Top 20 Best Fighting Game Characters of All Time

"Tekken" series (1994-)

A host of several Iron Fist tournaments and the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu, Heihachi is a power hungry, arrogant curmudgeon and possibly the worst parent and grandparent ever. When a dad or grandad has a habit of dumping family members out of planes without parachutes, he qualifies. Despising weakness, this septuagenarian is well versed in Mishima Style Fighting Karate and still skilled in battle. And have you seen him? The dude is shredded. Heihachi’s actions are so brazen and ego so huge he can also be very funny. Even moments whenever he has a rare moment of comeuppance are downright comical. With actions as iconic as his hairstyle, Heihachi doesn't need a Devil Gene to make his victims suffer.

"Samurai Shodown" series (1993-)

Haohmaru, the Ronin Vagabond perfectly embodies the spirit of feudal Japan, drawing inspiration from the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. His sake-drinking, easy going attitude is the perfect contrast to his fierce samurai swordplay, with his iconic special move Ougi Senpuu Retsuzan creating tornado-like projectiles. He’s one of SNK's most recognizable fighting game characters, and has solidified his place in fighting game history thanks to his appearances in multiple crossover games.

"Guilty Gear" series (1998-)

Ever since her debut all the way back in ““Guilty Gear X2,” Bridget has been a key figure in the franchise. Her popularity however skyrocketed when she finally made her return ten years later as DLC for the latest release “Guilty Gear Strive.” With a playful personality, this bounty hunter unconventionally wields a yo-yo in battle as well as a strange teddy bear known as Roger. Bridget is seen as a groundbreaking character within the fighting game community, and her development over the years has been praised for its sensitivity and depth, addressing themes such as identity and self-acceptance.

"The King of Fighters" series (1994-)

Every fighting game protagonist needs their very own rival and Iori Yagami stepped into that role perfectly for Kyo Kusanagi. His bad boy personality and flashy appearance instantly struck a chord in the KOF fandom. As the heir of one of the three clans that sealed away Orochi, Iori is a master of Pyrokinesis, and wields powerful bright purple flames. His unhinged fighting style makes him stand out from the rest of the fighters, and is a perfect pick for players who want to rush right into their opponent.

“Virtua Fighter” series (1993-)

Whereas most fighters join tournaments for the chance of fame and glory, Akira Yuki takes part in order to further improve his abilities and test himself. A master of the Chinese martial art Bājíquán, he brings an explosive and powerful fighting style to the World Fighting Tournament, even going as far to win its second iteration. Despite his stoic and calm demeanor, he’s had plenty of fierce rivalries throughout the series with the biggest standout being Kage-Maru. As the poster boy for the “Virtua Fighter” series, Akira led the charge for fighting games foray into 3D, cementing him as one of the genre’s defining characters.

"Tekken" series (1994-)

Perhaps the most intriguing character in the Tekken franchise, Kazuya made his debut all the way back in 1994 as the protagonist and hero of the first game. His good guy image wasn’t to last however, as he’d take on a more villainous route in the subsequent entries after becoming power mad. Caught right in the middle of the Mishima family drama with his father Heihachi and son Jin, Kazuya inherited a gene from his mother which grants him the ability to turn into Devil Kazuya. With each new Tekken entry, Kazuya’s complex motivations make him a fascinating character who remains integral to the series storyline.

"Street Fighter" series (1987-)

The OG secret boss of the fighting game genre, Akuma made his debut in “Super Street Fighter II Turbo” when certain special conditions were met by the player. Wielding the dark energy known as the Satsui no Hado, the man known as the Raging Demon is a force of pure destructive power. As one of the main recurring antagonists in the series, Akuma is without a doubt Ryu’s greatest enemy. Although his move set is very similar to other shoto-based characters, his Shun Goku Satsu super combo is not only one of the most powerful, but one of the coolest looking in all of fighting games.

