I've been playing fighting games for over 30 years — here are my top 3 current favorite games (and controllers)
This article is part of Tom's Guide's inaugural Gaming Week, an entire week of content dedicated to all things gaming. From insights into the latest hardware, guides to the best games you can play today, to the essential accessories we can't play without. Tom's Guide Gaming Week will guide you through the world of video games in 2025.
I've been playing fighting games ever since Street Fighter II dragon punched its way to arcades in 1991. This was my absolute favorite genre during the '90s, thanks to other classics like Mortal Kombat, Darkstalkers, Virtua Fighter, Soul Calibur, and many more. If it featured 1-on-1 (or 2-on-2) battles, I was all over it.
My passion for fighting games was reignited last year when the Marvel vs. Capcom Collection—a collection I had wanted for almost two decades—was released. This opened the floodgates, and I'm playing more fighting games now than ever. Rarely a day goes by where I'm not playing the likes of The King of Fighters XV, Tekken 8, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Street Fighter 6.
I love fighting games, and I want to share that passion with anyone who'll listen. To that end, I want to tell you about my current top 3 favorite fighting games. And as a bonus, I'll also tell you about my favorite fighting game controllers, because you don't want to go into a battle without the right weapon.
Crafting this small list wasn't easy, but these are my top three favorite fighting games currently available.
You might think having the latest Street Fighter in an article about fighting games was a no-brainer, but that wouldn't have been true for me during the dark days of Street Fighter V. Thankfully, Capcom learned from its mistakes and delivered what I consider the best overall entry in this legendary series. Street Fighter 6 is truly that good.
From classic arcade and online modes to a sprawling open-world adventure, Street Fighter 6 has something for newbies and veterans alike. New mechanics like the Drive gauge work seamlessly with the decades-old controls, making this game feel both familiar and new. It also has a robust and varied character roster, detailed yet stylized graphics, and a lot of unlockable content.
Street Fighter 6 is my overall favorite fighting game of this generation and one I'd recommend to anyone interested in the genre.
Street Fighter 6 is a triumph thanks to features like World Tour mode and control schemes accommodating casual and advanced players. This is unquestionably one of the best fighting games of all time and one of the strongest entries in the long-running franchise.
Aside from Samurai Shodown, I didn't play SNK's fighting games growing up. Thanks to my newfound passion for the genre, I finally got into the company's long-running The King of Fighters franchise. Doing so primed me for what is now a fighting game I adore — Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
Though a direct sequel to 1999's Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves and filled to the brim with references to SNK fighters, City of the Wolves is an excellent entry point in the long-running Fatal Fury series. It features a clean comic book-like art style, fluid animations, hard-hitting combos, and an abundance of single-player and online features.
SNK has been on an upward trajectory over the past decade, and City of the Wolves continues that trend gloriously. If you like Street Fighter and want to check out something different yet familiar, you owe it to yourself to play Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. It's fantastic.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a fighting game for fighting game fans, thanks to its deep gameplay mechanics and diverse character roster. Offering a slew of single-player and multiplayer modes, this game has something for just about everyone.
I was a huge Virtua Fighter fanboy growing up, so I always (foolishly) ignored the Tekken series since I viewed it as an inferior take on Sega's iconic fighting game series. But thanks to some holiday sales last year, I finally got into Tekken with the superlative Tekken 7. As great as that game is, the title that truly won me over is the latest installment, Tekken 8.
Like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8 has plenty of engaging single and multiplayer content. I adore the Arcade Quest mode, where you take a cartoon avatar to various arcades in Japan. Story mode contains some truly hype moments, and the characters' endings are also very engaging. The online modes can be a humbling experience since I'm no Tekken expert, but ranking up can become addictive.
Tekken 8 is currently experiencing some woes after the recent season 2 patch threw the game's mechanical balance into disarray, but the team is working hard to fix it. That said, you'll still find an engaging game containing gorgeous graphics, precise controls, a huge roster and a slew of content. Don't count Tekken 8 out just yet!
Tekken 8 is a classy fighter that wisely never takes itself too seriously. Sweeping and silly, it uses cutting-edge graphical tech to deliver an experience that is both bruising and beautiful. However, it has too many self-indulgent story mode cutscenes.
Though modern fighting games are designed to work with standard controllers, you'll have a better experience with a proper fighting game controller. Here are three options to consider.
