My top 10 arcade fighting games on MAME

10. Last Blade

Last Blade might be the 10th but that doesn't make it a bad game, in fact it is very good and enjoyable. Might feel slow compared to other fighting games, but it isn't once you get used to it. And the characters, stages look great, let alone the music!

9. Ninja Master's

I know, I know, people will wonder where are games like Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Real Bout Fury, Martial Masters, World of Heroes, Art of Fighting etc but making this list is not as simple as you'd think. I love those mentioned games, but this game that might be less herd of tops them in my list as I prefer the graphics, the stages, and the gameplay. Have a look at it if you've never played it - trust me you won't regret it!

8. Samurai Shodown IV

The game series that introduced swords as tools in fighting games. Maybe it should be higher on the list, but trust me it isn't easy to make a list like this with all these good games! I like to compare this version to Samurai Shodown II that has smaller characters yet cool gameplay, I like both actually, but ultimately I had to put one of them in the list.

7. Rival Schools

Who doesn't love this game, I mean it doesn't only have students and teachers from different sports that fight against each other, but also tag and combo system that will surprise you for being such an early installment. If you haven't played it, please do!

6. Kizuna Encounter - Super tag battle

After playing Savage Reign and loving it, I couldn't but love this title, as it introduced tag battle. In Savage Reign you were able to move about more freely in the stage, but still this game surpassed the first in my opinion. Also, this game is the rarest game on MAME and an original version would make you a fortune.

5. King of fighters 2000

This game doesn't need any introduction, although most people prefer kof 98, I think this one added more to the series, with improved stage graphics and better music, but I guess it's a matter of taste.

4.Street Fighter III 3rd Strike

Once Street Fighter II series started to become less attractive at the time of the 3d fighing games (Tekken 2, Bloody Roar, Dead or Alive, Virtua Fighter etc), Capcom made a complete new change in the drawings of its characters in order to let Street fighter survive the future, and it was a hit, especially that one could play online against other people around the world which was very new at those days. The game features not only new looks, but also new characters and combat system.

3. Mortal Kombat II

The game that introduced fatalities to the world. I still remember the hours I played it after school and how entertaining it was.

2. Killer instinct 2

Killer instinct introduced speed to the fighting gengre with its many combos. I personally prefer this one to the previous game, as it has better graphics and battle control IMHO. Although they removed some characters from the first installment, I still prefer this, maybe because I played this one before the first!

1. Tekken Tag Tournament

After the big hit, Tekken 3 on the PlayStation 1, this game became my favorite with all its characters from previous Tekken series especially that it has tag battle mode where you fight two against two.