2020 looks set to be a big year for video games. The launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox’s Project Scarlett has already been confirmed, and 2020 will also let us know whether Google Stadia is here to stay or just another fad destined to fall into obscurity. But what about the new fighting games of 2020? Do they look any good? Absolutely.

2020’s fighting games will have to pull out all the stops in order to compete with the likes of Samurai Shodown, Fantasy Strike and Mortal Kombat 11. Luckily, 2020 and beyond looks to be rammed with fighting game releases, so let’s take a look at some of the biggest new fighting games launching in 2020 and beyond.

Expect this list to be updated as more fighting games are announced.

New Fighting Games of 2020

Game Platform(s) Release Date One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows PC, PS4, Xbox One February 28th, 2020 My Hero One's Justice 2 PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch March 13th, 2020 Mighty Fight Federation PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch Q2 2020 Guilty Gear Strive PS4 Late 2020 Granblue Fantasy Versus PS4 TBC 2020 Metal Revolution PC TBC 2020 Punch Planet PC TBC Project L TBC TBC The King of Fighters XV TBC TBC

One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows | February 28th, 2020

Developer: Spike Chunsoft

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One

You get to play as Saitama. That’s the appeal. Next.

Okay, I guess you need a little bit more of an overview than that, so One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows is a 3v3 arena brawler based on the popular anime and manga. Considering the franchise’s incredible success over the past years, this is the first time that One Punch Man has been playable as part of a console game.

The key feature of A Hero Nobody Knows is the Hero Arrival System. If players decide to pick Saitama in their team, they must survive a set amount of time before he arrives, at which point he can end the fight in an instant. With a fully fledged Story Mode that sees you creating your own Hero from scratch, One Punch Man: A Hero Nobody Knows has the potential to be Bandai’s best arena brawler.

Granblue Fantasy Versus | February 2020 (Japan) / March 3rd 2020 (US)

Developer: Arc System Works

Publisher: Cygames

Platform(s): PS4

Granblue Fantasy is a highly successful mobile RPG developed by Cygames that I know absolutely nothing about. Granblue Fantasy Versus is a 2.5D anime inspired fighting game that’s developed in conjunction with Cy Games and Arc System Works, so it should be an absolute banger. We (as in, one of our writers jammy enough to go to EGX 2019) had some thoughts on Granblue Fantasy Versus after some brief time with the game, but suffice to say, it’s a lot of fun.

Versus also appears to be skewing towards a more accessible experience, with Skybound Arts offering special moves at the press of a button with a short cooldown, though players can use more complicated inputs for a shorter cooldown. With a fully fledged Story Mode that’ll play out like an action RPG/beat ‘em up, Granblue Fantasy Versus could be 2020’s new fighting game to watch.

My Hero One’s Justice 2 | March 13th 2020

Developer: Bandai Namco

Publisher: Bandai Namco

Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Another 3D brawler from Bandai Namco, just two weeks after One Punch Man? Either we’re being spoiled, or we’re being forced to make a decision between superheroes and a powerful bald dude. We’re not going to be make that decision for you, obviously, but unless you’re either rich or really hate one series or the other, it’ll be a tough decision to make.

The My Hero Academia series has become one of anime and manga’s biggest juggernauts in recent memory, so spin-off games were inevitable. The sequel to 2018’s My Hero One’s Justice, this version will follow the plot of Season 4, and will introduce new playable characters and features to hopefully improve the overall formula.

Mighty Fight Federation | Q2 2020

Developer: Komi Games Inc.

Publisher: Komi Games Inc.

Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Since Power Stone, there haven’t been many great 4-player isometric brawlers (Shrek Super Slam, anyone?), so the release of Mighty Fight Federation will most certainly be a welcome one when it hits early access by the end of 2019, before launching fully on all platforms next year. Seriously, this one looks like a right laugh if you have mates to play it with.

While most 3D arena brawlers can be considered button mashing affairs, Mighty Fight Federation offers high combo potential for each of its 11 characters, making it appealing to both casual and hardcore players. With a Story Mode and Arcade Mode confirmed for the game’s full release, Mighty Fight Federation has the potential to be truly great.

