Max's Personal Top 10 Fighting Games Of All Time

#top10 #fightinggames #tierlist
Now that he has put together an objective Top 10 list of the best fighting games of all time, it's finally time for Max to talk about his own PERSONAL top 10 list. These are the ten fighting games that have had the greatest impact on Max's life and will always have a place in his heart!
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[@thomasbell8451]

It blows my mind Killer Instinct hasn’t had another title but the 2013 version still looks and plays incredibly

[@pious83]

I think it comes down to Microsoft. Another platform would have immediately capitalised on the success of KI 2013. Much like what happened to Rare, Microsoft instead chose to focus elsewhere and discard that success as "niche".

[@islandboy9381]

​@@pious83 Microsoft always turns out something cool and then runs it nowhere

[@wildercerrate7295]

@@pious83 which is crazy because they could easily pivot it into an XBOX/Microsoft smash bros-esque game without having to compete with platform fighters. A sort of snk games into KOF type of deal.

[@pious83]

@@wildercerrate7295 Unless things immediately do CoD/Halo sales numbers. They just don't seem interested.

[@duxnihilo]

@@islandboy9381It doesn't help that for the longest time, one would have to buy a goddamn xbox one.

[@gabe7774]

Max is making his top 10 and he's DEFINITELY NOT GONNA SUGARCOAT IT

[@kaladinstormblessed8790]

NieR make brain go funny happy chemicals

[@voodooglobzy]

AS HE SHOULD

[@Grifball]

His 100% unbiased personal top 10

[@ihaveaplan.ijustneedmoney.9777]

@@kingofdragons7 100% not sarcastic

[@olzarius]

DAAAAAAMN

[@meganinten0078]

24:36 - 25:23 Golly, that's deep. Reminds me of Shinichiro Obata's words about what he and his team wanted to achieve when creating the game. *"You know, there are many different approaches you can take to game design. One approach, which we took in SF3, is to design your game around "unanswerables." I think with any game, players will search for the best tactic, the best strategy ... like, if X happens, you should always do Y; if you do this here, you'll always win. There's competitive games like that, where the match is essentially a confrontation of theoretical knowledge that each player has built up. But Street Fighter 3 is a game that, by design, doesn't have a fixed answer to those questions. There is no "best" tactic; you can spend your whole life trying to find the perfect theoretical approach to a situation in SF3, but it will never be quite right. You always have to be reading your opponent in the moment; you can't just fall back on your theories. It's a game that lets you search for answers forever..."* I hope Obata and his team watch this video just to listen to Max's words about the masterpiece they created. I bet they would be very satisfied and happy for all their hard work ☺️

[@TheDiamondHammer]

That quote makes the game sound oddly meditative. Focusing on the present and all that. Truly an incredible game.

[@Dracobyte]

Where did he said? Do you know where I can read it?

[@genericsavings]

@@DracobyteMatt McMuscles has a excellent deep dive on SF3 (Wha Happund). How it failed, got reiterated, and how it ultimately became the legend we all know & love. Highly recommended.

[@tylert-ysutton]

The joys of a top 10 fighting games list

[@megaunderflow4076]

And by someone who actually understands fighting games

[@megaunderflow4076]

@theoneandonly I'm pretty sure he's more biased towards MVC, haha. And he's pretty open about it too

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@theoneandonly Street fighter the Goat

[@okaycoo4224]

@@pleaseshutup7053 kof 02 is godly

[@strikingmachine2975]

SF4, KoF 14.

[@DRpepper1575]

Playing Mortal Kombat X at a friend's house is what began my fighting game addiction

[@adonbanchamek2254]

Same. Today still, MKX is my favourite game of all time.

[@davidpersson250]

I love Street fighter most and mortal kombat and soul calibur

[@DrangusKahn]

MK9 is way better can’t believe people prefer X so much.

[@jereroivanen7263]

​@@DrangusKahn opinions are a thing

[@ManAlsume]

@@DrangusKahnif you can’t handle people liking something else, that’s a bad look for u

[@bloodhit1]

I feel like i'm living in the loop, each day there another Max top 10 fighting games tier list video.

