Fighting Games With The Most Playable Characters

Key Takeaways

A bigger roster in fighting games can offer better replayability and variety, but it must offer distinct characters.
Games with huge rosters like Street Fighter 5 and Jump Force can face criticism for trade-offs like gameplay quality.
Franchises like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and King of Fighters 2002 boast massive rosters with iconic characters.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen some truly colossal rosters in fighting games, but none have left me quite as astounded as these three titans. From the quirky charm of Form to the sheer absurdity of Tobal 2, and finally, the unparalleled might of Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost, these games are a testament to the limitless creativity and ambition of game developers.

It’s no wonder that in combat games, the diverse lineup of characters is a major attraction. Each character has unique traits, often representing a particular nation, social class, or subculture. For instance, Street Fighter 6 boasts an intriguing array of novelties such as Manon, a French judo enthusiast with a flair for fashion, and Kimberly, an Afro-American ninja who appreciates street art and ’80s technology. Over time, watching the same characters get injured repeatedly can become repetitive.

Having a larger selection of unique characters to play in fighting games can significantly enhance replayability and add more diversity, provided that the additional characters bring something distinct to the table. If not, they tend to provide quantity instead of quality. For instance, games like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat, among others, boast numerous impressive fighters. However, it’s important to consider whether these extensive rosters are filling numbers or offering true variety. To maintain balance in this list, only one game per franchise is included to prevent any single series from overshadowing the others.

Despite having a reasonable size, some games have seen their player rosters grow excessively. This could be due to several reasons such as striving to offer an unparalleled fighting game experience, merging multiple series together, or peculiarities in the game’s play modes. The following list provides additional instances of fighting games featuring extensive rosters, along with updated information for earlier versions and some reorganization.

14 Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition

Brought the Series Grand Total to 45

Fighting Games With The Most Playable Characters

Some enthusiasts, disillusioned by the new Street Fighter 6, find themselves reminiscing about the charm of Street Fighter 5. They tend to focus on its appealing music, engaging V-Trigger systems, and vibrant visuals. However, they may not recall its deficient aspects, such as a flawed online mode, limited features at launch, and a relatively small initial roster of only 16 characters. In comparison to games like Tekken 7, King of Fighters 14, and even the classic Street Fighter 4, they felt it was noticeably diminutive.

Over the years, I’ve been hooked on this game, constantly evolving its gameplay and expanding its character roster with each update. Finally, we reached “Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition,” which brought multiple single-player modes, enhanced V-mechanics using the V-Trigger gauge, and the largest roster among all Street Fighter games. If Street Fighter 6 had developed more smoothly, it would have only added about 39 characters. But instead, they surprised us with an additional 6, including Luke from SF6, bringing the total to a whopping 45 characters!

13 BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

53 Characters From 7 Series In A Giant Tag Team Melee

After Toshimichi Mori, the mastermind behind BlazBlue, departed from ArcSystem Works, the future of the series remains uncertain. Previously, it served as a substitute for Guilty Gear when the latter was embroiled in legal issues, only to eventually dwindle in popularity. Given the ongoing debates among fans of both series on the internet, it seems like an opportune moment to merge the two worlds, allowing them to engage in digital combat and potentially settle their differences once and for all.

Rather than keeping separate universes, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle brought together the fighters from Mori’s universe with those from Persona 4 Arena, Under Night In-Birth, RWBY, Arcana Heart, Akatsuki Blitzkampf and Senran Kagura in a tag-team fighting format. This fusion was successful, but it could have been more effective if not many of its 53 characters were DLC. Combining the intellectual properties (IPs) for all these series must have been costly, and the necessity to pay for a substantial roster size deterred some fans.

12 Marvel Vs. Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes

56 Heroes Ready to Take Players For a Ride

You might anticipate a game as epic as “Marvel Vs Capcom 2” to boast an extensive cast of superheroes and anime-style characters clashing, but surprisingly, it has a more compact roster compared to others – only 56 characters in total. However, for the year 2000, that was quite a significant roster, as it encompassed almost all characters from the previous Marvel games leading up to that point, along with some new, original characters such as Ruby Heart and Amingo.

The possibility of watching Chun Li fight Thanos alongside Resident Evil’s Jill Valentine, or Cable capturing Mega Man Legends’ Tron Bonne using a Hyper Viper Beam after replacing Strider Hiryu was undeniably worth the ticket price. It’s no surprise that it shone as the highlight in the latest Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection launch.

11 Jump Force

57 Shōnen Superstars Making the Jump

Shonen Jump’s series often feature arena fighters with extensive character rosters, and they aren’t afraid to blend these characters together. However, the blends don’t always deliver the same quality. For instance, Jump Super Stars was an impressive DS game resembling Smash Bros, but it was exclusive to Japan. On the other hand, Jump Force had a global release, but it didn’t live up to expectations, feeling more like a simple jump rather than a significant leap.

