1. Super Smash Bros. Melee
Platform: GameCube
US Release Year: 2001
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: HAL Laboratory
Publisher: Nintendo
Synopsis: Nintendo's smash hit brawler returns - playing as some the most beloved characters in Nintendo's history: From the Mario and Zelda series, to Star Fox and Pokemon - your favorite characters can fight it out in four-player vs. action or take things solo by testing your skill against Master Hand and Crazy Hand in Classic Mode or meet up with Giga Bowser in Adventure Mode.
2. Mortal Kombat
Platform: PlayStation 3
US Release Year: 2011
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Synopsis: Emperor Shao Kahn has finally achieved victory over Raiden and his allies after centuries of fighting, but Raiden has one more plan: to travel back in time to the first Mortal Kombat tournament and strike Shao Kahn when he is most vulnerable. Features upgraded fatalaties, 4-player tag-team combat and Co-op arcade mode to appeal to veterans and newcomers of the series alike.
3. Mortal Kombat
Platform: Xbox 360
US Release Year: 2011
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: M
Developer: NetherRealm Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Synopsis: Emperor Shao Kahn has finally achieved victory over Raiden and his allies after centuries of fighting, but Raiden has one more plan: to travel back in time to the first Mortal Kombat tournament and strike Shao Kahn when he is most vulnerable. Features upgraded fatalaties, 4-player tag-team combat and Co-op arcade mode to appeal to veterans and newcomers of the series alike.
4. Samurai Shodown II
Platform: NeoGeo
US Release Year: 1994
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: E
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
5. The King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest
Platform: NeoGeo
US Release Year: 1998
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
Developer: SNK Playmore
Publisher: SNK Playmore
6. Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower
Platform: PSP
US Release Year: 2005
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
7. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
Platform: PlayStation 2
US Release Year: 2009
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Aksys Games
8. Skullgirls
Platform: PC (Steam)
US Release Year: 2013
Overall Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Lab Zero Games
Publisher: Marvelous AQL
9. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Platform: Wii
US Release Year: 2008
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
ESRB Rating: T
Developer: Game Arts
Publisher: Nintendo
Synopsis: The ultimate Nintendo fanservice mash-up comes to Wii. Pick your favorite Nintendo character and have him/her beat the stuffing out of other Nintendo characters, and a few other cameos, such as Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog.
10. Street Fighter II Turbo
Platform: Super Nintendo (SNES)
US Release Year: 1993
Overall Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Genres: Action (2D Fighting)
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
