10 Best Fighting Games on PlayStation 5 (2026)

Looking for the hardest-hitting battles on PS5? You’re in the right place. With new releases dropping every now and then, PlayStation 5 has become home to fighters packed with serious impact, slick mechanics, and endless replay value. From martial arts showdowns to superhero clashes, these games deliver pure competition at its best. Let’s dive into the ultimate lineup that every fighting game fan needs to play.

List of 10 Best PS5 Fighting Games in 2026

Here’s a lineup that packs intensity, style, and serious skill.

10. Sifu

Master martial arts through fast hand-to-hand street combat

First up, we have Sifu. It’s a third-person martial arts game where players step into the shoes of a young fighter on a personal mission for justice. Developed by Sloclap, it dives deep into the mastery of hand-to-hand techniques inspired by traditional kung fu. The gameplay revolves around raw skill and steady improvement. Players move through groups of opponents using punches, kicks, blocks, and parries to survive longer fights.

The most distinct mechanic is aging after defeat. The character grows older but gains strength and power. However, health shortens with each loss, creating a constant balance between risk and reward. Another strong element is the upgrade tree, which lets players learn new moves after gaining experience in battle. Plus, the environments support different tactics through spacing and object interaction.

9. Brawlhalla

Knock rivals off the stage with skillful combos and strikes

Brawlhalla is an energetic 2D fighter where heroes from many worlds clash in wild, high-energy battles. It’s a game that thrives on momentum as characters leap, strike, and launch rivals off the stage in every direction. The concept is super simple: knock opponents out before they knock you out. Every warrior has their own style, and the roster features an impressive lineup of legends, each with distinct powers and attack animations. The art style makes the game lighthearted, yet the intensity of every battle can grip any player instantly.

Beyond the basics, Brawlhalla features several match types, from one-on-one duels to group skirmishes. Because it is easy to grasp for beginners, anyone can jump in, start landing hits, and still discover small details. The online experience runs smoothly across platforms, and crossplay lets PlayStation 5 players face friends using other systems without any barriers. All of this makes it one of the best free-to-play fighting games on PS5.

8. Jujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash

Battle in open arenas with intense magical attacks

What could be better for anime fans than stepping straight into battles from Jujutsu Kaisen? This game lets players control their favorite characters from the series in heated clashes filled with energy-based attacks and wild techniques. Every fighter carries unique cursed abilities that look straight out of the anime’s most intense moments. The matches take place in open stages where fighters dash, strike, and counter with spectacular visual effects.

In this game, each hit carries weight as characters unleash massive cursed energy bursts that light up the arena. Players can link special moves into flashy combos that explode with energy and impact. The gameplay highlights the individuality of each fighter and shows how their powers interact in fierce battles that never lose their intensity. Also, smooth transitions between hits maintain fluid sequences that feel cinematic throughout the fights.

7. Guilty Gear -Strive-

Control unique fighters and clash in high-speed battles

Guilty Gear -Strive- delivers a visually stunning 2.5D experience that blends speed, style, and heavy-hitting combat. The hand-drawn art combined with detailed animation makes every frame pop during fights. Each character carries a distinct playstyle, giving players a wide spectrum of strategies. The soundtrack pumps adrenaline throughout the match, and the gameplay values calculated aggression where offense and defense must align perfectly for victory.

The action is centered on explosive head-to-head clashes where spacing and execution decide momentum. Characters use unique meters that fuel powerful attacks or defensive bursts to regain control. Here, matches depend on reading patterns and reacting with perfect timing to counter or launch devastating sequences. Moreover, the balance between air and ground play offers endless ways to outsmart opponents. With super-responsive gameplay and distinctive fighter mechanics, Guilty Gear -Strive- thrives as a great PlayStation 5 fighting game.

6. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Iconic cartoon characters brawling across nostalgic and dynamic stages

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 packs a crossover dream featuring beloved animated icons from multiple generations. Characters like SpongeBob, Aang, and Garfield face off in detailed arenas themed after their shows. The sequel expands on the first title with smoother animations and a stronger sense of impact in every strike. Each fighter carries unique moves that match their personality, giving matches a playful yet skill-driven tone.

