What are the best Nintendo Switch fighting games ranked in 2024?
Check out our previous blog on anime fighting games here!
The Nintendo Switch has become a haven for fighting game enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of portability and power. While many popular franchises dominate the spotlight, there are several hidden gems in the anime fighting game genre that deserve attention. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore five exceptional anime fighting games that shine on the Switch, assessing them based on key elements that define the genre. Expect ratings based on variety of game modes, skill ceiling, combat mechanics, and story depth!
| ✓ Story | ✓ Skill Ceiling | ✓ Diversity of Game Modes |
| ✓ Combat |
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] /rating:4.25
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] brings a deep and technical fighting game experience to the Nintendo Switch, offering a hidden gem for those seeking a challenge.
Variety of Game Modes
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] offers a robust selection of game modes that cater to both single-player and competitive play. The arcade mode provides a traditional fighting game experience, while the versus mode allows for local multiplayer battles. The inclusion of time attack and score attack modes adds replayability for those seeking to improve their skills. The standout feature is the extensive tutorial system, which goes beyond basic move lists to teach advanced fighting game concepts. This comprehensive approach to teaching game mechanics sets Under Night apart from many of its peers, making it an excellent choice for both newcomers and veterans of the genre.
Skill Ceiling
The skill ceiling in Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] is remarkably high, offering a deep well of techniques and strategies for players to master. The game’s unique GRD (Grind Grid) system adds a layer of resource management to fights, rewarding aggressive play and creating a constant ebb and flow to matches. Mastering the intricacies of the GRD system, along with character-specific combos and mixups, provides a satisfying long-term goal for dedicated players. The game’s balance between accessibility and depth ensures that while new players can enjoy the basics, there’s always room for improvement and optimization at higher levels of play.
Combat
The combat in Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] is fast-paced, fluid, and deeply satisfying. Each character in the diverse roster feels unique, with distinct playstyles that cater to various approaches to fighting games. The chain-based combo system allows for creative expression in offense, while the defensive options provide counterplay opportunities. The aforementioned GRD system adds a strategic layer to every interaction, making even footsies and neutral game engaging. The game’s smooth animations and responsive controls translate well to the Nintendo Switch, ensuring that the technical demands of high-level play are achievable on the portable console.
Story
While not the primary focus of the game, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] offers a surprisingly deep narrative for those willing to delve into it. The Chronicle Mode presents an extensive visual novel-style story that explores the game’s world and characters. The plot, revolving around the supernatural phenomenon known as the Hollow Night, provides context for the diverse cast and their motivations. However, the story’s delivery through text-heavy scenes may not appeal to all players, and its complexity can be overwhelming for those not invested in the lore. Despite these potential drawbacks, the depth of the narrative adds value for players who enjoy rich backstories in their fighting games.
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] stands out as a hidden gem in the Nintendo Switch’s fighting game library. Its combination of deep mechanics, excellent combat, and comprehensive tutorial system makes it a must-play for fighting game enthusiasts looking for a new challenge. While its story mode may be divisive, the core gameplay experience offers endless depth and replayability for those willing to invest the time to master its systems.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R /rating:3.75
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available on:
Game Features
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R brings the flamboyant and over-the-top action of the beloved anime and manga series to the Nintendo Switch, offering a fighting game experience that’s as bizarre as its source material.
Variety of Game Modes
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R impresses with its diverse array of game modes. The All Star Battle Mode serves as the primary single-player experience, offering a series of what-if battles that span the entire JoJo timeline. Arcade Mode provides a more traditional fighting game experience, while Versus Mode allows for local multiplayer battles. The inclusion of a Practice Mode with detailed command lists helps players master the unique mechanics of each character. Online play rounds out the package, ensuring that players always have opponents to test their skills against. The variety of modes caters to both casual fans of the series and serious fighting game enthusiasts, providing ample content to explore on the Switch.
Skill Ceiling
The skill ceiling in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is notably high, thanks to the game’s unique Stand system and character-specific mechanics. Each character’s playstyle is deeply rooted in their abilities from the source material, leading to a diverse roster with widely varying approaches to combat. Mastering the intricacies of Stand activation, character-specific gimmicks, and optimal combo routes provides a satisfying challenge for dedicated players. The game’s balance between flashy, easy-to-execute special moves and more technical advanced techniques ensures that while new players can enjoy the spectacle, there’s always room for skill expression at higher levels of play.
Combat
The combat in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is a faithful representation of the series’ outlandish battles. The Stand system, where characters can summon manifestations of their fighting spirit, adds a unique dynamic to fights. Some characters can freely switch between Stand and non-Stand modes, effectively giving players two movesets to master. The inclusion of stage gimmicks and dramatic finishers adds to the spectacle, creating memorable moments that feel ripped straight from the manga panels. While the combat system may not be as technically deep as some traditional fighting games, it excels in capturing the essence of JoJo’s stylish and strategic battles.
