Are you ready to take your brawling skills to the next level? Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the fighting genre, the Nintendo Switch has something for everyone. Nintendo even managed to bring in the past niche platforming-fighting sub-genre, which found a home on their latest console as well.
Grab your joycons and get ready to rumble because we are about to show you the best 8 fighting games on the Switch! This would be a beatdown you would never forget!
1. Arms
Attention all gamers, arm-chair warriors, and joystick jockeys, are you ready for a fighting game that will stretch your skills? We would like to introduce you to Arms – the game that allows you to literally stretch your limbs beyond your imagination.
That’s right! You will be pummelling foes with punches and uppercuts by using your telescopic arms. Of course, you have all sorts of other moves, when trying to keep your distance from your opponent.
The best part is that you get to choose how you want to play control-wise. Motion controls for a workout-like experience? You got it! Preferring to stick to traditional buttons for a more classic feel? You can opt for that as well! Either way, you will have a blast with 10 quirky characters available each with their special abilities and traits. The roster is a perfect size and no characters feel overpowered. Arms is a fun and unique fighting game that’s worth at least checking out.
2. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
Ready for the ultimate fighting experience? Well, look no further. The Guilty Gear series first hit the scene back in 1998 and have been causing chaos ever since with its gorgeous hand-drawn characters, pulse-pounding rock soundtrack, and insanely fast combo-based gameplay.
Guilty Gear is a game that is easy to pick up but tough to master with a ton of original concepts and a deceptively deep fighting system. Now in its 20th-anniversary edition, you can experience the very first game in the series alongside the culmination of everything that’s been introduced over the past 15 years, with Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus.
What makes this game so unique? Well, for starters it has a six-button setup with punch, kick, slash, and more. Once you get the hang of that, you will have to deal with tension gauges, overdrive attacks, faultless defences, and instant kills. A game that is easy to learn but hard to master, which is still as fluid and fun, just like when it came out. If you are a fan of fast and fanatic games, Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is something you wouldn’t want to miss.
3. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Are you a fan of Nickelodeon? If yes, this is the fighting game for you! Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is developed by the team behind the popular platformer Slap City and brings together many of your favourite Nickelodeon characters.
Each one has a unique set of skills. Their moves are easy to execute and add plenty of depth to the gameplay. All of the characters have made a great transition from 2D to 3D. The visuals are stunning and the soundtrack is incredibly catchy as well.
If the above wasn’t enough, the fact that the completion of the story mode will unlock a variety of artwork that you can enjoy at your leisure will probably hook you here. A total must-have for any fighting genre fans on Switch and for anyone who loves Nickelodeon!
4. Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy
Welcome to the world of Naruto, where epic battles and top-notch animations await. With no further introduction, we are bringing you Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy graciously developed by Bandai Namco. This collection follows the beloved anime and manga series and does an excellent job of bringing the fantastic story to life.
Join Naruto as he transforms from Ninja wannabe to village protector surrounded by a cast of characters overflowing with personality and backstory. The combat in this game is wild, so be ready for fast-paced action battles featuring your favourite characters from the anime.
You will be using great ninja skills to take down your opponents with a variety of modes including one-on-one battles, Team battles, and epic clashes. You can be sure that there will never be a dull moment in any of the fights. Did we mention that everything is served in fantastic graphics? Jump in and become the next Hokage!
5. Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown is a legendary fighting game that recently made a comeback in a big way! For those unfamiliar with the series, it’s known for its methodical footsie’s base gameplay and its focus on careful positioning and reading your opponent.
The game strips away the complex combos, juggles, and other high-level techniques found in other fighting games and instead emphasises on punishing mistakes and making the most of every opportunity.
One of the things that set Samurai Shodown apart from other fighting games is its rage gauge mechanic – as you take damage your gauge will fill up allowing you to deal bonus damage and use your weapon-breaking damage. You just have to be careful once you use it, as it is a one-timer and will be gone for the rest of the match. Samurai Shodown is simple and deep at the same time, having a four-button fighting system that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
6. Pokken Tournament DX
Ever wondered what would happen if Tekken and Pokemon collaborated? You get the epic Pokken Tournament DX. This fighting gem has super smooth controls and you can execute fancy moves with no stress. Even if you are not a seasoned fighting games veteran, any part of the gameplay will be accessible and easy to pick up for you.
Don’t let what we mentioned confuse you! Despite having easy controls, there is plenty of complexity to be found in the game. You have a roster of 21 different Pokemons to choose from, each one having its unique skills and moves. This brings a lot of opportunities to find your play style.
Visually speaking the game looks stunning, and if you use your Switch in handheld mode, you will be carrying a Pokemon battle arena wherever you go!
7. Mortal Kombat 11
Besides arriving on Playstation, Xbox, and PC, Mortal Kombat found a home on the Switch as well. The Mortal Kombat series is known for its over-the-top action scenes, brutal finishing moves, and memorable characters that range from ninjas to gods and robots.
Mortal Kombat 11 on the Switch also contains all the updates from the other platform versions of the game – new characters, stages, and gameplay elements. The controls are tight and responsive, and you need to be careful if you don’t want to lose your head.
8. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the best fighting game on the Switch, hands down, and its mightiest assets are the characters to choose from. Do you want to take down your enemies with an arrow? Then Link from Legend of Zelda is your pick! Or maybe you prefer a more melee approach? Then Donkey Kong is your guy! Are you feeling dangerous? Then you can become evil itself by picking Sephiroth from the Final Fantasy franchise! No matter which franchise you are a fanboy of, or what specific gameplay you prefer, there will always be something for you!
It is not just about the characters, but also about great gameplay and controls making it a blast to play with friends. With the addition of new mechanics like the perfect shield, mid-air dodging, and others. Just don’t get too cocky as you might find yourself getting launched off the stage.
Let’s not forget the graphics – Super Smash Bros.Ultimate is a feast for the eyes. The characters, the stages, and the effects are all beautifully designed and will make you feel like you are really in the heat of the battle.
Super Smash Bros.Ultimate is a must-have for fans of the series and newcomers as well. If you own a Switch, you just have to get your hands on this one. Period.
Conclusion:
Fighting games are simple in their nature, but complex if you want to master any of them. This happens because usually both opponents in any match, no matter the game, have equal chances of winning. This can be especially felt if you play with a friend of yours in multiplayer, or in online mode. But even so, each fighting game has its own style and charisma, because of gameplay mechanics, characters, story, level design, and even soundtrack.
What would be the best thing about fighting games and do you think we are missing any titles in this list? Let us know in the comments below! Right after that, you can head over to OffGamers here to get a Nintendo eShop Gift Card for your Switch!
I am a junior content outreach writer for OffGamers. I foster relationships between gaming enthusiasts and gaming developers to create relevant content for gamers worldwide. I also happen to be a passionate writer and a certified night owl.
