If you are a fan of intense 1v1 combat, brutal finishers, and fast-paced action, you must have spent hours playing Mortal Kombat. The spine-ripping, bone-crushing legacy of Mortal Kombat has left its mark on the fighting genre for decades. Known for its iconic characters and over-the-top gore and violence, it is one of the most popular fighting game franchises of all time.
But if you are looking to try something new or explore similar titles with unique mechanics and styles, there are plenty of great alternatives out there. In this blog, we will explore the 12 best games like Mortal Kombat. Each of these alternatives offers its own take on the fighting genre with different gameplay mechanics.
Whether you prefer realistic combat, anime-inspired visuals, or fantasy-themed brawlers, we have got your fix. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Here is the list of the best games similar to Mortal Kombat that you can play to scratch that fighting itch.
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Released: June 11, 2021
Developer: Arc System Works
Anime fans can have a great time with Guilty Gear Strive. In fact, Guilty Gear kicked off the new era of fighting games and offers a visually striking experience. While the game offers a steeper learning curve and hardcore difficulty, mastering the art of combat will be satisfying when you can execute impressive combos.
While the game has impressive level design and stunning visuals, it does not offer the same level of intensity or gore as Mortal Kombat.
Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One
Released: March 1, 2019
Developer: Team Ninja
If you are looking for fast-paced action, you can consider Dead or Alive 6. While the game is not as gory or violent as Mortal Kombat, it has a pretty balanced combat system with enjoyable gameplay.
However, the game greatly emphasizes ‘jiggle physics’ and beach volleyball spin-offs, which can irritate hardcore gamers. Additionally, there are plenty of DLC available to keep the game fresh for a long time.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, PC, Arcade
Released: June 2, 2023
Developer: Capcom
Besides Mortal Kombat and Tekken, Street Fighter is inarguably the best fighting game of all time. While they are not very similar in terms of gameplay, tone, visuals, and combat mechanics, Street Fighter is still regarded as one of the most popular Mortal Kombat alternatives.
One of the best features of the game is the World Tour, allowing players to create a character and play like an RPG. In this RPG mode, players can level up their characters and interact with some of the most popular characters of the Street Fighter franchise.
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Platforms: PC, Xbox One
Released: November 22, 2013
Developer: PC, Xbox One
While it may not be as mainstream as other games like Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct has a rich legacy of gore and violence. Moreover, Killer Instinct is one of those games that come close to replicating Mortal Kombat’s gore and violence. However, the game has an edge over Mortal Kombat as it is more fast-paced and relies on combos more than brutalities.
Even after a decade of launch, the game is still popular online and definitely worth a try, especially if you have an Xbox Game Pass.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Released: October 7, 2024
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Dragon Ball games are Bandai Namco’s lovechild and for good reason. It is one of the most popular gaming franchises based on an anime. Fans of the franchise will be thrilled to know that Sparking! Zero is the long-awaited game in the Budokai Tenkaichi series since Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team (2010).
Moreover, the game was balanced according to the source material. For instance, weaker characters in the Dragon Ball canon will remain weak in the game too. Additionally, a cost system was introduced where strong characters cost more than weak characters.
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS4, Xbox Series X/S
Released: February 17, 2022
Developer: SNK
SNK is a popular developer in the fighting game genre. It has developed many recognizable titles, including Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The Last Blade 2, Samurai Showdown 2, and Fatal Fury. While the core game theme is not similar to Mortal Kombat, it is still a modern Mortal Kombat alternative.
The King of Fighters 15 is one of the best fighting games for gamers who want an engaging online experience. While there is also a single-player campaign mode, the online matches remain the highlight of the game. For those who enjoy a retro aesthetic, several fighting games with pixel graphics—such as Blazing Strike, Pocket Bravery, and Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R—offer a nostalgic yet competitive experience that blends classic visuals with modern mechanics.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Released: October 19, 2018
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios, Dimps
SoulCalibur has had many editions, but the sixth one serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the fighting genre while also delivering a polished experience to veterans. Unlike other games like Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur 6 focuses on weapon-based and fast-paced skill-based combat.
Moreover, Soul Calibur also offers a great online and single-player experience, making it a complete package in the fighting game genre.
