Fight scenes aren’t complete withoutan epic soundtrack. Throwing punches feel so much better with the right music in the background, and it might be the reason why you’re immersed in the fight. These tracks have diversity in sound, and others are classics that make you feel like the main character who’s confidently walking to their next fight.
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Music aside, these fights wouldn’t be complete without the loud crashing and explosive punch moves — most of which defy the physics of the human body. These games feature the best sound design based on sound effects, soundtracks, as well as voice acting.
10King Of Fighters ‘96
For those invested in theKing of Fightersseries, the soundtrack of King of Fighters ‘96 issomething that will take you back. The opening theme gives you a feel of a 90s arcade, and no one theme is alike. There are notable fusions of Rock and jazz that you can notice in Arashi no Saxophone 2, and the classic Esaka theme blends electro elements with the sound of wind instruments.
However, what really makes it feel like a game from the ’90s is the synthwave sound effect on the character selection screen, and the K.O. announcement you get whenever somebody gets defeated. The punches and kicks have a strong and explosive quality to them, too, which isn’t realistic but adds to the overall fun feel of the game.
9Tekken 7
you’re able to’t go wrong withTekken 7’ssound effects and background music. The Beginning of the End started off with some electric elements that smoothly blended with orchestral and opera music. Heat Haze Shadow will make you feel like you’re revisiting your old arcade in the present, with elements of modern electro-pop in its beat.
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There’s also good attention to detail in this game that makes you feel as if you’re really in the place you’re fighting since the environment often has sounds that correspond to it. You can hear the noise of the marketplace in Souq, and the sound of the wooden planks in the Mishima Dojo breaking apart when somebody hits the floor hard. You also can’t talk about Tekken 7 without mentioning its great voice-acting cast, and the often brutal Rage Art sound effects that vary per character.
8Street Fighter 5
Every fighter inStreet Fighter 5has their own theme, which also synergizes with their personality and history. Karin’s Theme in particular is loved by many, and it sounds both classy and chic — and we can’t expect any less from the head of the Kanzuki Zaibatsu. The music for the locations is often influenced by the local sounds. You’ll hear acoustic guitars sing, accompanied by electric guitars when you finally set foot in the Flamenco Tavern in Spain.
The weapons used by some of the characters also make sounds that they would probably make in real life. It’s also worth mentioning that Street Fighter 5 has the most iconic fighting game lines that most people can recognize — you can insert Ryu shouting ‘hadouken!’ in his Critical Art now, if he hasn’t been throwing that line in almost every punch.
7Skullgirls
Skullgirls’ pieces are criminally underrated for a fighting game, and it might be because it features tunes that aren’t often associated with the genre. you’re able to hear different genres from Jazz to gothic music take over the soundtrack, which is great if you want to beat anybody up with sophistication.
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But let’s not forget that Skullgirls also features an absurd amount of weapon transformations, and the sounds don’t disappoint in that department either. Umbrella’s Hungern, for instance, spits out eyeballs, and you can hear the slimy sound in several other attacks she has, which are surprisingly suitable for a weird living weapon.
6Super Smash Bros Ultimate
It’s not a surprise to seeSuper Smash Bros Ultimatehere, especially if you’re a fan of the playable characters in their roster. If you fly to the screen or out of the arena, at least you went out with something extraordinary playing in the background. There’s a lot of care put into the sound department of this game from its OST up to the movement of the characters.
This huge roster has unique attacks that will involve all sorts of weapons and skills, and you can expect some characters’ attacks to sound sparkly when they rely on magic. The movement and attacks of the fighters can even sound different depending on their weight, and you can see the stark difference in sound when Donkey Kong fights a lighter character like Marth.
5Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
ThePersonaseries is known for its music, and this extends toPersona 4 Arena Ultimax. This game differs from the other Persona games in terms of genres and distinctly has sounds that lean towards Pop and Rock. There is also some funk influence, which you can hear in Teddie Circus.
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It’s fun to see your favorite Persona characters in a fighting game, and it’s even better when you may see them use their personas in the fight. Aside from hearing blades clash and gunshots from time to time when characters fight, you’ll also hear flesh slices if you fail to block sharper weapons.
4BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
The BlazBlue series is beloved for their epic themes that are no less than motivational, but BlazBlue: Continuum Shift has the best sound design and track. If you don’t understand the lyrics in Japanese, it won’t make you feel any less inspired to keep fighting and to die trying.
You can hear Jin sheath his sword when he does, and you can hear the wind whoosh through the cut of blades, kicks, and even jumps of the characters. If you’re not busy making your fingers dance through thisnotoriously difficult fighting game, you’ll definitely appreciate the sound effects and the official soundtrack.
3King Of Fighters 14
You probably already hear the not-so-subtle punches and kicks inKing of Fighters 14, accompanied by a barrage ofJojo referencesin some characters’ punch combos. But that’s just one of the few details that you’ll love about the sound direction in this game. Loud and action-packed, you will hear characters crash on cement roads without the sound of broken bones.
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There are also characters whose combinations finishers won’t leave your head, like Kim’s constant ta-ta-tas in every hit before he executes a dropkick on his unfortunate opponent. Not to mention, each team of fighters has its own themes that suit them just as well. Magical Sky is the main theme of Team Another World, and it sounds like it’s suited for magical girls — which is pretty accurate, since having a team from three different eras is as magical as it gets.
2Guilty Gear Xrd
TheGuilty Gear Xrdis admittedly aneye candy, but the sound direction of this game and its main track is something that people don’t talk about enough. The characters aren’t afraid to be vocal while they fight, and some even huff through jumps and kicks. Some fighters' movements also sound different from others, but it all works out with how goofy they move.
Most importantly, the music and voice acting don’t disappoint—especially with the cutscenes after the wins, oftentimes being savage for the one that loses. The track is also something you’ll be a fan of if you love different styles of Rock.
1Guilty Gear Strive
Guilty Gear Striveis all the rage in many forums, not just for the gameplay and the visuals it has to offer, but also for its sound design and amazing tracks. There’s a huge improvement in this installment in terms of sound, as the environment also factors in the noise that the characters' movements will make. When you fight in a place with sand, you’ll hear the sloshes of sand that accompany your feet.
Just like its predecessor, Strive also features an album that is well-received and loved by the game’s fans. The music here is so intense that you might actually be convinced to use it in the gym as you angrily deadlift away.
Next:Guilty Gear Strive: Every Fighter’s Skill Set And Difficulty
