The 10 BEST Licensed Fighting Games

10 Best Licensed Fighting Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re showcasing some of our favorite fighting games to star licensed characters!

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters” (1993)

Konami gave us more than a few solid beat ‘em ups during the initial boom of the “Ninja Turtles.” But it also gave us a pretty fun fighting game in “Tournament Fighters.” Although it was released on NES, Sega Genesis, and Super Nintendo, the latter had a larger roster with more varied movesets, making it the overall better version. It’s a really fun time capsule to look back on now, with a big chunk of the roster made up of obscure side characters. Although it, like many others, got a lot of comparisons to “Street Fighter II,” it still had the same polish of Konami’s other “TMNT” titles. And it was fun for fans to take their favorite turtles and duke it out against each other.

“Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4” (2016)

Yeah, it’s safe to expect a few anime games to pop up on this list. Multiple franchises make for easy transitions to a fighting game. And of the many games based on the “Naruto” universe, “Ultimate Ninja Storm 4” is the cream of the crop. The story mode is a particular highlight; although a tad short, the Fourth Great Ninja War is told with emotional weight and visual flair that makes the source material proud. It also comes with an impressive roster of over one hundred characters, including DLC. Developer CyberConnect2 outdid themselves, crafting a stylistically breathtaking 3D arena fighter that also made legions of passionate fans happy.

“Power Rangers: Battle for The Grid” (2019)

If you were to only look at the review scores of “Battle for the Grid,” you might not expect much beyond a bland 3v3 fighter, its lack of content being one the biggest points of criticism. But over time and through updates, the developers turned it into something much more. Some of the things added since launch include a full story mode, new stages, and a ton of DLC characters from across the Power Rangers’ history. More importantly, the early addition of crossplay helped build a genuine community of fans, not bound by platform, that could celebrate each update and evolution, together, while beating the snot out of each other. And isn’t that what this is really about?

“Gundam Wing: Endless Duel” (1996)

A bit of a deeper cut, since it was never officially released outside of Japan (and even then as a Super Famicom exclusive), “Endless Duel” is a must-play for any “Gundam” fan who gets the opportunity to do so. It has some of the strongest presentation of any fighting game on the system; the character sprites are phenomenal and the audio design is immaculate. Developer Natsume’s combo system got a lot of favorable comparisons to Capcom, with a well-balanced roster of unique Gundams helping the game differentiate itself as more than a clone. It’s a shame this wasn’t released in the West, yet it still managed to find a following and have a brief presence in a few eSports events.

“Melty Blood: Type Lumina” (2021)

Alright, another deep cut for you. The “Melty Blood” franchise was originally inspired by the “Tsukihime” - or “Moon Princess” - IP, which started as a Japanese-only visual novel before spinning off into an anime and manga. It developed a cult following in the 2000s, but came back extremely strong after an absence of over a decade with 2021’s “Type Lumina.” It’s another anime fighter with gorgeous hand-drawn characters. But it was also widely praised for building off of the system in previous games while also being much more approachable for newcomers. It’s too bad it didn’t make much of a splash in the West, as it’s actually a decent entry point for fighting game newbies, while still being a ton of fun.

“JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future” (2000)

It was only a matter of time before we got to Capcom; they know a thing or two about making good fighting games. An updated version of the 1998 arcade original, “Heritage for the Future” took the already-strong blend of “JoJo’s” and Capcom, and made it even better by adding eight new characters. The game looks incredible, with creator Hirohiko Araki even having consulted. And, being from the same team behind “Street Fighter III,” it also feels great to play; it has Capcom’s quick, fluid combat system with a new Stand meter, used to project each character’s fighting spirit, which also alters their moveset. This brings a ton of variety, while also making it a genuinely deep competitive fighter.

“Injustice 2” (2017)

Sometimes, you just want the spectacle of seeing larger-than-life titans of the DC universe clash against each other. “Injustice 2” gives you that in spades, building off of the solid foundation of the 2013 original. The story takes the heroes of Batman’s underdog insurgency, and pits them against a group of villains led by Gorilla Grodd and Brainiac. It brings all the fun of an over-the-top, comic event, with some great new additions to the roster like Black Canary, Doctor Fate, and Poison Ivy. There’s an abundance of other modes to dive into as well. And with a line-up of some of DC’s most iconic heroes and villains, that means there’s a wide array of fighting styles to choose from.

“Fist of the North Star” (2005)

Arc System Works is one of the most respected names in fighting games. And rightfully so. The developer has given us a few licensed gems, including a tie-in to the classic manga and anime, “Fist of the North Star.” The visuals are remarkably good, with vibrant character models that pop against each backdrop. Combat also comes with an extra strategic layer in the ‘Seven Stars’ mechanic. Certain special attacks remove stars from this meter, opening you up to an insta-kill attack should you run out. Not only does it bring an additional thrill to each fight, but it matches perfectly with the brutal, martial arts violence of its source material.

“Dragon Ball FighterZ” (2018)

Arc System Works showing off their brilliance with a license once again. “Dragon Ball FighterZ” is one of the best fighting games ever made, and certainly the best one that uses the “DBZ” license. The character animation is some of the finest we’ve ever seen, making all the difference when it comes to style, personality, and that special feeling you get when you land an awesome, ultra-powerful attack. It is fast and fluid, and its combat is deep and addictive. Plus, it allows you plenty of opportunities to unleash a wide range of power sets with an impressive, historic roster. It is everything you could want from a “Dragon Ball Z” fighting game.

“Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes” (2000)

This feels a little like cheating, since half the roster is made up of original Capcom characters. But the other half uses the Marvel license, and it’s the best fighting game of all time so…sorry, but my hands are tied. A game that defined the arcade era it released in, and a must-have at home for any fighting game fan, this was a chaotic symphony of super heroes and video game legends that remains an undisputed champion. Easy to pick up, difficult to master, and incredibly fun regardless, “Marvel vs. Capcom 2” offers a remarkably varied experience, with every character and team-up bringing untold combo potential. The visuals, the manic energy, a roster spanning the most iconic and the most obscure; it all combines for pure, unadulterated fighting game bliss.

Did we leave off one of your favorite licensed fighting games? Let us know about it in the comments, and we’ll see you next time!