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS
Released: May 11, 2017
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Injustice 2 is the much-awaited sequel of Injustice: Gods Among Us and is developed by the same developer as Mortal Kombat. In fact, NetherRealm took a lot of inspiration from Mortal Kombat when designing this game. While the first part’s gameplay is closer to Mortal Kombat, Injustice 2 stands out due to its new roster of characters.
For fans of DC Comics, Injustice 2 can be a great addition to their gaming libraries. The game allows players to play as popular DC characters and also features a story mode, which can be a great pastime.
Platforms: Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Released: April 10, 2012
Developer: Reverge Labs
Similar to Dragon Ball games, Skullgirls 2nd Encore is a tag-fighter game where players can select the size of their team (solo, duo, or trio). The game features unique cartoon-style visual styles, separating it from the rest of the 3D games. However, that’s not all. The game also takes inspiration from popular game titles like Capcom vs SNK’s ratio system and Marvel vs Capcom’s assist system.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Released: January 26, 2024
Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
Coming in as the number 1 game like Mortal Kombat, Tekken 8 is probably the most popular fighting game franchise of all time. The Tekken series features high-octane action with impressive combos and moves. In fact, it is one of the most polished fighting games of all time.
Earlier, Tekken was not really taken seriously as a competitive eSports title. However, after Tekken 7 dropped, it all changed. And now in Tekken 8, the devs have introduced new game mechanics like the ‘Heat System,’ allowing players to chain combos effectively. If you are a fan of fighting games like Mortal Kombat, make sure to try Tekken 8 and its fast-paced fighting.
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A Mortal Kombat-like game, often categorized as a 2D or 2.5D fighting game, is defined by several key features that contribute to its distinct style, mechanics, and tone. While Mortal Kombat emphasizes brutal one-on-one combat and graphic finishers, fans of intense action and adrenaline-fueled gameplay often explore other genres too — including games like Far Cry that offer a more immersive, open-world combat experience.
Here’s a breakdown of what typically makes a game feel like Mortal Kombat:
Games like Mortal Kombat often feature a dark and violent aesthetic with extreme gore. It leverages over-the-top ultimate finishing moves called Fatalities and Brutalities that are quite gruesome.
These games feature one-on-one, round-based fighting where players aim to deplete the opponent’s health bar by using various moves and combos. Moreover, the movement is restricted to a 2.5D plane, even if the visuals are in 3D. Besides that, every fighter has unique signature moves that can be used under specific conditions.
The gameplay relies on combos, blocks, and dodges. It relies on precise timing and launching opponents into the air to chain combos and deplete their health as soon as possible. A power bar also builds up during combat, which allows enhanced moves or block breakers.
Games similar to Mortal Kombat feature a wide range of characters, each with their own lore, motivation, and powers. Moreover, some DLC packs also include characters from popular franchises like The Terminator, Joker, and Negan from The Walking Dead.
Mortal Kombat also features interactive environments where players can throw objects and use traps to hit opponents. Some stages also allow players to slam opponents into hazards like fire or poison. This mechanic is widely used in fighting games like Mortal Kombat.
These games feature an extremely high skill ceiling where players have to rely on precise timing to attack, block, and counter attacks. Advanced players rely on frame-perfect timing, timing their moves at the exact frame to land a perfect combo. Moreover, Mortal Kombat and other fighting games also feature deep meta-based matchups where some characters are able to counter others and others cannot.
If you’re more into team-based tactical combat rather than one-on-one fighting, check out our list of Games Like Valorant for a different kind of intense multiplayer experience.
Whether you are a longtime Mortal Kombat fan or someone just dipping their toes into the fighting game genre, there is a whole world of thrilling alternatives to explore. From combo-heavy classics like Tekken 8 to anime-inspired brawlers like Guilty Gear Strive, these games offer unique flavors of intense 1v1 combat.
While some lean toward style, others toward strategy, but all of these Mortal Kombat alternatives guarantee the heart-pounding action that fans crave. So, if you have mastered every Fatality and want to branch out into other battlegrounds, the games on this list are perfect starting points.
Ans. All of the games listed in this blog are similar to Mortal Kombat. From Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 8, Soul Calibur 6, and Injustice 2, all of these games are great Mortal Kombat alternatives.
Ans. Injustice 2 and Tekken 8 are some of the games that feature brutal finishing moves like Mortal Kombat.
Ans. Skullgirls 2nd Encore is a great mobile game similar to Mortal Kombat that is available on Android and iOS.
