Among the most varied types of games that exist, fighting games are certainly among the most played on PlayStation 4 (PS4). This is precisely why new titles of this genre come out every year for the most diverse platforms. If you own a PS4, for example, and want to know which are the best fighting games available for this console, you can't help but check out the list we've prepared in this article.
The PS4 is home to some of the most insane fighting games out there. There are titles for all tastes, from 2D and 3D to those that are a mix of both. Those who are more classic will certainly be interested in names like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. Those who want a more modern experience might like titles like UFC 3 and Injustice 2.
So see below the best fighting games for PS4 and start preparing for exciting battles!
Mortal Kombat XL
Let's start with one of the most classic of all. This was one of the first fighting games released for PS4, although at the time it only arrived with an X in the name. OL was added after adding new fighters to the base game. Anyway, whatever version you play, fun and fighting are guaranteed.
In terms of graphics, there's nothing to question: Mortal Kombat XL is a very beautiful game and makes good use of the PS4's graphic potential. In terms of gameplay, it brought some very interesting innovations to the series. Each fighter has three different fighting styles, with unique special attacks and combos. This is great as it allows players more combat variation.
In total, counting the characters that were later added to the game, there are 33 fighters. Here you can find everything from classics Raiden and Liu Kang to newcomers to the series, such as Kotal Khan and Ferra/Torr. There are special "special" characters like Jason and Leatherface from horror movies. Alien's Xenomorph and Predator are also playable characters.
In addition to introducing new fighters to the fight, Mortal Kombat XL has the possibility of acquiring new costumes for the characters. Scorpion, for example, can be commanded in its classic version, as well as in the Injustice version, among other variations.
Finally, Mortal Kombat XL brings the already established local fighting mode, which can be against artificial intelligence or against another player. There's a story mode, which even has its charm, as well as the ability to fight multiple enemies in a row in the Towers. If you want, you can still explore the Krypt, where you can find characters and secret items to buy.
An online multiplayer mode has also been added to the game, although it doesn't offer very stable servers.
You should play this game if:
- Forever fan of the Mortal Kombat franchise
- Want a fighting game with different single player modes
Injustice 2
The celebrated sequel to the also famous Injustice: Gods among us, Injustice 2 was a great success at the time of its release. He kept the combat mechanics that worked in the first title and improved what needed to be improved. For example, both DC villains and heroes retain their unique special moves, which identify them in the comic book universe.
In terms of gameplay and overall gaming experience, it's pretty fine-tuned. There are transitions and interactivity between scenarios, something that Mortal Kombat XL, from the same developer, already brings.
Another similarity between these games is the presence of four energy bars, which fill up throughout the fight. They allow you to cast the most powerful versions of special moves. When completed, they also allow the player to launch a super-attack of their character.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the game is the Gear System, which is a loot system added at the end of battles. Whenever you win, you can earn equipment and clothing items. In the best RPG style, it is possible to customize the appearance of the fighters. It is estimated that each customizable part, such as arms or legs, has hundreds of different item options.
Finally, speaking of the characters, there are 38 selectable fighters, among those that come with the base game and those available through DLCs. There are also some Premier Skins, which are alternate versions of some fighters, such as Reverse-Flash.
You should play this game if:
- Familiar with the DC Comics character universe
- Enjoyed the experience with Injustice: Gods among us
EA Sports UFC 3
For those who like Mixed Martial Arts, the famous MMA, UFC 3 is an essential title to have in your collection. It's certainly the most realistic fighting game on this list, which makes it stand out among the other games here. All the movements, all the physics and all the atmosphere of the Ultimate Fighting Championship competitions are faithfully registered in this title.
In terms of fighters, there are 234, distributed between men and women. All are divided into the famous categories such as featherweights and heavyweights. All the big names in the sport are present in the game, like Anderson Silva, St-Pierre and McGregor. Legendary names from other sports are also playable, such as Bruce Lee and Mike Tyson.
In addition to having a very stable and fun online multiplayer mode, UFC 3 has very interesting single player modes. Career mode has been given a special twist compared to UFC 2. Now all your actions throughout your career influence your progress as a player. It's more or less what EA did in FIFA's The Journey mode.
You should play this game if:
- Want a realistic fighting game
- Like MMA and UFC
- Taking an interest in games offer robust career mode
Dragon Ball Z Xenoverse 2
Do you like to give beatings, but are you also interested in RPG? If the answer is yes, Dragon Ball Z Xenoverse 2 is the game to play. Like Xenoverse, this sequel has a lot to offer for fans of anime and manga that tell the story of Goku and his friends.
In Xenoverse 2 you have the possibility to create a character entirely from scratch. In the best RPG style, you have numerous options for customizing your avatar. Once he is properly created, he is able to embark on main quests or side quests. All this while evolving your fighter, acquiring new powers, moves and items.
Despite being a little far from traditional fighting games, Xenoverse 2 is a great experience even for those who aren't that big a fan of the DBZ universe. Traditional fighting modes, apart from the RPG mode narrative, are present. If you want a little competition, you can enter online fighting rooms and face opponents from all over the world. All this by choosing from over 80 playable characters.
You should play this game if:
- Do you like Dragon Ball Z Xenoverse?
- Interested in RPG
- He is an avowed fan of the Dragon Ball franchise
The King of Fighters XIV
One of the great classics of the 1990s, The King of Fighters XIV brings a very fun experience to PS4. Anyone who is a fan of the franchise will realize that the fourteenth edition of the title is a mix of the old and the new, something that in this game worked very well.
This can be seen from the fact that the fighters were modeled with 3D technology, but the scenery and gameplay remain in 2D. The fights between the different teams in the game are visually even more interesting with this mix.