[@everdash]

Listening to Max talk about Street Fighter 3 Third Strike, he mentions how "not balanced" it is several times. Which makes me wish he would make a Top 10 list of Most Balanced Fighting Games. 🔥🔥🔥

[@wildercerrate7295]

#1 is street fighter 1 both characters available are exactly the same so it’s perfectly balanced

[@moon-berserker8870]

Bro most balanced doesnt mean better bro imo. For me fun and skill-ceiling is the most important.

[@carlbloke8797]

Tbh it’s cool you’re putting every Marvel vs. Capcom game on the list. It’s a legendary GOAT’d series!

[@keefkeef6]

Infinite left the chat 😂😂

[@ajmoe]

Makes sense why Max freaked out at the Nintendo Direct. 😂

[@GiantGeekGuy]

I really can't blame Max for putting all the MvC titles in his list, they are all amazing games. I remember as a kid just walking to the arcade and hearing in the distance X-men vs Street Fighter, Marvel Superheroes vs Street Fighter, and MvC Clash of Superheroes, so you naturally get hyped. I played them and grew to love all the subsequent games and every game attached, new and old.

[@FletcherReedsRandomness]

I really appreciate you making separate lists for the best fighting games and your personal favorites. I’ve seen a lot of countdowns that combine the “greatest” and their personal favorites (not just fighting games, but practically anything you can rank), and it can get confusing fast. I really prefer this approach.

[@personaphantom5543]

You know Tekken 3 is good when it's on both lists.

[@joemurray]

Thank you for putting video footage of the games

[@greatheightsu]

You gave us the best objective list out there with sound reasoning, and I'm glad you gave us the personal one too!

[@OmegaSon]

I swear I’m not even into the fighting game stuff but just hearing max talk about shiz he likes is so good, he’s like your buddy lecturing you in the most interesting and fun way possible about his interests

[@SlySuavity]

Awesome list, Max! The Modern KI roster too really shot it up to prominence, especially in appealing towards casual audiences; you had the freaking Arbiter and RAAM playable, of all people lol.

[@ahsankhan-zg6gr]

Your personal list hits harder than the professional list ( aside from that number 2 pick- that hit hard) Love it so much

[@starbwoybling]

You earned my respect with killer instinct 2013 at #2. well put together list.

[@Michael.Eddington]

Clay Fighter 63 1/3 should’ve been #2 tbh

[@SnuggsMcDuff]

This is a personal top 10 list. He's not looking to earn anything from anyone.

[@eljugadorescaldenc4002]

Man you remember me when I was playing in the middle to the end of the 90's playing fighting games with my friends. It's makes me happy to hear you talk about those games because I feel the damm exact thing.

[@XTheBoyWonder]

Not gonna lie this is actually a good list, glad to see im not the only one that likes the 1st marvel vs capcom more than the others. Also can we please get a rebooted Bloody Roar game lol ill keep dreaming

[@ReeceHoward06]

The 1st MvC has the best presentation and music in my opinion! Gameplay is solid. Only thing lacking is some of the sound effects were weak and a small roster.

[@redwolfe7049]

I chose 1 over 2 almost every time. Especially watching versus play in the arcades. 2 is the same 5 teams doing the same combo/infinites while 1 had more charm,strats, and saw pretty much the entire roster including hidden characters used all the time.

[@PaulHindt]

Third Strike legit saved my life. I was going through a dark period in my life when a co-worker just happened to be playing 3rd Strike on a home-made arcade stick (a Byrdo stick) in a corner on a PS2. I sat down and asked him to show me the game and was blown away at how quirky and colorful and jazzy it was. I never had the chance to grow up with arcades due to where I lived and so my brain was just not ready for this game, and was not ready for playing on a stick. Needless to say I got my ass handed to me by my co-worker day after day until I slowly started learning some of the fundamentals. But I stuck with it and started a journey into the FGC that really helped me get out of a rut in my life. I still love 3S more than any other fighting game and spent many hours playing it on the old GGPO before that shut down. Its been a while since I've seriously sat down and played but I am super hype to see that it will be on the main stage at Evo this year! Fun fact, that co-worker went on to be a producer for the PS3/360 releases of 3S. If you're reading this I hope you are doing well!

