Tracing their legacy all the way back to the arcade cabinets of the 1980s, fighting games are one of gaming's foundational genres. From the early days of Karate Champ (1984) and Mat Mania (1985) to the latest iteration of modern titans like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, the basic setup has remained the same.
Focusing on a roster of unique characters, players are tasked with competing in a series of one-on-one matches, aiming to reduce the opponent's hit points to zero before the time runs out. Typically played side-on, focusing on a 2D arena of combat, play involves trading direct blows with your opponent, with an emphasis on positioning, combos, blocks and special attacks.
Over the decades, the complexity of fighting games has massively increased, with the genre developing into a gaming subculture complete with complex jargon, in-person competitions and high-profile championship players.
