This year’s E3 featured announcements from various titles that included gameplay footage of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 and a newly announced Guardians of the Galaxy game. However, while there were many genres covered, there was one that was left largely untouched: fighting games. As a medium, it is one of the oldest genres in gaming and spares at least one or two announcements for big events like E3. Hardly any major announcements made this year seems peculiar, considering that the genre is in one of its biggest resurgences in years.
Since Street Fighter V’s release, fighting games have grown both in scope and in detail, with controls allowing for even more immersive fighting experiences and games like Dragon Ball FighterZ showing that even IPs have the potential to be amazing fighters. During this year’s E3, the only fighting game that got an announcement was Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with the inclusion of Kazuya from Tekken. For almost three years, fans have enjoyed Ultimate and its constant fighter additions, with the game touted as one of the most curated fighters of the genre. But while the fighting game community has been thankful for another update on such a beloved game, other fighters need equal attention.
Mortal Kombat is a franchise that innovated the 2D fighting experience and built a detailed story around iconic characters that fans can’t get enough of. As of now, the game looks to have completed its run, but there are still rumors of a new Kombat Pack, which would be great for new players who are interested after seeing the newest film. It is also one of the few fighters that allow players to create their perfect version of a character and fight online, gaining experience. There are also rumors of a new Injustice title or even a Marvel vs. DC crossover game, but with no appearance from NetherRealm at E3, the wait for updates may take a bit longer.
The Tekken franchise has also reached new heights with its most detailed entry yet, Tekken 7. The lastest game not only capped off a narrative that was decades in the making, but it also allowed players to get more fighters and stages with season passes. The game is now celebrating the return of characters like Kunimitsu and new additions like Leroy Smith and Lidia Sobieska. Along with Tekken 7, Bandai Namco titles like Soul Calibur and Dragon Ball FighterZ received no updates at E3 as well, even with Soul Calibur VI not having received an update for some time.
Street Fighter V helped bring back fighting games to the forefront since its launch and released five seasons of new fighters, with a sixth in progress. The sixth season of DLC exists because the pandemic forced a delay in the development of Street Fighter VI. Street Fighter V isn’t failing and features outstanding graphics and gameplay, but the lack of announcements on a new update definitely leaves the community wondering how long it could be until a new game or even the next DLC character are available.
Fighting games are one of the most beloved genres in video games. They breed competition and a desire to improve and keep players striving to be the best. While most major titles had no updates at E3, the genre still has one new entry coming with Guilty Gear Strive, the long-awaited sequel in the hit franchise. Even though it’s only one new fighting game this year so far, Guilty Gear Strive shows that the genre’s absence from E3 isn’t a bad sign but a promise of great things to come at a later date.
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