The PlayStation 3 carried on Sony‘s strong legacy with fighting games established on the original PlayStation and PlayStation 2. While perhaps not as commercially dominant as racing or action games, fighting games cultivated a passionate fanbase drawn to their head-to-head competition and mastery of complex movesets and combos.
As the PS3 library grew over time, it became home to excellent entries in long-running series as well as brand new IPs. To determine the absolute cream of the crop, I evaluated fighting games on the PS3 across criteria like longevity, depth of gameplay, presentation values, and influence. Prestigious franchises clearly carried some weight, but lesser-known titles also earned high marks by innovating within the genre.
Without further ado, here are the 7 best fighting games that showcased the PS3 hardware while also advancing the genre.
#7: SoulCalibur IV (2008)
The weapons-based SoulCalibur series jumped to PS3 with a guest character bound to catch gamers‘ eyes – Star Wars icon Darth Vader. The imposing Sith Lord fit right into the fantasy-tinged stages and colorful roster. SoulCalibur IV received positive reviews, with outlets like IGN praising its graphics and calling it "one of the most refined and sharp-looking fighting games ever produced."
Beyond the Star Wars appeal, SoulCalibur IV stayed true to what made the series so fun – the fast-paced duels focused on horizontal movement and spacing. Each fighter‘s unique weapon opened up distinct playstyles, alongside the new Critical Finishes that triggered cinematic finale moves. With additional single-player modes like Tower of Lost Souls, SoulCalibur IV continued the excellence expected from the franchise.
#6: Persona 4 Arena (2012)
This unlikely collaboration paired storied JRPG developer Atlus with fighting game gurus Arc System Works for a stylish, anime-inspired title. The ensuing clash paid dividends – Persona 4 Arena delighted fans with instantly-recognizable characters from Persona 3 and 4 while introducing fighting game fans to a wonderfully varied 2D mechanic.
Each fighter summons their Persona to perform eye-catching Super moves that deal heavy damage. Rather than get lost in over-complication, seasoned developer Arc System Works displayed restraint. At its core, each match builds up momentum through approaching, attacking and blocking. Once a player gains advantage the frenetic pace ramps up, creating dynamic battles akin to actual martial arts exchanges.
#5: BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (2008)
The first hi-definition 2D fighting franchise made a stellar debut with BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger. The visuals pop thanks to hand-drawn anime sprites placed against gorgeously rendered backgrounds that gave stages real character. It introduced a wholly original world – albeit one that‘s quite confusing to follow – populated by 12 unique combatants.
On the gameplay side, BlazBlue impresses with its faithfulness to precision side-on fighting principles combined with some fresh ideas. Hearkening back to classics of the 90s, it‘s easy to control but with many advanced techniques and cancels rewarding dexterous players. With a lengthy story mode and online versus, BlazBlue marked an exciting new challenger in the fighting game space.
#4: Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (2012)
Tekken games consistently delivered refined 3D fighting, but Tekken Tag Tournament 2 ramped absolutely everything up in a compilation worthy of celebration. The character roster ballooned out to over 50 fighters spanning the entire Tekken franchise. Even wilder, it implemented a tag system allowing players to have two characters active at once for advanced setups.
With so much content, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is feature rich. Its tag combos enable almost unlimited creativity, while solo fights remained as balanced and exhilarating as ever. Even off the gameplay, TTT2 impresses with a thumping house and techno-infused soundtrack and flashy effects like screen-filling lasers. For both casual matches and hardcore dedication, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 had it all.
#3: Mortal Kombat (2011)
Mortal Kombat always remained supremely compelling thanks to its controversial Fatalities finishing moves, despite some less-inspired sequels after initial success. The 2011 reboot changed all that by completely revitalizing the franchise while staying true to its identity. Mortal Kombat offers a cinematic presentation with an actual plot campaign introducing memorable new warriors like swordmaster Kenshi.
Of course, the fighting takes center stage – and Mortal Kombat delivers. Its X-ray moves show internal damage for additional wince-inducing brutality. Savage combos and improved movement make matches fluid cinematic spectacles. Giving players comprehensive customization let them personalize fighters as well. Mortal Kombat proved the series still had guts in the modern era.
#2: Street Fighter IV (2008)
This absolute legend marked the long-awaited proper numeric sequel in Capcom‘s flagship fighting series – and the PS3 version is considered the definitive edition. Staying true to its 2D roots with hand-drawn art refracted through cutting-edge graphics technology, Street Fighter IV achieved visual dazzle. Yet it all served to emphasize the refined six-button play.
Each World Warrior returned armed with combos incorporating the new Focus Attack system opening up counterattacks. Their Ultra Combos dealt absolutely splendid damage as a reward for skilled play. All the tweak and additions only enhanced the expert balance and pacing Street Fighter hangs its hat on. As a total package of presentation, personality and gameplay, Street Fighter IV remains the complete fighting experience.
#1: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (2011)
If absolute insanity is what you crave from a fighter, nothing tops Marvel vs. Capcom 3. After sitting idle nearly a decade, the comic book and gaming icon crossover returned with three-on-three bedlam. With experience crafting previous titles, Capcom knew exactly how to throw down – MvC3 moves at a absolutely breakneck pace.
With three tag team partners apiece, the action barely lets you catch your breath. It captures the frenetic excitement of superheroes slugging it out, turned all the way up to eleven. Counters, air juggles and screen-filling Hyper Combos capture the dynamic movement and exaggerated proportions from comic panels. The staggering roster collects superstars from Marvel and Capcom history, letting you live out improbable battles. For sheer fun factor, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is the undisputed champion.
The Fighting Spirit Thrives on PS3
The PlayStation 3 saw many iconic fighting series either continue or restart their dominance. Meanwhile, upstarts like BlazBlue began new traditions of competitive excellence focused on combos and mind games. While competitive multiplayer was huge, several titles also offered meaty single-player options as well. For those who enjoy the purity of fighting games or seeing pop culture icons trade blows, the PS3 catalogue proves one of the best showcases ever.
