Choosing the best PS3 fighting games is no easy task. I’ve been grappling with which titles to list for days now, wrestling with my conscience and flexing my brain muscles in order to make the ultimate list for all the fighting fans out there.
And yes, I did work really hard on these puns…
From curbside brawlers to royal rumbles, I’ve listed 10 of my favourite PS3 fighting games of all time, titles that you need to tackle if you’re revisiting this iconic console this year.
Because let’s face it, we all need to let off a little steam sometime, and nothing says relaxing like pummelling dudes way bigger than you into the dirt.
Table of Contents
10. WWE All-Stars (2011)
WWE All Stars kickstarts our list of the best PS3 fighting games with cheese, flashing lights, and a whole load of whatever the Rock was cooking for all those years.
WWE games never get old. There’s something electric about the ridiculous glitz and glamour of these games that never fails to make you smile.
Especially when you can play as The Rock, John Cena, Hulk Hogan, Warrior, and anymore classic fighters!
If you played the original Wrestlemania game back in arcades (if you’re old enough to remember the smell of an arcade, that is), then All Stars feels very much like that.
There’s non of the sim elements that you got in games like Smackdown; it just focuses on getting in the ring and brawling.
Replace Ryu and Ken for Hogan and Mysterio, and change the street for a ring, and you get the general gist.
9. UFC Undisputed 3 (2012)
UFC Undisputed 3 takes the 9th spot in our list of the best PS3 fighting games, bringing all the angst and danger of cage fighting to your front room.
If you’ve ever watched UFC, then you know how absolutely brutal it is. Well, the game is no different, providing players with a no-holds-barred battle with their friends in a ring with no escape.
And you thought that WWE looked intense!
There’s not many ways that a UFC game can differ from its predecessors; the general gist of the sport is the same at any rate. And with no theatrics like WWE, the differences between titles usually come between move-sets and rule adaptations.
In this case, Pride rules have been added, as have new grapples, kicks, and KO moves.
There’s also a stamina bar system for each fighter and damage such as cuts affect the refilling of said stamina bar.
The fighters move better, and the entrances are pretty epic too. Not Undertaker coming down on a motorbike level of cool, but it’ll do.
8. Soul Calibur IV (2008)
You show me anyone that wouldn’t want to play a fighting game as Darth Vader. That person doesn’t exist, which is why Soul Calibur IV isn’t just one of the best PS3 fighting games, it’s one of the best fighting games of all time!
Join Ivy, Astaroth, Raphael, and many more characters old and new as we return to one of my favourite fighting franchises of all time.
It might not be the most famous, but the movesets, character designs, and level backgrounds are truly spectacular to behold.
Whether wielding Nightmare’s massive blade or Voldo’s strange hand scissorsthing that he’s got going on, each and every fight feels unique.
Especially now Darth Vader, Yoda, and Galen Marek are available to play with!
I mean, a lightsaber would go through all of these weapons unless they were made of Beskar…
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle (2013)
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle adds a touch of fantasy to the traditional fighting game format.
If you’re a fan of the popular manga series of the same name, then this title is bound to make you feel right at home.
Drawing inspiration from the eight series, players pit characters from the entire universe against each other.
Boasting game modes and battle styles taken directly from the manga series itself, players can fill experience what it would be like to step into JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure ‘ComixZone’ style.
Seeing Esidisi going up against Panacotta Hugo never gets old. Unfortunately this will mean nothing if you’ve never played the game, so do yourself a favour and check it out.
6. Tekken 6 (2007)
Tekken 6 takes the 6th spot in our best PS3 fighting games list!
There are usually two franchises that everyone compares fighting games to – Tekken and Street Fighter. So, I guess it’s no surprise that both feature in this list.
The formula is pretty similar to the other titles when it comes to the attacks themselves, but with much bigger stages to contend with and areas that break away so that the fight can continue in new areas.
Yeah, that would certainly mix things up a little bit.
So who’s come back for the fight of the century then?
Well, we’ve got Nina Williams, Raven, Bryan Fury, and the mysterious Yoshimitsu returning to prove themselves in some stunning locations.
