What are the best games like Tekken 8?
With the highly anticipated release of Tekken 8 on January 26th 2024 (PlayStation, Xbox and PC) we’ve ranked the top versus fighting games like Tekken available right now! So if you are a fan of vs fighting games and looking for alternatives then take a look at the 5 options below! The games will each be ranked on a set of metrics tailored to the Tekken 8 game style. These are:
| ✓ Learning Curve | ✓ Skill Ceiling | ✓ Diversity of Game Modes |
| ✓ Character Selection | ✓ Gameplay Mechanics |
What are the features of Tekken 8?
Firstly, what does Tekken 8 offer that is new to the franchise? Aside from the split screen multiplayer we have come to expect from Tekken games, the new single player mode gives you the opportunity to build your own avatar, honing and practicing your techniques through unique storylines. And, if you are more of a social fan, communicate and interact with other players via the all new Tekken Fight Lounge. Here, you also have the opportunity to vs other players’ ghost data to further hone those skills. There is also the return of Tekken Ball, a volleyball style match originally found in the beloved Tekken 3 and fought on a beach volleyball stage! One of the most exciting features arising from Tekken 8 is the replay mode, with AI showing you a full replay of your match, pausing at key moments to spotlight your mistakes and provide tips and actions that you can practice right then and there!
Be sure to check out Tekken 8 here!
Mortal Kombat 11 /rating:4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
If you are a fan of intense, graphic combat that combines 2D fighting with a cinematic presentation, look no further than the Mortal Kombat series. Acting as a love letter to the franchise, Mortal Kombat 11 took the lore of its predecessor and pushed it to new heights.
Buy the game on Steam and PlayStation Store and Xbox!
Character Selection
With the diverse roster of characters featuring returning favourites like Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Raiden, the aftermath expansion further continued to add a second story mode with Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa reprising his role from the 1995 film, new finishing moves, over 10 new characters and multiple new stages. Additionally, the introduction of character customisation means you can personalise each character with different skills, abilities and gear.
Learning Curve and Skill Ceiling
With over 10 game modes to choose from, including the Towers mode, Fatalities Training and more, the game certainly doesn’t want for variety and will keep even the more seasoned player entertained. Not a seasoned player? The in-depth tutorial, covering basic mechanics, moves and combos, successfully introduces newcomers to the gameplay perfectly before letting you loose on the 25+ game stages.
Aside from the typical learning of combos, time pressured manoeuvres and special moves, the addition of a seasonal Kombat League further contributes to the relatively high skill ceiling in Mortal Kombat 11. Here, you are given the opportunity to compete to earn points and climb through the ranks in order to truly hone and test you skills.
Tekken 7 /rating:4
Ratings (Out of 5)
With the release of Tekken 8 on the horizon, why not revisit this Guinness World Record holding franchise? Tekken 7 maintains the franchise’s signature fighting style and mechanics while remaining accessible to both newcomers and fans of previous games.
Buy the game on Steam and PlayStation Store and XBox!
Character Selection
The roster is extremely expansive, featuring 36 initially released characters and, after multiple updates and DLCs, now features over 50 playable characters. Each character, both old favourites and newcomers alike, are diverse, well-designed and distinct in their own right. Additionally, Tekken 7 introduced a cinematic story mode that further delves into the Mishima feud through cutscenes and battles, adding depth to both the characters themselves and the overarching storyline.
Learning Curve and Skill Ceiling
The learning curve is just right, meaning by simply button mashing you can get away with a few wins and slowly becoming wise to more and more combos. Despite this, with each character having over 100 moves and combos even seasoned fans of the series won’t be victim to repetitive gameplay.
Street Fighter 3 /rating:3.6
Ratings (Out of 5)
Running for over 30 years, the Street Fighter franchise is another well loved and classic versus fighting game. Whilst Street Fighter 3 did not initially create a boom in the field of versus fighting games, over time the 3rd instalment of the series has created ripples amongst gaming fans for its aggressive and highly competitive style, so much so that the 30th Anniversary Collection of the game was re-released for later consoles!
Buy the game on Steam and PlayStation Store and XBox and Nintendo Store!
Character Selection
Street Fighter 3 introduced a roster almost wholly made up of newcomers, each with their own unique fighting styles, which helped to keep the game fresh and exciting for veterans of the franchise. It was this release that introduced fan favourite characters such as Makoto and Urien.
Learning Curve and Skill Ceiling
Whilst Street Fighter 3 has a higher learning curve than some other games on this list, requiring learning precise timings and intricacies of each character, investing the time and effort and gradually building your knowledge is wholly rewarding. As such, the game has a high skill ceiling that ensures even more seasoned players can continue to learn and master.
Furthermore, not only is the soundtrack and art style highly praised, the advanced 2D Sprite animation provides fluid and detailed character movements that is a significant leap from the franchise’s predecessors. Indeed, Street Fighter 3 has continued to hold up in the wave of fighting games since its release, not only by setting the groundwork for games released later in the franchise, but those in the genre as a whole.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay mechanics were also developed significantly from its predecessors, with the introduction of perfect parry and the Super Arts system, both of which provide a level of customisation and tailoring to your own playstyle as well as adding a deeper depth of skill and strategy.
Virtua Fighter 5 /rating:3.6
Ratings (Out of 5)
For a throwback to the first 3D fighting game give Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown, a remaster of the 2006 original, a try! With support for newer consoles, HD graphics, online play, yet still retaining the tried and true combat style so characteristic of classic fighting games it is definitely one to check out for both veterans and newcomers.
Buy the game on PlayStation Store!
Learning Curve and Skill Ceiling
Virtua Fighter 5 gets a perfect 5/5 for its simple, intuitive learning curve, adopting the three button control scheme to punch, kick and guard. You can get good, and quickly, whilst instead spending more time on learning combos, timing counterattacks and evading and sidestepping attacks. The online multiplayer option is active, and allows you to challenge opponents across the globe by levelling up characters rather than your profile. If you are looking for deep mechanics and a story, this may not be the game for you, but if you want quick, fun and intuitive matches it is definitely worth a look.
Soulcaliber VI /rating:3.4
Ratings (Out of 5)
If you are looking for a fighting game with the same feel as Tekken but utilising weapons, look no further than the Soulcaliber series (both franchises released by Bandai Namco). With a diverse cast of characters including Geralt from the Witcher and the return of iconic fighters such Mitsurugi and Nightmare, the roster provides depth, diversity and nostalgia. Furthermore, you can choose from various races, equipment, and styles to create and customise unique characters with distinct movesets. In addition to this, battles take place on dynamic stages with different layouts and interactive elements sprinkled throughout to add an extra layer of strategy. Indeed, the multiplayer mode is where this game truly shines, whilst the singleplayer story mode can be a little harder to love.
Buy the game on Steam and PlayStation Store and Xbox!
Learning Curve and Skill Ceiling
Soulcaliber VI is designed to be accessible and features tutorials that are beneficial to newcomers to both the franchise and genre alike. Additionally, as the roster is so well balanced, you needn’t worry about picking the weakest character. You will definitely have your favourites, but this would be because of appearance and play style more than anything else! The game has a decent skill ceiling, with more experienced players learning to utilise a variety of different gameplay mechanics including managing the Soul Charge and Critical Edge mechanics. Sink some time into mastering the combos and movesets for your favourite characters and you won’t find yourself easily bored.
