Best fighting games on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025

Thanks to the console’s significant hardware upgrades, the top fighting games on Nintendo Switch 2 are becoming significantly more reliable and playable.

Mortal Kombat 1’s dreadful launch on the original Switch saw the console shunned when discussing fighting games. However, stable frame rates and much higher fidelity on the Switch 2 are steering the conversation in a different direction. The new handheld is already being used in Capcom Pro Tour tournaments for Street Fighter 6, suggesting the industry is ready to accept that the handheld is going to be a lucrative home for fighting game players. 

We’re going to present our picks for the top five fighting games on Nintendo Switch 2, assessing titles like Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6, so you can decide which is right for you.

Nickelodeon All Stars Brawl 2 benefits from a smoother overall experience compared to the original Switch, which struggled with inconsistent frame rates and long load times. The sequel now hits 60fps more reliably, and the controls feel slightly more responsive. These are key improvements for the platform brawler, though it’s unlikely the franchise will pip Smash anytime soon.

Despite the hardware performance upgrades, the game’s relatively low development budget is still evident. Textures and lighting haven’t improved much, and the menus and UI still feel a little clunky. Likewise, the online mode still suffers from lag.

Despite these drawbacks, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is still a much better experience on the Switch 2. It’s awaiting a specific Switch 2 overhaul, but until that, it’s still a worthwhile fighting game experience.

Dragon Ball FighterZ’s launch on the original Switch was mired by performance issues, including low-resolution visuals and consistent FPS dips during effect-heavy scenes. However, the Switch 2 has ironed out many of these quirks.

DBFZ runs smoothly at 60fps now, and load times have been drastically reduced. The upscaled resolution in both docked and handheld also adds much-needed visual clarity to the cel-shaded aesthetic.

There has been no specific upgrade for the console, and the networking infrastructure upgrade that saw a rollback netcode on other platforms hasn’t been added.

FighterZ on Switch 2 feels a little more like a clean-up job than a full upgrade, though if Bandai Namco invests in a Switch 2 patch, it could rise to the top of this list.

On the Nintendo Switch 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has received some subtle but welcome improvements. Load times are noticeably faster, with smoother transitions between menus and matches. Network play has also improved drastically, which is crucial with competitive matches, and the stable framerate at 60fps cements a glossy experience.

There has been no specific Switch 2 patch yet, which is disappointing. There have also been no texture upgrades or resolution bumps, though it’s still early days for the console.

Regardless, Smash Ultimate remains the definitive platform brawler, and no Switch 2 catalogue is complete without it.

Strive launched on Switch in early 2025, despite a launch four years prior on other platforms. This meant the game had plenty of time to be optimised for Switch hardware and launched with relatively few issues.

Due to the proximity of its release with the Switch 2, it quickly became a popular choice for fighting game enthusiasts on the console, and the smoother experience across the board was praised. Frame rates hang at 60, and the 2.5D anime visuals look fantastic in this fidelity.

Likewise, the online experience is far better thanks to the Switch 2’s networking stack. Competitive play is already responsive and dependable, unlike a few others on the console. There is also crossplay integration, meaning that this version of the game is ready for competitive tournament play.

There are some visual downgrades between the PS5/PC and Switch versions of the game, and a future patch to rectify this on Switch 2 could even position Arc System Works fighter as the best fighting game for Nintendo Switch 2.

No list of Nintendo Switch 2 fighting games would be complete without the inclusion of Street Fighter 6, which saw a native launch targeted for the console itself. It is the only current-gen fighter optimised for the console, and for that reason, it’s hard to deny it the top spot.

It does feature slightly dialled back fidelity compared to other platform variants, though the core gameplay is retained without significant compromises. Matches run at a solid and stable 60fps, and input response is excellent. Likewise, loading times are far reduced compared to last-gen systems.

This version of the game is also primed for online competitive play, crossplay included, thanks to the inclusion of rollback netcode. Though it’s slightly behind visually, there should be full parity with other versions of the game for online players.

Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch 2’s catalogue of games on launch was a disappointment. With few console exclusives, many of the games have simply been ports from the previous console with no specific cross-generational patch. This has meant that titles like Smash, All Stars Brawl, and DBFZ haven’t seen much love. Deciding on the Nintendo Switch 2’s best fighting games has heavily depended on whether or not they have seen these patches.

The exception is with Strive and SF6, which are fully ready for the Switch 2’s hardware. Network upgrades and fidelity patches have seen the game perform almost indifferent to PS5, PC, and Xbox Series versions, and crossplay has seen them tournament legal already.