Fighting games have left an indelible mark in the video game world. From arcades, computers, and consoles to now mobile devices, fighters have been a staple of gamers around the world. Game developers and publishers are now producing fighting games that you can play on your chosen mobile platform. If you are looking for suggestions, below we’ve listed the top 20 fighting games for your mobile devices.
How Do Fighting Games Work on Mobile?
Before we start the list, let’s talk about fighting games on mobile platforms. Yes, compared to traditional platforms, companies have to be creative in how they implement fighting game mechanics. Unlike in consoles, it is hard to map out conventional control schemes for mobile fighters. That is why you’ve seen the incorporation of pressing and swiping mechanics in most mobile fighting games. Recently, some games have added features from other genres and broken away from the mold.
Some of these features include gacha rewards and rhythm mechanics. Fighting games such as Marvel: Contest of Champions and Injustice make use of a combination of these. Other mobile fighting games such as Tekken and Dragon Ball mix a little bit of card game mechanics. These innovations in mobile fighting games allow future installments to be more creative with their control schemes.
With these in mind, we’ll start listing down the top 20 fighting games for your mobile devices. We will indicate stats from either Google Play or the Apple App Store. This will include the number of downloads, review ratings, availability, and cost.
Old-School Favorites
Street Fighter IV: Champion Edition
- Downloads: 5,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 3.5/5 on Google Play | 4.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free download on Google Play; $4.99 for full access | $4.99 on App Store
There’s no other way to start this list but with the biggest name in the fighting game genre. Street Fighter is a legendary franchise that has seen its share of memorable characters and moments. Fans of the franchise wanted a Street Fighter game that they can play anywhere they want and Capcom delivered.
Street Fighter IV: Championship Edition is a free-to-play game, but complete access to all modes can be purchased. Once purchased, players can choose from 32 characters both new and old. The game features multiple game modes that are available either in single-player or multiplayer.
The game makes use of traditional control via your touchpad but if you prefer the classic route, the game supports Bluetooth controllers.
Fatal Fury Special
- Downloads: 10,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 3.9/5 on Google Play | 3.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: $ 3.99
One of SNK’s most popular fighting game franchises, Fatal Fury is now available for mobile players. Choose from 16 playable characters including series protagonist Terry Bogard or the bad guy himself, Geese Howard. Fatal Fury Special allows players to choose from either a four-button or six-button layout depending on their preference. Multiplayer can be accessed via Bluetooth and allows players to face off each other to prove who’s the better player.
Warner Brothers Fighting Games
Mortal Kombat
- Downloads: 50,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.2/5 on Google Play | 4.6/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Mortal Kombat, arguably the most controversial fighting game franchise of all time. Known for its depictions of brutality and memorable cast of characters, the name has been a staple in the industry.
Mortal Kombat Mobile features characters and designs from Mortal Kombat 11. Instead of a 1vs1 fight, the game features a 3vs3 format that allows players to tag in and out their characters. The game also features multiple game modes and limited time events.
Injustice 2
- Downloads: 10,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.2/5 on Google Play | 4.5/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Want to play as Superman and beat up the rest of the Justice League? All of that is possible and more when you download Injustice 2 on your mobile device. Take control of numerous characters from the pages of DC Comics in an alternate timeline. Injustice 2’s story continues the conflict from its predecessor. Create your league with your friends to earn more rewards that you can use to upgrade your heroes.
Aside from the main single-player modes, you can also test your mettle when you enter the PvP arena.
Bandai Namco Fighting Games
Dragon Ball Legends
- Downloads: 10,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.4/5 on Google Play | 4.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Take control of Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, and other characters from the Dragon Ball franchise. Featuring a new story and protagonists, Dragon Ball Legends is an innovative fighting game that makes use of card game mechanics. Aside from characters, the game allows you to collect different forms of these individuals from different points in the saga.
Once you are done upgrading your dream team, you can then compete with other players from around the world.
Robot Fighting Games
Transformers: Forged to Fight
- Downloads: 10,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.6/5 on Google Play | and 4.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Are you a big fan of fighting games and Transformers? Then, Transformers: Forged To Fight is the fighting game for you. Build a team consisting of Autobots, Dinobots, Maximals, Decepticons, and Predacons and prove your dominance. Unlock new characters as you play daily and earn more rewards when you complete event quests.
You can also deploy your other Transformers to get rare loots that you can use in the game.
Real Steel: Boxing Champions
- Downloads: 10,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.3/5 on Google Play | 4.6/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Real Steel: Boxing Champions is the perfect game for fans of the movie and fighting robots. Boxing Champions lets you design and configure their robots. Earn more valuable parts as you play different game modes. Aside from creating your champion, you can also take control of the robots from the movie.
SNK Fighting Games
Samurai Shodown II
- Downloads: 50,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 3.7/5 on Google Play | 2.9/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: $ 2.99
One of the original weapons-based fighting game franchises, Samurai Shodown has seen a resurgence in popularity. This can be attributed to the newest game getting a release. Fans of the older games can relive the nostalgia as Samurai Shodown II is available for purchase on iOS and Android devices.
Choose from 15 swordsmen and prove yourself as you duel with friends in multiplayer mode. You can also customize your button layouts for an added sense of personalization.
The King of Fighters ‘98
- Downloads: 100,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.2/5 on Google Play | 4/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: $ 2.99
SNK’s premier fighting game title has finally landed on iOS and Android devices. The King of Fighters ‘98 lets players relive the nostalgia of playing one of the best titles in the series. Choose from a large array of characters such as Kyo and Iori and dominate the competition.
