The Best PSP Fighting Games

Ranker Games
Updated March 2, 2024 137.5K views 44 items
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Games don't have to be console exclusive, as long as they were released for PlayStation Portable at some point.

If you owned a Playstation Portable at any time during your life, then it's safe to say there were probably a few fighting games in your collection. With challenging combos and finishing moves to pull off, fighting games are some of the best multiplayer games you can get your hands on. Franchises like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat made the genre famous, but today there are plenty of others that are just as fun. Since some games were much better than others, we've decided to rank the best PSP fighting games of all time. 

This list spotlights the most popular and best selling fighting games that were released for PSP. While many of these games were console exclusive, we're allowing non-exclusives to be a part of the list as well. Vote for your favorite items on this poll, including Tekken 6, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and more. Vote up all your favorite video games below.

Most divisive: Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
Over 3.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best PSP Fighting Games
  • Tekken 6
    1
    834 votes

    Stepping into the ring with Tekken 6 is nothing short of a frenzied brawl wrapped in an intricate plot. Strategize your moves as you face two dozen characters, each indelible and unique, in a rock-solid fighting mechanics, with the Fate-of-the-world story stoking up the adrenaline. Since its debut, Tekken 6 has been a titan in the fighting game scene, punching above its weight and setting trends.

  • With Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, you'll be dropping hadoukens while uncovering the mysterious conspiracy of Shadaloo. The game, incredible in design with its knockout combat system, makes learning chains, combos and counters a rewarding experience. Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX has held the fighting stage with its fiery gameplay and rich story, making it a classic in the annals of gaming.

  • Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
    3
    660 votes

    Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection offers a hair-raising saga draped in a tournament of unrivaled combat. The reinvented fighting mechanisms, coupled with breath-taking visuals, elevate the thrill of every match you grapple. The game has amplified Tekken's legacy in the fighting genre, delivering a masterstroke in both narrative and gameplay.

  • Guilty Gear XX
    4
    Jul 31 2003
    160 votes

    Enter the world of Guilty Gear XX, a rush of surreal brawls enveloped in an Apocalypse narrative. The game provides an exhilarating combat experience with engaging strategies infused with vibrant animations. Guilty Gear XX's unique manga-inspired aesthetics and pulsating gameplay have made it a trendsetter in the fighting games.

  • Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
    5
    706 votes

    With Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, it's all about wielding legendary weapons in a desperate bid to seize destiny. The refined battle system with intuitive controls bows to no fighting title, while the dramatic narrative serves a visual feast. This game has etched a mythic saga in the canon of the fighting game genre, setting a high bar for its successors.

  • Thrust into the gritty underbelly of New York's street fighting scene in Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover, where your moves decide your rise or downfall. The game's intuitive yet deep combat system, fused with an engaging plot, makes every punch a thrilling experience. By introducing elements of hip-hop culture to the fighting world, this game has revolutionized the genre upside down.

  • Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai
    7
    578 votes

    Experience Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai, synonymous with high-octane battles pitting the ultimate warriors. The gameplay infused with well-executed combos and special attacks, unfolds a riveting plot. Showcasing the vibrant anime world, this game has added a fresh dimension to the fighting games.

  • In the world of Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, legendary heroes cross swords in a ravishing universe. The blend of fast-paced combat and RPG elements, framed in a rich narrative, has raised the bar for the genre. Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy with its game-changing mechanics has surely carved a niche in the pantheon of fighting games.

  • Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower brings to life a menagerie of ghastly beings nipping at each other's throat. An intense combat system embedded in a gothic narrative offers a darkly delightful experience. This game brought the morbid charm of nightmarish mythology to the forefront of the fighting genre.

  • BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
    10
    269 votes

    Immerse in BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger, a blend of fantastical warfare strung in an apocalyptic world. The gameplay, bursting with unique techniques and stunning animation, provides a foil to the rousing storyline. This title continues to hold a special place in the fighting realm, thanks to its monumental narrative and distinctive combat.

  • Get ready to unleash deadlier Jutsus in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, a tale saturated with immortal bonds. The dynamic combat cinematics paired with strategic gameplay, bring out the core essence of the celebrated manga series. Considered a fan-favorite, this title has cast a long shadow on the fighting genre, both in terms of story and gameplay.

  • Dissidia Final Fantasy
    12

    Dissidia Final Fantasy pits the iconic characters in a spectacular battle royale. Offering an innovative mix of action-RPG and fighting, within a dramatic story, has resulted in a unique gaming experience. Dissidia has expanded the horizons of the fighting genre, setting a high-water mark for future titles.

  • Engage in breathtaking battles in the spiritual world of Bleach: Heat the Soul 7, a tale about soul reapers. With a unique essence system, it provides engaging gameplay that's true to the Tite Kubo's manga, fuelling the love of fans. This title has left an indelible mark on the genre by integrating elements of the supernatural and strategy beautifully.

  • Mortal Kombat: Unchained
    14
    293 votes

    Step into Mortal Kombat: Unchained, home to savage duels and an immersive plot. Combining classic elements with novel gameplay styles, complemented by a rich narrative, keeps you on your toes. Mortal Kombat's impact on the fighting landscape is unparalleled, making it a timeless classic in the genre.

  • Fight Night Round 3
    15
    154 votes

    Transcending the boundaries of a traditional fighting game, Fight Night Round 3 takes you swinging gloves in the boxing ring. The 'Impact Punches' feature, coupled with a narrative about rising through the ranks, offers pure adrenaline rush. This game has been largely credited for introducing the visceral experience of boxing into the fighting genre.

