Some legends throw Hadoukens. Others break spines, summon shadows, or call upon the power of friendship… and the occasional roundhouse kick. From neon-drenched arcades to the pixel-perfect battlegrounds of today’s consoles, fighting game characters have evolved from 2D sprites into fully realized icons of pop culture.
Today, we’re diving fist-first into the best fighting game characters of all time—the ones who defined genres, sparked rivalries, and inspired countless players to mash buttons until victory was in hand.
Why This List? (A Combo of Research and Pure Nerd Passion)
We didn’t just spam light punches and call it a list. To build this roster (in no particular order), we scoured fan polls, tournament rankings, esports stats, Reddit flame wars, and enough Discord debates to make even Akuma meditate. We even peeked at Displate sales data, because if your face is hanging on a fan’s wall, you’ve clearly achieved legend status.
This isn’t just a list of who hits hardest. It’s about the fighting game characters who shaped gaming history—the ones who turned arcade duels into lifelong rivalries, inspired endless cosplay, and made us all believe we could pull off a ten-hit combo.
And “why 12?” you ask? Top 10s are great and all, but with a history spanning over five decades, we couldn’t limit ourselves.
1. Ryu (Street Fighter Series)
If fighting games had a main character, it’d be Ryu. The stoic wanderer, forever chasing self-improvement, has thrown more Hadoukens than most players have had hot dinners. His simple design, iconic white gi, and pure “warrior’s spirit” made him the blueprint for fighting game protagonists everywhere.
Whether in Street Fighter II or Street Fighter 6, Ryu remains the beating heart of the genre—proof that discipline, focus, and a really solid uppercut never go out of style.
Fun fact: Ryu’s Hadouken sound effect is trademarked by Capcom (that’s how iconic it is).
Bring your favorite fighters to life — explore officially licensed Street Fighter posters at Displate.
2. Scorpion (Mortal Kombat Series)
“Get over here!” Those three words changed gaming forever. Scorpion is Mortal Kombat’s fiery antihero, a ninja turned hellspawn fueled by vengeance. His chain spear, teleport punch, and fatalities have made him both feared and adored since 1992.
Scorpion’s constant evolution—from pixelated rage to cinematic powerhouse—mirrors Mortal Kombat’s rise as one of gaming’s most brutal and stylish franchises.
Pro tip: Learn Scorpion’s combo resets in Mortal Kombat 1. Nothing feels better than chaining a spear into a flawless victory.
Bring your favorite fighters to life — explore officially licensed Mortal Kombat posters at Displate.
3. Jin Kazama (Tekken Series)
Cursed bloodline? Check. Inner demons? Double check. Killer sideburns? Absolutely. Jin Kazama is Tekken’s tortured hero—half martial artist, half devil, all drama. His quest to control the Devil Gene (and occasionally punch his dad into a volcano) has made him one of gaming’s most compelling characters.
Jin’s fighting style combines clean karate strikes with bursts of demonic energy, giving players both elegance and power in one brooding package.
Fun fact: Jin’s name translates to “benevolence,” which is hilariously ironic considering his family’s track record.
Bring your favorite fighters to life — explore officially licensed Tekken posters at Displate.
4. Sol Badguy (Guilty Gear Series)
Part bounty hunter, part rock god, Sol Badguy is a walking guitar solo wrapped in leather and fire. His gameplay screams aggression; every slash, punch, and special move feels like a heavy metal riff brought to life.
For fans of fighting games with anime characters, Sol represents the genre’s over-the-top energy: big moves, wild art, and boss-tier swagger.
Fun fact: Sol’s name and the attack name “Badguy” are a direct reference to “Bad Guy” by Queen. Freddie Mercury would approve.
5. Chun-Li (Street Fighter Series)
Fast, fierce, and iconic, Chun Li was the first female fighter to break into the genre’s all-boys club, and she did it in style. Her lightning kicks and Spinning Bird Kick made her a Street Fighter fan-favorite for players who love precision and flair.
She’s more than just a fighter. She’s a symbol of strength, elegance, and justice.
Did You Know? Chun-Li’s name means “Spring Beauty” in Mandarin, a fitting title for the queen of Street Fighter.
Fast, fierce, and iconic, Chun-Li was the first female fighter to break into the genre’s all-boys club—and she did it in style. Her lightning kicks and Spinning Bird Kick made her a Street Fighter fan favorite for players who love precision and flair.
She’s more than just a fighter. She’s a symbol of strength, elegance, and justice.
Fun fact: Chun-Li’s name means “Spring Beauty” in Mandarin, a fitting title for the queen of Street Fighter.
