10 More Entertaining Fighting Games To Play!
Mortal Kombat is a renowned classic. Unlike most fighting games, this series takes violence to another level. From its iconic fatalities to the game’s gorgeously rendered settings and visuals, fans always await to hear news about new entries from the series from its developers over at NetherRealm Studios.
If you’ve finished playing Mortal Kombat and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link, so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time in.
So without further ado, we present 10 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Mortal Kombat.
Street Fighter (Series)
Street Fighter is an iconic gaming franchise like Mortal Kombat. While it has distinct characteristics and gameplay, it holds many similarities with the violent fighter. Both games offer intense and competitive gameplay. They’ve built strong followings over the years, with players engaging in high-stakes competitions for profit at many well-known locations like EVO.
Street Fighter offers a wide array of characters, each with its own unique abilities, moves, and playstyles. This allows players to develop intricate strategies and show their skills in one-on-one fights. Although fans will enjoy these games for their intense combat, Street Fighter, and Mortal Kombat have alluring narratives packed into each game too.
Viewers will adore seeing characters like Ryu and Chun-li grow over the course of each game Capcom releases. It gives players a reason to grow attached to these fighters, besides what they offer from a gameplay perspective.
While Street Fighter’s combo system is leagues above what you’d find in Mortal Kombat (for now), fighting game enthusiasts should give it a shot.
Dead or Alive (Series)
Dead or Alive is a fabulous 3D fighting game with clever stage designs and game mechanics. Like Mortal Kombat, it features an intricate and diverse fighting system with a range of moves and combos for players to learn.
Players can unleash powerful attacks, perform special moves, and execute complex combos to pull one over on their opponents. Both franchises prioritize well-timed and precise inputs, creating an intense and rewarding experience for newcomers and professionals alike.
Mortal Kombat and Dead or Alive deliver dynamic stages. Fans who love interacting with their surroundings occasionally in the Mortal Kombat franchise will appreciate Dead or Alive’s take on the matter. Whether it’s smashing opponents into objects or using your environment to perform nifty attacks, the interactive environments in both games add intrigue and strategy to the fights.
In addition to both fighting games having highly-stylized character designs and expansive universes, Dead or Alive is a fun 3D fighter Mortal Kombat fans should check out.
Tekken (Series)
Mortal Kombat and Tekken are two iconic fighting game franchises that have entertained players for decades. Despite their different gameplay mechanics and styles, both games share many notable aspects.
Firstly, these series offer ensemble rosters with fighters who have clashing personalities, abilities, and fighting styles. Whether one is a fan of Mortal Kombat’s brutal violence or Tekken’s technical fighters, both franchises provide folks with a variety of characters that’ll suit their playstyles well. Both games contain impactful storylines that explore their characters’ motivations, histories, and relationships. While Mortal Kombat features warriors engaging in high-stakes competitions, Tekken delves into the complexities of a powerful and influential family.
Players will find both games’ tales fascinating since they’ll add context to the battles, making everything feel more immersive. Both games require players to master several moves, combos, and counters to excel. You’ll feel rewarded for taking time out of your day to learn each character’s strengths and weaknesses.
Injustice 2
Injustice 2 is a follow-up to the dark DC fighting game of the same name. Like Mortal Kombat, this game was developed by NetherRealm Studios and contains brutal and graphic combat. These franchises are notorious for their menacing finishing moves, which showcase enough over-the-top violence to satisfy players. The emphasis on their brutal aspects ties them together perfectly.
Further, Mortal Kombat and Injustice 2 feature a diverse roster of iconic fighters and DLC guest stars that will blow players’ minds. From Injustice 2’s inclusion of all four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Mortal Kombat 11’s having characters like Spawn and Rambo join the battle, it led to some hilarious and exciting times for fans of both franchises.
Additionally, Mortal Kombat and Injustice 2 have incredible graphics and interactive environments. Players will adore using stage elements to pull one over on their opponents. This adds an extra layer of strategy and immersion to the gameplay, resulting in exciting matchups for players and onlookers.
On top of having fun single-player modes with pleasing cinematics, Injustice 2 is a great comic-themed alternative for Mortal Kombat fanatics.
