10 Best 1v1 Fighting Games on PlayStation 5

Head-to-head fighting never goes out of style. Be it trading blows in an arena lit with neon lights or clashing swords in a ruined dojo, the PlayStation 5 lineup brings the heat for players who live for 1v1 action. No tag teams or squads. Just two opponents locked in a battle. It’s all about reactions and raw instinct. From traditional 2D brawlers to the new and cinematic weapon clashes, these games deliver brutal showdowns, tight mechanics, and mind games that hit just as hard as the punches. Whether it's ranked sweat or couch trash talk, these are the titles doing it best on PS5.

10. Система «Ночные роды II»: Селес

Последний Под ночью installment is a dream come true for footsies players. It’s got a tight execution window, a grid-based momentum system, and a cast full of unique tools. Matches demand clean movement and sharp reactions, and the game teaches rhythm and flow like few others. The anime-style visuals pop on PS5, and the rollback netcode makes online duels feel responsive. It’s under the radar, but a gem for those who love precise 1v1s. It's like fighting in a poetry slam with swords, teleports, and zero chill. Quietly chaotic, and pure dopamine if you’re good at reads.

9. Them’s Fightin’ Herds

Don’t let the cartoon animals fool anyone, Стадо Божьих Стад is the real deal technical fighter. Built by pros with rollback net code and precise inputs, it offers fluid mechanics, juggles, and spacing that feel incredibly tight. Each character has unique traits, including zoning, grappling, or teleporting. The pixel lobby and training tools are deep, and PS5 performance makes it perfect for ranked or local play. It’s weird, it’s wild, and it’s top-tier competition.

8. SoulCalibur VI

SoulCalibur VI runs beautifully and remains one of the best weapon-based 1v1 fighters out there despite not being native to PS5. The 8-way run system gives insane movement freedom, and each character brings a different blade and combat rhythm. Reversal Edge adds a risk-reward guessing game mid-fight, and character customization lets players go wild. Matches are dramatic, strategic, and packed with flashy finishers. Think of a Renaissance faire but with anime physics and zero rules. That’s SoulCalibur at its flashiest.

7. Samurai Shodown (2020)

Precision is the name of the game in Samurai Shodown. It’s slow, deliberate, and deadly, where one wrong button press can cost the round. There’s no button mashing here; it’s all about spacing, discipline, and punishing overextensions. The PS5 version brings reduced input lag and better frame rates, which gives players a crisp platform to duel with steel and timing. Every clash feels tense, and every victory feels earned. It's like an old samurai movie turned into a duel where staring too long might cost you your head. Literally.

6. ДНФ Дуэль

На основе Dungeon Fighter Online вселенная, ДНФ Дуэль throws traditional balance out the window and doubles down on power fantasy. Characters are absurdly strong, the match pace is explosive, and conversions are flashy and fast. Defense matters, but offense dominates. PS5’s performance keeps inputs clean, which matters when every hit leads into massive chains. It’s not the fairest fighter, but it’s one of the most fun to master. Picture someone lighting fireworks in a phone booth and then throwing the booth at you. That’s DNF Duel energy.

5. Dragon Ball FighterZ

Still standing the test of time years later, Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers lightning-fast clashes, true anime energy, as well as some insane combos. While it’s famous for 3v3, its 1v1 custom matches are where raw skill shines. Strip away assists, and now it’s pure reads, tight spacing, and solo comeback potential. The PS5 version runs very smoothly and still looks like it was ripped from the show. Few games make a Kamehameha clash feel this epic. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re in a Dragon Ball Z episode, minus the yelling for five minutes straight, then this is it.

4. Mortal Kombat 1

MK went back to basics, and it actually paid off. Mortal Kombat 1 kicks off a new timeline with brutal clarity. The core 1v1 gameplay stays sharp, but the new Kameo system lets players call in assists mid-fight without taking away from the personal duel. Fatal Blows are back and more violent than ever, and the pace is snappier without losing the grit. PS5 visuals make flesh, bone, and fire look convincing and terrifyingly real. Brutal, bloody, and somehow beautiful.

3. Уличный боец ​​​​6

Street Fighter 6 came back reinvented. The Drive Gauge changes everything; now you’re managing defense, offense, and reversals with one resource. Every match becomes a layered chess game, but one where everyone’s armed. The characters are expressive, flashy, and full of tools for mind games. Whether it’s zoning with JP or rushing down with Juri, fights feel modern and classic at the same time. PS5’s load times and performance make everything feel instant. You’ll feel like a martial artist therapist because these fights are as psychological as they are physical.

2. Стремление к виновному снаряжению

Arc System Works came swinging with Guilty Gear Strive where every round is made to look like an anime opening. Tight neutral game, with explosive damage, and a tension gauge that makes offense deadly. The rollback net code is some of the smoothest on the console, so ranked actually feels fair. Add in the bold soundtrack, cel-shaded graphics, and complex but rewarding Roman Cancel system, and you’ve got a technical slugfest that punishes hesitation and rewards style. Its general vibe would look like a rock concert; it's like a hurricane.

1. Tekken 8

Topping our list of 1v1 fighting games on PlayStation is Tekken 8, and for good reason. This entry doesn’t just polish the series; it ramps up the intensity several notches. The new Heat System cranks up the aggression, rewarding players who stay on the offensive and punishing anyone who hesitates for even a second. Movement feels buttery smooth, punches carry serious weight, and every match turns into a mental chess game at 60 frames per second.

What really sets it apart, though, is the spectacle. Stages fall apart mid-fight, characters sweat with detail, and each combo feels like a high-stakes highlight reel. Whether you're sidestepping with pixel-perfect timing or getting launched into the air for a brutal juggle, Tekken 8 is the definitive 1v1 experience on PS5. It’s like playing chess, if the pieces could punch you in the face.