6. Mileena (Mortal Kombat Series)
Beauty meets brutality. Mileena is Kitana’s sadistic clone, and one of the most beloved female fighting game characters ever. Equal parts elegance and chaos, her teleport slashes and sai combos make her a terrifying opponent for anyone underestimating her pink ninja fit in Mortal Kombat.
Behind the mask? A fang-filled grin that’s become a horror icon in its own right.
Fun fact: Mileena was created using a simple palette swap. By recoloring Kitana’s outfit, she became a new character—and a fan favorite almost overnight.
7. Terry Bogard (Fatal Fury / King of Fighters)
With his red cap, denim vest, and upbeat “Hey, come on, come on!” attitude, Terry Bogard is fighting games’ original cool guy. A street brawler with a heart of gold, he helped shape SNK’s Fatal Fury and King of Fighters series into arcade staples.
He’s pure ’90s energy—a timely reminder that sometimes all you need is a good punch, good vibes, and a great hat.
Pro tip: Terry’s Power Geyser can juggle opponents in King of Fighters XV if timed right, earning you serious style points.
8. 2B (Soulcalibur VI)
Elegant, deadly, and mysteriously polite, 2B slashed her way into Soulcalibur VI straight from NieR: Automata. Her acrobatic swordplay and combat flair made her a perfect fit for Bandai Namco’s weapon-based brawler—and a fan favorite almost instantly.
Her mix of android precision and futuristic charm brings a unique sci-fi spark to the fantasy-heavy roster.
Fun fact: Players used Soulcalibur VI’s character creator to recreate the entire NieR cast within days of 2B’s release.
9. Akuma (Street Fighter / Tekken)
The embodiment of power and rage, Akuma isn’t just a character; he’s an omen. Known as “The Master of the Fist,” he’s the ultimate boss character who crossed from Street Fighter into Tekken 7 and felt right at home. His air fireballs, teleports, and the devastating Raging Demon make him both terrifying and addictive to master.
Akuma doesn’t fight for glory. He fights because destruction is all he knows.
Fun Fact: The kanji that appears after Akuma’s Raging Demon means “Heaven”, symbolizing his transcendence beyond humanity.
10. Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalkers)
Before vampires and succubi were mainstream, there was Morrigan Aensland, the queen of Darkstalkers. Confident, seductive, and absurdly powerful, she’s been both Capcom’s femme fatale and one of the most recognizable female fighting game characters in history.
Her wings morph into weapons mid-battle, and her charm masks a cunning strategic mind; she’s as deadly as she is iconic.
Fun fact: Morrigan’s sprite was reused across multiple games for years as Capcom thought she was “perfect as is.” Hard to argue.
11. Ichigo Kurosaki (Jump Force)
Straight out of Bleach and into the brawl, Ichigo Kurosaki brought his sword-swinging Soul Reaper powers to Jump Force, uniting anime universes in one explosive crossover. His fast-paced combat and signature Getsuga Tenshō blast give players that true shonen hero rush.
He’s proof that fighting games with anime characters can be just as hype as traditional fighters, especially when they let you pit Goku against Naruto and Ichigo in one arena.
Fun Fact: Ichigo’s Jump Force model is based on his “Thousand-Year Blood War” design, one of the series’ most powerful versions.
12. Kasumi (Dead or Alive)
Graceful, tragic, and lightning-fast, Kasumi is the heart of Dead or Alive. A runaway ninja fighting for her honor, she blends traditional martial arts with cinematic flair. Her teleporting counters and fluid combos make her a blast to play, or a nightmare to fight against.
Kasumi isn’t just about agility; she’s one of the genre’s most technically rewarding characters for players who love precision.
Pro Tip: Kasumi’s air throws in Dead or Alive 6 can interrupt aerial combos mid-animation, perfect for turning defense into dominance.
Choose Your Fighter. Hang Them Up.
From crowded arcade cabinets to couch rivalries that got way too serious, these fighting game characters became legends the hard way. Whether you grew up throwing fireballs in Street Fighter, yelling “Finish Him!” in Mortal Kombat, or button-mashing your way through Tekken, they didn’t just headline games — they lived rent-free in our heads.
From Ryu to Scorpion to Jin Kazama, Displate’s officially licensed metal posters bring the fighters that defined a generation straight to your walls. They’re easy to mount, tough as nails, and a serious upgrade from taping paper posters above your desk (we’ve all been there).
Looking for more hard games, tougher enemies, and the kind of challenges that test your patience and your controller? Check out these picks from the Displate blog:
