Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS brings the full four-player fighter to a handheld, with stages built from classic portable Nintendo games. Score: 8.6/10.
Virtua Fighter 5 review: Sega's 2006 arcade fighter rebuilt for 20 years, from the Clash System to Bound combos, R.E.V.O. and the J6 story.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 review: three-button fighting, 2.5D models, a deep roster and a thin online mode that Capcom resold as Ultimate nine months later.
Persona 4 Arena review: Atlus and Arc System Works turned Persona into a fighting game in 2012. Strong combat, but a story mode that ends too soon.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U brings eight-player battles and the series' biggest roster, rebuilding the 1999 formula around a full room.
Mortal Kombat 11 review: NetherRealm's sharpest fighter, with Fatal Blows and a benchmark story mode, held back by grinding and microtransactions.
Injustice 2 review: NetherRealm's DC fighting sequel adds a loot-driven Gear System, a 28-fighter roster, and fixes the first game's cheap stage attacks.
Tekken 8 review: the Heat system rewards aggression, punishes blocking, and reshapes the series. Score 9.0, with roster, story and season pass verdict.
Street Fighter 6 review: how Capcom's Drive Gauge, modern controls, and World Tour mode made the most generous fighting game in the series.
Mortal Kombat Trilogy review: the Aggressor bar, Brutality finishers, restored fighters and unused moves, plus what the Nintendo 64 version loses. 8.4/10.
Super Smash Bros. hit the Nintendo 64 in 1999, replacing health bars with percentage damage and open stages. A retro review of Nintendo's crossover fighter.
Super Street Fighter II hit the SNES in 1994 as the most complete home version of Capcom's fighter, adding Cammy, Fei Long, T. Hawk and Dee Jay.
As an Amazon Associate, Clay Tribune earns from qualifying purchases.