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The Nintendo Switch is the perfect console for playing fighting games.
Its versatility means you can take it on the go or easily dock it for late-night tournaments.
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Not to mention having two JoyCons means you’re always ready to throw down with friends at a moment’s notice.
However, you might wonder which games out there are the best for fans of brawlers.
To help, below are our picks for the most thrilling and high-octane fighting games on the Nintendo Switch.
Table of contents
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
- Rivals of Aether
- ARMS
- Brawlhalla
- BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
- Mortal Kombat 11
- DRAGON BALL FighterZ
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a titan among fighting games, with many considering it one of the best ever made.
Electrifying combat, unforgettable arenas, hair-raising music – it has it all.
This star-studded 5th entry into the franchise features all of Nintendo’s video game icons.
You’ll find fan favorites like Mario and Kirby ready to brawl. But there are also exciting new arrivals, like Banjo Kazooie and Cloud from Final Fantasy VII.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate packs over 100 stages to duke it out on. And each of them holds unique challenges and hazards for players to navigate.
Not to mention dozens of whacky items, ranging from Pokeballs to banana guns.
And the best part? Ultimate supports up to 8-players at once!
It’s the perfect game to break out during a party. Or for thrilling tournaments with friends.
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Few series capture the pure spirit of fighting games the way Street Fighter does. Many even credit the franchise with launching the genre into the mainstream.
Thanks to the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, the younger generation can now enjoy these arcade classics.
Street Fighter is all about one-on-one duels. The fighting mechanics are undeniably challenging but also immensely rewarding.
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Even if you play the games for years, you’ll still be discovering new combos and moves.
Plus, Street Fighter’s combat takes inspiration from real-life martial arts more than other fighting titles. As a result, it looks and feels especially authentic.
This collection on Switch packs a jaw-dropping 13 titles – spanning every core Street Fighter game from 1987 to 1999.
So if you want an introduction to the series, this is an excellent place to start.
Rivals of Aether
Want a fighting game that combines the pandemonium of Smash Bros with dazzling 2D sprite graphics?
Then look no further than Rivals of Aether.
Released on the Switch in 2020, this game delivers a pure and satisfying combat experience.
It features a cast of characters that each fight with a core element: fire, water, air, or wind.
But these elemental abilities aren’t just for fighting; you also utilize them to change the arena in your favor!
For example, the polar bear Etalus creates icy patches that allow him to dash across the arena to enemies rapidly.
As a result, Rivals of Aether has an engaging metagame that adds endless variety to your battles.
There are also some characters from other games that make a cameo, such as Ori and Sein from Ori and the Blind Forest, as well as Shovel Knight.
Since it supports up to 4 players, your friends and family can get in on the fun too.
ARMS
ARMS is undoubtedly one of the most imaginative and exhilarating fighting games on the Switch.
While most titles in the genre are primarily 2D, ARMS delivers dynamic 3D battles.
This quality places a much bigger emphasis on strategic movement than in other fighting games.
It’s not enough to dodge your opponent’s moves, either. You also have to navigate the hazards and challenges each stage presents.
But what really sets this game apart, as its title suggests, is the ARMS!
Each character has extendable arms that let them blast devastating attacks from far away.
And the more you play, the more ARMS you unlock.
Some ARMS are like boxing gloves, allowing you to throw hooks and haymakers across the stage. While others can cause explosions, electrocute enemies, or even shoot out ice bolts!
With its one-of-a-kind combat, ARMS delivers a fresh and exciting take on the fighting genre.
Brawlhalla
With its cartoonish characters and slapstick combat, it’s not hard to fall in love with Brawlhalla.
This title resembles Super Smash Bros. with its platform-based fighting. But make no mistake – Brawlhalla packs a unique and exhilarating experience sure to get your heart pumping.
Each playable character starts the match duking it out with their bare hands.
However, weapons will spawn on the stage as the battle rages on. And each character has special armaments that they can take advantage of.
This mechanic adds a thrilling level of strategy to the game.
You’ll need to focus on fighting your foes while simultaneously ensuring you get to the weapons first.
Brawlhalla has a massive catalog of cosmetics, such as alternate costumes and sidekicks. Many of them are earnable with in-game currency or by winning matches online.
Since up to 8 players can join at once, Brawlhalla is a thrilling game to break out at parties.
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is a 2D crossover fighter that anime fans will adore. It stars characters from Persona, RWBY, and the BlazBlue series.
As the name suggests, this game is a tag team brawler, which means that players switch between two characters on the fly during combat.
But that’s not all: each character also possesses powerful assist moves.
These assist abilities allow your inactive fighter to lend a hand to whoever is currently brawling.
Using them can help you escape from dangerous attacks. Or give you a new strike to add to your combos.
As a result, Blazblue packs a surprising level of strategy. Each tag team possesses unique strengths and movesets for players to learn.
However, that doesn’t mean the game is hard to pick up and play.
The combos are intuitive and straightforward to learn. Plus, characters share similar basic attacks to make switching between them more fluid.
These qualities make BlazBlue a perfect fit for gamers new to brawlers. For veterans of the genre looking for something fresh and original, try out BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.
Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat is a series beloved for its visceral, bombastic, and downright gory combat. And the 11th entry into the franchise checks all the boxes fans expect and more.
Mortal Kombat 11 features a colorful cast of characters varying from terrifying to hilarious.
Players can take on the role of franchise veterans like Sub-Zero and Scorpion.
But there are also some new additions, such as The Joker from Batman.
And trust me, it never gets old seeing Rambo trading bloody blows with Robocop.
This game is also one of the most graphically impressive to hit the Switch. Meaning fans can enjoy the over-the-top violence in all of its outrageous glory.
Yet, Mortal Kombat 11 still perfectly captures that 90s nostalgia with its cheesy lines and quirky characters.
So if you want a hardcore fighting game that still delivers laughs, this is the game for you.
DRAGON BALL FighterZ
DRAGON BALL Fighterz delivers high-octane action where your brawls can level mountains.
Featuring icons of the series like Goku and Vegeta, this game is a must-play for fans of Dragon Ball.
The fighting is so fast-paced and thrilling that you’ll struggle to catch your breath.
The intricate combos each character possesses are endlessly satisfying to dish out.
Additionally, DRAGON BALL FighterZ is nothing short of visually stunning.
The impeccable art design closely mimics the cell-shaded animation of the TV series.
Special attacks like the famous Kamehameha with dazzling effects will make your jaw drop.
If that wasn’t incredible enough, DRAGON BALL FighterZ also has a tag team mode. So you and a friend can duke it out with squads of three fighters for chaotic and memorable brawls.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Imagine taking the Super Smash Bros. formula and adding all of your favorite childhood cartoon characters.
Need I say more? Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl delivers a one-two punch of whacky chaos and thrill-filled fighting.
Not to mention the creative stages filled with hazards that will keep you on your toes.
As the name suggests, this game stars iconic figures from Nickelodeon franchises.
You can unleash barrages of Kah-Rah-Tay attacks as Spongebob. Or become an Airbender and soar across the arena as Aang.
It also includes some characters that might surprise you. Such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and even Garfield the cat!
Despite its cartoonish appearance, this Switch brawler packs surprising depth.
Fans of fighting games will undoubtedly appreciate the varied movesets and complex combos.
It’s a game you can easily sink hours upon hours into and still love playing.
Those are our picks for the best fighting games to play on the Nintendo Switch!
Know of any other great games that you believe should be included in this list? Let us know in the comment section below.
