series X.

There’s a huge roster of characters here which gives players a lot of potential to keep things interesting. The title is getting a next-gen update on the Xbox which will elevate it as one of the best Xbox fighting games too. What’s more, it’s on Games Pass. You’re getting the ultimate Dragon ball fighter with that subscription.

5. Soul Calibur VI

The latest instalment of Soul Calibur on the Xbox is Soul Calibur 6! This is one of the top fighting games on Xbox and it’s become an expansive experience.

Soul Calibur is a series based on fighting with weapons, specifically swords. The game is famous for applying the tight high-skill control of 2D melee fighters to weaponry like swords. On top of that though, it always brings in some of the most exciting sword fighters from other franchises for a unique cast. This time the crossover characters include the Witcher’s Geralt and 2B from Nier Automata.

4. Tekken 7

When it comes to 3D fighters, Tekken is one of the most iconic. The latest version of the game is Tekken 7 which is by far the most impressive published so far. This game looks amazing on the more recent Xbox condoles, taking full advantage of the hardware’s potential for high-end graphics.

Tekken 7 doesn’t just look though. Gameplay is built up from past titles with Rage Drive attacks and even slow-motion effects added that play into tactics. At its core, it’s one of the most responsive and high-skill 2D fighters out there. Shown pretty easily by its appearances at major esports tournaments like EVO and its own Tekken Online Challenge. It’s one of the most dynamic fighters in the series. This one of the top Xbox fighting games has been on Games Pass since 2020 too.

3. Mortal Kombat 11

Mortal Kombat has been one of the biggest fighting games for decades. It’s one of the best fighting games original Xbox had, the best Xbox 360 fighting games, the newest editions are easily some of the best for Series X too. It’s easy to see why when you look at Mortal Kombat 11.

This latest title is one of the most dynamic we’ve ever seen. There’s a huge roster of characters, great potential for combos, crazy crossovers, amazing visuals, and more. You can really push your skills to their limit in Mortal Kombat 11.

On Xbox, a top-of-the-line fighting game like Mortal Kombat 11 really shows off. The game’s fatalities have never looked better, this is one of the best ways to play any fighting game on Xbox. Like some others, it’s on Games Pass too!

2. MultiVersus

MultiVersus is one of the biggest new titles to hit the fighting game scene in recent years. This platform fighter mashes up characters from Warner Bros properties like Game of Thrones, Looney Tunes, and more.

The game is a platform fighter which changes things up from others we’ve covered here. You’re not getting knockouts from throwing out punches and whittling down health. Players deal damage which increases the damage score on enemies, the higher your damage number the easier you are to knock back. The goal is to knock opposing players off of the platforms and out of the ring. The game’s real strength is in its characters crazy movements though.

Few games can handle the bizarre moves that are par for the course in MultiVersus. You can turn enemies into chickens, call in vans to take away your opponents, and that’s all along with the standard melee attacks that you can make use of.

MultiVersus is still an emerging esport, so there’s no better pick of the Xbox fighting games to try and get into. MultiVersus cross-play is a thing too, so you can easily play with friends on any platform. What’s more, it’s free-to-play, and available pretty widely. It’s one of the fighting games on Xbox One you can bet will be updated for a long time to come.

1. Street Fighter V and VI

Street Fighter is one of the best fighting game series, and it’s a common sight at pretty much every major fighting game event, including being central to EVO. The latest instalments in Street Fighter are some of the best fighting games ever made, especially on the Xbox.

The Street Fighter 6 beta so far feels like a perfection of the game’s 2D fighter set-up. The roster is varied and has something to fit some unique playstyles, there are even more modes which should address some of the problems with V. There’s even better online, for matches against players in a similar skill level at all times. Before that makes a full release though, Street Fighter V is still an admirable fighting game on the Xbox. This is one of the biggest esports and a definitive title to jump into.

The franchise is one of the top picks for the best fighting games on Xbox. Visually, this might be the most impressive version of the game. It handles fantastically too. If you want to get retro, you don’t need to dig out original Xbox fighting games either. You can find Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition on Games Pass too.

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