Summary
Fighting games require precision, concentration, and lots of training, ideally with a group. And if there’s anything that mobile gaming isn’t great at, is precision, concentration, and playing in groups. Gamepads and solo playing solved the first two issues, while online play nowadays is often just as good aslocal multiplayer.
Mobile fighting gameshave accepted thatMortal Kombat Mobilegame nights just aren’t going to happen, so it’s no surprise if the entire genre supports online play. Most also havenative controller support, and sometimes they even have great touch controls. And while a phone’s specs aren’t those of a modern console, fighting games aren’t usually very demanding and look great on mobile.
Updated June 07, 2025, by Rie Takumi:Mobile fighting games have made great strides in stabilizing connections for PvP combat. Single and PvP games are also better optimized to avoid excessive overheating and run well regardless of the OS. Gaming peripherals like fight sticks, gamepads, and anti-slip gloves are also coming out for mobile fighters to play better. As such, it’s easier to play fighting games competitively even on mobile. 5G and Wi-Fi 6, plus better netcode, also mean connections for online PvP matches are steadier and more competitive. Although all the competitive action is on consoles and PC, mobile fighting games are still a fun way to lab techniques on the go.
Free (In-app purchases)
Google Play Store & Apple App Store Ratings
4.5 (2.5K Reviews – Google Play)
Made by a small studio,Sinagis a solid mobile fighting game that uses creatures and figuresfrom Filipino mythology. Developer Ranida Games teamed up with the Cultural Center of the Philippines to create lore-representative characters, such as Alixon, the personification of a local deity.
As a 1-on-1 fighting game,Sinagis great for quick bouts. Common mechanics like comebacks and airdashes are present, along with unique implementations of Agility and Revenge. Agility is expended on air dashes, combo extenders, rolls, and reversals. On the other hand, maxed out Revenge leads to Vengeance Strikes, which can be dash canceled to extend comebacks.
$2.99
Although there was a 2019 reboot of the franchise,Samurai Shodown IIwas popular enough to still have updates up to 2022. That’s partly thanks to nostalgia, and half due to SNK’s faithful port of the cult classic. Specifically,Samurai Shodown’s difficulty is as brutal as it was on arcade cabinets.
Fans are split on this in the reviews. Yet those who appreciate the difficulty are quick to point out that it has a great training mode to offset the touchscreen controls. Thesamurai fighting gameis a solid choice for fans looking for something to chew on while commuting.
Dual Souls: The Last Beareronly has four buttons: slash, big slash, kick, and power. But the weapon-based fighter makes the most of these buttons for combo-heavy bouts. Reminiscent ofSamurai ShowdownandGuilty Gear, players need to stay on their toes to parry, clash, and capitalize on fumbles.
What’s more,Dual Soulshas rollback netcode, which helps mobile players tremendously as they can rely on immediate input even when they’re on wifi. It’s also relativelyeasy for beginnersto get into despite experts hopping on for a spell.
Mortal Kombat: Onslaughtoffers a team-based experience instead ofa straightforward one-on-one fighter. Players assemble teams of Kombatants who unleash skills via tactical RPG-like mechanics. Kombatants have Body, Mind, or Spirit Affinities that work in a rock-paper-scissor system that would give them a leg up on the enemy.
Minions work as cannon fodder for four- to five-star characters that have natural stat advantages. Kombatants are also split among classes and can equip gear and relics to improve their chances against enemy waves.
Flash Partyhas surprisingly deep mechanics for amobile platform game. Ranked players in particular get technical about class advantages and mastering at least three characters upon reaching platinum. Most fighting game fans may want to reach that rank to really get into the game.
But even unranked,Flash Partystill has a lot of fun things going for it. With a vivid color palette, clever backgrounds, and diverse character styles, it’s a great game to look at while jumping around. Basic combat is also intuitive and possible to master in minutes.
UnlikeOne Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows,One Punch Man Worldlets players fight as Saitama—at least, in the dream world, and as his non-bald, job-hunting version. His attacks, andthat of the cast, are in character and gorgeously animated even on mobile. The button layout, clear UI, and wide movement range also make combos easy to string together.
The characters and animation definitely steal the show for thisOne Punchfighting game. King’s fight sequence in particular is often cited because of how it interpreted his lack of abilities, fighting power, and Saitama’s intervention.
January 1st, 2021
Cost
Free
Tough Love Arenais a 2D indie fighting game with a unique art style and a passionate community. The game has simple art and few characters, but development is ongoing and content is growing rapidly.
Characters inTough Love Arenaare made of simple lines and single colors that make them easy to read even on small devices. Meanwhile, the streamlined controls help level the playing field between those with and without a controller. What’s more,Tough Love Arenais a web game and not an app, making it playable both on PC and mobile.
Thanks to SNK’s strategy of dumping their entire library on mobile stores,The King of Fighters ‘98is now sold for dirt cheap on Android and iOS. The historic fighting game is broadly considered the best of the original run, a consolidation of everything that worked in pre‑2000 SNK fighting games.
There is just one issue: playingThe King of Fighters ‘98with touch controls is a nightmare. That also goes forevery other SNK fighting game in the store. While a controller does fix the issue, this still highlights the work that goes behind making modern adaptations likeSkullgirlsorStreet Fighter IV CEwork perfectly on mobile.
Many games on mobile follow a freemium route, which can be pretty disappointing for players who don’t have either the time or money to invest in these titles and see a decent payoff. WhenBlazBlue RRrolled out, many people hated this game outright for being way too intrusive with its in-app purchases, something that it deserves flack for.
However, people who managed to look past this roadblock would find a fighting game with solid mechanics that can keep players entertained for hours on end. The grind can be unreal at times, butthe fighting mechanicsare solid and the art style is a thing of beauty.
$3.99
An oldie but goodie,Garou: Mark of the Wolvesis still played enough to have events and even rollback netcode. It has the same nostalgic SNK look on mobile as it had in the late 90s, though its controls have been mercifully minimized to suit phones.
Aside from being aFatal Furytitle,Garouintroduces the T.O.P. System, JUST DEFENSE, and BREAKING mechanics. These mechanics aim to refresh gameplay and introduce more complexity to theFatal Furyformula. The mobile port also has SP and FM special buttons, which give access to Special and Desperation Moves.
