Summary
Mortal Kombat 11has had a great run. While not free of controversy, NetherRealm’s fighting juggernaut succeeded in maintaining a stable audience throughout its more than four-year run, which is respectable for an entry in the genre.
WithMortal Kombat 1debuting in 2023, its predecessor’s multiplayer scene has winded down. However,Mortal Kombat 11has a rather enjoyable single-player campaign, so it is not like the game has no value anymore. Even though NetherRealm (and Midway) has done a good job of establishing its franchise as a rather singular beast, there are plenty ofgames likeMortal Kombat 11that can keep fans entertained.
Updated July 04, 2025 by Mark Sammut:Mortal Kombat 1 has been out for a few months now. While garnering a positive critical reception, the game has led a fairly uneven post-launch life, and it does feel like a project that is gradually evolving into its final form. The combat system is generally great, arguably among the strongest and deepest in the series so far. New players who are specifically interested in PvP and are willing to put in the time to properly master the gameplay will likely find what they are looking for in NetherRealm’s 2023 project. However, MK1 is somewhat lacking in offline content outside the main story, and the Invasions mode is fairly divisive. Still, if someone wants online action, MK1 is a top contender.
Players craving a visually striking fighting game that offers a steeper learning curve thanMortal Kombatshould check out Arc’sGuilty Gear Strive.Although it’s a much more difficult game (and series), mastering the combat system can be very rewarding, especially once players can start rattling off impressive combos. There’s a solid roster of characters, with a few added via DLC.
Guilty Gear Strivehas a striking visual style thanks to its beautifully animated characters and levels, but it doesn’t feature the same level of intensity asMortal Kombat. There’s no blood or brutal finishers here, for those who are craving that level of brutality present inMortal Kombat, butGuilty Gear Striveis a great alternative for those who want something a bit more challenging to test their skills on.
After a long hiatus, theVirtua Fighterseries returned to the spotlight in 2021 following the release ofVirtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. Although not a brand-new game in the conventional sense,Ultimate Showdownis an updated version of the series' fifth entry, completely rebuilt in the Dragon Engine that’s used in Sega’sYakuzagames.
It’s a little slower than some of the other fighting games on the market and is fairly technical too, but those looking for a realistic fighting game could do a lot worse. The series' debut title helped to pioneer 3D fighting games andUltimate Showdownis yet another solid entry. That said, this version was designed with online in mind and lacks much in the way of single-player content; consequently, players may find themselves without much to do if they pick this up.Virtua Fighteris a far more niche name thanMortal Kombator something likeTekken, and this release is not very active in this day and age.
Those looking for something a little more fast-paced should find something to enjoy withDead or Alive 6. It’s nowhere near as graphic as aMortal Kombatgame when it comes to violence, but the gameplay it offers is no less enjoyable. It’s a lot easier to pick up than some of the genre’s other great offerings too, making it surprisingly accessible to newcomers.
Though the series did lose a bit of its credibility due to its beach volleyball spin-offs and the heavy emphasis it places on “jiggle physics,“Dead or Alive 6is still a solid fighting game. There’s plenty of DLC available to help keep the game feeling fresh too, althoughplayers will need to shell out thousands of dollars if they want to experience it all.
Also, if players have the means, they should look atDead or Alive’s older entries. The sixth game is not generally regarded as a high point for the franchise, at least not when compared to the second, third, and fourth entries.DOA6is recommended due to being the most recently released project, but it should be treated as a representative for the full license. Fighting fans should stay away from the spin-offs, though.
There are undoubtedly bettercrossover fighting gamesout there, but those who’ve ever wondered who would win in a fight between Sub-Zero and Superman will likely find themselves drawn toMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Featuring 11 iconic characters from each IP, it really does open up a lot of possibilities.
Due to the game’s “Teen” ESRB rating, a few of the fatalities have been toned down or omitted entirely, although there’s still a decent amount of violence for those looking for thatMortal Kombatvibe. Combat is exactly what one might expect from aMortal Kombatgame too and the story is interesting as well, albeit a little wacky.
