If you’ve been a fighting game fan in 2017, you just might be wondering how things get any better. We’ve had so many fantastic games to satiate both the hardcore and the casual crowds; how do things get better than this?

　　Well actually, we think you’ll find that 2018 is more than a bit exciting when it comes to fighting games. We’ve got franchise revivals, new editions of fantastic titles, spiritual successors and, needless to say, Arc System Works are absolutely cleaning up. It really is an exciting lineup, we just can’t wait to see what EVO is like this year…

　　

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition (PS4, PC, January 16th, 2018)

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition is what fans and anyone holding off have finally been waiting for. One of the very best fighting games on the market is getting much more content in this Arcade Edition release, which will also be available as a free update for existing Street Fighter V players. An arcade mode is of course including, with many new endings, balance changes to existing characters, and of course, a brand new set of characters in season 3, including Sakura, Sagat and Cody. Exciting!

　　It looks like with Arcade Edition, SFV will finally have all of the single player and multiplayer content fans have been craving since launch, with a flashy new redesign to make the experience feel fresh. SFV fans are already excited about this one.

　　

Dragon Ball FighterZ (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, January 26th, 2018)

Possibly the most exciting fighting game in recent memory, Dragon Ball FighterZ is coming from Arc System Works, with the beautiful art style that’s made Guilty Gear Xrd so renowned, and it’s out this month. Amazing.

　　We already have a good idea of how this game is going to play thanks to the online beta, and we’re due to get another beta before the game comes out, for anyone still on the fence. The speedy team battle system and traditional fighting gameplay makes this probably the most exciting Dragon Ball game of all time, and we can’t wait.

　　

Fighting EX Layer (PlayStation 4, 2018)

A brand new spiritual successor to Street Fighter EX and the Japanese arcade-only Fighting Layer, Fighting EX Layer has already had a beta to whet our appetite, and there’s definitely potential for a fantastic fighter. We already love characters like Skullomania, and Arika really are doing justice to their fighting game past.

　　It still seems to be a work-in-progress at the moment, but this is definitely a fighter to keep your eyes on.

　　

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle (PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, 2018)

Arc System Works are one of the best fighting game studios there is, and with BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle they’re bringing together a bunch of their favorite franchises in a Marvel vs. Capcom style crossover feast for fans of Japanese anime and games. Characters from RWBY, Persona 4, Under Night In-Birth and of course BlazBlue are here mashing against one another with some beautifully animated special moves.

　　True to BlazBlue, Cross Tag Battle looks like it’ll be one of the fastest and technical fighting games available - great news for hardcore fighting game fans. It might only end up being niche, but fans are sure to love this.

　　

Soulcalibur VI (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, 2018)

Finally, we return to the stage of history in Soulcalibur VI, a pseudo-prequel to the Soulcalibur series, giving us the origins of beloved characters, and some brand new fighting mechanics to get into. From what we’ve seen of Soulcalibur VI, movement will be a key mechanic in high-level play, with Tekken-style wavedashing and movement pressure being essential techniques for anyone wishing to get serious.

　　Said to be a mash-up of the best parts of Soulcalibur II and Soulcalibur V, Soulcalibur VI is set to please fans, and with many members of the team that worked on the fantastic Tekken 7 working hard on the game, it’s sure to be a wonderful throwback, and hopefully a staple of competitive play once again.

　　

Honorable Mentions

While those above were our main picks when it comes to fighting games due in 2018, there are other noteworthy titles that we have to mention.

　　Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, for example, is due to be available for PlayStation 4 later this month. A console port of the arcade game, it will focus on three-versus-three combat featuring a large roster of Final Fantasy characters.

　　Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, My Hero Academia: One’s Justice and The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia are all similarly atypical fighting games that are looking to scratch the itch of anime fans (incidentally, all of them by Bandai Namco). Last but not least there's EA Sports UFC 3, due to be available on February 2nd for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.