Oh boy, my favorite fighting games? That is a tough one, since I have played/own lots of fighters. In no particular order.
Tatsunoko vs Capcom: UAS
This is probably one of the best Vs. Games in the series. It fixed many problems the series had. Really solid game mechanics, especially how Baroque and Mega Crush work. The cast of characters has a good variety to it. I still play this from time to time.
Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold
This is definitely one of the best entries in the SF series. It feels like SF and gives you enough to experiment with the system. This is a game which the Custom Combo system was tied so well to the system. Now if only we get this game w/ online for PSN/XLA that be great.
Street Fighter EX2+ (PS1)/Street Fighter EX3
The EX branch in SF is definitely the underdog in the series. I feel the same way I do just like in SFA2G. Plus the cast of characters is a little more diverse. In some ways, I think EX2+ is what SF4 should have been. EX3 at first I didn’t really like, until I actually bought the game a couple years later. Oh boy am I glad I did. Same diverse cast as EX2+ (sans Hayato from PS1 ver). The game system in EX3 is really great, love the tag system.
Soul Calibur (DC)
I played a little bit of the arcade version, then when game was coming to the DC I was sooo excited! I love this game so much that I’ve reset the game multiple times to make a complete save. Cast of characters was decent. The game was just so good with excellent 3D combat system. Plus a well timed GI would give the patient player to punish back.
Soul Calibur 2 (GC)
I definitely played the arcade version first and when I heard it was coming to all 3 consoles, I almost crapped my pants. I first got the GC port first and PS2 port later on, and I still love playing the GC version. Solid game engine and really good diversity of cast.
Tekken 3 (PS1)
I love Tekken 3 on the PS1. This is the entry where it really started to pick up as it was really 3D movement now. Tekken Beach Ball was really fun to play and still is!
The King of Fighters 98/UM, 2002/UM, 2000, XI, XIII
I love playing the KOF series overall, very solid games. 98 and 2002 are very solid games (UM versions even more so). Out of all the games to use the Striker system, 2000 was the best one. I loved that you can decide how to use your meter (even spending it to make Striker tokens). XI had a really good diverse cast and one of the best tag systems ever made. I love KOFXIII, it is a honest solid fighting game with no bs mechanics this gen. XIII plays like 2002UM, but controls are much smoother and system is more refined. The system just simply gives you lots of room to experiment.
Garou Mark of the Wolves
Garou is a very solid fighting game all round. The cast is very solid and diverse cast, not 1 or 2 characters that play exactly the same. System is simple, but is very deep.
Fatal Fury Special
FFSp is a solid fighting game with a great cast of characters. Has a pretty flexible combo system.
Real Bout Fatal Fury 2
This game to many is considered the last true Fatal Fury game. Good sized roster that all play different. Love the game engine, with chain combos, feints, back/foreground shift, etc. Definitely one of the best FF games ever!
Fatal Fury Wild Ambition
This underrated gem gets a lot of disrespect all over, and I don’t know why. I love this game, as it simply uses a revision of the RB engine. I love the energy meter in this game for a couple reasons: 1. the supers 2. the stun attack move 3. factors in dizzy. When you take in hits, your meter gets lower and when you get knocked out when you are at the lowest, you become dizzied. The meter does regenerate to a middle point at points when you are not doing anything, so meter management is very important in this game, and I like it!
Samurai Spirits 0 Special/Samurai Spirits Tenkaichi Kenkakuden
SS0Sp brings the series gameplay back to it’s pure essence, solid clear hard attacks. To make the point clear, the Sword meter manages your possible damage output. Constantly spam your attacks, then your meter goes down and so does your damage. The Mu no Kyouchi (aka Slomo mode) can help you get out of a binned or expose your opponent and deal some serious damage. You only gain meter by taking damage. For SS0Sp, you have to decide if you want to enter Rage or consume your meter during meditation (and helping your Slomo mode). SSTK is also a very solid game in the series. Both being able to select any character (that appeared in the 2D games) and selecting your spirit, which changes some game mechanics. There is so much diversity it is crazy.
Super Dragonball Z
I really love this game! Compared to other DBZ games, this focus on a more manga style, and I dig it. Really solid game engine and the character customization is one of the best there is in the genre. Needs more love man!
Dragonball Z Shin Budokai Another Road
I love Dimps Budokai series! Aside from SDBZ and HB, the Budokai series are very solid games. Although some other entries are good too (like B3 and IW), I still think that SBAR is the overall best entry in the series. Good solid cast of characters (most of the important or popular characters) and huge improvement to the game system. Man I really hope Dimps makes a new Budokai game soon!
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core
This is probably one of the best entries in the GG series. The cast of characters are completely different from one another not only in looks, but also in moveset as well. The game leaves lots of room for experimentation. Meter management in this game is VERY important, since it can make the difference in surviving or being dominated.
Vampire Savior
The cast in VS is diverse in both there looks/personalities and their movesets. Game is pretty fast and flexible.
Melty Blood Actress Again
Good variety of characters that have different movesets depending on the Moon Style chosen. I love the Jump/movement system, flexibility in the combo system, and how the meter system works. Overall very solid game.
Arcana Heart 3
Examu definitely hit a home run with this one. Very huge vast selection of character choices by selection the character and the Arcana, creating a healthy diverse game where pretty much all the characters can kick ass. Love that homing and supers (can whatever else) are all handled in one meter, making you think on how you should use it.
Bloody Roar 3/Primal Fury/Extreme
BR is actually a pretty solid game series (sans 4). The best entry is a tie between 3 or Primal Fury (Extreme). Interesting use of meter manage. Do I want to stay in Beast mode and continuing to use my improved abilities or do I want to use my Beast Drive (possibly from a combo). Hyper Beast Mode is general a last ditch move kinda deal, in 3 you can only do it once and you can’t enter beast mode for the rest of the match (I believe so, its been a while since I played 3). While in PF/Extreme, you can use HBM any time, but will consume Health based on how full the Beast meter is.
Naruto Shippuden Clash of Ninja Revolution 3
By the people that brought us Bloody Roar. CONR3 is the 10th overall entry in the Gekitou Ninja Taisen/Clash of Ninja series. We have a decent sized roster of characters from begin of Shippuden to end of Rescue Gaara arc (and more). Meter management is pretty decent: should I save for KnJ (teleport) or other stuff (combo cancel, Explosive Tags, Supers, etc)?
Naruto Shippuden Narutimate Accel 2
Out of all the entries in the Narutimate/Ultimate Ninja series, NA2 is the best one so far. Gameplay is similar to Smash, but evolves it to its own game entirely. Game is great in simulating the Naruto series. Very solid gameplay and characters play completely different from another. Plus screw what everybody else says, the Support system is not as bad as some make it out. I’ve gotten quite used to the system.
There is still some other games I’ve yet to list, but this is enough for today.
