Fighting Games of 2023
Fighting games have been a staple of gaming for four decades now (yes it was painful to type that), and a cornerstone of some of the hypest gaming moments. From the first haddoken in Street Fighter, the Daigo parry in the 2004, to the Free MVC2 movement. Looking back there was many a hype moment, and amazing games. But what about the future? Well let us get down to what’s in-store for fighters in 2023.
DLC seasons are still going for Guilty Gear Strive & King of Fighters 15, both of which at this time of writing have a new character or news in general. Guilty Gear Strive being into its second season pass has seen its most recent roster update with series mainstay Ky Kiske’s son Sin. Personally, I am hoping Slayer & Dizzy return this season. King of Fighters seeing its roster grow with full teams will be seeing a line of single characters introduced that started with Shingo Yabuki returning, series classic Kim Kaphwan & making her second showing from the prior entry Sylvie Paula Paula. Unlikely, but my dream pick would be in favor of Alba Meira making a return. Skullgirls 2nd Encore is also receiving character support, but sadly I need to play the series still so can’t say much other than stay tuned for Marie & Black Dahlia.
Several games such as Dragon Ball FighterZ & Samurai Shodown are getting rollback netcode updates. Ports are also a big part of fighting games, just the modern one being from one console to another instead of from cabinet to home. Switch will see the release of DNF Duel, while PS5 & Series XlS will have ports of Dragon Ball FighterZ, while only the series family will currently see Skullgirls 2nd Encore. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is a massive update for the game with rollback netcode, crossplay, and new content. Again a series I still need to play, but one I’ve heard great things about.
Street Fighter 6 being not just the release of the new entry, but Capcom recently announcing Capcom Cup X will not only be the new entry’s first major, but a 2 million prize pool with 1st receiving 1 million. That is a serious prize that shows they aren’t joking & how serious Capcom is taking their game.
Tekken 8 is sadly still TBA, but with every new character reveal trailer adding to the hype it is already off to a good start.
And finally the big stage of the year. Evo. Running from the 4th to the 6th of August. The lineup of tournaments over those days being Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, The King of Fighters XV, Tekken 7, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Melty BloodL Type Lumina, Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate, and finally Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3.
The year is off to a good start with events, news, and of course the games. Catching hands in 2023 is lookin’ real good.
