The Switch has a great roster of fighting games. Some of the biggest esports titles are even exclusive to the platform. The top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games might not always be the version that’s played in tournaments, but this is a fantastic console for getting into the genre. There are even some amazing titles exclusive to Switch.
The Switch has plenty of big titles which you can only play here. There are games like Smash Bros which is one of the most important fighters, and only on Switch. Plus it has its fair share of third-party fighters. It’s not just casual or platform fighters. The best Nintendo Switch fighting games cover every aspect of the genre.
Looking at the best Switch fighting games in 2025, it’s difficult to overlook the age of the hardware. A lot of the big releases you see on PS5 fighting games or Xbox aren’t here anymore, as the Switch is a bit outdated for games like Street Fighter 6. However, while we’re waiting for the Switch 2 to be released there are still tons of great fighters on the platform. Especially among those that get a bit more creative.
Top 10 Switch Fighting Games
| Ranking | Title | Release Date | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Melty Blood Type Lumina | February 6 2020 | 2D Fighter |
| 9 | Rivals of Aether | September 22 2015 | Platform Fighter |
| 8 | Persona 4 Arena | March 1 2012 | 2D Fighter |
| 7 | Street Fighter Anniversary Edition | 2018-05-29 00:00:00 | 2D Fighter |
| 6 | Skullgirls 2nd Encore | April 10 2012 | 2D Fighter |
| 5 | Pokenn | July 16 2016 | 3D Fighter |
| 4 | Brawlhalla | April 30 2014 | Platform Fighter |
| 3 | Mortal Kombat | April 23 2019 | 2D Fighter |
| 2 | FighterZ | January 26 2018 | 2D Fighter |
| 1 | Smash Bros Ultimate | December 7 2018 | Platform Fighter |
Switch offers the natural advantage of being played anywhere, with easy co-op with the two controllers available. For 2D games, these joy cons allow for quick co-op just about anywhere! The console has way more than just arcade-style 2D fighters though. These are the best Switch fighting games:
10. Melty Blood: Type Lumina
Melty Blood: Type Lumina has come over to Nintendo Switch. This is a big game for fighting games, it appears at most of the major tournaments like EVO and CEOTaku. The title was originally released in 2021.
This is a 2D fighting game, but not a platform fighter like some of the other top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games. Melty Blood is known for not really requiring high-end equipment to compete competitively. Type Lumina on Switch runs perfectly. You’re not getting any kind of downgrade, this is the full experience with its high-skill gameplay and all of the modes included.
Melty Blood is a three-button fighter. There are light, medium, and heavy attacks, along with a shield for counters. It’s a simple setup that actually pairs great with Joy-Con controllers. It’s one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games, and it often makes the list of the best overall fighting games.
9. Rivals of Aether
Rivals of Aether is a platform fighter that’s grown from an indie to one of the best fighting games on Switch. This is a game where movesets can be completely out of control. They have bigger effects and can change rounds completely. Rivals of Aether isn’t one for subtly, but it’s still balanced and fun.
The game received loads of updates over time with new characters added. It’s even brought in characters from other indies, like Shovel Knight and Ori from Ori and the Blind Forrest.
Rivals of Aether got its start as a fan Smash Bros style game, Super Smash Land. Its fitting that over time it had developed a Smash for Indies approach. Although, it’s still a title that has grown to become something that stands on its own though. It’s one of the top fighting games on Switch.
8. Persona 4 Arena
Persona has exploded in popularity recently with its mainline RPGs becoming huge sellers on each console. However, the Arena fighting game spinoffs are definitely worth checking out. Persona 4 Arena is one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games, not just a spinoff to the huge franchise.
Persona 4 Arena is a 3D fighting game with four buttons for inputs. There are light and heavy attacks, but you can also call in the Personas that are the center of the franchise’s gameplay. The game uses status effects and some pretty creative attacks to give players a lot of options. There are even Instant Kill attacks that can give you a quick win if they connect. It might be a spin-off of a non-fighter franchise, but Persona Arena is very high quality and one of the top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games.
Fans are eagerly awaiting an eventual Arena spin-off tot he more recent Persona 5 RPG. However, while we wait this title is definitely still worth checking out. Even more so now that its RPG base game has been reissued on the platform. It’s one of the best fighting games on Switch, even if you’re not a fan of the series as a whole.
7. Street Fighter Anniversary Edition
Street Fighter 6 Anniversary Edition is a fantastic package to celebrate the storied history of one of the most impactful fighting game franchises. This is a collection of all of the titles that made Street Fighter what it is. Some of the best fighting games of all time in one place.
The collection features 12 different Street Fighter games. It’s all of the classic titles that have defined the genre. Quite a few of these could count as one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games on their own. These might not be the newest titles but run fantastically in this version of the game.
The game is missing the two most recent Street Fighter installments, like Street Fighter V and Street Fighter 6. However, this is a great alternative offering. You get the most polished versions of the most iconic fighting games.
6. Skullgirls 2nd Encore
Skullgirls 2nd Encore is one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games. It’s a mainstay of tournaments like EVO, and has gone pretty mainstream in recent years. It’s available across most platforms. Along with doing so well on Switch it’s still one of the best fighting games on PS4 too. The Switch version is no slouch though.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore is the definitive edition of the 2012 original Skulllgirls. As the game is a little older, there are basically zero problems running this on Switch at a truly competitive level. All the content is included. You’re getting the same polished and enjoyable competitive fighter as you would on any other platform.