Though I initially played fighting games in arcades, I've played exclusively with controllers for the better part of 30 years. Given my recent obsession with the genre, I decided to finally master playing on the best fight sticks. The best one I've tested so far is the Victrix Pro FS.
As I said in my Victrix Pro FS review, it's the ultimate arcade stick for fighting game fans thanks to its sturdy aluminum frame, removable joystick, responsive Sanwa parts and excellent gaming performance. Toss in quality-of-life features like a removable joystick, easy customization and side handles, and you have a truly premium peripheral. Though the Victrix Pro FS is very expensive at $399, it offers an arcade stick experience like no other.
The Victrix Pro FS epitomizes arcade stick excellence thanks to its all-aluminum frame, responsive Sanwa Denshi parts, phenomenal performance and helpful quality-of-life features. Though one of the most expensive arcade sticks available, it's arguably worth every penny. This is the ultimate arcade stick for those willing to pay a premium.
I've been a fan of Hori's Fighting Commander controllers since the Street Fighter IV days, so I can confidently say the new Hori Wireless Fighting Commander Octa Pro is on another level. It's the fighting game controller of my dreams, and one I'd recommend to any fighting game fan.
The Hori Wireless Fighting Commander Octa Pro features an ergonomic design that makes it easy to hold even during the sweatiest matches. It also has a 6-button layout, flawless wired or wireless performance, and even swappable D-Pads. When I'm not using an arcade stick, the Fighting Commander Pro Octa is my go-to peripheral for fighting games.
The Hori Wireless Fighting Commander Octa Pro raises the bar for fightpads thanks to its ergonomic design, smart button layout, high customizability and superlative performance. Though its light weight can make it feel cheap, Hori's controller sets a new standard for fighting game controllers.
Leverless controllers, or controllers with four directional buttons instead of a joystick, have become all the rage in the FGC (Fighting Game Community). This is a controller type I'm still getting used to, but it's clear that leverless controllers have many advantages over traditional arcade sticks. For proof of that, look no further than the exquisite Razer Kitsune.
Thanks to the leverless design, you can perform certain actions much faster than on an arcade stick. Using the Razer Kitsune is almost like playing in god mode, once you get used to it. This controller's low-profile design makes it easy to travel with, and its equally low-profile linear switches offer excellent performance. While not a cheap peripheral, the Razer Kitsune is arguably the best leverless controller out there.
The Razer Kitsune is an all-button fighting game controller that's arguably the best in its class. It features an ultra-portable design, spectacular performance, fast linear optical switches and fun RGB lighting. Though expensive, it's a worthwhile investment for serious fighting game enthusiasts.
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Tom's Guide
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I tried Amazon's best-selling headphone sleep mask — and it's my new favorite travel companion
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Tom's Guide
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I bought a PS Vita instead of a Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 — and I have no regrets
The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, and I've decided to buy a PS Vita instead. We here at Tom's Guide check out the latest in tech (and beyond), but here I am with a portable console over a decade old — but I'm loving every minute of it. Out of all the handheld consoles I've played on throughout the years, the PS Vita always stands out. I mean, exclusive PlayStation games in your pocket? Come on, it's hard to beat. And despite its age, Sony's beloved device has amassed quite the die-hard community, so much so that Sony revoked its plans to drop PlayStation Store support for it due to quite a bit of backlash. Perhaps it's the fond memories of whipping out Persona 4 Golden or Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the fly, or that it's price was heavily reduced at the second-hand retailer I found it at (it was mainly that), but I bought a PS Vita despite the launch of the long-awaited sequel to one of the best-selling handheld consoles ever: the Switch 2. It wasn't for a lack of availability, as Nintendo Switch 2 restocks have been kind here in the U.K., nor was it because I'm not impressed by it — Donkey Kong Bananza in 4K? Yes, please. But the PS Vita reeled me back in for a few reasons. Now, this is no hot take; you won't find me spouting how the PS Vita is outright better than the Switch 2 (it's not). But gaming on the Vita over the last month has made me realize the perks and features that have been lost in translation over the years when it comes to portable consoles, and for now, I can't get enough of it. Launched in 2011, Sony's PlayStation Vita is no longer in production, so expect to only find pre-owned, refurbished or open-box models available. You can grab one via Amazon Renewed in "excellent" condition, but if you aren't fussed by a few nicks or scratches, then