Story
The story presentation in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is tailored more towards fans of the series than newcomers. The All Star Battle Mode offers a series of what-if scenarios that span across all parts of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, allowing fans to experience dream matchups and alternate takes on iconic moments. However, the lack of a traditional story mode with cutscenes or extensive dialogue may disappoint players looking for a more narrative-driven experience. The game assumes a certain level of familiarity with the source material, which can make the context for battles confusing for those new to JoJo. Despite these limitations, the sheer variety of character interactions and faithful recreation of the series’ iconic moments provide ample fanservice for JoJo enthusiasts.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R stands out as a love letter to fans of the series, offering a fighting game experience that’s dripping with style and fanservice. While it may not reach the technical depths of some fighting game staples, its unique mechanics and faithful adaptation of the source material make it a hidden gem for both JoJo fans and fighting game enthusiasts on the Nintendo Switch.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles /rating:3.5
Available On:
Game Features
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles brings the popular anime series to life on the Nintendo Switch, offering a visually stunning fighting game experience that captures the essence of the show’s breathtaking battles.
Variety of Game Modes
Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles offers a solid, if somewhat standard, selection of game modes. The Story Mode serves as the centerpiece, allowing players to relive key moments from the anime’s first season and the Mugen Train arc. This mode blends exploration and combat, providing a more varied experience than typical fighting game story modes. The Versus Mode allows for local and online multiplayer battles, while the Training Mode helps players master the intricacies of each character’s moveset. While these modes cover the essentials, the game lacks additional content that might extend its longevity, such as challenge towers or more extensive single-player content beyond the main story.
Skill Ceiling
The skill ceiling in Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is moderate, offering room for mastery without overwhelming complexity. The combat system emphasizes accessibility, allowing players to perform impressive combos with relatively simple inputs. Advanced players can find depth in mastering perfect guards, switch cancels, and optimal combo routes for each character. The inclusion of assist characters adds a layer of strategy to team composition and combo extensions. However, compared to more technically demanding fighting games, the skill ceiling may feel limited for hardcore genre enthusiasts. This balance makes the game approachable for fans of the anime while still providing enough depth to reward dedicated practice.
Combat
The combat in Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is a visual spectacle that faithfully recreates the anime’s dynamic sword battles. Each character’s moveset is deeply rooted in their techniques from the series, from Tanjiro’s Water Breathing to Zenitsu’s lightning-fast Thunder Breathing attacks. The game’s graphics engine does an excellent job of capturing the fluidity and impact of these moves, with special attacks that are particularly impressive on the Switch’s screen. The inclusion of a meter system that allows for powered-up states adds strategic depth to battles, forcing players to manage resources carefully. While the combat system may not be as complex as some traditional 2D fighters, it excels in creating cinematic and engaging battles that feel true to the source material.
Story
The Story Mode in Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles is one of its strongest features, offering a faithful retelling of the anime’s early arcs. Players can experience key moments from the series, from Tanjiro’s early training to the intense battles of the Mugen Train. The mode blends exploration segments, where players can interact with characters and environments, with combat encounters that recreate iconic fights. The inclusion of voiced cutscenes and faithfully recreated environments adds to the immersion, making it a treat for fans of the series. While the story may not offer much new for those familiar with the anime, it serves as an excellent interactive recap and a way for newcomers to experience the early parts of Demon Slayer’s narrative.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles stands out as a visually impressive and faithful adaptation of the popular anime series. While it may not push the boundaries of the fighting game genre, its accessible combat system and strong story mode make it a hidden gem for fans of Demon Slayer and casual fighting game players on the Nintendo Switch.
Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition /rating:3.25
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition brings together a diverse cast of characters from popular light novels, offering a unique crossover fighting experience on the Nintendo Switch.
Variety of Game Modes
Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition offers a standard selection of game modes that cover the essentials of a fighting game. The Arcade Mode provides a traditional ladder-style experience, while the Story Mode offers character-specific narratives that, while brief, give context to the crossover battles. The Versus Mode allows for local multiplayer matches, essential for a fighting game on the Switch. The Training Mode is particularly noteworthy, offering detailed tutorials that break down the game’s mechanics, making it accessible to newcomers. While these modes provide a solid foundation, the game lacks additional content that might extend its longevity, such as challenge towers or more extensive single-player content beyond the main story and arcade modes.
Skill Ceiling
The skill ceiling in Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition is surprisingly high, offering depth that belies its crossover nature. The game’s unique mechanics, such as the Trump Card system and Support Character attacks, add layers of strategy to matches. Mastering the timing of these elements, along with character-specific combos and mixups, provides a satisfying long-term goal for dedicated players. The balance between accessibility and depth ensures that while new players can enjoy the flashy moves and recognizable characters, there’s always room for improvement and optimization at higher levels of play. This depth is particularly impressive given the game’s diverse roster of characters from different franchises.