Even though it didn’t receive great reviews and was unexpectedly removed from the market, this game packed a punch with an impressive lineup of 57 iconic characters from the Shonen Jump universe, including 40 base characters, 14 DLC characters, and 3 freebies. In comparison to its predecessor, J-Stars Victory Vs, it focused more on the heavyweights such as Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleach, and a few throwbacks like Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star and Ryo Saeba from City Hunter.

10 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R

60 People in the Ultimate Pose-Off

The initial version of “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle” was quite engaging, but it had certain issues such as its unstable multiplayer aspect, a less developed storyline, and intrusive microtransactions. Despite these drawbacks, it demonstrated a genuine affection for the series by incorporating characters from all 8 parts at the time, moves that echoed their significant story events, and hidden references tailored for fans to explore.

Despite needing refinements initially, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R remarkably enhanced the game when CyberConnect2 updated it for contemporary consoles. Previously overlooked characters found their place on the roster, along with new characters from its predecessor arena-fighting game Eyes of Heaven, and fresh faces like Diego Brando from Part 7. Ultimately, fans of Jojo were offered a choice of 60 characters from its 8 parts (and Baoh) to play.

9 Tekken Tag Tournament 2

60 Fighters Getting Ready for the Next Battle

It’s no great shock that the Tekken game with the longest title would be Tekken Tag Tournament 2. This wasn’t a traditional tournament but more of a dream match, where characters from previous games squared off in teams of two instead of one-on-one battles. Regrettably, Tekken 3’s character Gon, the series’ first and only guest fighter until Akuma in Tekken 7, was not part of this expansive roster.

This fighting game boasts a unique style for each of its 60 characters, with clones showing subtle differences. For instance, Miharu is more clumsy than Xiaoyu, while Slim Bob lacks the power behind his moves compared to regular Bob. Additionally, Sebastian has a longer reach than Lili, his ward. The game was exceptional in terms of presentation, but its complex gameplay proved challenging for many players. Unfortunately, the aftermath of Street Fighter X Tekken’s mistakes and controversies led to it being one of the least-selling games in the series.

8 Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

62 Kombatants, with Room for 2 More

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon shares a resemblance with the Tekken Tag series, as both aimed to reunite characters from previous installments. However, Armageddon took it a step further by resurrecting characters deemed dead in the storyline, alongside new additions for its narrative-focused Konquest Mode. Interestingly, it marked the conclusion of the initial MK timeline, as its finale set the stage for the series’ 2011 reboot known as Mortal Kombat (MK9).

Although it boasted a significant number of playable characters, many found it a step down from its predecessor, Mortal Kombat: Deception, due to the reduction in the number of switchable fighting styles for each character, from three to two. Additionally, several characters shared common basic moves, which was a significant departure from the previous game. The custom Fatalities were somewhat generic, but the stage fatalities remained intriguing. Essentially, this adjustment allowed for 62 playable characters, including two slots for custom characters.

7 The King Of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match

66 Characters Aim to Reign in the Ring

Developer: SNK Playmore
Release: 2009 (PS2), 2021 (PS4)
Platforms: Arcades, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 4, Amazon Luna

The King of Fighters series has always had a gargantuan roster, since it’s relied on 3-player teams for much of its life. The NESTS saga (KOF ’99-2001) upped the count to 4-person teams for a while, before toning things back down to 3 for its dream match edition, KOF 2002. But when their remake of KOF ’98, KOF ’98: Ultimate Match, brought back everyone from KOFs ’94-’97, it felt inevitable that they’d do the same for KOF 2002.

Indeed, The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match featured all characters from the NESTS saga, including previously console-exclusive figures such as Geese and Goenitz, along with alternate versions boasting altered moves like EX Kensou and Nightmare Geese. The exception was K9999, who was originally a clone of Tetsuo from Akira, but was redesigned into the new character Nameless. With 66 characters, it holds the record for the largest roster in the series; however, both KOFs 14 and 15 have nearly matched this number with 58 fighters each.

6 Def Jam: Fight For NY- The Takeover

68 Characters, with Room for 6 More to Take It to the Streets

As a music enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the unique title “Def Jam: Fight for NY“. It’s not just a fighting game; it’s a vibrant portrayal of hip-hop culture, featuring real-life music icons as playable characters. Essentially, it’s like attending a Grammy Awards ceremony, but with a bit more action and fewer safety regulations! If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to see Ice-T square off against Busta Rhymes in a physical fight instead of a rap battle, this game offers that intriguing twist.