[@gyytgy3330]

Loved reading this, it brightened up my day and glad you’re doing better

[@andimari9194]

Something came up to me when max brought up that killer instinct has an uphill battle like smash. Both games brought back their FULL rosters from every past game and added new crazy characters in the mix. They both have the unfortunate battle of having to most likely cut some characters. Very interesting both have a similar problem and are the apex of their series

[@billydeez25]

Love this list Max, I totally agree with your top two! The rest of my top ten would be quite different, but I appreciate your reasons and placement of the others. 👍

[@SurelyYewJest]

Killer Instinct was a really good first run at a fighting game by a developer that had never done them before. Not only did it meld SF and MK, but it brought some of Primal Rage and Dark Stalkers in (via character choices), had the changing camera angles like MK's stage fatalities, crazier combos than any game before it, some blood, some fatality-like fight enders, you could buy its soundtrack, and it didn't look like anything else. Rare did a great job making it stand out as a total product to sell a game AND a new development platform.

[@smithbydesign]

Killer instinct was louder than virtua cop, and pinball machines in the arcade. I walked into an arcade, and when that intro hit everybody stopped and looked. Maaaaannnn…

[@ottosantiagolassus]

KI and Ultimate are so good to make a sequel is going to be close to impossible

[@JarvisCosric885]

Nice job bro. I really enjoy seeing your Top 10 lists. You are awesome and incredible

[@HiddenZabuzaMist]

I spent so many hours of my childhood playing KI on the SNES. I love KI, glad to see it on your list

[@YudaHnK]

I still listen to the ost

[@CRT_Me]

Love the MVC1 love and arcade experience commentary. I have very fond memories of family trips to CA, where I would specifically get excited to visit this boardwalk arcade, to play that game. So good.

[@dropkickpherby6994]

I already knew what Max's top 2 would be and was curious what the other 8 would be just from his passion. Which feels like a testament to how the FGC can expose peoples personalities in a good way.

[@ghxstrider8522]

I would just like to say I've been waiting years for this video and I think we all have. Thank you, Max

[@InitialDL84]

It's not necessarily on my top ten list of fighting games, but an honorable mention imo is Fighting EX Layer is definitely on my top 20. Especially since I've been recently playing it, it's been hella addicting with it's fighting system. I always wanted the EX characters in the SF EX series in their own game, and Arika delivered that plenty. And having Terry as a guest character was icing on the cake. Just wish it got more love online and wish Arika would come out with a sequel. I heard that they're going bankrupt 😣

[@phoenixlich]

only major difference between this list and my own personal is GGXX holds a special place in my heart as the first fighting game i actually learned and none of my friends could beat me after a point. Learned almost the whole roster and could smoke everyone with anyone or at least make it very hard for my pals if they were using their main.

[@BMI007]

Great list....if i may add, i think Capcom vs. Snk 1 and 2 are hugely underrated fighting games as well

[@lucasa.v.4772]

my top 10 would be 1. Tekken 3 (first fighting game I played) 2. Soul Calibur 3 3. Street Fighter 3rd strike 4. Mortal Kombat 9 5. Bloody Roar 4 6. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus 7. Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 8. Dead or Alive 5 9. Killer Instinct (2013) 10. King of Fighters 2002 this top 10 was based on how much time I spent playing these games, and how much I enjoyed them since I was a kid

[@Dracobyte]

We need the full VOD!!

[@thedarkknight2221]

I honestly never thought he would put out this list.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@RaSungodFGC]

Bushido blade 2 is one of my all time favorites. I think you'd love the sword fighting mechanics of that game!

[@ghxstrider8522]

I love Last Blade 2

[@AjayESharma]

Wow that modern KI game sounds interesting, if only there was a podcast where they talk about it every episode, along with Final Fight Revenge for some reason

[@user-xw4od8kb7y]

is there?

[@rlohn2352]

Loved this video Max! Now you know you have to make a video of the "Top 10 worst fighting games" you played.

[@mekman4]

Great Stuff, as always!