Although not quite obtaining the same level of mainstream exposure asMortal KombatorStreet Fighter,Killer Instinctis another fighting franchise with a long legacy. The license returned to the limelight in 2013 with a self-titled reboot that launched alongside the Xbox One.
Outside NetherRealm’s projects,Killer Instinctarguably comes the closest to replicatingMortal Kombat’s style courtesy of its vicious finishers and visual presentation. However, the gameplay is generally faster thanMK11and emphasizes combos to a far greater extent. Despite being nearly a decade old,Killer Instinctstill receives love online, and the game is worth a try if someone has a Game Pass subscription.
Dragon Ball FighterZis almost inarguably the greatest fighting gamein the anime franchise’s history. Arc’s title contains advanced and beginner controls, so it appeals to virtually anyone regardless of their familiarity with the developer’s projects.
Fighter Zhas many positives in its favor, ranging from a fantastic visual style to addictive gameplay that manages to be accessible but also complex enough to keep people coming back for years on end. The robust fighter roster is one of the game’s biggest selling points. With DLC, there are over 40 characters. Fans can play as lesser-known characters, along with heavyweights like Goku, Piccolo, Broly, Vegeta, Cell, and Teen Gohan. While not quite as brutal asMortal Kombat,Fighter Zis filled with gloriously epic special moves that replicate the anime’s over-the-top style.
Even if the developer’s heyday was during the ’90s, SNK is a name most fighting fans are likely to recognize.Garou: Mark of the Wolves,The Last Blade 2,Samurai Shodown 2, andFatal Furyare all among the greatest fighting games of all time, although they are not particularly similar toMortal Kombat. In truth, neither isThe King of Fighters 15, but it is a respectable modern interpretation of SNK’s formula. That said,KOF 13is probably superior.
The King of Fighters 15is primarily for people looking for online matches as that is undoubtedly the game’s primary focus. The single-player content can keep someone busy for a short while, but the available story mode lacks any real personality. Still,KOF 15’s core gameplay compares favorably with most of its peers.
SoulCaliburhas not produced many duds, even if the franchise arguably peaked with its second entry. 2018’s sequel serves as a great entry point for newcomers to the series while delivering a fine-tuned experience for veterans. Focusing on weapon-based combat,SoulCalibur 6is fast-paced and skill-based.
Although online is obviously a big part of the package,SoulCalibur 6is not lacking in single-player content either. Libra of Souls focuses on a player-created character and can be quite a time-sink, while most of the roster’s fighters receive their own mini-stories as well.
Injustice 2is the sequel toInjustice: Gods Among Usand a considerable step up in quality. Unsurprisingly, NetherRealm took a lot fromMortal Kombatwhen designingInjustice 2, to the point that they can be almost regarded as companion pieces. The latter’s gameplay is closer toMK10than its sequel, though.
Injustice 2is excellent as a single-player game and lets players control almost all ofthe most popular DC Universe characters. Those looking for a competitive fighting game may find thatInjustice 2isn’t quite what they’re after, but it can still be a lot of fun when played casually nonetheless.
Except forSuper Smash Bros, which exists within its own genre,Street FighterandMortal Kombatare inarguably the biggest names in the fighting world. At their core, they are not all that similar, with their gameplay, tone, and visuals being almost opposites of each other. Despite that,Street Fighter 6is an easy recommendation forMK11fans on the simple basis that it is fantastic and will almost assuredly enjoy a long and healthy life.
Unlike its immediate predecessor,Street Fighter 6is the complete package. Seeming like a direct apology for the previous game’s pathetic offline content, World Tour allows players to create a character and lead them through a campaign that plays out similarly to an RPG. They can level up, take on quests, and interact with some of the franchise’s most popular figures. While ultimately a tutorial to prepare people for online matches, it is fun and robust. That said, the Battle Hub isStreet Fighter 6’s heart.
