The world of fighting games is getting a lot bigger in 2025. Over the last few years we saw a huge growth in the genre, with record attendance at tournaments. This was driven by the release of some big new games, but 2025 has its fair share of big fighting releases too. The upcoming fighting games most anticipated in 2025 might be just as big for the FGC.
The upcoming fighting games this year include some of the biggest franchises, all with new instalments. There are also some smaller titles like indies getting releases and new takes on the genre as a whole.
There are new releases across loads of different areas of the top fighting games. We’ve broken down the best upcoming fighting games to keep an eye on in 2025.
Top Upcoming Fighting Games
10. VARVARION
Source: POLYGONOMICON
Varvarion is an upcoming fighting game with a few unique angles. It’s an anime fighting game that already puts it amongst some of the most popular. The title is also a weapon-based fighter. It’s all built around big anime sword fights. It’s a pitch that sounds like a pretty unique take for a fighter. Varvarion is currently in development but should be coming out sooner rater than later since it’s been trailed since 2021.
Varvarion has been hotly anticipated for a while, but it has run into some problems. We haven’t heard anything about it for a while. Hopefully, this game is still in the works and hasn’t gotten lost in development hell!
9. King of Fighters XIII Global Match
Source: @SNKPoffical
One of the biggest upcoming fighting games is King of Fighters XIII. It’s a game from 2010… but one that’s getting a unique new version soon. The original was a fun instalment in the ongoing series, releasing in arcades along with consoles at the time. In 2023, we saw Global Match release. A version that’s the same as the title in terms of gameplay, the exact KoF experience you remember. However, it got a major improvement to how it plays online.
The series got rollback netcode, a much more consistent way to play online that brought it up to date with the newer titles in the series. The game is finally coming to PC soon, with Global Match getting its full release on the platform.
8. Disney Domination
Source: Nintendo, Disney
Disney Domination is one of the upcoming fighting games that’s a bit different. This isn’t an officially announced game. However, huge Disney Domination leaks images of which Disney has scrubbed off the internet, hence the extremely crude mockup) have shown basically what we need to know about the game. It’s a Squire Enix and Disney take on the Smash Bros platformer fighter, complete with plenty of wacky crossover characters.
Unlike Smash though, this has a decent story component where we get to see Donald Duck and Darth Vader hang out with Homer Simpson, at least if the leaks of cinematics are anything to go by. It’s one of the new fighting games that has a lot of potential depending on how it’s handled.
7. Tekken DLC
Source: Bandai Namco
The last few years have actually been huge for big fighting game releases, which has left a bit of a gap in schedules in 2025. We just aren’t expecting as many major releases. However, with so many games getting new releases recently, we’re still well in the swing of the DLC cycle for games like Tekken.
Tekken is due to receive quite a bit more DLC this year! The title has already proven fun with its existing content, but more DLC will open things up even further. We’re expecting regular extra characters and features to release throughout the year.
6. Fraymakers
Source: Team Fray
Fraymakers is an upcoming platform fighter that’s got a few features that’ll impress players. Kind of like Smash Bros bringing in characters from across gaming, Fraymakers is featuring more than a few indie game characters. You’ll be able to pay as indie icons like Octo Dad and Among Us Crewates. in this game! As a platform fighter, it’s going to be a bit more accessible than a 2D fighter too, which is always a plus.
Fraymakers isn’t quite an upcoming fighting game, at least not in the simplest sense. The game is in early access, but its full release is definitely highly anticipated.
5. Street Fighter 6 DLC
Source: Capcom
Just like the Tekken 8 DLC, Street Fighter 6 DLC is one of the most anticipated fighting games in 2025. While it isn’t a full release, more content for SF 6 might be the most exciting release of the year. Street Fighter 6 has proven the most popular out of the current batch of major new fighters. Between its fantastic gameplay and much bigger competitive scene, the DLC is hotly anticipated. Bringing in new ways to play for fans all over the game’s skill level.
Street Fighter 6 DLC will be releasing throughout the year. Alongside other major happenings like the Capcom Cup returning for another instalment. The new characters should completely change up the game.
4. Smash Bros (Eventually)
Credit: Nintendo
One of the most popular fighting games out there is Super Smash Bros. But there hasn’t been a new release in the series for quite a while. Ultimate released back in 2018, we’re currently in the longest wait for a new release that we’ve seen. The next Super Smash Bros game is one of the most anticipated upcoming fighting games.
The main hang up here, is we’ve got nothing to say it’s actually coming beyond the history of the series. Super Smash Bros is one of Nintendo’s biggest sellers and we can definitely expect something on their new console. However, if that’s a Smash Bros sequel or just an “Ultimate” edition of Ultimate, we don’t know yet. Further complicated by the apparent retirement from the series of its director. We’ll have to see if there is a new Smash Bros, and what it looks like when it arrives.
3. Virtua Fighter
Source: Sega
The Virtua Fighter series was the first 3D fighter, pushing the technology of fighting games forward. At the 2024 Game Awards, we saw a new Virtua Fighter game announced! Details are scant right now. We know it’s coming as a fresh take on the series and we’re expecting something impressive. It might be a while before we get anything close to a demo for Virtua Fighter though.
2. Fatal Fury City of Wolves
Source: SNK
Next in the most anticipated upcoming fighting games is the latest instalment of Fatal Fury. The popular series made by SNK, Fatal Fury is iconic. The new release is coming in April and looks set to revitalize the now older series. It’s the first main entry since the 90s.
The new game will have similar mechanics to the classics of the series, but with modern changes to bring it up to date. The Rev system is one of the most interesting of these, a special version of character’s moves. This will be a fun chance to revisit one of the most popular classic series by SNK.
1. 2XKO
Image Credits | Riot Games
2XKO might be the most anticipated fighting game for quite a lot of esports fans. It’s a new fighter coming from LoL developer Riot which is taking the approach to build a balanced game that supports a hardcore player base and applying it to a fighter.
We’ve seen quite a bit of the game so far, with a demo and even playable Beta for 2XKO. The game looks to be doing a lot of similar things to other major franchises in fighting games, but coming from Riot it’s still enough to warrant high anticipation from players.