“Fatal Fury” (1991-) & "The King of Fighters" series (1994-)

Ok calm down guys, she only has eyes for Andy Bogard. While she started out in the Fatal Fury series, Mai was also in King of Fighters '94, the first game in the series. As a mainstay in both the Fatal Fury and Women’s teams throughout the tournaments, Mai is a combatant who's full of surprises. Skilled in the art of Shiranui style Ninjutsu, she can fly like a squirrel, throw a seemingly unlimited number of battle fans and summon fire techniques. One of SNK's most popular characters in general, said popularity led her to making a guest appearance in the Dead or Alive series.

"Killer Instinct" series (1994-)

Cyborgs are awesome and when it comes to Fulgore, he's a titan. Created by Ultratech, it is a robotic, quarter-ton armory of death and destruction. Containing the brain of a warrior that opposed Ultratech, Fulgore's vast might is firmly under the corporation's control. Trading off speed for power, Fulgore is who many see as the figurehead of this series. Featured on the boxes of Killer Instinct for the SNES and KI Gold for the N64, that terrifying, cold, mechanical face is synonymous with actually having instincts (or programming) for killing. With his razor sharp claws and nuclear-powered arsenal, finding another fighter of Fulgore's caliber is rare.

"BlazBlue" series (2008-)

Suffering from an incredibly tragic past, costing his family and his arm, Ragna the Bloodedge is the bane of the militaristic Novus Orbis Librarium. Being chased by NOL officers and bounty hunters, he can more than handle on his own. With his replacement arm, the Azure Grimoire and his weapon the Blood Scythe, Ragna drains a substance called seithr from his opponents and uses it to form the claws or teeth of the feared Black Beast. Nicknamed the "Grim Reaper" Ragna has earned himself a fearsome reputation. Fans of the series however also see his more heroic and kind-hearted traits throughout the series. It’s this bend of dark power, unshakable resolve, and an epic theme song that puts the edge in Bloodedge.

“Dead or Alive” series (1996-)

Known as “The Kunoichi of Destiny,” Kasumi has been the central role throughout all of the “Dead or Alive” franchise. To say her story has been a rollercoaster would be an understatement, as she’s had to deal with all sorts of matters relating to the Mugen Tenshin clan such as seeking out revenge against her evil uncle Raidou in the very first game. Combining both grace and deadly precision, Kasumi’s fluid ninja abilities make her a formidable opponent in the World Combat Championship tournament, and one of the most recognizable figures in fighting games.

"Soulcalibur" series (1995-)

Many characters have suffered because of the Soul Edge and Isabella Valentine may be one of the worse off cases. Ivy is focused on destroying the demonic sword after her adopted father's obsession with it led to the ruination of their family, both parents dying shortly after. Ironically, she was the birth daughter of the pirate Cervantes, who wielded the Soul Edge. With less than modest design and her enchanted sword that can transform as a whip, Ivy was a sharp contrast from the earlier characters. That contrast made her one of the most recognized faces in the series. Ivy can always be our Valentine.

"Mortal Kombat" series (1992-)

A mainstay of the Mortal Kombat franchise, Sub-Zero's mastery of ice accompanied by his intriguing backstory have made him a fan favorite. The Sub-Zero mantle was originally taken on by Bi-Han before he met his demise at the hands of Scorpion in the original game. From “Mortal Kombat II” onwards, his brother Kuai Liang dons the name and outfit and seeks out revenge, creating one of gaming's greatest rivalries in the process. Things ended up getting a little more complicated in the most recent release of the series, where Kuai Liang ends up becoming Scorpion, with Bi-Han becoming Sub-Zero once more. But no matter which version, Sub-Zero's Abilities make him unique amongst the other cast of characters, and let’s be honest he has some of the coolest fatalities out there.

"Street Fighter" series (1987-)

Chun-Li is one of the most important characters on this list due to the fact that she’s one of the first female fighters in gaming history, and she continues to kick butt all these years later! Chun-Li has a wide array of iconic signature moves, such as her “Spinning Bird Kick” as well as her lightning fast kicks known as Hyakuretsukyaku. Not only is she an expert martial artist, but she also works for Interpol, seeking out justice against the evil M. Bison for killing her father. Chun-Li was definitely a trailblazer in the fighting game genre, and no doubt inspired many female-fighters in the years to come.

