5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games to Have on Your Radar in 2019

While most of the big names of the fighting game genre are focused on post release support and DLC this year, there are still plenty of great new fighters on the way. These are the five best upcoming fighting games to have on your radar in 2019.

5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2019

Shovel Knight Showdown

Given the popularity and success of Shovel Knight since its release, it isn’t surprising developer Yacht Club Games would want to apply the property to a new genre.

Enter Shovel Knight Showdown, a Super Smash Bros.-esque fighter starring Shovel Knight and the other knights he takes on throughout the original game.

In addition to boasting the series’ retro style and aesthetic, each knight has their own move sets with minor variations or quirks to help them stand out.

While Shovel Knight has his trademark downward shovel drop, other characters like Shield Knight can use projectile attacks that act as a double-damage dealing boomerang.

Admittedly the roster may come off as small to fans of more traditional fighters, and aside from a few gameplay trailers there hasn’t been much promotional material to help give people a glimpse of what it has in store.

For fans of the series and fighters though, it’s likely to be a fitting addition to the property and well worth taking a look at.

5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2019

Granblue Fantasy Versus

Based on the popular mobile game and brought to life by the ever talented Arc System Works, Granblue Fantasy Versus is an anime fighter well worth taking note of.

Packed with a roster full of characters that would make any fantasy anime fan blush, the game drips with style thanks to its fluid animations, popping color palette and a stellar soundtrack.

That’s to say nothing of the gameplay itself, with combos and mechanics reminiscent of other Arc System Works titles.

From what’s been shown in the game’s most recent trailers, combos appear to be just as fluid and chain-able as those in Guilty Gear, BlazBlue or Dragon Ball FighterZ, with elements of Granblue’s design and story thrown in for style and substance.

Granted, it still hasn’t received a Western release date or window, so it’s still unclear if fans outside of Japan will be able to get their hands on the game this year.

All the same, it shows plenty of promise as a fighter that could appeal to more than just fans of the Granblue Fantasy series.

5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2019

Them’s Fightin’ Herds

For those that are put off by the My Little Pony art style and fandom, Them’s Fighting’ Herds probably isn’t a title that’s up your alley. For everyone else, it’s a title that is well worth taking a look at.

Currently available in early access, the game pits players against one another as a variety of different four-legged fighters. Some like Tianhuo and Oleander are inspired by mythical animals, while those like Arizona and Pom are based on farm variety critters.

Each combatant’s move sets reflect their inspirations as well. Whereas Oleander can bombard opponents with attacks utilizing dark magic and otherworldly monstrosities, Pom brings in a variety of herding dogs to rend, tackle and bowl over her enemies.

As such, each character sets themselves apart both in their design and abilities, fleshing out an otherwise limited roster with plenty of flavor and variety.

Though it still doesn’t have a firm release date outside of its 2019 release window, there’s plenty of reason to keep on eye out for news on it and to hope this fighter comes out sooner rather than later.

5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2019

Kill la Kill The Game: IF

A title long since overdue considering the popularity of the anime its based on, Kill la Kill The Game: IF looks to be an over-the-top anime arena fighter in all the best ways.

Developed by APLUS and starring the anime’s main cast as combatants, IF offers spot-on character designs along with silky smooth animation.

Fans of the series will be just as satisfied with it as Naruto fans were with Ultimate Ninja Storm and the like, while newcomers will have plenty to keep them visually entertained as both players and viewers.

Likewise, each character’s move set that has been shown so far seems to be fairly accurate recreation of their moves from the anime, adding an extra layer of authenticity to whichever clash players want to put together.

There’s still a lot we haven’t seen of the game yet – namely more of its roster members, stages and story elements – but considering the game still has a broad release window of 2019, we’re sure to see more as the year progresses.

5 Best Upcoming Fighting Games of 2019

Mortal Kombat 11

The long awaited next entry in the Mortal Kombat series, Mortal Kombat 11 looks to be just as bloody and visceral as fans could hope for.

Set after the events of the last game, players can take the role of series mainstays like Johnny Cage and Raiden as well as newer combatants like Cassie Cage and D’Vorah.

Each is host to their usual array of bone crunching blows and organ popping punches, making combat a bloody and violent affair that’s still just as hard to watch as it is to turn away from.

Likewise, the game’s story has plenty to offer to longtime fans. Picking up after the events of Mortal Kombat 10, 11 sees the cast dealing with the fallout of Raiden’s turn to more malevolent means and subsequent vie for control of all the realms.

How the series’ main cast overcomes this, and the fights they’ll encounter along the way to doing so, are sure to be a blast.

As such, each new bit of news we get about the title between now and its Apr. 23 release will make the wait for it that much more bearable.