10 Best Fighting Games for Casual Players

The fighting game genre has a reputation for being notoriously difficult to get into. With complex button inputs, a heavy emphasis on combos, and a dedicated competitive scene, it can be intimidating for newcomers. However, the genre has evolved significantly, and many modern titles are designed to be more accessible and enjoyable for casual players. Whether you're looking to button-mash with friends on the couch or dip your toes into the world of online competition, there's a fighting game out there for you. This list will guide you through the 10 best fighting games that are perfect for casual players, offering a gateway into one of gaming's most rewarding genres. These games strike a balance between depth and accessibility, ensuring that you can have a blast without needing to spend countless hours in training mode. From simplified control schemes to engaging single-player content, these titles prove that you don't need to be a seasoned pro to enjoy the thrill of a good fight.

1. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 has been praised for its innovative features that cater to both hardcore fans and newcomers. A major highlight is the introduction of the "Modern" control scheme, which simplifies complex inputs, allowing new players to perform special moves and combos with ease.

### A New Way to Play: Modern Controls

The Modern control scheme is a game-changer for casual players. Instead of traditional quarter-circle and other complex motions, special moves are mapped to a single button press in combination with a directional input. This lowers the execution barrier significantly, allowing players to focus on strategy and fundamentals like spacing and timing. While there is a slight damage reduction for using Modern controls, the accessibility it offers is a worthy trade-off for those new to the series.

### Engaging Single-Player Content

Street Fighter 6 features a robust single-player "World Tour" mode where you can create your own avatar and explore a 3D world, learning moves from iconic Street Fighter characters. This mode serves as an extended tutorial, teaching players the game's mechanics in a fun and engaging way. Additionally, the Arcade mode provides a more traditional single-player experience with individual character stories.

2. Tekken 8

The latest installment in the iconic 3D fighting game series, Tekken 8, is the most accessible entry to date. It introduces the "Special Style" control scheme, which can be toggled on and off during a match. This mode simplifies combos and special moves, making it easier for new players to perform flashy and effective attacks.

### Learning the Ropes

Tekken 8 offers a wealth of training tools to help beginners get up to speed. The "Arcade Quest" mode is a fantastic tutorial that teaches players the fundamentals of the game in a simulated arcade environment. The game also provides detailed combo challenges and move lists for each character, with the ability to see demonstrations and practice specific techniques.

### A Cinematic Experience

For those who enjoy a compelling story, Tekken 8's "The Dark Awakens" story mode delivers a spectacular cinematic experience. The game also features character-specific episodes that provide more insight into the individual fighters' backgrounds. This focus on single-player content makes Tekken 8 a great choice for casual players who may not be interested in competitive online play.

3. Mortal Kombat 1

NetherRealm Studios' latest entry in the brutal fighting game series, Mortal Kombat 1, is often considered a great starting point for casual players. The game features extensive tutorials and a lengthy, high-quality story mode that allows players to get comfortable with the mechanics and a variety of characters.

### A New Era of Kombos

Mortal Kombat 1 introduces the "Kameo" system, which allows players to call in an assist character during a match. This adds a new layer of strategy and combo potential, but it's implemented in a way that isn't overwhelming for new players. The game's combo system is also relatively straightforward, with a 4-button layout that makes it easy to string together basic attacks.

### More Than Just Fighting

Beyond the main story mode, Mortal Kombat 1 offers a variety of single-player content to keep casual players engaged. The "Invasions" mode is a seasonal board game-style mode where players can unlock cosmetic items and currency. This provides a sense of progression and rewards players for their time, even if they aren't competing online.

4. Guilty Gear -Strive-

Guilty Gear -Strive- is known for its stunning visuals and high-octane gameplay. While the series has a reputation for being complex, Strive has been designed to be more accessible to newcomers without sacrificing depth. The game's mechanics have been slowed down slightly, making it easier for new players to understand and react to the action.

### Simplified Yet Deep

One of the key design philosophies of Guilty Gear -Strive- was to make the game easier to pick up and play. While it still has the series' signature complex mechanics, the core gameplay is more intuitive. The game features a comprehensive tutorial mode that covers everything from basic movement to advanced techniques, and the mission mode provides practical challenges to test your skills.

### A Welcoming Online Experience

Guilty Gear -Strive- boasts excellent rollback netcode, which ensures smooth and responsive online matches. The game's online lobby system is designed to be a welcoming and social space, with a tower system that matches players of similar skill levels. This helps to prevent new players from being consistently matched against highly experienced opponents.

5. Dragon Ball FighterZ

For fans of the iconic anime series, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a dream come true. This 3v3 tag-team fighter features a roster of beloved characters and a visual style that perfectly captures the look and feel of the show. More importantly, it's an incredibly accessible fighting game.

