The 10 Best Switch fighting games – AAAs, Indies, and Retro Classics

The switch has a great roster of fighting games on the platform. Some of the biggest esports titles are even exclusive to the platform. The best fighting game on Switch might not always be the version that’s played in tournaments, but this is a fantastic console for getting into fighting games.

Top 10 Switch Fighting Games

Switch offers the natural advantage of being played anywhere, with easy co-op with the two controllers available. For 2D games, these joy cons allow for quick co-op just about anywhere! The console has way more than just arcade-style 2D fighters though. The best Switch fighting games are some of the best examples of the genre.

10. Melty Blood: Type Lumina

Melty Blood: Type Lumina has come over to Nintendo Switch. This is a big game for fighting games, it appears at most of the major tournaments like EVO and CEOTaku. The title was originally released in 2021, before coming to Switch at launch.

This is a 2D fighting game. Melty Blood has always been known for not really requiring high-end equipment to compete competitively. Type Lumina on Switch runs perfectly. You’re not getting any kind of downgrade, this is the full experience with its high-skill gameplay and all of the modes included.

This is a three-button fighter. There are light, medium, and heavy attacks, along with a shield for counters. It’s a simple setup that actually pairs great with Joy-Con controllers. It’s one of the best Nintendo Switch fighting games, and it often makes the list of the overall best fighting games.

9. Rivals of Aether

Rivals of Aether is a platform fighter that’s grown from an indie to one of the top fighting games on Switch. It’s a platform fighter with a unique approach. This is a game where movesets can be completely out of control. They have bigger effects and can change rounds completely. Rivals of Aether isn’t one for subtly, but it’s still balanced and fun.

The game received loads of updates over time with new characters added. It’s even brought in characters from other indies, like Shovel Knight and Ori from Ori and the Blind Forrest.

Rivals of Aether got its start as a fan Smash Bros style game, Super Smash Land. The title has grown to become something that stands on its own though. It’s one of the top fighting games on Switch.

8. Persona 4 Arena

Persona has exploded in popularity recently with its mainline RPGs becoming huge sellers on each console. However, the Arena fighting game spinoffs are definitely worth checking out. Persona 4 Arena is one of the best fighting games on Switch, not just a spinoff to the huge franchise.

Persona 4 Arena is a 3D fighting game with four buttons for inputs. There are light and heavy attacks, but you can also call in the Personas that are the centre of the franchise’s gameplay. The game uses status effects and some pretty creative attacks to give players a lot of options. There are even Instant Kill attacks that can give you a quick win if they connect. It’s one of the best fighting games on Switch, even if you’re not a fan of the series as a whole.

7. Street Fighter Anniversary Edition

Street Fighter 6 Anniversary Edition is a fantastic package to celebrate the storied history of one of the most impactful fighting game franchises. This is a collection of all of the titles that made Street Fight what it is.

The collection features 12 different Street Fighter titles. It’s all of the classic titles that have defined fighting games. These might not be the newest titles but run fantastically in this version of the game.

The title is missing the two most recent Street Fighter instalments, like Street Fighter V (and obviously the Street Fighter 6 Beta). However, this is a great alternative offering you the most polished versions of the most iconic fighting games.

6. Skullgirls 2nd Encore

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is one of the top esports fighting games. It’s a mainstay of tournaments like EVO, and has gone pretty mainstream in recent years. It’s available across most platforms, along with doing so well on Switch it’s still one of the best fighting games on PS4 too. The Switch version is no slouch though.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore is the definitive edition of the 2012 original Skulllgirls. As the game is a little older, there are basically zero problems running this on Switch at a truly competitive level. All the content is included. You’re getting the same polished and enjoyable competitive fighter as you would on any other platform.

5. Pokenn

Pokenn is a fighting game that managed to fly a bit under the radar, at least for a title that combines such huge franchises. It’s a mash-up of Pokemon and Tekken. You’re fighting Pokemon as ever, but not issuing commands to your team, you’re controlling the monsters’ actual moves in one-on-one fights.

Fighting in Pokenn has up-close melee attacks and special moves. Both are ripped right out of the attack options your monsters can learn in the RPG. The title blends 2D and 3D fighting. It’s got a creative cast of monsters from across the franchise’s lifespan, not relying too heavily on any one generation.

Pokenn on Switch is the definitive version, with all additional fighters and content. Alongside the arcade version, it’s the best way to play the game.

4. Nick All-Star Brawl

Nick All-Star is a Smash Bros-style game that managed to achieve some decent esports tournaments for a few years. The title is a platform fighter, with a roster of characters from franchises across nickelodeon.

Nick All-Stars got some criticism after launching for some factors like voice acting and continued support, but it’s gotten many improvements. Basically, all of the communities’ problems with the game have been addressed. There’s voice acting and other improvements. The title has become pretty well-rounded.

The game has creative move sets for all of its characters, varied stages, and a good balance. On Switch it plays great and is a fun alternative when you’re burned out on Smash bros.

3. Mortal Komabt

Mortal Kombat 11 made its way onto Switch alongside pretty much every other platform in 2019! It’s one of the few fighting game giants to put its newest edition on the switch, beating Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters to the punch. The game is a bit downgraded here. There’s less visual flair and the frame rate is lower. However, it looks fantastic for a Switch game.

That’s just the visual flourishes, the gameplay remains as tight here. The game is a great high-level fighting game. If you can master it here, your skill level is just the same as the other platforms.

2. FighterZ

FighterZ is a Dragon Ball tie-in game, but it’s a lot more than that. This is a 2D fighter with tight controls, a varied cast (despite so many Gokus), and a pretty lively competitive scene. It can be tricky to master. Getting your head around the combos and different strategies you need to rise to the top of the FighterZ ranks definitely pays off though.

The title runs at a bit of a lower frame rate on Switch. Although, if you avoid FighterZ crossplay then it doesn’t feel like much of a downgrade. It’s very much its own separate walled ecosystem compared to the other platforms. You can still experience the great story and high-level competitive fighting on this platform.

1. Smash Bros

Smash Bros is Nintendo’s definitive fighting game franchise. Across 23 years and 6 games, it’s become one of the biggest fighting epsorts and one of the most popular games in the genre on any platform. It’s also exclusive to Switch.

Smash is a platform fighter that brings in characters from across Nintendo’s major franchises, but also wider gaming. Its roster features Link and Mario, but also Cloud, Persona’s Joker, and even Banjo Kazooie. Each has a unique moveset creatively drawing on gameplay from their original franchises.

Smash Bros has grown to have a huge dedicated esports scene. It’s one of the widest in the fighting game community, despite the problems it invariably faces from Nintendo’s approach to esports. Smash Bros still has a vibrant competitive scene, with huge tournaments taking place all the time. If you’re looking for a fighter to master with depth and events at every level, Smash is your best pick on Switch.

Playing by yourself, Smash Bros does a shacky online connection which can cause problems. Although, it’s still plenty of fun to play as a wi-fi warrior. The game has loads of offline content too, with huge party matches, a creative story mode, World of Light, and more. It’s one of the best fighting games periods, definitely the top pick on Switch.