Fighting games, traditionally are one on one; you versus your opponent, and who ever wins, gets claim that they are better. Taken on a wider scale, tournaments start to appear, which creates questions such as “who is better better between one place and another.” Sometimes, it is easy as going to the specific area and battling the local or coastal champion; sometimes, it is hard when the revered champion has quit the game altogether. Since 1991, fighting games have had some sort of organized competition around the globe, and for many, the question still remains… who is the best fighting game player of all-time?
To be in the name of the greatest player, you have to be dominant in at least one game, or a top tournament placer in multiple games. You have to do this with aggressive competition that is wanting to knock you out of your spot. Every tournament is a day where you are challenged for your right to be able to get that top spot. The best don’t fold under pressure, they thrive in it; they’ll adapt to many scenarios as quickly as possible. Every second is trying to out think the opponent, forcing them to play your way, or to play a way they don’t like to play. Basically, you just have to win, and no one will question you, emotions aside.
Before I list the names, I want to make some notes; some players will be missing that should be on the list… I did this, because if I included all the top names, the list would be way too big. I’d rather just pick out the absolute best one, or a couple players from at least one game.
Lesser, more obscure games, while good, just don’t have enough competitive support to justify a quality placing. There are players like Cigarbob and James Goddard who are considered the best in the world at WeaponLord, but the problem is that maybe 10-15 people in the whole world take it seriously (semi), and most of them are scattered around the globe.
Players who were top tournament placers in multiple games “should” get a higher consideration than players who were dominant in one game; the ability to play multiple games is a hard task (having to adjust and adapt each time, as well as beating or at least giving the dominant player a run for their money in tournaments); players who played a game with a heavy talent pool should get more “points” than players whose games talent pool isn’t very high (example, Tomo Ohira during the height of SF2); players should get more “points” for being a top tournament placer, or dominant in a game that considerably has more depth than another game… I don’t want the focus of this thread to turn into a debate about which game is deeper, so this part should probably be ignored/overlooked.
There are going to be some big name omissions, mostly because they come from a place like Latin America, or Southeast Asia, etc… where it is hard to get in reach with the players. There is huge talent for the SNK games (mostly KOF), and they are definitely world class, but because there is a lack of available information, I can’t really put them anywhere, other than a footnote. It is especially hard for the early fighters (91-95), when the internet was limited (and not nearly as popular) compared to now.
Here are the names (list is NOT in order of rank, or alphabetical) and a few descriptions about the player (I’m not too familiar with a couple other scenes, so help out if I am missing something or made an error):
TOMO OHIRA: The best SF2 player in the western hemisphere. Played the game when its popularity was at its peak. Could Dragon Punch Chun-Li’s low Roundhouse on reaction. Lost less than 5 tournaments between World Warrior, Champion Edition, and Hyper Fighting. Never did face international competition, but was said by Kuni Funada to be on the level with the absolute best Japanese players in the world.
GIAN: Considered by the top Japanese ST players to be the best in the nation. Came to EVO in 2005 and single handedly swept teams with some of the most elite players in the world. If there was a vote to name the best ST player in the world, this guy would probably get the most votes.
MIKE WATSON: Was ranked in the top 5 in the nation for SF2 for years, considered the best SFA1 player, and possibly the best SFA3 player in the nation. Very technical, little mistakes, slowly ticks away at the opponents defense. Possibly the greatest pure Street Fighter player in the western hemisphere.
ALEX VALLE: Arguably the greatest player of all-time. Dominated the national scene in the mid 90’s to the early 2000’s; has recently made a resurgence. The greatest SFA2 player of all-time, the first US SFA3 champion, consistent top ST player, Virtua Fighter 3 national champion, always great in any SF3 game, was the best at Tekken 3 and almost became a world champion at Tekken Tag. A beast in the Marvel series from 1998 to 2002, beating players who are still at high level in that game today.
JOHN CHOI: Always consistent, always challenging for number one in a tournament. He is great at any Street Fighter game (even 3s). Was a top Virtua Fighter player in the late 90s. Could easily be considered for one of the greatest players of all-time.
OHNUKI: One of the greatest players of all-time. Any game he plays, he will be great. SF2, CvS2, SFA2, SFA3, Virtua Fighter, vampire Savior, the list goes on. He has placed very high, won national championships, or is considered the best at these games.
DAIGO UMEHARA: The choice for fan favorite fighting game player. His style of play makes people always want to watch him, even when he loses. Is one of the best in the world at ST, 3s, CvS2, Vampire Savior, and at one time the best SFA3 and Guilty Gear player. Has somewhat fallen off, but is always still a threat to take the title in any game he pays seriously.
RICKY ORTIZ: A great player at anything he takes seriously. Marvel, CvS, 3s, Tekken, etc… doesn’t need to spend a lot of time for a game to be great. Always finds a way to win, even when the odds are stacked.
BAS: The inventor of many crazy custom combos. Considered at one time to be the best SFA3, and CvS2 player in the world. His placings are sometimes inconsistent, but he is always a threat to take the title in any game he plays. Also, an excellent KOF 2002 player.
RYAN HART: The great UK champion. Proficient in games, such as Virtua Fighter, Tekken, 3s, and ST, to the point where he gives even the great players a run for their money, or even beats them.
VER: Considered the best SFA3 player in the world, in a time where the game might not be as popular as it used to be, new techniques and strategies are still learned in the game. is proficient with pretty much every character.