  • Samurai Shodown Anthology
    16
    128 votes

    A brilliant homage to the historical martial arts culture of Japan, this anthology wraps the player in an intricate tale of feuding samurai clans in a distinct period-style 2D fighter setting. Each combatant has a distinctive weapon and set of moves that genuinely requires a tactical approach to emerge victorious. Its recreation of traditional Japanese culture translated into an enthralling combat system had an influential ripple effect on subsequent fighting games.

  • Fate/unlimited codes
    17

    Drowned in the rich lore of the Fate/stay series, this fighting game pits popular characters against each other in arena-style combat where strategy plays a massive role. The gameplay is a stunning mix of fast-paced attacks and the execution of special moves that require timely input, leading to an immersive contest of skills. Its seamless juxtaposition of narrative and action turned heads, carving out a solid niche in the fighting game community.

  • Guilty Gear Judgment
    18

    Draped in the continuity of the popular Guilty Gear series, Judgment brings its beloved characters into a side-scrolling action-packed beat-em-up scenario. The gameplay passionately emphasizes chaining high-octane combos and visually impressive special moves, making for a captivating spectacle. With its over-the-top combat mechanics and engaging lore, it's left a lasting imprint in the realm of 2D beat-em-ups.

  • Power Stone Collection
    19

    This compilation pulls gamers into a chaos-riddled world where players hunt for magical stones across dynamic stages. The gameplay meshes traditional beat-em-up mechanics with exploits of destructible environments and the ability to transform characters, ensuring non-stop adrenaline rushes. Its unique take on the fighting genre with an addition of pickup-and-play style made it an unforgettable contender in the arena of competitive couch games.

  • Mortal Kombat: Deception
    20
    149 votes

    This installment on the Mortal Kombat franchise serves a platter of brutal showdowns amid an intense storyline filled with deceit and revelation. Gameplay revolves around the signature visceral combat and 'Fatalities,' coupled with the introduction of interactive environments to catch opponents off guard. By advancing the narrative in creative ways while retaining its characteristic goriness, Deception marked a gruesome milestone in the series.

  • This title sends players on an adventurous exploration in a mysterious castle while battling rival ninjas in the world of Naruto. Gameplay revolves around using 'Ninja Jutsus' in strategic bouts, with emphasis on timing and selection. Its incorporation of exploration into fight-focused gameplay provided a fresh spin on the Naruto games, yielding a significant impact within the franchise.

  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes
    22

    A fast-paced fighting game submerged in Naruto's rich universe, this title is a swirling maelstrom of strategic ninja battles and adrenaline-boosting showdowns. Gameplay balances breath-taking set-pieces with nimble maneuvers while retaining the essence of the source material. It set the stage for a multitude of successful Naruto-themed fighting games, demonstrating the strength of anime-based titles.

  • This is a fighting game set in the vibrant universe of Bleach, taking players on a ghostly journey filled with mesmerizing plot twists. Every clash in the gameplay is a dance of swift sword strikes and epic energy blasts, painting an electrifying picture of Japanese supernatural lore. It's vitality in pairing combat with towering narrative elements made it an iconic installment in the Bleach gaming series.

  • WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011
    24
    170 votes

    This wrestling simulation puts players in the heart of a stunningly recreated WWE universe, taking part in dramatic rivalries and high stake showdowns. The gameplay involves executing cinematic moves, managing stamina, and playing mind games to clasp onto the championship. With its profound realism and novel story-driven gameplay, it shifted the wrestle-game paradigm, sparking a revolution in the genre.

  • WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
    25
    127 votes

    This wrestling titan pits players in the thriving universe of WWE, allowing them to take part in classic rivalry stories and explosive fights. Gameplay centers around grapples, holds, and thrilling techniques that require careful strategy and timing. Its innovative inclusion of various match modes and a robust story-driven career mode were groundbreaking, influencing future WWE games and sports simulations alike.

  • Bleach: Heat the Soul 3
    26
    77 votes

    This game seizes players with its compelling narrative centered around spiritual warriors, serving intense battles amid a captivating storyline. Gameplay involves orchestrating swift and sleek combos, accompanied by dazzling Soul Reaper abilities that embody the spirit of the Bleach series. With its entrancing fusion of narrative and combative elements, it played a pivotal part in shaping the direction of anime fighting games.

  • Set in the thrilling Marvel universe, this game dives into a cataclysmic battle where heroes and anti-heroes clash in a storyline ripe with conflict. Its gameplay puts a spotlight on each character's unique abilities and super moves, leading to strategic, high-powered showdowns. The enticing twist of pitting familiar superheroes against new, strong rivals left an indelible mark on the superhero gaming community.

  • This game splendidly merges the worlds of Ys and the Legend of Heroes series, leading players on a dramatic crossover quest filled with unexpected twists. Gameplay focuses on switching characters mid-battle and chaining powerful attacks in rapid-tempo clashes. This mash-up of distinct game universes not only stirred a buzz in both fandoms but also played a role in boosting the trend of creating crossover games.

  • Bleach: Heat the Soul 5
    29
    61 votes

    Evolving the story of spectral fighters in a world teetering on the edge of chaos, this title is all about unleashing awe-inspiring abilities in fierce battles. Gameplay involves timing intricate combos and special attacks, elevating the combat to visually stunning heights. It solidified its place in the gaming sphere with its dramatic storytelling and captivating gameplay, becoming a benchmark in the anime-gaming subculture.

  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja goes strong on the Naruto lore, placing you bang smack in the middle of gripping story arcs and exhilarating confrontations from the beloved anime/manga. With its skill-based combat dynamics and immense strategic depth, the gameplay provides both the familiar and the unexpected. Its release not only encouraged other anime-inspired games but also bolstered the commercial success of the Naruto brand globally.