5. Pokenn
Pokenn is a fighting game that managed to fly a bit under the radar, at least for a title that combines such huge franchises. It’s a mash-up of Pokemon and Tekken. You’re fighting Pokemon as ever, but not issuing commands to your team, you’re controlling the monsters’ actual moves in one-on-one fights. It’s a different approach that’s made it one of the top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games.
Fighting in Pokenn has up-close melee attacks and special moves. Both are ripped right out of the attack options your monsters can learn in the RPG. The title blends 2D and 3D fighting. It’s got a creative cast of monsters from across the franchise’s lifespan, not relying too heavily on any one generation.
Pokenn on Switch is the definitive version, with all additional fighters and content. Alongside the arcade version, it’s the best way to play the game.
4. Brawlhalla
Source: Blue Mammoth Games
Brawlhalla is a game from Ubisoft and Blue Mammoth Games that’s become a huge success. It’s available on loads of platforms, even mobile. However, the Switch version is definitely popular. A good part of Brawlhalla’s record 100 million players are on the platform.
Brawlhalla takes the Smash style platform fighter to a different place. It has tons of different champions, with unique weapons and attacks. What’s special about this one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games is that as well as being high-quality, it’s free.
Anyone can play Brawlhalla as soon as they download the title.
The game has a huge esports scene. The Switch version runs great too. This is an easy pick for one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games.
3. Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat 11 made its way onto Switch alongside pretty much every other platform in 2019! It’s one of the few fighting game giants to put its newest edition on the Switch, beating Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters to the punch. The game is a bit downgraded here. There’s less visual flair and the frame rate is lower. However, it looks fantastic for a Switch game.
That’s just the visual flourishes, the gameplay remains as tight here. The game is a great high-level fighting game. If you can master it here, your skill level is just the same as the other platforms. If you’re looking for a modern but traditional game, Mortal Kombat’s newer titles are easily in the top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games.
The newer title, Mortal Kombat 1, is also on Switch. It’s a pretty disappointing port though that doesn’t really live up to the other versions. 11 remains the definitive version on the console until that version gets patched up.
2. FighterZ
FighterZ is a Dragon Ball tie-in game, but it’s a lot more than that. This is a 2D fighter with tight controls, a varied cast (despite so many Gokus), and a pretty lively competitive scene. It can be tricky to master. Getting your head around the combos and different strategies you need to rise to the top of the FighterZ ranks definitely pays off though.
The title runs at a bit of a lower frame rate on Switch. Although, if you avoid FighterZ crossplay then it doesn’t feel like much of a downgrade. It’s very much its own separate walled ecosystem compared to the other platforms. You can still experience the great story and high-level competitive fighting on this platform. It’s one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games even if you don’t know the source material.
FighterZ is still the best Dragon Ball experience on Switch. The platform is missing out on newer games like Sparking Zero. However, FighterZ is a much better competitive game anyway. In terms of a mechanically sound, 2D fighter, it’s about as good as it gets. There’s plenty to play through with FighterZ on Switch and it’s a very well-polished port of the game.
1. Smash Bros Ultimate
Smash Bros is Nintendo’s definitive fighting game franchise. Across 23 years and 6 games, it’s become one of the best competitive fighting games, and among the most popular games in the genre on any platform. It’s also exclusive to Switch. Nothing else really could come in first out of the top 10 Nintendo Switch fighting games.
Smash Bros Ultimate is far from brand new at this point. We’re actually at our longest gap between Smash titles we’ve ever seen. However, the game is always going to be worth re-visiting. This might be the perfection of the modern Smash formula. Just as timeless as Melee. With so many characters, you could spend years just mastering each individual character.
Smash is a platform fighter that brings in characters from across Nintendo’s major franchises, but also wider gaming. Its roster features Link and Mario, but also Cloud, Persona’s Joker, and even Banjo Kazooie. Each has a unique moveset creatively drawing on gameplay from their original franchises.
Smash Bros has grown to have a huge dedicated esports scene. It’s one of the widest in the fighting game community, despite the problems it invariably faces from Nintendo’s approach to esports. Smash Bros still has a vibrant competitive scene, with huge tournaments taking place all the time. If you’re looking for a fighter to master with depth and events at every level, Smash is your best pick on Switch. If you’re playing for fun or maining only the characters highest in Smash Ultimate tier lists, it’s a fun title.
Playing by yourself, Smash Bros does a shacky online connection which can cause problems. Although, it’s still plenty of fun to play as a wi-fi warrior. The game has loads of offline content too, with huge party matches, a creative story mode, World of Light, and more. It’s one of the best fighting games ever made and definitely the top pick for best Nintendo Switch fighting games.
FAQ
What is the Best Nintendo Switch Fighting Game of all time?
The best Nintendo Switch fighting game of all time has to be Smash Bros Ultimate! It’s one of the most polished and fun versions of the franchise, and it’s only playable on Switch.
What are Some Free Fighting Games on Nintendo Switch?
There are loads of free titles on this platform. Some of the top 10 Nintendo Swich fighting games are free. Brawlhalla is free. There’s also Super Kirby Clash and others.
Is Tekken on Nintendo Switch?
Tekken isn’t on Switch. Developers haven’t chosen to make a version of the game that compromises quality to get it on Switch. Although, other titles like Mortal Kombat have managed it.
While Tekken isn’t on Switch, some of their characters are. One of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games has Kazuya from Tekken. Super Smash Bros Ultimate characters include the character from Tekken.