Thanks to the explosive growth of esports, fighting games have gained significant popularity in recent years. Even long-established franchises have shown a colossal leap in quality across all aspects: narrative, graphics, gameplay, and, most importantly, competitive play. Their events have turned into real spectacles, and online competitiveness is becoming increasingly functional and engaging.
However, this new surge in popularity has also allowed for the emergence of new fighting games that stand out for various reasons—from ingenuity to visual design. Below are five games not to be missed in 2026.
Invincible VS is based on a comic book and animated series known for its brutality. It transforms characters into a 3v3 fighting game with a character-swapping system, following the models of Capcom's VS series. This results in fast-paced and intense gameplay focused on combos and character switching during combat.
Unlike similar titles, Invincible VS offers a simplified control mechanic, using button combinations instead of complex commands like quarter-circles. This is an attractive point for casual players, but the game also includes more advanced mechanics such as combo interruption and even 'counter-interruptions,' which engages more experienced and competitive players.
Developed by Arc System Works—the same studio that created GUILTY GEAR, Blazblue, and DRAGON BALL FighterZ—this game is the spiritual successor to Capcom's VS series. According to the available information, MARVEL Tōkon's gameplay is characterized by speed, dynamism, and great variety, typical of Arc System Works' productions.
The game features a large roster of characters: from classic heroes like the X-Men and Avengers to popular but rarely seen in fighters, such as the Green Goblin and Blade. All are rendered in a stylized manner, possessing grand and impressive special attacks—a kind of 'calling card' for the VS series. This is an ideal option for fans of Marvel vs. Capcom who have been waiting for a worthy successor.
The game is scheduled for release on August 6th, but it can be pre-ordered now.
Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is a 2D fighter featuring characters from the Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra series. Currently, 12 characters are available, and each has three supporting strikers, increasing gameplay variability.
The main feature of the game is its visual design: it is entirely hand-drawn and possesses a unique quality that perfectly conveys the aesthetic of animated series. Regarding mechanics, the key difference is the Flow System, activated by the Flow button. This mechanic allows for automatic dodging, cancels, reversals, dashes, and aerial dashes. This is an interesting way to translate the concept of martial arts seen in the series into functional and dynamic gameplay mechanics suitable even for competitive players.
The release date for Avatar Legends is set for July 23rd, and the game is also available for pre-order at present. However, information regarding early access, even for the Deluxe edition, is currently unavailable.
Rivals of Aether II is a fighting and platformer genre that gained fame thanks to Smash Bros. In the second project, Rivals of Aether abandoned pixel art, presenting fully three-dimensional graphics in a Cel Shading style. This element highlights the characters, who have diverse and very interesting designs.
The gameplay is similar to Smash Bros.: the goal is to knock opponents off the stage, with each hit increasing the distance the character is thrown. Furthermore, every fighter has their own special attacks, which are as varied as the characters themselves, along with normal and strong attacks designed to knock opponents away. These elements make the game highly appealing to Smash Bros. fans, especially those without access to the Nintendo Switch.
Rivals of Aether II has already been released, and free DLC was issued on April 7th of this year. It added a new mode with 20 items to use in battles, new locations, and even a new character. Additionally, a new character is scheduled to be released on August 4th.
The main fighting game series from Arc System Works, which is the seventh game in the series (not including enhanced versions and spin-offs), is releasing with Season 5. This time, GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- brings back Robo-Ky—a robotic copy of Ky Kiske, the second most significant character in the game's history.
Robo-Ky is a comical, overly eccentric character who uses cartoon rockets, jet strikes, and various gadgets (including a Segway) in his attacks and movements. These traits not only make the character funny but also strongly distinguish him from Ky Kiske, leaving only a visual reference and making him truly unique.
The character is already available for purchase, and those who do not own the game itself are offered the GUILTY GEAR-STRIVE- 2.0 Starter Edition. This version includes the full game and all characters from five seasons, including two characters not yet announced for the latest season.