In the main game, you’ll find 67 characters, including well-known names. The PSP version boosted this to 68. With opportunities to introduce custom characters, the total can reach 74 or more across all versions. This group is quite diverse, featuring artists like Snoop Dogg, Sean Paul, Warren G, and others, along with some unexpected picks such as Henry Rollins, Danny Trejo, a jeweler named Jacob Arabo, and Carmen Electra (who’s often disallowed in tournaments due to being overpowered).

5 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

89 Top Stars from Decades of Gaming History

The game titled “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” offers a compelling reason for why the Nintendo Switch is indispensable to gamers. No gaming enthusiast would want to pass up this monumental cultural mashup. It undeniably justifies its title as ‘Ultimate’, as it successfully incorporates characters from previous games, along with guest appearances such as Solid Snake from “Metal Gear” and Bayonetta, and even adds more stellar figures on top.

After the introduction of Sora, the final character from Kingdom Hearts, the game boasted a roster of 89 playable figures. This included echo fighters like Ken from Street Fighter, paired with Ryu, and Daisy alongside Peach. If Smash Bros continues, it’s highly improbable to reach such size again, as Nintendo had to make special efforts to collaborate with companies like Capcom, Bandai-Namco, Square-Enix, Disney, among others, to incorporate some of the most iconic figures from over 40 years of gaming, in addition to their own classic characters.

4 Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3

Where 98 Characters Can Go Even Further Beyond to 161 Characters

The much-anticipated return of the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series through Dragon Ball Sparking Zero promises a substantial cast of characters. While it’s unclear if its roster will match the size of its predecessor, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which currently holds the record for the most extensive roster among all Dragon Ball games, that’s a benchmark to strive for.

In simpler terms, this 3D arena fighting game boasts a total of 161 characters, yet several of these are alternate versions of existing characters. This leaves us with 98 unique characters to play with. Despite the size, some of these alternative forms can be quite distinct from each other. For instance, it offers exclusive Great Ape forms for Saiyan characters, like Bardock and Nappa, who never transformed into their Oozaru form in the anime or manga. Additionally, it includes various Easter eggs that will delight hardcore Dragon Ball enthusiasts.

3 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

A Pirate’s Worst Nightmare: 121 Ninjas

Absolutely, Naruto wouldn’t shy away from competing in the fighting game roster competition given that Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 now boasts a roster of 121 characters. This is due to its expanded release known as Road to Boruto. While it’s true that some characters are clones or depict different stages in a character’s life (there are at least nine variations of Naruto himself), the variety among them remains substantial.

The “Road to Boruto” update integrates Boruto into the storyline, allowing Naruto to personally guide him in ninja training. In terms of arena fighting games, “Ultimate Ninja Storm 4” offers a variety of exclusive interactions and skills to keep players engaged, such as Wall Running combat and switching between main characters and supports for continuous high-speed action.

2 Tobal 2

200 Maulers, Monsters and Masters

Developer: DreamFactory
Release: 1997
Platform: PlayStation

Despite the ever-growing cast of characters in Dragon Ball, its creator Akira Toriyama devised an even more extensive roster for a Japan-exclusive PlayStation 1 fighter that many might not be familiar with: Tobal 2. Developed by DreamFactory, composed of former Virtua Fighter and Tekken team members, it was the sequel to Tobal N.o.1, an unconventional 3D fighter that couldn’t quite outperform Tekken 2 but did manage to push Sony’s hardware to deliver 60FPS fighting action.

In summary, both games shared character designs by Toriyama and a Role-Playing Game (RPG) style Quest Mode. However, only Tobal 2 allows players to capture and transform different enemies and NPCs from the Quest Mode into playable fighters. While many of these characters were clones, this feature allowed for an expansive roster of up to 200 characters. Additionally, Tobal 2 offered the unique opportunity to play as a Chocobo, a character from Final Fantasy, preceding DreamFactory’s own Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring in allowing players to control Final Fantasy characters within a fighting game.

1 Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost

233 Mobile Suits Ready to Attack

Developer: Bandai-Namco Games
Release: 2023
Platforms: Arcade

Even Mobile Suit Gundam has fighting games based on it and rightfully so. There are so many mech models in the franchise that fans would be eager to see how one version would fare over the other if they were pitted against one another. The biggest of the bunch is the Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs games, which have been continuously updated and upgraded since the original 2010 game.

15 long years ago, I began my journey with just 40 suits in the first arcade game. But then came “Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 OverBoost,” and suddenly, the number skyrocketed to a whopping 233! From the iconic RX-78-2 model to the latest Earthtree Gundam from “Gundam Build Divers Re:RISE,” it’s been an incredible expansion. I can only hope that one day, this version will make its way onto consoles, just like its predecessor, “Maxi Boost ON.” Once it does, get ready for endless battles as players pit their favorite mechs against each other for years to come!

2024-10-03 01:55