Fighting games are a cultural phenomenon. They have gotten Hollywood blockbusters made based on their stories and have one of the most vibrant esports scenes around. One of the reasons for gamer’s continued interest in fighting games is their characters.
Good character designs not only have to look amazing but need to reflect the character’s move set as well. When a player chooses a character on the selection screen they should know they have made the best choice for their playstyle. They also need to have an undeniable style.
10 Ryu – Street Fighter
Ryu stands out in his simplicity. In a game where people’s arms can stretch across the entire screen and there are green electric monsters, a man in a simple white gi honestly draws the eye. Ryu being nondescript shows players through his design that he will be a well-rounded character that isn’t too difficult to learn. Everyone needs a place to start when picking up a fighting game.
Had Ryu had a strange or confusing moveset he would not be the Street Fighter icon he is today. He is the perfect example that sometimes less is more.
9 Law – Tekken
Law is a loving homage to the most famous martial artist of all time — Bruce Lee. His original costumes copied those seen in Enter the Dragon and Game of Death. Law even uses all of Bruce Lee’s iconic moves as specials like the flip kick, one-inch punch, and flying kick. No one can look at his original design and not be reminded of this famed martial arts figure.
8 Arizona – Them’s Fightin Herds
When players choose Arizona, they know they picked a rootin’ tootin’ cowpoke who can lasso up their opponents. Just look at her, she’s literally a cow girl! It’s obvious she’s ready to get rough and tumble with the best of her making her status as a rushdown character bleed through into her design.
Arizona also is a playful homage to the game’s original roots. Them’s Fightin Herds was originally a fan-made My Little Pony fighting game. Anyone who plays the game can see how Applejack heavily influenced Arizona’s design. She also may be the only cowboy-themed fighting game character out there.
7 Fulgore – Killer Instinct
Before players even see the character, Fulgore’s name inspires a bit of awe. The hardcore aesthetic that the highly-advanced assault cyborg carries with it shows it lives up to those expectations. “It does not feel pity, remorse, or fear. And it will absolutely not stop, ever, until you are dead.” Even Fulgore’s “Shotokan” fighting style reflects the complexities of computer programming and machinery. Overall, it’s one of the most epic characters in Killer Instinct.
6 Mai Shiranui – Fatal Fury (& Other Titles)
People can deny it all they want but sex sells. Mai’s femme fatale ninja look has sold more merchandise and game art than almost any other fighting game character. Mai looks like she’s about to burst out of her costume at any moment and her idle animations in the game have a certain bounce to them that certainly draws in the eye.
Her famous “bosom sway” literally inspired the design of an entire fighting game franchise, Dead or Alive, where she eventually cameoed as a DLC character. She has appeared in over 120 games, some not even fighting games, as a character, costume, or cameo. Even gamers who have never played fighting games will recognize her.
5 Peacock – Skullgirls
No one looks at Peacock and think they are getting a straight-up fighter — it’s obvious she is literally about to do battle with cartoon logic. Some players are drawn to wacky characters (just look at Faust) and they’ll instantly know she is right for them. Her 1930’s cartoon style is unforgettable and her brash and bold fighting style reminiscent of the antics of Bugs Bunny or The Animaniacs.
4 Sol Badguy – Guilty Gear
No character screams over the top quite like Sol Badguy. Despite his name he isn’t the villain of Guilty Gear — he’s the main protagonist Being “bad” is the coolest thing imaginable. Sol lights himself on fire for certain attacks and screams attack names like “Volcanic Viper and “Napalm Death” as he does them.
Anime fighters are known for their wacky character designs and wild antics to this day and that was inspired partially by Sol Badguy. This walking ball of Queen references lets anyone know that the worst and best stereotype of a badass has entered the room and anime game fans are here for it.
3 Sub-Zero – Mortal Kombat
Don’t tell us to GET OVER HERE for choosing Sub-Zero over Scorpion. Fans may not like to hear it but Sub-Zero does have a more cohesive character design. His ice powers are literally in his name and his costume screams over the top 90’s ninja stereotypes.
Without the cool and calm of Sub-Zero to contrast against the bright and fiery Scorpion, neither would be as iconic. Sub-Zero’s inclusion within the game wasn’t just to create an interesting storyline — it was a well-calculated design choice.
2 King – Tekken
In the world of combat sports, it’s difficult to find something more recognizable than Lucha Libres. King’s slower and more grappling based style of fighting is perfectly reflected within moments of seeing the character because of his iconic jaguar mask. There has been a King character in every single Tekken game and he is not only one of the most well-known characters in the franchise but in all of fighting games.
1 Bonus-Kun – Waku Waku 7
From Dan Hibiki to Mr. Satan, there are many iconic joke characters in fighting games. Many players even use these characters in fights just to show their skill against lesser players. With this in mind, imagine the humiliation of getting beaten by a literal punching bag.
Bonus-Kun comes from Waku Waku 7, a fighting game meant to parody the genre as a whole. From his storyline to his looks, it’s quite obvious the character is meant to poke fun at Ryu from Street Fighter. This punching bag was designed five years before Masahiro Sakurai showed off Sandbag in Super Smash Bros. Melee and we can’t help but wonder if Bonus-Kun influenced that design.
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