Soul Calibur (Series)
Soul Calibur is another iconic fighting game franchise with unique gameplay mechanics and a distinct visual style. Like Mortal Kombat, it offers a varied and memorable roster. Each fighter has a unique fighting style, weapon, and ability for players to hone and master.
Both games have great single-player experiences for those who want to enjoy the game on their own. These single-player modes provide players with context about the characters and their motivations. It helps set these series apart from other cherishable fighting games.
Both games provide players with fluid and intuitive controls, allowing players to execute precise moves and combos with ease. Although their combat systems differ drastically, players will be pleased with both games since they reward you for your skill and strategy.
On top of having highly stylized visuals, impactful sound design, and intricate stages, Soul Calibur is another fighting games series Mortal Kombat fans should check out.
Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct is known for being the combo-king in the fighter genre. It delivers spectacular visuals, memorable characters, and outstanding voiceovers and music. Like Mortal Kombat, this game offers intense and visceral gameplay.
Both games feature fast-paced, combo-based fighting mechanics that require precise timing and strategic thinking. Players can unleash brutal moves with animations that will leave a lasting impression. Both games also feature diverse characters with unique moves, personalities, and backgrounds. With all the characters inserted in each game, you’re sure to find someone who works for you.
Both games place an emphasis on presentation from their detailed character models to the fluid animations. In addition to having rich lore and a handful of fun game modes, Killer Instinct is a great alternative for Mortal Kombat fans.
King of Fighters XIII
King of Fighters XIII is a great 3 vs 3 fighting game and an excellent entry in the King of Fighters series. Like Mortal Kombat, this game’s renowned for its deep and complex gameplay mechanics.
Both games require precise timing, strategic thinking, and mastery of various moves and combos to be successful. Players can perform special attacks, combos, and powerful super moves. These are essential in helping players defeat opposing players or AI.
Each title’s gameplay system has a skill ceiling, rewarding players who invest time and effort into understanding their mechanics. Both games also feature diverse rosters of characters. From their unique backgrounds to their clashing personalities, you’ll find someone whose playstyle meshes with your own.
On top of having a rich storyline with characters who evolve over time, King of Fighters XIII is worth playing.
Guilty Gear Strive
Guilty Gear Strive is a fantastic entry in the Guilty Gear series and is one of Arc System Works’ best products. It features simple controls unlike prior entries and places less emphasis on performing complex combos through specific inputs and movements.
Instead of pushing for intricacy, the game chooses to implement more flashier attacks to entice players to play it more. Nonetheless, like Mortal Kombat, Guilty Gear Strive’s gameplay is intense and fast-paced. It requires players to have precise timing, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking. Players can perform a variety of combos and menacing attacks, adding to its gameplay’s depth and nuance. This emphasis on quick gameplay gives Guilty Gear Strive fans an adrenaline-fueled experience they don’t want to miss.
Skull Girls
Skull Girls is a great 2D fighter with a great art style, gameplay, and cast. Like Mortal Kombat, Skull Girls has players engage in high-speed combat, showcasing their skills in precise and strategic battles. Both games require quick reflexes, meticulous timing, and a deep understanding of each character’s moveset.
These games are fun to watch at events if you have experienced players dueling in them too. Filia, Cerebella, and Ms. Fortune may not be as widely known as Scorpion of Sub-Zero. However, the developers give them and Skull Girls’ other cast members enough depth to help newer fans connect with them.
Both games contain flashy attacks to draw people in. Whether it’s the fatalities in Mortal Kombat or Skull Girl’s casts intricate combos, you’re sure to be at the edge of your seat with each game you watch or participate in.
Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Fighter is a great fighting game known for having a realistic approach to the genre. It leans more toward giving its cast distinct emotional personalities than giving them all distinct moves. Yet, it has some similarities with the violent fighter Mortal Kombat.
Firstly, both games feature diverse character rosters with glorious fighting styles. Where Scorpion’s known for his iconic spear attack and teleportation abilities, Virtua Fighter’s Akira is known for delivering powerful strikes and throws that require precise timing to execute. Their individual move sets add depth and variability to the gameplay, allowing players to find someone that suits them.
So there we have it, our 10 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Mortal Kombat.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!