[@Tadoka_Inamo]

My personal 10 favorite FGs, in no particular order of preference: SFA3 (PS1) KOF98 (PS1) TK3 (PS1) KOF2002 (PS2) CVS2 (DC) MVC2 (DC) USF4 (PS3) UMVC3 (PS3) SFXT (PS3) DBFZ (PS4)

[@Aramane]

I think I sank more hours into SFA3 on PS1 than I did on any other game for the PS.

[@thelineker8843]

It's nice to see MvC3 in the list because if there's something that represent a game that is loved, is the fanbase leaving the role of just a player/spectator and going towards to producing content for the other players, it's a strong sign that a game can (and shall) outlive the limitations imposed by the developers.

[@moradomusic2823]

Now this is what I wanted to see!

[@Leader237]

Ah MvC1 will always be my favorite MvC. That character select music fills me with such nostalgia and excitement that will never go away. So glad it made the top 3.

[@Spidamane2012]

Thank you for giving Soul Calibur the respect it deserves. Should be on everyone’s list.

[@stanforddickson6349]

Soul calibur -1 so good!!!

[@naiiin6949]

This is max's personal list. There is no game that should or should not be in someone's subjective top 10

[@francisdaly1757]

Soul Blade has the best music

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Soul calibur 3 is the only fighting game I ever actually played single player extensively

[@victors4786]

I prefer Soul Calibur 2

[@teseter5681]

Hearing the PSO music makes me so happy. Please play it again on stream with the doods

[@JojoGTP]

Solid personal list, all of these games are fun as hell

[@kamb0510]

I always loved SC1 the best in the franchise. The graphics blew me away as a kid and still fun as hell. Aged like fine wine 🍷

[@Deliriumend]

Listening you talk about MVC2 and just remember running War Machine, Serv Bot, and I think Megaman. Why? Because the full team super did more chip damage than actual damage. So when the person blocked you could mash and it'd do a stupid amount of damage via chip. Also just jumping around as serv-bot was absurd and fun

[@JiiWoon]

This video made my day better ❤️

[@kingofthesharks]

I didn't even see the arcade version of SoulCalibur 1 before I was purely blown away by the Dreamcast version at a party. I had played a bit of Soul Edge via an arcade section at a pizza place, but SC1 was on another planet graphically. Also music was fire. Glad Max touched on the movement of Soul Calibur and its 8 way run, that for some reason makes it impossible to enjoy the act of stepping in other 3D fighters. Then came Soul Calibur 2, and while I was already pre-hyped thx to experience with the original, I was not prepared for it to be so addictive and polished and my 2nd fav fighting game ever haha

[@armandoc2584]

Respect for including Smash Ultimate, I know that’s not counted by many critics but it definitely deserves a spot

[@nightowl2749]

My love for fighting games started way back in a JC Penny's playing Primal Rage on SNES.

[@cashordeals3672]

When I seen that thumbnail I immediately thought if people got on max about the other 2 list can't wait to see his actual personal top 10 list 🤣

[@cashordeals3672]

@@kingofdragons7 say that to the haters 🤣

[@timmythetoothache]

I would be interested to know what your top 10 non-fighting are games as well

[@sawhane9278]

What’s the song used the background, felt like I heard it before

[@archersterling6726]

I'm 24 and an old arcade with MvC1 got me into fighting games.

[@vstormvbringer76]

Have you tried Last Blade and World Heroes series?

[@issaciams]

So happy that my all time favorite fighting game franchise Killer Instinct still makes it on so many top fighting games lists!

[@ToshisGarden]

In the middle of watching this video, but gotta continue it later. So far, very much a respectable list! I have a nostalgic reason for putting UMVC3 on equal grounds with Tatsunoko, that being because I just put so much time into Tatsunoko (in part because I was never able to get a PS3 or 360 until a couple of years after I bought Tatsunoko, funny enough). That said, I readily agree that UMVC3 deserves to be on this list more, for a number of reasons not totally dissimilar to Smash Ultimate. Idk if Max has a video on Tatsunoko, but I would totally be down for seeing him spend some time with the game should he ever decide to do a video on it! Also, I know YoVideogames has done videos on a few DOA games, but I don't remember point blank hearing what Max thinks of that series in total, so I would also be interested in that if he wanted to talk about it! I do remember that he said he's not all too familiar post-DOA2, though. Out of partial personal preference, between the five that I've played, DOA2 is about tied with DOA3, and DOA4 fluctuates between being on their level and just under for the best of the bunch. DOA:Dimensions was one that I found to be easily one of the best fighters on a handheld, and a surprisingly competent and almost console-like combat with an active online multiplayer mode.