### Easy to Learn, Hard to Master

Dragon Ball FighterZ features an auto-combo system that allows players to perform impressive-looking combos by repeatedly pressing a single button. This makes the game immediately fun for casual players who just want to see their favorite characters in action. However, there is still a high skill ceiling, with plenty of depth for those who want to dig deeper into the game's mechanics.

### A Faithful Adaptation

The game's story mode offers a new narrative set in the Dragon Ball universe, giving players a chance to experience an original story while learning the game's mechanics. The attention to detail in the character animations and special moves is exceptional, making it a joy to play for any Dragon Ball fan.

6. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

While not a traditional fighting game in the vein of Street Fighter or Tekken, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is undeniably one of the most popular and accessible fighting games ever made. Its simple control scheme and party-game atmosphere make it a perfect choice for casual get-togethers.

### A Crossover Extravaganza

The sheer amount of content in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is staggering, with a massive roster of characters from across gaming history. This variety ensures that there's a character for everyone, regardless of their playstyle preference.

### Fun for Everyone

The game's core mechanics are easy to grasp: damage your opponents to increase their percentage, then launch them off the stage to score a point. The inclusion of items and varied stage layouts adds an element of unpredictability and chaos that makes every match exciting. While there is a thriving competitive scene, the game is at its best when played casually with friends.

7. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising

A free-to-play fighting game that is built with accessibility in mind, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is an excellent entry point into the genre. It features a simplified input system for special moves, allowing new players to perform powerful attacks without needing to memorize complex button combinations.

### A Focus on Fundamentals

With its easy-to-learn controls, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising allows new players to focus on the fundamentals of fighting games, such as spacing, footsies, and reading your opponent. The game also includes a comprehensive tutorial and a single-player RPG mode to ease players into the experience.

### Try Before You Buy

The free-to-play version of the game offers a rotating roster of free characters to try out, giving players a taste of the gameplay before committing to a purchase. This is a great way for casual players to see if the game is a good fit for them without any financial investment.

8. Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid

Nostalgia is a powerful draw, and Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid delivers a fast-paced and accessible fighting game experience featuring iconic characters from the beloved franchise. The game's simple inputs for special moves allow players of all skill levels to jump in and have fun.

### Tag-Team Action

Battle for the Grid is a 3v3 tag-team fighter, similar to Dragon Ball FighterZ. This allows for dynamic and exciting matches, with players able to swap between characters and call in assists. The game's controls are designed to be intuitive, with a focus on fun and flashy combos.

### Cross-Platform Play

One of the standout features of Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid is its cross-platform play, allowing players on different consoles to compete against each other. This helps to ensure a healthy and active online community, making it easier to find matches at any skill level.

9. BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

This crossover fighting game brings together characters from various franchises, including BlazBlue, Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, and RWBY. BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle features a simplified control scheme and a tag-team mechanic that is easy to pick up but offers plenty of strategic depth.

### Simplified Inputs for Maximum Fun

Similar to other games on this list, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle uses a simplified input system for special moves. This allows new players to perform cool and powerful attacks without the need for complex execution. The game's tutorials are also very helpful in explaining the core mechanics and tag-team dynamics.

### A Diverse Roster

The crossover nature of the game means there is a wide variety of characters to choose from, each with their own unique playstyle. This variety keeps the game fresh and interesting, encouraging players to experiment with different team combinations.

10. Fantasy Strike

Designed from the ground up to be an accessible fighting game, Fantasy Strike removes many of the complex mechanics that can be a barrier for new players. The game features a streamlined layout and a dedicated button for special moves, making it incredibly easy to learn.

### Getting to the Core of the Genre

Fantasy Strike's main goal is to teach players the fundamental concepts of fighting games in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way. By removing complex inputs, the game allows players to focus on the mental aspect of the genre, such as strategy, spacing, and mind games.

### Free to Play and Learn

Fantasy Strike is free to play, making it a no-risk option for anyone curious about fighting games. The game's tutorials and character spotlight videos do an excellent job of explaining the mechanics and archetypes of the fighters, providing a solid foundation for those who may want to explore other, more complex titles in the future.

In conclusion, the fighting game genre is more welcoming to casual players than ever before. With a wide range of accessible titles that feature simplified controls, engaging single-player content, and comprehensive tutorials, there has never been a better time to jump in and start playing. Whether you're drawn to the iconic characters of Street Fighter, the brutal action of Mortal Kombat, or the chaotic fun of Super Smash Bros., there is a fighting game on this list that is sure to provide hours of entertainment. So grab a controller, pick a character, and get ready to fight