you'll certainly find one for less. I've rambled about how the Switch 2 impressed me but I won't be buying one until 2026, and to sum that up, it's mainly to do with the list of games that are ready to play. I mean, Mario Kart World fully embraces the furious fun the series is known for, and it was a blast to play in the short time I had with it in the office (who needs lunch when there's blue shells to throw?). It's not exactly the sort of system seller like, say, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though. There are upgrades for that and Tears of the Kingdom, along with other major titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Street Fighter 6 and others, but it's a little thin on those exciting exclusives (for now). I can see why our own Tony Polanco is already bored with the Switch 2 after a week. Well, very unfairly, that hasn't been the case with the PS Vita. There are well over 1,000 games to check out, and they range from knockout exclusives you can't play anywhere else to timeless classics that are always worth revisiting. And luckily, I already have a collection of games for the system. Seeing titles like Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Killzone: Mercenary, Gravity Rush and Tearaway take full advantage of the PS Vita's hardware both graphically and feature-wise is a treat, whether it be swiping the screen, tapping the rear touchpad or taking a snap with the (laughable) 0.3 MP camera. There's something special about playing games like these, specifically designed for the handheld. Then there are the titles that really do work best when on the move. I've been making my way through the Sly Cooper Trilogy (then Thieves in Time) during my journey to and from work, but there's also the Jak and Daxter Trilogy, Ratchet and Clank Collection, Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and more of the classics many adore. And that's just the tip of the game-berg. Lengthy RPGs are perfect for a system like this, and the PS Vita can pull off Persona 4 Golden, Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Odin Sphere Leifthrasir. Oh, and I have to give a shoutout to TxK, the frantic, bewildering arcade-style shoot 'em up from Llamasoft. It isn't like the Switch 2 (or the original) doesn't have these traits, with its mouse-capable controllers and exclusives of its own. And yes, it will play games at a much higher caliber in performance (if you've played Borderlands 2 on the PS Vita, you know what I mean). But many games really found their footing on the PS Vita, exclusive or not. That's something I've found missing on the best handheld gaming consoles, and I hope the Switch 2 leans into having more titles that are perfect for its system — not just games that you can play, well, anywhere else. I could talk about the PS Vita 1000's still-stunning OLED display or how its battery can last 5 hours or more, depending on the games I played (longer than the 2.5 hours on the Switch 2, at least), but what I really enjoy the most? It's size. Portable gaming has gotten big. The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9-inch LCD display, the Steam Deck OLED measures 7.4 inches and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ comes in at 8 inches. In contrast, the PS Vita offers a mere 5-inch display, and it's been completely suitable. Having a large screen to game on is always nice to see, but bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to portability. The Vita measures 7.2 x 3.4 x 0.6 inches and weighs 7.7 ounces, and that's just the right lightweight size to make this system pocketable. As in, I literally slip this into my pocket when I'm on the move. The same can't be said about the vast majority of modern handhelds. The Switch 2 comes in at 10.71 x 4.57 x 0.55 inches and 18.8 ounces. Portable? Yes, for a bag or carrying case — not a pocket. You're not exactly whipping this out at every interval of a journey on public transport. A smaller console can go a long way in terms of when and where it can be used, especially when it packs a masterful selection of games, and it's another thing I've been missing about handheld consoles as of late. It feels natural to slip out my PS Vita during trips outside home, which I can't say the same for with other recent handheld consoles. The PS Vita wasn't nearly the hardware seller Sony wanted it to be due to its own lack of support, but you'll still find many whispering that it was ahead of its time — and honestly, I can see why. It's made me realize that handheld gaming really is a different beast these days, but not all for the better. Right now, I'm enjoying the small perks and plentiful games of the PS Vita, probably more so than I would if I opted to pick up a Switch 2 at the moment. Whether you're looking to take a trip down PlayStation lane with a host of classic titles, never got around to experiencing the joys of Sony's handheld or looking to see what all the fuss is about before the next rumored PlayStation handheld arrives, the PS Vita very much still holds up today. Of course, don't expect the graphical or performance highs of Nintendo's latest console. I'll be kicking myself once the Nintendo Switch 2 nails its lineup of exclusives and pushes its portable power to the limit, but in the meantime, I'm keeping the PS Vita at my side (pocket).
