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 titles among the best Xbox fighting games.
On this platform, you can find just about every type of fighter. There are weapon fighters, melee fighters, 2D, 3D. Even party platform fighters have started to pop up on the Xbox. No matter which type you’re looking for, the best fighting games on Xbox span the heights of each sub-genre. The console has the power to display the top titles in the best quality and the best Xbox Fighting games are a great showcase of this.
| Position # | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Killer Instinct | November 2013 |
| 9 | Injustice 2 | May 2017 |
| 8 | Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Storm 4 | February 2016 |
| 7 | Samurai Showdown | June 2019 |
| 6 | FighterZ | January 2018 |
| 5 | Soul Calibur VI | October 2018 |
| 4 | Brawlhalla | 2014 |
| 3 | Tekken 7 | February 2015 |
| 2 | Mortal Kombat 1 | September 2023 |
| 1 | Street Fighter 6 | June 2023 |
Best Xbox Fighting Games
Here’s our selection of the best Xbox Fighting Games in 2025, including those you can find on Games Pass regularly.
10. Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct is one of the best fighting games on Xbox. 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. A lot of their characters still show up in the best Switch fighting games. 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 Kombat. It might not be the most modern fighting game, but its performance means it has its fans. The series is still quite impressive.
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 characters like Sub-Zero, and more. It’s a fun mix of characters which opens up even more potential in the game.
Injustice isn’t the most modern fighting game. It doesn’t show up at too many tournaments outside of those with a really wide reach. This was a mainstay for a long time though. There’s enough to enjoy with Injustice 2 that it not being one of the most current competitive fighting games doesn’t mean it’s not worth playing. It’s always worth heading back to and holds up fantastically.
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 expansive fighting games in this style.
This game looks amazing, especially when put side by side with the source material. The cell-shaded graphics look great on Xbox. This is a fully-powered dedicated crossover, which recreates the world of Naruto. It 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 fighting games on Xbox.
7. 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 best fighting games on Xbox.
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 often on Games Pass. You’re getting the ultimate Dragon Ball fighter with that subscription.
6. Guilty Gear Strive
Source: Arc System Works
Next up is another Arc System Works title, and maybe their best that’s still being supported. Guilty Gear Strive is the most recent release in a longer running series, but it’s far and away the most polished game that’s been made for GGS. The series is an anime fighting game with an involved storyline, but competitively it’s one of the most balanced and rewarding anime fighting games to play.
The title has now been expanded massively since its first launch. It’s got tons of DLC characters, which are now among the most popular and well-known from the game’s roster. It still features at pretty every fighting game tournament, including its own circuit that runs every year.
Guilty Gear is fun to get into as a casual player, but if you can put the time in, it’s one of the most rewarding to master. It’s still got a very healthy player base. In 2025, GGS is looking like it’ll be one of those fighters that endures way past the normal lifespan for games like this.
5. Soul Calibur VI
The latest instalment of Soul Calibur on the Xbox is Soul Calibur 6! This is one of the best fighting games on Xbox and it’s become an expansive experience.
Soul Calibur is a series based on fighting with weapons, specifically blades. The game is famous for applying the tight high-skill control of 2D melee fighters to weaponry like swords. Plus, 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.
The next Soul Calibur game is being worked on. There’s no immediate news though, we’re not expecting it to be one of 2025’s most anticipated fighting games. If you’re missing the series then this older title is perfect to jump back into.
4. Mortal Kombat 1
Source: NetherRealm Studios
Mortal Kombat has been one of the biggest fighting games for decades. It’s one of the best fighting games on Xbox had in its original incarnation, the best Xbox 360 fighting games, and the newest editions are easily some of the best for Series X too. It’s easy to see why when you look at the newly released Mortal Kombat 1.
This latest title is one of the most dynamic we’ve ever seen. There’s a huge roster of characters, great potential for combos, the best visuals we’ve seen from the series, and more. It’s an iteration of the series which really pushes it to a next-gen level, performing fantastically on Xbox.
On Xbox, a top-of-the-line fighting game like Mortal Kombat 1 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 one of the best Xbox fighting games on Games Pass too!
3. Brawlhalla
Source: Blue Mammoth Games
A bit of a different pick for the best Xbox fighting games is Brawlhalla. This game is a platform fighter kind of like Smash Bros, but takes things in its own direction. It’s a cartooney game, but one with intricate mechanics and tons of characters for you to learn. It’s even free-to-play, without GamesPass so anyone can get involved.
Brawlhalla has a huge competitive scene. The developers support tournaments years round, usually with huge prize pools. Beyond that, playing with friends on Brawlhalla can be a lot of fun. Even if you don’t want to get too serious, it’s one of the best fighters to get into.
Between regular tournaments and frequent support, it’s one of the most rewarding to get involved with. There are regular events, new fighters, tons of content comes all the time.
3. Tekken 8
Source: Bandai Namco
When it comes to 3D fighters, Tekken is one of the most iconic. The latest version of the game is Tekken 8. A strong release that’s showing off how far the more recent Xbox consoles can go, taking full advantage of the hardware’s potential for high-end graphics.
Tekken 8 looks fantastic, but its new gameplay developments have been just as interesting. Tekken features most of the cast you remember, but their movesets are specially polished in this game. The title has the capacity for players to dig very deep, mastering combos and progressing. There’s plenty of other content too and the game is still receiving regular updates that expand features out even more.
Tekken 8 is one of the biggest Xbox fighting games for esports, with events like the
1. Street Fighter 6
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 instalment in Street Fighter is one of the best fighting games ever made, especially on the Xbox.
Street Fighter 6 might well be the 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. The combat feels better here, it’s more accessible, but more fun to play at a high level too. Street Fighter 6 is one of the best Xbox fighting games and even with new Mortal Kombat and Tekken releases on the horizon, it’s going to be hard to beat.
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. We won’t include the older editions as the best Xbox fighting games, but they include some of the best fighters of all time.
FAQ
What’s the First Xbox Fighting game?
Kung Fu Chaos was probably the first Xbox fighting game, released near to the console’s launch in 2003.
Does Xbox Have Fighting Games?
Yes! It has pretty much every genre of fighting games. There are weapon fighters, melee fighters, 2D, 3D, basically, everything you can find in fighting games is here.
Will Street Fighter be on Xbox?
Are There Any Fighting Games on Games Pass?
There are tons of fighting games on Xbox. All the major franchises have games here like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, Street Fighter and more.
What’s the Best Modern Fighting game?
The best modern fighting game on Xbox might be Street Fighter 6. It plays like the ultimate culmination of modern iterations of this fighter style.