15 best fighting games on Android
Fighting games have come a long way since the era of 90s arcade machines. On Android, you’re able to find anything from ports of the classics to exciting new titles like Injustice 2. They’re some of thebest competitive games on Androidwhile catering to all skill levels.
We’ve rounded up the best fighting games on Android, focusing on the 2D side-scrolling genre. You can enjoy these games on any device, but we recommend pairing it withone of our favorite Android controllers, as sometimes the touch controls don’t cut it.
Classic arcade style can be right at your fingertips with these great arcade games on Android
14Samurai Shodown II
Any fan of 90s arcade fighting games will recognize the Samurai Shodown name. While many games from the franchise have been ported to Android, Samurai Shodown II is the best game for newcomers to the franchise. This mobile port contains all the features included in the original release, with the addition of user-friendly features like controller support.
Samurai Shodown II is a retro fighting game designed for arcade machines, so the controls may feel clunky to some. But don’t be discouraged; there’s a lot to enjoy here once you’ve mastered the controls.
13Brawlhalla
Unless you own a Nintendo console, Brawlhalla is likely the closest you’ll get to playing a Super Smash Bros game. Brawlhalla pits you and up to 7 other players on a single level in a battle to see who falls the least.
This frantic fighting game was released on PC and PlayStation 4 in 2017, with an Android release in 2020, and has enjoyed a steady stream of updates ever since. Brawlhalla features over 20 different game modes and over 50 unique characters to play. Since this is a Ubisoft game, you’ll find characters from the company’s other titles, such as Ezio and Rayman.
But Brawlhalla constantly introduces new crossovers, including characters from other franchises, movies, and even real-world fighters. Expect to play with the likes of Lara Croft, Negan, and John Cena.
12Dragon Ball Legends
Dragon Ball Legends is based on the popular anime/manga and features hundreds of characters from the long-running series. There’s a lot to love about this vibrant fighting game, including art by Akira Toriyama, who’s also known for creating art for Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest games.
Battles unfold in open 3D environments. As per the series' tradition, characters float high above the ground and punch each other into mountains as they unleash physics-defying super moves.
Collect Arts Cards to pummel your opponents up close or devastate them from afar, either in the game’s unique storyline or against players online. Dragon Ball Legends also boasts RPG elements, which means that your characters level up and grow stronger the more battles you win.
11Final Fighter: Fighting Game
Final Fighter has a more modern look to it, akin to something like the Tekken series. Even certain character designs will remind you of Bandai Namco’s signature fighting franchise.
Final Fighter features a set of commands, different combinations of which lead to various combos and special moves. Stronger combos require more specific input with the game’s on-screen joystick, but the game caters to players who wish to mash buttons as well.
Sure, Final Fighter’s Engrish translation leaves a lot to be desired, and the story doesn’t make much sense. But in terms of solid fighting mechanics and character design, Final Fighter deserves a go.
10Garou: Mark of the Wolves
It doesn’t get any closer to playing a coin-op arcade fighting game than Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Originally released on the NeoGeo, a console known for its exceptional fighting games, Garou is the last entry in the famed Fatal Fury series on the platform. In other words, expect a 2D fighting game that plays as a peak 90s release.
Garou features pivotal characters from the series, spearheaded by Terry Bogard, Jenet Behrn, and Butt. Yes, Butt. And if you want to experience the game to its fullest, in addition to using digital on-screen controls, Garou allows you to connect a bluetooth controller of your choice.
Granted, unlike the other games on this list, Garou costs $3.99 on the Play Store, but it won’t ever pester you with in-app purchases or lootboxes.
9Injustice 2
Injustice 2 sees you take control of Batman and other notable heroes from the DC universe in an attempt to rebuild the Justice League. By completing missions, you’ll collect hero shards that are useful for adding heroes/villains to your roster.
From superhero icons like Superman and Wonder Woman to mischievous villains like the Joker and Harley Quinn, Injustice 2 allows you to build a team comprised of your favorite characters and unleash their unique super moves against anyone foolish enough to stand in the way.
8Kung Fu Do Fighting
Thanks to games like Kung Fu Do Fighting; there’s no need to invent a time machine to enjoy classic fighting games. With arcade-inspired 2D visuals, this title is reminiscent of titles like King of Fighters. Its story, on the other hand, takes cues from the win-or-die approach of Mortal Kombat.
For now, Kung Fu Do features only two game modes. But thankfully, the vast number of fighters and arenas compensate for it. Fighters specialize in boxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo, leading to a variety of approaches to combat. And arenas span the entire globe, from Europe to Asia.
If you ask us, the nostalgic visuals alone are enough of a selling point.
7Marvel Contest of Champions
Marvel or DC? If you’re on the former side of the fence, you may want to play Marvel Contest of Champions over Injustice 2. Contest of Champions features pretty much every Marvel character you could think of: Spider-Man, Venom, Iron Man, Hulk, and many more.
Furthermore, they gain bonuses when paired up with other characters that make sense lore-wise. Assemble Guardians of the Galaxy and see their stats rise exponentially. Each character boasts a set of devastating attacks, all the more emphasized by the game’s semi-destructible levels.
Contest of Champions will test your team to the max via the story that pits you against Marvel’s most formidable villains.
6Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat has always been about gratuitous violence and intentional misspelling of the word “combat.” And there’s certainly enough of both in this iteration on Android. Mortal Kombat features the same over-the-top fatalities that you’ve come to expect from the series.
In addition, you’ll find a plethora of content to go through, including collecting character cards from the series, equipping them with weapons and armor, leveling up, and much more. It’s not the most visually impressive fighting game out there, but being able to play Mortal Kombat on the go makes up for it.
5Skullgirls: Fighting RPG
Skullgirls boasts some of the most fluid and responsive battle animations on this list. Swiping back makes your character backstep, while swiping forward prompts an offensive dash toward your opponent. Tapping in quick succession builds a combo that simultaneously accumulates your superpower meter. With a quick tap on the bottom left of the screen, your character unleashes a vibrant special move.
Skullgirls excels at intuitive fast-paced combat, but it also looks the part. Characters are reminiscent of early Disney cartoons. Beautiful vistas in the background give you a reason to stop pummeling your opponent every once in a while to enjoy the view. A jazzy soundtrack may not sound like the best fit for a fighting game, but you’d be surprised by how well it all meshes into one of the best fighting experiences on Android.
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This article is sponsored by Total Wireless.
