A Look at the Biggest Fighting Games Anticipated for 2016
A guide to the most anticipated fighting games of 2016, including Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, The King of Fighters XIV, and Pokken Tournament.
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The year 2016 was set to be a significant one for the fighting game genre, with multiple popular franchises returning alongside new titles. Several releases were planned across all major consoles, from updates to established 2D fighters to the generational leap of long-running 3D series.
Major Franchises Enter a New Generation
Street Fighter V
The most anticipated fighting game of the year was Street Fighter V. Its major gameplay innovation was the V-Gauge, a meter that built as a player took damage. This resource could be spent on three distinct mechanics: V-Skills, unique actions for each character; V-Triggers, powerful temporary transformations or special moves; and V-Reversals, defensive counters. This system replaced the Focus Attack mechanic from Street Fighter IV, encouraging a different style of play. Capcom also changed its business model, announcing that all future gameplay-related DLC characters could be earned with in-game currency. This meant players would not have to purchase updated retail versions to get new fighters, though the option to pay for them remained. Street Fighter V was scheduled for a February 16 release on PlayStation 4 and PC.
Tekken 7
After a long period in Japanese arcades, Tekken 7 was announced for a console release. The game introduced two key mechanics to the series’ established formula. Rage Arts were powerful, cinematic super moves that could only be used when a character’s health was critically low, serving as a comeback mechanic. Power Crushes were attacks that allowed a player to continue their assault even while taking damage from mid or high attacks. The story mode was set to feature Akuma from the Street Fighter series, who was presented not merely as a guest character but as a significant figure in the narrative. Tekken 7 was announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with an expected release in 2016.
The King of Fighters XIV
The fourteenth mainline installment in The King of Fighters series marked a major technical shift. The development team moved from the franchise’s traditional 2D sprites to 3D character models, a decision that caused some debate among longtime fans. Despite the visual change, the core gameplay the series was known for was slated to return, with some refinements. The game also included new options intended to make the complex systems more accessible for beginners. The King of Fighters XIV was announced as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, expected to arrive later in 2016.
Anime, Crossovers, and Revived Classics
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
As the first entry in its series developed for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 took advantage of the more powerful hardware. The developers implemented new graphical effects, such as character outfits breaking apart during combat to show accumulated damage. The game featured a large roster of characters designed to cover the entire timeline of the Naruto story, making it a comprehensive fighting game for fans of the manga and anime. It was scheduled to release on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Pokken Tournament
Pokken Tournament combined the characters of Pokémon with the fighting game engine of Tekken. Players could directly control various Pokémon in one-on-one battles. The gameplay featured special moves and transformations, including the Mega Evolutions from the mainline role-playing games. The game was an exclusive release for the Nintendo Wii U, planned for the spring. A special preorder offer included a Mewtwo Amiibo card.
Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator
Considered an updated version of Guilty Gear Xrd Sign, Revelator was set to expand upon its predecessor. The new release added four characters to the roster and included all fighters that had been released as post-launch DLC for Sign. It also introduced new gameplay tweaks to add more strategic depth, such as the blitz shield charge attack. These additions positioned Revelator as the definitive edition of Guilty Gear Xrd. It was announced for a 2016 release on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3.
BlazBlue: Centralfiction
The fourth mainline title in the BlazBlue series, Centralfiction introduced new gameplay elements. An offensively focused mechanic called Active Flow rewarded aggressive players, while the Exceed Accel added a new type of powerful attack. The roster included returning characters alongside newcomers like Hibiki Kohaku, Naoto Kurogane, and Nine the Phantom. BlazBlue: Centralfiction was expected to come out in 2016 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 3.
One Piece Burning Blood
One Piece Burning Blood brought the cast of the popular anime series into a 3D fighting arena. The game promised to faithfully incorporate the diverse powers from its source material, including the unique Devil Fruit abilities and Haki moves, into its combat system. The fights were designed to be flashy and cinematic, appealing directly to fans of the One Piece anime. The game was scheduled for a summer 2016 launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Vita, and PC.
The Last Blade 2
A surprise announcement from the PlayStation Experience event was the port of The Last Blade 2 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. A classic weapon-based fighting game from SNK, the re-release was notable for one major addition: online multiplayer. This new feature was a significant incentive for both new players and veterans of the original game to experience the title again. The ports were expected to arrive in 2016.
Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel
Scheduled for early 2016, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel was a 2D crossover fighting game with an all-female cast. Playable characters were drawn from various franchises, including Aino Heart from Arcana Heart, Homura from Senran Kagura, and Saber from Fate/Stay Night. The gameplay was highlighted by cinematic special attacks. The game also supported cross-play, allowing PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 users to play together online. Its release was set for January 26.
These titles were joined by continued DLC support for existing games like Killer Instinct, Mortal Kombat X, and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U, making 2016 a full year for the genre.
Frequently asked questions
What was the big new gameplay feature in Street Fighter V?
Street Fighter V introduced the V-Gauge system. This meter filled as a player took damage and could be spent on three unique mechanics: V-Skills, V-Triggers, and V-Reversals. This replaced the Focus Attack system from Street Fighter IV and created a new strategic layer focused on both offense and defense.
Why was The King of Fighters XIV's visual style controversial in 2016?
The King of Fighters series was famous for its detailed 2D pixel art. For KOF XIV, developer SNK shifted to 3D character models for the first time in the mainline series. This change was controversial among longtime fans who preferred the classic sprite work, sparking debates about the new art direction.
Which 2016 fighting game featured a canon crossover with Street Fighter?
Tekken 7 featured Akuma from the Street Fighter series. Unlike a typical guest character, Akuma was integrated directly into the main story of Tekken. He was presented as a key figure with connections to the Mishima family history, making his appearance a canonical part of the game's plot.
What was unique about Pokken Tournament?
Pokken Tournament was a fighting game that let players directly control Pokémon in one-on-one battles, a concept long requested by fans. Developed in collaboration with the Tekken team, it was exclusive to the Nintendo Wii U and featured mechanics like Mega Evolutions as special moves.