JUSTIN WONG: The current great fighting game champion. The greatest MvC2 player of all-time (Has not placed 1st in only 5 Marvel tournaments, all in the last few years, since the game came out in 2000). The definition of anything he touches turns to gold. Places high and wins tournaments in some games with good talent, even though he doesn’t take them seriously. He beasts in games even fighting game fans have never heard of. Could easily be considered for the greatest player of all-time.
EDDIE LEE: The first great East Coast player. At a time when fighting games in the United States were about California, he came on to the scene and became a top placer in any game he took seriously. The greatest MvC1 player of all-time, was a top SF3 placer, and Alpha placer.
KO: Considered to be the best 3s player in the world. He has the ability to use many characters at a high level. When someone mentions a character in 3s, the next best user would be considered for him.
AMIR: A beast at 3s, and at one time, the best in the nation. Is also very good at CvS2, 3s, and won an ST tournament with many great ST players in it.
TOKIDO: The king of cheap. His style of play is not liked, but it cannot be denied that he is one of the greatest players ever. Anything he touches, he will be come a top tournament placer, and even win tournaments. These include: SF2, SFA, 3s, CvS2, Virtua Fighter, Samurai Shodown. I’m not sure about this quote, but one of the good players has said that there are “4 kings” in the Japanese fighting game world, and he is one of them.
ARTURO SANCHEZ: Rose to prominence during the MvC1 era. Is very good at other games, such as the Alpha series, SF2, CvS2, 3s, and now recently, Arcana Heart.
JERON: Proficient at anything he touches. SF2, SFA, SFEX, CvS2, and other obscure games that might not get looked at as much.
MOE: Possibly the greatest UMK3 player of all-time. Played the game when the competition was still hot.
HANZO_HASASHI: The best UMK3 player in Venezuela, an area where the competition is still high, compared to other places in the world.
JASON WILSON: The greatest MK2 player of all-time, and is also proficient in other games, such as most Street Fighter games.
BUNBUN MARU: A champion in the early Virtua Fighter days. His style and personality was well liked by many people. He doesn’t play as much anymore, but he can still beast.
CHIBITA: Considered to be the greatest Virtua Fighter player of all-time. His style of play is loved by many casual players. Wins tournaments or places high where the settings are single elimination, and the tournament entries have reached 30,000 for a national tournament. Has been a beast for the last 10 years.
SANFORD KELLY: Was a Tekken player in the beginning. He is mostly known for Marvel, but he is very proficient at many fighters, including CvS2, SFA2, and other obscure games.
ZAZZAMAN: Old School UK beast. Was the best at SF2, early Tekken, and early King of Fighters before he quit. He recently has came back and wants to beat into people how good he is.
KEN HOANG: The greatest Melee player of all-time. In his prime, he was just about unstoppable. Playing a game where the tournament entrees out number other fighting games in the United States. Has probably won more money than any fighting game player.
ISAI: The greatest Smash 64 player of all-time, and is considered top 10 in the world at Melee.
KOREAN DJ: Made a splash into the Smash scene, by becoming very good and placing in tournaments rather quickly. He is considered to be top 5 in the world currently.
OGAWA: Considered to be the best Guilty Gear player in the world.
KINDEBU: Probably the best CvS2 player in the world, but is known more to be proficient at anything he touches. Fist of the North Star, Alpha 3, King of Fighters, etc…
MAGO: A natural talent, where anything he plays, he will become very good at. Has placed very high, and has won in a few SBOs.
PERFECT LEGEND: Considered to be the best Dead or Alive player in the world. Makes the most money out of any fighting game player on a per year basis.
CROW: The two time Tekken 5 world champion. Also very good in other games, such as 3s, and CvS2.
ASIANHITLER: A natural talent where he can play the game for 2-3 days and become a beast. If he gets his hands on the game, he will become a top placer, or win tournaments.
JASON COLE: Very good Street Fighter player. Utilizes Dhalsim to the fullest, even in games where the character not be as proficient. Won national championships in ST in 2001, and 2002. Very good Alpha player.
JASON NELSON: Became very good when ST came out. Consistently placed high or won tournaments in ST, A2, A3, CvS1, CvS2.
YUKINOSE: One of the best Guilty Gear players in the world.
NIGA: Has won two SBOs in two different games. Guilty Gear Accent Core, and Melty Blood.
JANG IKSU: The greatest Tekken Tag Tournament player of all-time. Rarely messed up his execution, always on point. Retired a little too soon.
QUDANS: Was considered to be the best T5 player and T5DR player in the world. Came to EVO 2005 and destroyed the competition.
MAINSTREET RYU: Probably the current best player in the world at T5DR, he’s only in his teens… I think.
ARARIO: Has been taking 1st place in national T5DR tournaments.
XIAOHAI: Won KOF98 at SBO 2007, to stake his claim as the best player in the world at the game, a game that is probably the most played around the world.
ABRAHAM: Probably the best KOF2K2 player in Mexico, which probably has the best 2K2 scene in the world.
RUU: Consistent to tournament placer in heavy technical games such as Guilty Gear, Melty Blood, and Arcana Heart.
MINT: Same as above.
STEVE HARRISON: If he plays a game, he’s probably going to be very good at it. Very good at CvS2, Guilty Gear, Soul Calibur, and other obscure games that he doesn’t even need to play.
KAORU: The world King of Fighters XI champion, won the title at SBO 2006.
JOP: Dominated Tekken Tag when it was at its peak. Still very good in T5DR.
MARN: A natural talent, doesn’t have to put a lot of time into games to get really good. Top 5 Guilty Gear player on the continent for the last few years. Has been placing well in other games such as 3s.