"Guilty Gear" series (1998-)

A scientist in a previous life, Sol Badguy was changed when he was forcibly transformed into a Gear, a magically imbued bioweapon with superhuman speed, strength, and longevity. In the heat of battle, this super-powered bounty hunter knows how to do damage. Developing his own fighting style and skilled with fire spells, Sol created the Fireseal, a sword that increases attack range and magical abilities. The protagonist of the Guilty Gear series, he’s a great pick-up and play character with a complex backstory. Did we mention that Sol's based on both Guilty Gear's creator Daisuke Ishiwatari and rock legend Freddie Mercury? No doubt, Sol proves that sometimes it’s good to be the Bad Guy.

"Darkstalkers" series (1994-)

Born a demon of the nobility of the Aensland clan, Morrigan is a powerful succubus with skills in spells and strikes. She possesses the powers of flight, shapeshifting her clothing into bats and weaponry, to casting her trademark Soul Fist. Provocative and flirtatious, Morrigan evolved from a 300-year-old party girl to S class demon. The standout star of the Darkstalkers series, Morrigan would be featured in many Capcom crossover games, sometimes acting as a catalyst for other Darkstakers characters to join her. She also went from strong secondary main character to muscling Vampire character, Demitri, out of his protagonist position. It's easy to see why fans love her big set of batwings and green hair.

"Tekken" series (1994-)

Haunted by the Devil Gene and caught in the crossfire of his family’s legacy, Jin Kazama is a compelling character that has captivated players for years. Making his debut in “Tekken 3,” Jin was trained by his grandfather Heihachi in the Mishima Style Fighting Karate, in order to avenge the death of his mother. Of course, in fighting games things are never that simple and Heihachi ends up betraying him, resulting in him transforming into Devil Jin and creating a whole new slew of family drama. Jin’s goal to end the Mishima Bloodline is one of the key narratives in the ongoing plot of Tekken, and he’s constantly evolving, both in story and in the hands of players.

“Fatal Fury” (1991-) & "The King of Fighters" series (1994-)

Blonde, baseball cap, riding trains going to Mt. Rushmore, yep he's American alright. One of the three legendary Hungry Wolfs, Terry is one of the most dynamic fighting game characters in history. Learning the art of Hakkyokuseiken, Terry was able to learn devastating ki attacks. In addition, he also developed his own fighting style using the art along with boxing, karate, kung fu, kickboxing and yes even street fighting. He took these skills and defeated Geese Howard, the man who killed his father. Another KOF stalwart since inception, Terry is a fan favorite and has some of the most repeatable dialogue in fighting games.

"Mortal Kombat" series (1992-)

Out of all of Mortal Kombat's many multicolored, masked ninjas, it's always going to be Scorpion. A minion of villains at his darkest and an anti-heroic assassin at his lightest, the undead Hanzo Hasashi seeks vengeance against the forces of Outworld, especially his former master Quan-Chi. Scorpion is a quick but savage fighter only made more deadly with his command of Hellfire and his trademark spear. While some of the other good characters have dark sides, Scorpion has embraced his, gaining some deep voiced commands as a bonus.

Before we crown the tournament champion, these competitors earned some Honorable Mentions.

"Street Fighter" series (1987-)

"Tekken" series (1994-)

"The King of Fighters" series (1994-)

"Mortal Kombat" series (1992-)

"Soulcalibur" series (1995-)

"Street Fighter" series (1987-)

An orphan from Japan, raised by a martial arts master, Ryu wants nothing more than to fight strong opponents. Whereas friend and rival Ken usually goes to tournaments if Ryu does because of his busy life, Ryu will fight because it is his life. Mastering several potent techniques, most notably his Hadouken, Ryu’s charm is his dedication to essentially being the perfect fighting game character. Sure he gets wrapped up in the plots of the bad guys and he had to deal with the dark power of the Satsui no Hadou both fighting Akuma and within himself. Despite all that, this World Warrior is always seeking the answer that lies in the heart of battle.

Who do you think is the greatest fighting game character of all time? Let us know in the comments below!