7 Best MMA Games to Try in 2024

Looking for a new fighting game to play this year? Try out these seven best MMA games, from new releases to classic titles. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the fighting game genre or a complete beginner, this list includes something for you. 

1. EA Sports UFC 5

If you’re looking for the best MMA game out there today, look no further than EA Sports UFC 5. This is a 3rd person fighting game featuring real UFC pros (including both men and women). The mechanics and game design are as close to real MMA fighting as you will get in a video game. 

In fact, UFC 5 is so realistic that it’s the first game in the EA Sports UFC franchise to get an M rating for violence. EA gave UFC 5 a graphics overhaul with smoother animations, more realistic facial expressions, more varied animations and sharper graphics throughout. 

The offline Career Mode campaign got some upgrades from previous UFC titles, as well, including more developed and varied dialogue. UFC 5 also introduced a new online Career Mode where you can compete against other players online and earn points for your custom fighter (although it’s worth noting that skills built up for one fighter in offline Career Mode don’t carry over if you duplicate that character for online Career Mode). 

2. Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat is one of the most famous franchises in the fighting game genre. The latest entry, Mortal Kombat 1, launches the series into modern gaming. It features sleek, sharp graphics and an excellent story mode. As one would expect from a Mortal Kombat game, this title is very violent and makes full use of the polished graphics to literally include gory detail. 

Mortal Kombat 1 also brings new possibilities for fighters’ skills, allowing for more customization. It also has an interesting “Kameo” system, which lets you pick a second character to act as a sort of side kick you can activate in battle. This allows you to get really creative with character selection since you can strategically choose a main character and kameo character who complement each other’s strengths. 

3. Street Fighter 6

No list of the best MMA games is complete without at least one Street Fighter title. Street Fighter 6, released in 2023, is a must-play for both solo players and multiplayer fans. It puts a modern spin on a classic franchise and truly innovates the fighting game genre with a few unique features. 

First, Street Fighter 6 is a highly accessible game that’s perfect for players who are new to the fighting game genre. For example, the dynamic controls feature uses AI to simplify the timing and execution of special attacks. The game is still plenty challenging, but dynamic controls can help prevent players from getting overwhelmed by the mechanics behind the different types of attacks. 

The multiplayer mode in Street Fighter 6 is also very well done. It centers on a “hub” rather than the typical static lobby where you would wait for a match. The multiplayer hub has plenty to do while you look for a match including watching others’ matches and playing classic Capcom games at virtual arcade cabinets. The multiplayer hub feels more like the HQ of a real tournament arena rather than a text menu like many games use. 

4. Super Smash Bros Ultimate

It’s hard to create a list of the best fighting games without including Super Smash Bros. The latest entry, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, is one of the best in this classic Nintendo franchise. Ultimate is arguably the most content-heavy title in the Smash Bros series – it includes literally every character in franchise history, all of them rendered in stunning graphics. 

If you were underwhelmed by the WiiU and 3DS versions of Smash Bros, give Ultimate a try this year. The Switch is a much more powerful console, which allowed Nintendo to create a truly exceptional game this time around. You can play in portable or docked mode although, depending on your TV, the graphics might look a tad better while docked. 

As with any Smash Bros game, multiplayer is the true highlight here. However, there is also a compelling single player campaign called “World of Light.” If you have Ultimate downloaded on your Switch, you can play the campaign offline. 

5. Injustice 2

One of the best MMA games for DC fans is Injustice 2, a Street Fighter style game featuring characters from the DC universe. This is one of the most accessible games on this list since it’s available on a plethora of platforms including PS4, Xbox One, Windows, and even iOS and Android. 

Injustice 2 improves on its predecessor’s graphics and mechanics and features some amazing character customization options. It includes multiplayer as well as a surprisingly good single player campaign. Even if you aren’t a DC fan, Injustice 2 is a great fighting game in its own right. In fact, it was the IGN Fighting Game of the Year in 2017 when it originally came out. 

6. EA Sports UFC 4

If you’re looking for a more beginner-friendly alternative to EA Sports UFC 5, try its predecessor, UFC 4. Originally released in 2020, this game holds up well, even after a few years. 

The graphics and game engine are a bit dated compared to UFC 5. However, the gameplay experience is more forgiving, with a career campaign that’s a great introduction to the best MMA games, especially for new players. UFC 4 is also good for anyone with a slightly older console or PC that can’t run the resource-intensive graphics of UFC 5 well. 

One of the biggest strengths of this title is how it handles new fighting styles. The campaign creates a lot of opportunities for you to try out new fighting styles with a bit of leeway to get the hang of them. It makes customizing your play style more approachable compared to some other fighting games. 

7. Street Fighter II

Some classic games never get old. If you haven’t played Street Fighter II, now’s the time to try it. Originally released 1991, this game was one of the first true classics of the fighting game genre. It remains a pop culture icon even two decades later. 

What’s especially great about this game is that you can practically play it for free if you don’t already have it. Capcom released it for modern PCs for just $1.99 on Steam. You should definitely play it in 2024, as well, since a new Street Fighter movie is in the works with the Philippou brothers directing. 

Get in the Ring With These Top MMA Games

Whether you’re new to the fighting game genre or you’re a returning fan looking for something fresh, these top seven titles are definitely worth checking out in 2024. From new releases to classics, these games include some of the best the fighting game genre has to offer. Upgrade your experience by trying out multiplayer modes!