Pixel graphics have made a big comeback in fighting games, with classics like Mortal Kombat 1 and Street Fighter 6 leading the way. These games offer fast-paced action which requires quick reflexes, strategy, and a deep understanding of both your own moves and your opponent’s.
As this genre continues to thrive, more developers are creating exciting pixel-art anime fighting games. For anyone interested in designing their own game, working with a game development company is a great way to bring your vision to life. To succeed in this competitive market, it’s important to understand the top games shaping the future of pixel fighting.
Let’s explore some of the best pixel-fighting games that are setting trends in the gaming world.
Table of Contents
Here’s a table for the top pixel fighting games, including their release year, platforms, multiplayer support, unique features, and price. The prices can vary depending on sales factors.
| Game Title | Release Year | Platforms | Multiplayer Support | Unique Feature | Price |
| Brawlhalla | 2017 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mobile | Online and local multiplayer | Free-to-play with a variety of cross-platform play | Free |
| Dragon Ball Legends | 2018 | iOS, Android | Online multiplayer | 3D battle system with iconic Dragon Ball characters | Free |
| Kung Fu Do Fighting | 2016 | iOS, Android | Local multiplayer | Traditional arcade-style Kung Fu combat | Free |
| Final Fighter: Fighting Game | 2020 | iOS, Android | Local multiplayer | Classic 2D fighter with customizable fighters | Free |
| EA Sports UFC Mobile 2 | 2020 | iOS, Android | Online multiplayer | Realistic MMA fighting with customizable fighters | Free |
| Garou: Mark of the Wolves | 1999 | PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC | Local multiplayer | Unique art style with deep combat mechanics | $9.99 |
| Marvel Contest of Champions | 2014 | iOS, Android | Online multiplayer | Fight as Marvel superheroes in an epic storyline | Free |
| Mortal Kombat | 1992 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | Local multiplayer, Online | Brutal combat with iconic fatalities | $9.99 |
| Street Fighter IV CE | 2009 | PC, PS4, Xbox One, iOS | Local multiplayer, Online | Classic 2D fighting with special moves and combos | $4.99 |
| Zombie Ultimate Fighting Champ | 2016 | iOS, Android | Local multiplayer | Zombie-themed fighting with unique characters | Free |
Let’s uncover the top 10 fighting games embedded with pixel graphics each having distinctive gameplay mechanics.
If you have a Nintendo console, you must have played the Super Smash Bros. game Brawlhalla. This game allows you and up to 7 other players to see who falls first on the single-level battle platform, Brawlhalla was first released in 2017 on PC and PlayStation 4. In 2014, it was released on the Android platform by the Android game development studio and has enjoyed steady growth in revenues. There are over 20 different game modes and over 50 unique characters.
Dragon Ball Legends is one of the best-pixelated anime fighting games that is based on a hundred characters from the long-running series. In this game, many battlegrounds unfold in open 3D environments. There is a tradition in this game, where characters fly high in the mountains and fight with each other into the mountains as they have physics-defying super moves.
Kung Fu Do Fighting game is one of the classic and oldest forms of pixelated fighting games. There are two modes in this game but still many fighters and arenas love this game. Kung Fu Fighting games are approached to boxing, Muay Thai, and Taekwondo are some of the best fighting genres that players have to play. The arena spans around the world, from Europe to Asia.
Final Fighter is one of the most amazing 2D-pixel fighting games that is known by every other player. It provides a modern look just like the Tekken series. Some of the characters may make you feel like you are playing in Bandai Namco’s signature fighting franchise. When you play this game, you might find various sets of commands and different combinations of various special moves that make Final Fighter the most fun-loving game.
Are you a fan of WWE fighting? If yes, EA Sports UFC Mobile 2 has it all to amaze you in a different manner where you can relate your pixel art characters with real-life fighters in the boxing ring. Thankfully, it’s an exceptional sports game that interacts and attracts players well. This game has both male and female characters.
Garou: Mark of the Wolves is the closest thing there is to playing a coin-op arcade fighting game. The venerable Fatal Fury series’ final game, titled Garou, was made available on the NeoGeo, a console famed for its superb fighting games. So, prepare for a 2D fighting game that seems like a release from the height of the 1990s.
Are you a fan of Marvel? If yes, you are on the former side of the fence. The Contest of Championship allows you to play every Marvel character like Iron Man, Spider-Man, Venom, and many more. Furthermore, they also gain an additional bonus if they get another character that makes sense in lore-wise. This game is the perfect example of a pixel fighting game as they make sure that your team fights with the strongest villain in the Marvel industry.
Mortal Kombat is an interesting Pixel anime fighting game that is all about violence and the intentional misspelling of “combat”. It has all the fatalities that you come to find in pixelated fighting games. Furthermore, you would find various games like collecting cards, equipping the weapons and armor from the series, and Leveling up.
Street Fighter launched in 1978 still has a place in the list of 10 best pixel fighting games. It is one of the long-surviving fighting game series. This only happened when it launched on the mobile platforms but the only issue is that the visuals are not up to date. Still, this game is trending in the fighting game series. Also, downloading the game is free, but to get full experience for this game will cost you $4.99.
In the future, the game Zombie Ultimate Fighting Champ will have humans that are given injections of a substance that converts them into, you got it, zombies. You put together a squad of various zombies and take part in a series of activities spread over four leagues in order to eventually face the toughest of them all.
With the end of the list of top fighting games with pixel graphics, let’s now look at the cost that is needed to develop such game.
When thinking of creating your own fighting games with pixel graphics need information about the market, cost, and overall gameplay. The average cost to make a fighting game can be anywhere between the range of $15,000 to $30,000 with optimum features. If you want a fully customized fighting pixel game then the cost rises upwards of $30K.
From Brawhalla to Zombie Ultimate Fighting Champ, each of these fighting pixel games is packed with exceptional gameplay that allures game enthusiasts. Most of us have even played at least one of the games listed above. If you want to try something different, pick any of the games and start playing today. Moreover, if you’re interested in developing such games to become a gaming entrepreneur, you can share your ideas and have a free discussion with a game development company.
Ans. Pixel art fighting games have always been a profitable business. Increasing demand and an extraordinary user interface make it different from other games. If you want to develop one, you can gain a large amount of profit.
Ans. Because it has great visuals and graphics that make it popular among the players.
Ans. Pixel art fighting games are unique with their 2D styling graphics and simple gameplay mechanics. Their low-resolution visuals are something that attracts seasoned and new gamers.
Ans. Many pixel fighting games are available across a wide range of platforms including PC, consoles (such as PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch), and mobile devices (iOS and Android). The availability of each game can vary upon title.
Ans. Choosing the best pixelated fighting game depends on your preferences. For example, 2D or 3D, multiplayer options (local or online), and fast-paced action or strategic depth are the factors that depend on an individual’s preference.
Ans. Yes, there are several free-to-play pixel fighting games. Games like Brawlhalla, Dragon Ball Legends, and Marvel Contest of Champions offer free access with in-game purchases for cosmetics or additional content. These games allow you to enjoy the pixel-fighting experience without an initial cost while offering multiplayer modes for more engagement.