The King of Fighters XIV kept the main characteristic of the franchise, which is the formation of battle teams. There are a total of 16 teams, each with 3 fighters. Only here are 48 fighters. There is one more underboss, one boss and another 8 characters that can be acquired via download. In total, there are 58 fighters in this game.
A very nice point of this game is the fact that there are teams with fighters of different nationalities, genders and ethnicities. You can choose one of 16 teams to play in both story mode, local and online multiplayer.
You should play this game if:
- Enjoy 2D fights
- You already have experience with the team system of The King of Fighters games
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Some say this is one of the best anime-inspired PS4 fighting games. Incidentally, this is the first game in the franchise to appear on eighth-generation consoles, although it is the last in the Storm series. Despite following the same lines as the previous title in terms of gameplay and game mechanics, it brought remarkable innovations to the series.
The fights continue to take place in three-dimensional arenas, but now with some new features. The first of these is the return of Wall Running, which allows players to fight from the stage wall. This is only possible, however, in some story mode battles.
In the midst of fights, the player can exchange one character for another, even though the health bar between them is shared. Something that is already common in Dragon Ball franchise games appears here as a novelty, which is Armor Break. That is: throughout the battle, armor, clothing and accessories can be destroyed.
There is the existence of elemental damage in battles, something very welcome both in terms of aesthetics and in terms of gameplay. A character or his clothes can catch fire, and to put it out it would be necessary to go to a part of the arena that has water. Attacks that use electricity, on the other hand, do more damage if the environment is aquatic.
You should play this game if:
- Have played other titles in the Ultimate Storm franchise
- Are you a fan of the Naruto anime or manga?
SoulCalibur VI
SoulCalibur VI is a fair celebration of the franchise's 20th anniversary. As such, this game is very faithful to the mechanics and style of play that made previous games famous. You have two characters who must fight each other in a 3D setting, both wielding weapons.
This game features a system known as Reversal Edge, a common mechanic in games of other genres, such as God of War. You defend against an attack at the right time and bounce it back, dealing double damage. The bounce occurs in slow motion, giving a cinematic effect to the moment.
In relation to previous titles in the franchise, SoulCalibur VI does not seek as much innovation and it is precisely there that it conquers the most faithful players in the series. By bringing, however, more defense options and some more refined game mechanics, it can also win over those who haven't experienced the franchise's armed and medieval fights.
In addition, anyone who has played any game in the The Witcher series, especially The Witcher 3, will enjoy being able to control Geralt of Rivia. There is also the possibility of creating characters from scratch, with various editing options.
You should play this game if:
- Are familiar with the SoulCalibur franchise
- Enjoying games with medieval inspirations and references
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition
Street Fighter could not be absent from the list. We bring, therefore, the last great title of the franchise, Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition. It is nothing more than Street Fighter V, but with the addition of all the fighters that came after the game's release, through DLCs.
Despite the strong criticism received at the time of its release, mainly in relation to the lack of content and the various problems in the online mode, it is a title that needs to be played. For the first time in the franchise's history there is a story mode, for example, something that brings new life to Street Fighter.
In addition to this mode, they added the "V-Bar", which must be filled to obtain new abilities throughout the fight. They are: V-Triggers, V-Skills and V-Reversals. The first two unlock special abilities of each fighter, while the last one allows you to counterattack.
The fights continue to occur in a way that the characters move laterally through the scenario. The arenas are destructible, thus allowing good interaction with the scenery. Each scenario and each part of the scenario can generate a different animation as the fighters are defeated in them.
Speaking of fighters, the Arcade Edition features the 16 starters that come with the game, plus 18 of the three DLCs, for a total of 34. That's a good number, and many of the classic characters like Ryu and Chun-Li are present.
You should play this game if:
- Are you a true fan of the Street Fighter series
- Want to experience a classic fighting game
Dragon Ball FighterZ
It's no wonder that we have another game from the Dragon Ball franchise on our list. Dragon Ball FighterZ is very different in terms of gameplay compared to Xenoverse 2, so it's really worth playing both. Anyone who is a fan of fighting games in general will notice that this game borrowed the best elements from others in the genre, which gave a beautiful result.
Here you choose three characters to form a team. There are three primary action buttons, one that unlocks unique attacks and the others that involve moving and blocking attacks. In the middle of the fight, you can either use a button to change the fighter you control, or call allies to launch a joint attack.
There are elements common to other games in the franchise, such as Dragon Rush and Super Dash moves. The Ki charge remains a characteristic element, as does the ability to fight in iconic scenarios from the series. Both at the beginning and at the end of battles you can watch scenes from the anime.
In terms of characters, there are 32, including those available through DLCs, but not counting the transformations.
You should play this game if:
- Want an innovative experience in terms of Dragon Ball franchise games
- Enjoying games based on anime or manga
Tekken 7
Like SoulCalibur VI, Tekken 7 marks 20 years of this franchise. It succeeds in merging what has already been successful with new game mechanics. Two important mechanics were added, Rage Art and Power Crush.
The first deals 30% critical damage based on the fighter you control, as long as they have critical health. Power Crush, on the other hand, grants the player the power to continue a combo, even if the enemy hits him. This does not exempt the player from taking damage, however.
In terms of game modes, it is still possible to play in Tekken's characteristic game mode. He is similar to the Towers from Mortal Kombat XL. You progress continuously, defeating five enemies, a sub-boss, and a boss. As with many PS4 fighting games, there is also an online mode here.
For those interested in fighter customization, Tekken 7 allows that, albeit in a very limited way. It is possible to modify the appearances of the characters, but without much freedom. For the first time in a franchise game, there is a training mode.
You should play this game if:
- Get used to the Tekken franchise
- Want to try a more arcade game
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