Top 10 Forgotten Fighting Games

Monster fights are a fairly common premise in film, made notorious by the “Godzilla” series, but “King of the Monsters” was really the first game to capitalize on the concept. “King of the Monsters” was basically a wrestling game – where power wires encircling the city acted as the ‘ropes,’ and you had to pin your opponent for a three count to win. Even today, it’s really satisfying to stomp your way through cities while dueling with another monster – plus the graphics and sound are still pretty cool.

#9: “Battle Arena Toshinden” series (1995-97)

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With the success of Sega’s “Virtua Fighter” game, developers clamored to capitalize on the emerging 3D fighter genre. “Battle Arena Toshinden,” though not as fondly remembered as “Virtua Fighter,” deserves credit for introducing one of the genre’s most important innovations – the sidestep. These were the first games to TRULY allow you to move around in the 3D arena. The best in the series is “Toshinden 3,” which refined the 3D weapons combat of the prequels while introducing a huge playable roster and improved gameplay and move execution.

Most fighting games are about over-the-top characters dueling it out in fantasy universes and throwing fireballs, but not “Bushido Blade.” In fact, the gameplay in “Bushido Blade” may seem confusing or awkward at first – but this is meant to replicate a realistic sword fight. One quick blow to the head can end a fight immediately. Strike an opponent in the leg and they’ll go down. Hit their arm and they can’t use a weapon. Once you get the mechanics down, “Bushido Blade” can be one of the most rewarding experiences of all time.

#7: “Time Killers” (1992)

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In the early ‘90s, there was nothing hotter in the arcades than “Mortal Kombat,” and dozens of clones started to surface. “Time Killers” separated itself from the pack with its unique story, gameplay, and ludicrous amount of blood. Fighters from across history are gathered together by Death himself to duel over immortality. You can attack with each individual different limb, and chain together strong attacks which actually tear the arms off of your opponent. It’s pretty gross, but also pretty funny to witness an armless Viking trying to headbutt you to death.

#6: “Power Stone” (1999)

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One of the Dreamcast’s best titles, “Power Stone” is an innovative fighting game that blends traditional mechanics with an open, ‘arena’ style concept. Players can navigate through levels, collecting “Power Stones” and hitting each other with weapons and objects lying around the stage. If a player collects all of the “Power Stones,” they transform into a super-version of themselves and the real fun begins. “Power Stone” is cartoony, fast-paced, and a lot of fun to play, even today. This is your perfect party game, and its frantic insanity is reminiscent of games like “Smash Bros.”

You either love the “Clayfighter” series or you hate it – a lot of people critique “Clayfighter” over its derivative gameplay and design, yet, this game was meant as a tongue-in-cheek parody of the fighter genre. Most fighting games take themselves way too seriously, and you definitely can’t say that about “Clayfighter,” which blended funny stop-motion style characters with silly stages and sound effects. This game gets by on its charm and humor – I mean, who wouldn’t wanna beat up an evil snowman while playing as Elvis?

Combining wrestling gameplay with more traditional fighting game mechanics, Capcom’s “Saturday Night Slam Masters” is one of the storied publisher’s least known series. It’s a shame, because “Slam Masters” is an extremely fun brawler with vibrant graphics, a cool aesthetic, and simple yet satisfying gameplay. “Slam Masters” was also one of the first fighters to offer 4-player matches, which was bad-ass at the time. It also features some of Capcom’s iconic characters as playable fighters, like Mike Haggar and Cody from the “Final Fight” series.

SNK ranks as one of the most legendary developers alongside Capcom. Though most well known for their “King of Fighters” series, they also published the excellent “Fatal Fury” series, with “Garou” being the unofficial fourth entry. “Garou” is simply put, one of the most polished 2D fighters ever made, with awesome character design, beautiful graphics, deep and complicated gameplay, and some of the coolest special moves ever seen. “Garou: Mark of the Wolves” is a dream-come-true for fighting game fans, and stands the test of time as a true classic of the genre.

Dinosaurs and giant apes beating the crap out of each other, using amazingly gory finishing moves, and eating human worshippers mid-battle to restore their health: what’s not to like? “Primal Rage” is pretty simplistic by today’s standards, but in 1994, it took the foundation of one of the most popular fighters ever, “Mortal Kombat,” then blasted it into the prehistoric age and somehow made things even gorier. I mean, one of the fatalities even involves you taking a pee on your downed foe. Monkeys peeing on dinosaurs? What a world we live in. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Rival Schools” (1998) “Eternal Champions” (1993) “The Last Blade” series (1997-2001) “Star Gladiator” (1996) “Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls” (1994)

#1: “Bloody Roar” series (1997-2003)

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Despite never gathering the following that other 3D fighters, like “Tekken” and “Soul Calibur” did, Hudson’s “Bloody Roar” series was consistently awesome throughout all of its entries. These games rock because they take fundamentally sound fighting mechanics and combine them with lots of innovative ideas, most notoriously the ability to transform each character into a ‘beast’ version. These games are so stylish, and it’s a shame that we may never see a version on current consoles, because seamlessly switching from human to animal to lay a beat down is so damn satisfying. Chances are due the nature of this list that we’ve forgotten a few of your favorite’s, so let us know which of your favorite fighting games don’t get any more love, and For more butt-kicking top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.