The visual polish is impressive and a clear improvement over the previous game, with bright effects that highlight every action clearly. Fighters rely on light and heavy attacks to push opponents off the stage, with power moves serving as finishers when timed correctly. Multiplayer options shine here, from competitive one-on-one duels to chaotic four-player matchups. So, if you are looking for the best multiplayer fighting games on PS5, this is a great pick to enjoy with a group of friends.

5. UFC 5

Hard-hitting mixed martial arts action with realistic visuals

UFC games have always been known for intense close-range fighting and lifelike physics that mirror real mixed martial arts. UFC 5 is the latest game in the series, presenting detailed fighter models, motion-captured animations, and authentic octagon energy. Each punch, kick, or grapple looks lifelike because of EA Sports’ Frostbite engine. The physics engine enhances every exchange, and the matches here feel as close as watching real MMA.

Moreover, the visual detail is on another level, showing skin reactions, sweat, and bruises after solid contact. When it comes to gameplay mechanics, it leans heavily toward realism with striking depth across multiple fighting styles. Players can use boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu techniques depending on their fighter. Stamina affects how well fighters perform as matches go deeper. Also, the game handles transitions between stand-up and ground fighting with impressive smoothness.

4. Marvel Rivals

Superhero clashes in fast-paced team-based combat arenas

For Marvel fans, this is a dream come true. Marvel Rivals drops players straight into intense PvP fighting where legendary heroes and villains face off in destructible arenas. The lineup is massive, featuring names like Iron Man, Captain America, and Wolverine, all with unique powers that shape how a match unfolds. Every fighter owns a signature ability that can reshape a match within seconds. Explosions, shields, energy blasts, and elemental attacks light up the battlefield with constant intensity.

Team synergy is the soul of Marvel Rivals. Players need to read their teammates’ strategies and find ways to chain attacks that overwhelm opponents. Also, the arenas constantly shift through destruction and chaos, so players must adapt on the fly. In short, it offers a massive stage where superheroes truly test power, strategy, and adaptability in high-energy battles that never lose their spark.

3. Street Fighter 6

Classic street battles revived with modern mechanics and style

Our list of the best PS5 fighting games wouldn’t be complete without a Street Fighter title in it. The franchise has been around for decades and has shaped how fighting games are played across the world. It’s known for its tight one-on-one matches, legendary characters, and competitive spirit that connect players from arcades to online arenas. The series always manages to stay relevant by refreshing its mechanics without losing its roots.

Street Fighter 6 continues that legacy by evolving how matches unfold, with visuals that are crisp and full of energy. The new Drive System gives players a toolset to apply pressure, defend effectively, and respond to different strategies. It creates a constant push and pull between attack and response. The parries, special counters, and energy bursts all contribute to a more dynamic style of fighting. Altogether, Street Fighter 6 once again proves why this franchise remains a top choice for fighting game fans.

2. TEKKEN 8

Control iconic fighters and deliver bone-crushing attacks

TEKKEN 8 pushes the long-running franchise into a new era with explosive visuals and aggressive combat flow. It introduces a Heat System that powers up attacks. The roster is stacked with returning legends like Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, and King, all redesigned to match the PS5’s graphical power. The first thing players notice is how fluid every exchange looks. The animations have depth, and the camera angles highlight every impact clearly. In addition, the character redesigns reflect more personality through fighting stances and movement details.

Moreover, TEKKEN 8 introduces a bolder approach to aggression. The Heat System rewards players for staying active during matches and encourages constant pressure and explosive clashes. Multiplayer feels smoother than ever because it offers fluid matches across the world with near-zero lag. Lastly, character customization is another major highlight that lets players shape visual styles to match their personality.

1. Mortal Kombat 1

Crush opponents with brutal strikes and dramatic finishers

Finally, we reach one of the most brutal and talked-about fighting titles on modern consoles. Mortal Kombat 1 revives the entire franchise with a cleaner approach and a fresh timeline. Its signature feature, the Kameo Fighter system, lets a secondary warrior jump in to assist for a short burst of action. This feature changes how players plan their approach, as every assist move can alter the outcome of a round. The characters move with heavy impact, and each hit lands with satisfying intensity that defines the series’ style.

Fatalities continue to be the most jaw-dropping part of the experience, giving players full control of cinematic finishers that end matches in brutal fashion. Furthermore, the air juggling, close-range trades, and ground interactions all deliver a unique flow of competition. The combo routes are tighter, and every input carries visible consequences for how the fight turns out. Because of all this, it should be high on your checklist.