As an experienced fighting game tournament player and data analyst, I‘ve explored the depths of the genre across console platforms. In my expert opinion, the PlayStation 4 library boasts an exemplary selection of fighting titles – but a few stand tall above the rest.
For this guide, I‘ve identified the absolute cream of the crop when rating PS4 fighting games on criteria including gameplay depth, presentation quality, roster size, single player content, post-launch support, and community longevity. Franchise legacy and professional competitive scene relevance also factored into rankings. Without further ado, here are the seven unequivocal best fighting games you can play right now on your PS4!
Fighting Game Criteria
First, let‘s define the core elements of a quality fighting game.
- Responsive Controls: Precise, lag-free inputs are vital.
- Balanced Roster: Multiple playable fighters with distinct yet equalized movesets.
- Mechanics Depth: Abilities to use systems like combos, counters, cancels etc with mastery.
- Training Modes: Practice tools to drill techniques.
- Ranked Multiplayer: Goes without saying! Pit your abilities against others.
Keep these fundamentals in mind as we explore each selection. All titles here exemplify these aspects with excellent execution.
#7: Tekken 7
When it comes to 3D fighting pedigree, the storied Tekken series tops rank. The seventh installment in Bandai Namco‘s flagship fighting franchise arrives as the most feature packed yet, synthesizing decades of mechanical refinements with hard-hitting combo action.
38 world warriors step into the ring, bearing wildly diverse fighting styles. Select between technical Aikido masters, lightning fast ninjas, and lumbering professional wrestlers – veteran Tekken fans will appreciate the return of missing faces from past rosters too. Each feel wholly unique with bespoke combo strings and strategies.
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH‘s guest character Akuma imports projectile spam, sacrificing Tekken‘s core short range foundations for a radically different test of spacing skills. I had to entirely rewire years of muscle memory during my first brutal defeat! Namco branches out without compromising what defines Tekken‘s essence.
The solo campaign cinematically chronicles the ever-warring Mishima bloodline across approximately five hours through praxis-like game engine cutscenes linked by battles – a marked upgrade from endings of yore. Casual play options like Combot let newcomers button mash against the computer after selecting from a hodgepodge of stolen special moves.
Make no mistake though – Tekken 7 shines brightest in competitive play. The basic core system remains comfortably familiar: short range punches, kicks, throws and guard breaks rule the day. Carefully timed side steps and parries provide sharp counterplay. Enormously scaled juggle combos dynamically bounce opponents from all angles, distilling the spirit of martial arts duels into three dimensions.
Ranked and player matches connect with modestly stable netcode, although occasional hiccups still persist. Local versus couch play thankfully never suffers connection issues – gather friends! Special shoutout to featured community member settings allowing you to emulate expert playstyles. Learning from the best teaches tremendously.
With excellent fundamentals grounded by a content-packed solo experience plus rock-solid mechanics, Tekken 7 exemplifies the 3D fighter blueprint for new players and 20-year Kazama loyalists alike. No self-respecting PS4 fighting fan can miss this genre hallmark.
TEKKEN 7 AT A GLANCE
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Developer | Bandai Namco Studios |
| Metacritic Score | 82% |
| Available Fighters | 38 |
| Multiplayer Modes | Ranked, Casual, Player Match, Online Tournament |
#6: Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
Street Fighter V‘s launch is infamous among fighting fans. The initial package shipped as almost an unfinished beta build, sorely lacking robust single player content or a complete roster of World Warriors. Capcom‘s roadmap post-release support and updates corrected course in due time.
Enter the feature-packed Champion Edition. This definitive release bundles every character, costume, stage and balance tweak into one content smorgasbord. 40 vibrant brawlers across Street Fighter history grace the select screen, covering classic longtime veterans alongside fresh faced newcomers like Street Fighter III‘s lightning fast Ibuki and Final Fight bruiser Abigail.
New V-Skill abilities expand every fighter‘s toolkit with special techniques opening creative combo routes or tactical resets. Ken‘s Heavy Shoryuken adds brutal finishing impact, while Zangief spins foes into dizzy submission. Position yourself a half screen away to bait overextensions and unleash chargable V-Reversal counters!
Additional gameplay refinements emphasize mind games over braindead rushdown offense thanks to tuned frame data and input lag. Capcom also rebuilt netcode infrastructure from the ground up in Season 5, paving way for (mostly) lag-free ranked matches and competitive tournaments.
Make no mistake though: Street Fighter V remains offensively focused on explosive rushdown momentum. Long juggle strings easily delete life bars with the right confirms. Comebacks ride on instinctive offensive play calling, not evasive turtling. Specialized combos and setups strongly define individual World Warrior gameplans.
With more content than ever and998 substantially tightened mechanics befitting Street Fighter traditions, Champion Edition sees the one-on-one fighter flagship franchise in peak modern form on PS4. Dash in and test your execution against world class competition!
STREET FIGHTER V: CHAMPION EDITION AT A GLANCE
| Release Year | 2020 (originally 2016) |
| Developer | Capcom |
| Metacritic Score | 82% |
| Available Fighters | 40 |
| Multiplayer Modes | Ranked, Casual, Battle Lounge, Online Tournaments |
#5: Soulcalibur VI
Soulcalibur VI rewinds clocks back to the 16th century origins of the spirit swords mythos – an excellent entry point for newcomers and refreshing reboot for series veterans. Every weapon-toting warrior receives visual overhauls and rewritten movesets influenced by prior games.
The lethal Ivy Valentine returns to the stage! Her iconic segmented sword whip sees reworked animations, allowing improved evasion and bait punish tactics thanks to added vulnerability frames on extended strikes. Meanwhille, Sophitia‘s additions include a leaping Angel Step enabling advanced aerial juggle conversions.
Bandai Namco judiciously simplifies mechanics too, notably the controversial Guard Impact system. Executing the parry previously required acute timing reflexes and strict input precision – no more! Beginners can now activate GIs with simple one-button presses without harsh penalties. Purists may grumble about dumbed down skill ceilings, but robust new universal mechanics like Reversal Edge adequately raise playing field depth.
On defense, Reversal Edge initiates classic rock paper scissors guessing games, costing meter to resist multi-hit onslaughts. Mindfully unleash lethal counterattacks if you correctly predict the incoming sequence! Offensively, meter empowers zone-breaking moves uncaring of distance. Sophisticated gambling overwhelms turtling cowards.
Character Creation and Libra Of Souls innovate new single player modes for the franchise as well. The former offers unlimited customization of your fantasy fighter – spend hours tweaking each detail! The latter functions almost as a standalone RPG, building headcanon narratives around battles linked by original illlustrated cutscenes and dialogue sequences. Fan fiction authors rejoice!
By reshaping multi-faceted mechanics and diversifying solo content alongside requisite amped visuals, the 6th Soulcalibur swords-and-sorcery epic earns mighty praise as a premier 3D weapons fighter. En garde!
SOULCALIBUR VI AT A GLANCE
| Release Year | 2018 |
| Developer | Bandai Namco Studios |
| Metacritic Score | 84% |
| Available Fighters | 21 |
| Multiplayer Modes | Ranked, Casual, Lobby, Unranked, Special Tournaments |
#4: Mortal Kombat XL
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – absolute definitive best fighting games gracing the PlayStation 4 catalog. We dug into the details on what earns these beat ‘em ups top recommendations.
PlayStation continues cementing itself as the exemplary home for fighting titles based on developer support, community longevity, and controller familiarity. Consider supplementing your library with other honorable mentions like Dragon Ball FighterZ or Dead or Alive 6 too!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the virtual fisticuffs! Let me know your favorites in the comments.