As with other SNK titles available on mobile, multiplayer mode is present via Bluetooth. Control schemes can also be customized.
Marvel Comics-Licensed Fighting Game
Marvel: Contest of Champions
- Downloads: 100,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.2/5 on Google Play | 4.7/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Marvel Comics and its properties don’t need a formal introduction. Arguably the most famous comic book company right now, it has also one of the widest ranges of mobile video games. Contest of Champions is a 3v3 fighting game that lets you build your own Marvel dream team. The game has adopted a gacha rewards system and the more you play, the bigger the chance to unlock stronger characters.
Afraid of having multiple duplicates of one character? Fear not as those duplicates can help a lot in upgrading your heroes and villains. The game features numerous single-player modes that you can earn rewards from. Team up with your friends and create your alliance to win bigger prizes.
Boxing Games
Real Boxing: Manny Pacquiao
- Downloads: 5,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.4/5 on Google Play | 3.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Real Boxing might just be the best boxing fighting game available on mobile devices. This expansion features the fully licensed appearance of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. You can choose from a number of single-player and multiplayer modes in the games. You will also have the ability to not only train your boxer but also customize the way they look. Complete multiple challenges and earn rewards that you can use to upgrade your character.
Prizefighters
- Downloads: 1,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.6/5 on Google Play | 4.8/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Are you a fan of old-school boxing games such as Punch-Out? Then you have to download Prizefighters right now. Featuring the over-the-shoulder view that was made famous by Punch-Out a few decades ago, this game is really fun. Players are allowed to customize their characters as they go up the ranks. Additional customization options are available in-game as well.
Lastly, this game features three different game modes that allow you to earn in-game cash to further improve your fighter. You can also choose their control scheme from classic to a more mobile-friendly one.
MMA Games
EA Sports UFC
- Downloads: 50,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.4/5 on Google Play | 4.7/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Three letters have been synonymous with the sport of mixed martial arts, the UFC. Available on both iOS and Android devices, EA Sports UFC is the most realistic MMA sim on the market. it showcases a huge roster of fighters that include champions and contenders from different weight divisions. Aside from its roster, EA Sports UFC boasts a great control scheme that allows you to throw combos and lock on submissions to end the fight.
This game is without a doubt one of the best mobile fighting games that you can download right now.
MMA Fighting Clash
- Downloads: 5,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 3.6/5 on Google Play
- Availability: Android
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Want an alternative to EA Sports UFC? Then, MMA Fighting Clash is the game for you. Boasting multiple game modes and a robust customization system, this is a great fighting game to try out. Control schemes are simple yet different from other MMA sims on mobile. Each fighter on the roster has their own strengths and weaknesses that make everyone different.
Brawler Fighting Games
Mayhem Combat
- Rating: 4.7/5 on App Store
- Availability: iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
If you are a fan of brawlers such as Super Smash Brothers, then here’s a mobile fighting game for you. Mayhem combat pushes it to the limit by allowing 10 players to play at once. Featuring a roster of characters that either use weapons or powers, this game is a lot of fun. Oh, did we mention these brawls happen in real time?
Weapons-Based Fighting Games
Shadow Fight 3
- Downloads: 100,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.2/5 on Google Play | 4.6/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
If you are a fan of weapons-based fighting games, then Shadow Fight 3 is worth the download. Moving away from the visual presentation of its predecessors, the third game in the franchise now features realistic sprites. Collect many weapons and modify your fighting style as you play across different game modes. The game is constantly updated with limited-time events that give out huge rewards to the players.
Terra Fighter 2
- Downloads: 5,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4/5 on Google Play
- Availability: Android
- Price: Free
Weapons-based fighters are usually a different breed of fighting games. Attack ranges are longer, and the hitboxes are different. That is why Terra Fighter 2 is a mobile fighting game that you have to try. You can choose from a squad of fighters that were inspired by real-life warriors. Terra Fighter 2 has two major game modes, story mode, and duel. Unlock new characters and upgrade your warrior to its full potential.
Final Fighter
- Downloads: 1,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.4/5 on Google Play
- Availability: Android
- Price: Free
Final Fighter is another great option if you are looking for weapons-based fighting games on mobile devices. Boasting a roster of warriors from different walks of life, this game knows what fun means. Duel with other players in either 1v1 or 3v3 battles that happen in real-time. Final Fighter features a story mode that highlights the struggle between humans and hybrids. What are you waiting for, download this game now!
Other Must-Try Mobile Fighting Games
Dinosaur Fighters
- Downloads: 500,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.4/5 on Google Play | 4.7/5 on App Store
- Availability: Android and iOS
- Price: Free
Ever wondered how a fighting game featuring dinosaurs would look like? Well, what if we tell you that there is a game that answers exactly that question? Dinosaur Fighters features characters that were inspired by real-life dinosaurs. You can now witness dinosaurs performing combos and special moves through your mobile devices. Take control of more than 30 dino fighters, which you can unlock while playing the game.
Fighting Tiger – Liberal
- Downloads: 50,000,000+ on Google Play
- Rating: 4.3/5 on Google Play
- Availability: Android
- Price: Free
If you are looking for a fighting game with story and beat ’em up mechanics, then Fighting Tiger – Liberal is for you. Take control of Gin and make sure he gets out of his gang. The game features different fighting styles that all combine to form Gin’s fighting style. The control scheme allows you to attack and defend with minimal problems.
Looking for more worthwhile games on mobile? Check out Apple Arcade games for iOS and Google Stadia games for Android!
