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Mortal Kombat is one of the most iconic franchises, not just in fighting games, but in gaming in general. Whether it’s the hugely varied cast of characters or their now-iconic fatalities, Mortal Kombat is a mainstay of the fighting game genre. Mortal Kombat 1 has continued that legacy into a new era, but if you’re tiring of it and looking for a new challenge, we’ve put together a list of seven fighting games to help you scratch that itch.
Similar games to Mortal Kombat 1 are:
- Killer Instinct
- Street Fighter 6
- Injustice 2
- King of Fighters 15
- Skullgirls 2nd Encore
- Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3
- Tekken 8
A decade-old game that has had a bit of a resurgence recently thanks to it being added to Xbox Game Pass, Killer Instinct is a real cult classic for fighting game fans and one of the most influential fighting games of modern times. It’s got all the fast-paced fighting of Mortal Kombat, excellent tutorials, and a killer (pun intended) soundtrack. It’s reputation as a Mortal Kombat clone downplays how good it really is, and it’s a must-play for MK fans.
Street Fighter 6
- Release Date: June 2, 2023
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Beat ’em Up, Fighting
Would you recommend this game?
Street Fighter 6 is probably the definitive 2D fighter right now. One of the best releases of 2023, it builds on the base that previous games in the series laid down, adding new mechanics like the Drive System and modern controls for newcomers to make one of the best fighting games around right now. Throw in an incredibly single player mode to get you started and you are bound to love Street Fighter 6 in no time.
If you love the feeling of Mortal Kombat, then Injustice 2 is a great choice as its from the same developers – NetherRealm Studios. Featuring a roster packed with DC superheroes, the gameplay has plenty of similarities with Mortal Kombat, making it relatively easy to pick up if you’re familiar with MK1 or any other games in the series. As a 2017 release, it might be a little harder to find matches online, but thanks to a release on Game Pass you might now stand a slightly better chance.
If you love a challenge, then the infamously difficult King of Fighters might be for you. It’s a team fighter, but there are no assists. Instead, you simply choose your three fighters in the order you want them to fight in, simple, right? Well King of Fighters is well known for its difficulty, and while there are some beginner-friendly characters, it has a sky-high skill ceiling, making it perfect for someone who loves that feeling of mastering a tough game.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore
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Release Date:
August 22, 2013
- – 07 July 2015 (PlayStation 4, PS Vita)
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita
- Genre(s): Fighting
Would you recommend this game?
Despite releasing more than 10 years ago, Skullgirls maintains a deeply dedicated playerbase, and with good reason. Beyond the wacky characters and delightful 2D graphics is a team fighter with a huge amount of depth and a high skill ceiling. Unfortunately, the online isn’t massively populated these days, but if you’re willing to get involved with a passionate community and learn the game from scratch, you likely won’t regret it.
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
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Release Date:
03 December 2016
- – 22 February 2012 (PS Vita)
- – 18 November 2011 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
- – 07 March 2017 (Xbox One, PC)
- – 03 December 2016 (PlayStation 4)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Genre(s): Beat ’em Up, Fighting
Would you recommend this game?
Another team fighter, you’ll need to make good use of the assist system to really dominate in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but it still has the same flashy, high-damage combos of Mortal Kombat 1. It’s insanely fun thanks to having some wildly broken characters, and while that might be a downside for some, that sheer feeling of power you get is one of the only things that comes close to a good fatality.
Tekken 8
- Release Date: 26 January 2024
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Fighting
Would you recommend this game?
The only 3D fighter on our list, Tekken 8 is undoubtedly one of the best fighting games around right now. While the mechanics are different to Mortal Kombat with the ability to sidestep literally adding a new dimension, it has the same strategic gameplay that really rewards smart players who can take their time to open their opponents up. It might take some getting used to, but when it all starts to click there are few better fighting games out there.
About the Author
Mortal Kombat 1
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Beat 'em Up
