The PS3 had a slow start but eventually became the winner in its generation thanks to the sheer power of its exclusive games. A big part of this was the tons of iconic fighting games that popped up on the platform. The top PS3 fighting games have become some of the best-remembered fighters since the start of the genre, still getting played at major fighting game esports tournaments.
The PS3 had fighters in every genre. There were 2D, 3D, anime fighting games, basically any type you could think of. It was even home to a platform crossover fighter. If you want to jump back into one of the best periods for the genre with fighting games for PS3, these are some of the best titles you might have missed.
Best PS3 Fighting Games
5. Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Source: Bandai Namco
This series has been a mainstay on the console, including being one of the best PS1 fighting games. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 though is a bit of a change from the normal trajectory for the Tekken franchise. Tag Tournament broke from the norm with the series by improving tag team fights, this sequel is a massive improvement on the first. It plays smoother, has a better roster, and better keeps the spirit of the original Tekken games intact. It’s an easy highlight for fighting games for PS3. There are more Tekken games on the platform, but this is one of the most fun since the original.
4. Persona 4 Arena
Source: Arc System Works
One of the best anime fighting games is Persona 4 Arena, a fighter spin-off to the RPG series. It’s a spin-off of a spin-off, but Persona 4 Arena is much more than a cash-in. It’s one of the fighting games for PS3 that features the most rewarding mechanics. If you can master the combos and moves in this game, you can completely dominate opponents. It’s still played at esports events to this day too.
3. Mortal Kombat (2011)
Source: Warner Bros Games
Mortal Kombat series has been a long one but this return to simplicity and the franchise’s roots is a highlight on the console. This is the game that brought Mortal Kombat back to its original spirit and restored the franchise’s place as one of the best fighting games.
It’s still a 2D fighter, but now its visuals show off all the PS3 can do. It manages to level up the violence in the attacks too! For a PS3 fighting game with so many characters, it’s also surprisingly well-balanced.
2. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
Source: Capcom
Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 might be the best Marvel fighting game and climax for this sub-genre from Capcom as a whole. The 3-fighter game has a great roster of characters with unique move sets and fast-paced fights. It’s the perfect combination of the Marvel V Capcom mechanics and modern visuals. Pretty much every game in the series has gone in a different (and arguably a lot worse) direction since. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 still stands as one of the best PS3 fighting games and still the best way to play the original MvC style of fighter.
1. Street Fighter IV
Source: Capcom
The last of the highlights for fighting games on PS3 has to be Street Fighter. The iconic series got its fourth mainline instalment here. This is a Street Fighter game that returns to its more classical roots, shedding the baggage it had picked up since the pixelated 2D days. It’s a game that modernised the more classic Street Fighter style of play without blunting its edges one bit. Even when Street Fighter V came out, many stuck with their PS3s to keep playing this title instead. The visuals here are particularly worthy of praise, eschewing the hyper-realistic look that many went for. Instead, it uses the PS3’s power to create a style much more stylised and uniquely Street Fighter.
Those are some picks for the best PS3 fighting games. There are tons more fighting games for PS3 though, including some from major series that haven’t quite made the cut. If you’re jumping into fighting games on the PS3, then this is just the start.