Fighting game

Fighting games are a specialized subgenre of action video games.

In these games, two or more characters engage in combat. Most traditional matches feature one-on-one battles between fighters. Players use rapid sequences of button presses and joystick movements to execute moves. These inputs trigger special attacks, which are often called secret moves. These attacks go beyond basic punches and kicks to show a character's unique personality. Some games even include taunts, which are animations that can add humor or improve attack strength.

Combat mechanics rely on a balance of offense and defense. Players must master blocking to protect themselves from basic attacks. Some advanced titles offer more complex defensive tools. For example, Street Fighter III features a technique called parrying. A successful parry allows a player to counter-attack immediately without being stunned. Other games, like Garou: Mark of the Wolves, use a "just defended" state for similar timing. Players also use grappling or throwing to bypass an opponent's block. In some series, like Dead or Alive, players have a dedicated button for these takedowns.

Strategy in fighting games involves complex mental games. Players often use "countering," which means predicting an opponent's moves to strike back effectively. This requires understanding the height of blows, such as low attacks or jumping attacks. This strategy is similar to the game rock-paper-scissors. Different play styles have emerged from these interactions. "Zoning" is a defensive strategy where a player uses low-risk attacks to keep an opponent away. Conversely, "rushdown" is an aggressive style intended to overwhelm the opponent with fast, confusing setups.

Another layer of skill involves positioning and pressure. "Spacing" is the act of staying at a distance where your moves have the highest reward and lowest risk. This leads to "footsies," where players jockey for position using low-commitment moves. Once a player finds an advantage, they can apply "pressure." This limits the number of viable moves an opponent can make. A player might force an opponent to guess between blocking high or low. They might also trap an opponent in a corner to minimize their escape options.

Winning a match usually depends on depleting an opponent's health. Health bars were first introduced in the 1984 game Yie Ar Kung-Fu.

A player wins by reducing the opponent's health to zero, resulting in a knockout. Matches typically consist of a set number of rounds, often three. If a score is tied, a final round decides the winner. Some games, like Virtua Fighter, offer a "ring-out" victory by forcing a character out of the arena.

The Super Smash Bros. series uses a different system. Instead of health bars, players aim to increase damage counters to knock opponents off the stage. Players in that series use a set number of lives called "stocks."

The history of the genre shows a steady evolution of mechanics. Heavyweight Champ in 1976 was the first game to feature fist fighting. However, Karate Champ in 1984 established the one-on-one genre in arcades. Capcom's Street Fighter introduced special attacks in 1987. The 1991 sequel, Street Fighter II, refined many conventions and popularized combos. Combos are chains of attacks that are fundamental to the genre. This game is considered to have standardized the genre. Because of this success, fighting games became a dominant force in arcades during the early to mid-1990s.

Fighting games are distinct from other action genres like beat 'em ups. In a beat 'em up, a player fights many computer-controlled enemies at once. While both genres use health bars, beat 'em ups do not typically use separate combat rounds. The genre is also different from sports-based combat games. Games focused on boxing, wrestling, or mixed martial arts (MMA) aim for realistic models. Fighting games, however, often use highly exaggerated or fantastical martial arts techniques. Even as graphics moved from 2D to 3D, the core spirit of the combat remains.