Combat
The combat in Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition is fast-paced and visually striking, capturing the essence of each character’s abilities from their respective light novels. The game’s four-button system (weak, medium, strong, and support) provides a good balance between simplicity and depth. The inclusion of the Blast system, which allows for combo breakers and momentum shifts, adds a strategic layer to fights. The Support Character system is a standout feature, allowing players to call in assists that can extend combos or provide defensive options. While the combat system may not be as technically demanding as some traditional fighting games, it offers enough depth and flashy visuals to keep battles exciting and engaging on the Switch’s screen.
Story
The story in Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition is perhaps its weakest element. While the game offers character-specific story modes, the narratives are often brief and serve more as a vehicle for battles than a cohesive plot. The crossover nature of the game means that the story struggles to provide a meaningful context for why characters from different universes are fighting each other. For fans of the various light novels represented, there’s some enjoyment in seeing characters interact, but the storytelling lacks the depth or impact found in fighting games with more focused narratives. The story mode serves its purpose of providing some single-player content, but it’s unlikely to be the main draw for most players.
Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax Ignition stands as a unique entry in the Nintendo Switch’s fighting game library. Its crossover nature and accessible yet deep combat system make it a hidden gem for fans of the represented light novels and fighting game enthusiasts looking for something different. While its story mode may be lacking, the solid gameplay mechanics and diverse character roster offer plenty of enjoyment for those willing to dive into its systems.
My Hero One’s Justice 2 /rating:3
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
My Hero One’s Justice 2 brings the superhero action of My Hero Academia to the Nintendo Switch, offering an arena fighter that captures the quirky and explosive battles of the popular anime series.
Variety of Game Modes
My Hero One’s Justice 2 offers a standard but solid selection of game modes. The Story Mode allows players to experience key events from the anime’s narrative, covering arcs that follow the first game. The Mission Mode provides additional challenges and unlockables, adding some replay value for solo players. Versus Mode supports both local and online multiplayer, allowing fans to settle debates about their favorite heroes and villains. The Training Mode helps players master the intricacies of each character’s quirk-based moveset. While these modes cover the basics expected from a fighting game, the game doesn’t introduce many innovative features that set it apart from its peers or its predecessor.
Skill Ceiling
The skill ceiling in My Hero One’s Justice 2 is moderate, offering enough depth to reward dedicated players without alienating casual fans. The combat system emphasizes flashy moves and combos that are relatively easy to execute, making it accessible for newcomers to the fighting game genre. Advanced players can find depth in mastering perfect guards, dash cancels, and optimal quirk usage for each character. The inclusion of assist characters adds a layer of strategy to team composition and extends combo possibilities. However, compared to more technically demanding fighting games, the skill ceiling may feel limited for hardcore genre enthusiasts. This balance makes the game approachable for fans of the anime while still providing enough depth to keep players engaged.
Combat
The combat in My Hero One’s Justice 2 captures the essence of the quirk-based battles from My Hero Academia. Each character’s moveset is built around their unique superpower, from Deku’s Full Cowl techniques to Bakugo’s explosive attacks. The 3D arena format allows for dynamic encounters, with players able to use the environment to their advantage. The visual presentation of quirks is impressive, with special moves that feel impactful and true to the source material. The inclusion of a Plus Ultra meter adds a strategic element, allowing for powered-up states and spectacular finishers. While the combat system may lack the technical depth of traditional 2D fighters, it succeeds in delivering exciting and visually appealing battles that feel authentic to the My Hero Academia universe.
Story
The Story Mode in My Hero One’s Justice 2 provides a decent recap of key events from the anime, picking up where the first game left off. Players can experience significant battles and moments from the series, with the narrative unfolding through a combination of in-engine cutscenes and still images with voice-over. The ability to play through story events from both the hero and villain perspectives adds some variety and replayability. However, the storytelling can feel disjointed at times, with the game assuming a level of familiarity with the source material. While it serves as a good interactive companion to the anime, it may not offer much new for die-hard fans who are already familiar with the plot.
My Hero One’s Justice 2 stands as a solid entry in the arena fighter genre on the Nintendo Switch, particularly for fans of My Hero Academia. While it may not revolutionize the fighting game formula, its faithful representation of the series’ quirk-based combat and diverse character roster make it an enjoyable experience for those looking to step into the shoes of their favorite heroes and villains.
In conclusion, the Nintendo Switch hosts a variety of anime fighting games that cater to different tastes and skill levels. From the technical depth of Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r] to the flashy, accessible combat of Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles, there’s something for every fan of the genre. Each of the games brings something unique to the table, whether it’s complex mechanics, fan service, or accessible gameplay. While they may not all be perfect, these hidden gems offer fighting game enthusiasts and anime fans alike plenty of reasons to pick up their Switch and jump into some thrilling battles.