Guilty Gear Strive | Late 2020

Developer: Arc System Works

Publisher: Arc System Works

Platform(s): PS4

Arc System Works’ premier series Guilty Gear is making a return in 2020 after the incredible success of Guilty Gear Xrd and subsequent updates Revelator and Rev 2, and we’re happy to see it again. No fighting games look better than Arc System Works’ fighting games, and no Arc Sys game looks better than Guilty Gear. Obviously, the gameplay is fantastic as well, but seriously: look at how gorgeous this game is.

We have seen characters like Sol Badguy, Axl, May and Ky make a return for Guilty Gear Strive, with more on the way. The game’s director Daisuke Ishiwatari has already stated that Guilty Gear 2020 will be “a brand new experience for Guilty Gear”, and “a complete reconstruction of the franchise”, making it one of the most exciting new fighting game prospects of 2020.

Metal Revolution | TBC 2020

Developer: NEXT Studios

Publisher: NEXT Studios

Platform(s): PC

If you’re unsure of what the hell Metal Revolution is, allow us to educate you. Developed by NEXT Studios, Metal Revolution is a promising looking indie fighting game that boasts incredibly cool mech designs combined with real martial arts. It’s a style that’s incredibly unique to the genre right now, and one that could prove to be incredibly successful for the game.

Like other fighting games that have emerged over the past couple of years, Metal Revolution is attempting to court new players into the genre by offering simplistic controls and mechanics on the surface, along with plenty of depth for those willing to stick around. If it wasn’t on your list of anticipated fighting games before, now’s your chance to rectify that.

Project L | TBC

Developer: Riot Games

Publisher: Riot Games

Platform(s): TBC

Not much is known about Project L, Riot Games’ first foray into the world of fighting games, and that’s likely because we probably won’t see the game receive a full release until 2021. That said, we have seen brief snippets of gameplay footage that shows League of Legends characters in a 2D fighting game environment. Even at this early stage, it looks good. Real good.

What we do know about Project L is that it’s being developed by the Cannon Brothers, creators of the infamous EVO tournament, the accessible fighting game Rolling Thunder and the GGPO netcode system, often cited as the best rollback netcode in fighting games. It’s safe to say that Project L has the pedigree to be a big hitter in the genre, possibly becoming a groundbreaking new fighting game.

The King Of Fighters XV | TBC

Developer: SNK

Publisher: SNK

Platform(s): TBC

SNK have confirmed that their ever-dependable fighting game series The King Of Fighters is coming back with its fifteenth instalment, but that’s all we know right now. Seriously. All we got at EVO 2019 was the confirmation that SNK are working on the game and that it’ll be ready at some point. No roster confirmations, no story details; just a logo and a dream.

While details are scarce on what The King of Fighters XV will entail, KoF XIV was an incredibly enjoyable entry in the series that totally didn’t cause controversy because of its underwhelming graphics. Of course not. Whether The King of Fighters XV is a continuation of the mechanics shown in the previous game or something new entirely remains to be seen.

Punch Planet | TBC

Developer: Sector-K Games

Publisher: Sector-K Games

Platform(s): PC

Along with Granblue Fantasy Versus, we featured Punch Planet on our most anticipated fighting games of 2019 list. Unfortunately, Punch Planet is still in early access, with developers Sector-K Games promising that the full roster will only be playable by Q4 2020, according to the game’s official Steam page. That’s a long time to wait, but for Punch Planet, patience should be worth it.

A sci-fi 2D fighter that just oozes style, Punch Planet uses its science fiction setting to inform its gameplay mechanics, as characters can use “time-cancelling” abilities to travel back in time for a second in order to extend combos. We might be a way off before Punch Planet gets its full release, but I’m eagerly anticipating that day, as it deserves a proper release on all platforms.

MORE FIGHTING GAMES:

– 25 Best Fighting Games Of All Time

– 15 Best Nintendo Switch Fighting Games

– 20 Best PS4 Fighting Games You Should Play