Ok, so Tekken is always going to be more fun if you know the combos and special moves, but it’s equally as good while button-mashing and what I like to call ‘hoping for the best while chewing down on a burger’.
5. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2011)
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 sees more behemoth fighters from two classic franchises squaring off against each other. We’re talking Ryu vs Wolverine, Deadpool vs Dante, and Storm vs Viewtiful Joe.
Yes, folks, this really is a game that you have to experience to fully believe.
So what’s the score here then?
Well, players pick three people to be on a team, a little bit like your attack team in Pokemon.
Bring out fighters to take down your opponents team, like the traditional Street Fighter set-up but with added oomph.
In many ways, this is an updated version of Fate of Two Worlds and boasts many of the same features, bar the addition of new characters.
That’s the bit that really makes this game a winner though, the same as with other entries in the Capcom VS series; seeing all your favourite characters in one place. Who would really win between Deadpool and Dante in real life, I wonder?
4. Ultra Street Fighter IV (2014)
Let’s keep the Capcom vibe going with Ultra Street Fighter IV!
So the thing you need to know about the Street Fighter series is that there are lots of tangents and offshoots, including about three Street Fighter 3’s somewhere amongst the collection.
Well, SFIV was the first title in the main series for 11 years, with the main SFIII dropping 11 years before.
Talk about a long wait eh…
So what separates SFIV from its old relative? What new features did fans have to play with after all those years?
Well, with extra characters, new stages, and extra content that was downloadable before PS3 was dismissed from the entire internet, there was plenty for gamers to get stuck into.
IV is also the first title since the very first Street Fighter to have English actors voicing the characters. Switch between Japanese and English in the settings and watch cut scenes in different languages too.
3. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 (2013)
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate NInja Storm 3 takes the 3rd spot in this list of the best PS3 fighting games of all time.
Ah Naruto; what a series, and there’s over 80 characters available from that very series to play with in this epic game.
Unlike Marvel Vs Capcom, it might be tough trying to pit your favourite characters to fight against each other. It’s hard to want to cause these guys pain, right?
Like Pokemon with berries, players can choose to have certain characters hold onto specific items for healing or offensive purposes.
You’ve got to keep your wits about you too; leave the side of some stages and you’ll automatically lose. The world of Naruto keeps you on your toes alright!
Of course, the real reason this title has made it into our list of the best PS3 fighting games is the fact that it has an epic Royal Rumble-style mode called Mob Battle.
I’m getting chills just thinking about it.
2. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)
Marvel Vs Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes takes todays silver medal. It’s essentially the same as Marvel vs Capcom 3, the very game we talked about up above.
So why has this game featured much higher in the rankings?
Well, it’s a classic.
This game was, and still is, truly iconic on any platform, but this retro port feels great up on the PS3, a little like plugging in one of the best mini consoles and reliving a nostalgic corker.
It looks a lot different from MVC3, right. Well, this game did originally come out in 2000 and certainly resembles the older SF games more than anything else.
The same team fighting style is the same though, however, with players picking teams of three characters and doing their level best to defeat their opponents in timed rounds.
I’ve always enjoyed the Street Fighter II: The World Warrior the most out of any of the SF games, so for me, this feels like a familiar blast from the past with some new and exciting upgrades.
1. Mortal Kombat (2011)
Finally, Mortal Kombat takes the top spot in our best PS3 fighting games list! While Street Fighter and Tekken might be the biggest names in the business, there’s no series like Mortal Kombat for incredible characters, bad-ass moves, and of course those killer fatalities!
Who’s your favourite fighter? Mine’s Sub Zero; always has been and always will be.
Still, having the option to play as the God of War himself, Kratos, certainly spices things up a little bit!
Just look at the level design on the still above! Everything feels a little grimy and unclean, as though you need to have your tetanus jab before even entering the arena.
Play as everyone from Cyrax to Raiden. You can even recreate the classic cartoon if you still remember any of the battle!
Yes, Mortal Kombat is officially the best PS3 fighting game of all time, and long may it reign!