[@MOONS83]

Killer Instinct is such an A+mazing fighting game, 10 years later and still going strong ! So HYPED for the upcoming Anniversary update and possibly a season 4-5

[@Ninzumecha]

What is the music playing in the background? So familiar but I can’t put visuals to it

[@SoDamnGangsta]

I absolutely agree with you about mvc1, it was possibly the last time capcoms 2D art department was really firing on all cylinders

[@Sparkilos]

Ki 94 man I'm a 2000s kid but thankfully my dad had his snes and killer instinct he always had us fighting irl w this game man so many memories

[@baddabaddabaddaswing]

If Capcom and Disney ever agree to release MvC2 on consoles again, I hope they add a new optional "ratio" mode. It's such a great idea and forces you to explore characters that were considering garnage and people are still discovering new tech with those characters.

[@lostboi8825]

I knew it was gonna be but I still yelled "YES" when he put 3rd strike on top. A game for the ages.

[@PlayrR3D156]

"Top 10 and I'm not here to make anyone happy" *His based energy is rising. It's overflowing!*

[@sinxstarx1721]

Can you do your top fighting game characters of all time ?

[@saltycomet]

Yes pls

[@ajshiro3957]

Since Max is sharing his top 10, I'm gonna share my personal top 10. 1: Pokken Tournament DX. After playing this game again, I can't even. it's too fun. And too cute and awesome and cool. it's my two favorite things in one. 2: Tekken 5: The game that made me. Jinpachi was my first ever boss rage moment, and I will never forget how utterly horrified of this man when I first saw him. 3: Streetfighter 3rd Strike. I Love this game. Another game that combines 2 things I love. this time Streetfighter and hiphop. The soundtrack though. 4: Mortal Kombat Armeggeddon. Yes, this game is up there. It's a weird one, but it's the most played Mortal Kombat game I played next to 11 and Trilogy. So much nostaljia. 5: Marvel VS Capcom 3. It's just fun. what can I say. I don't care how crazy Zero is. He's my favorite. 6: Tekken 7. First preordered game, first game I ever bought DLC for, and probably the game I played the most. 7: King of Fighters 15. My second preordered game. And boy am I enjoying learning the ins and out of this game. First game where I had to look at a tutorial for. 8: Smash Ultimate. This game had me excited just from the music and the trailer alone. Also, it was announced while I was working. 9: Smash 4. The game that got me into Smash and why I got Ultimate. 10: Streetfighter 2. Just in general. No specific type. the game that got me into fighting games. My dad got me into Streetfighter as a kid. Too many memories to count.

[@DrangusKahn]

Why is Smash considered a fighting game? It’s like a party brawler...and just because it takes skill for high level play doesn’t make it a “fighting game”

[@Xsurian]

Phantasy star online music on the background 🤌🤌

[@theambitious0ne451]

Max, where do you rank Urban Reign and do you think we'll every get a remake?

[@OhCrapItsPayne]

did you save this preset on the website?

[@brandonaraujo2177]

I remember playing ki on my Super Nintendo my dad got me. I was like 9 just hitting buttons and only ever managed to get 2 ultra combos with Fulgore and it may be the best feeling I’ve ever felt playing a fighting game.

[@NickScott86]

I think I like Marvel vs Capcom 1 best out of all the versus games too. Really, really makes me wish Capcom still had awesome 2D art styles for their fighting games. The chunky 3D of Street Fighter 4, 5, 6 don't do it for me and don't age well compared to Third Strike or Alpha, IMO.

[@islandboy9381]

Just imagine a modern day fighting game with a MvC 1 artstyle in a crisp 4k format plus a big roster 🤯 it's the truth that some things just work better in 2D than 3D no matter how much 3D polishes it over the years.

[@ilovecokeslurpees]

I love that 4 of these games on this list are Dreamcast games. That was such a great console for fighting games (among other things).

[@spiderhulk26]

Great list :)

[@theheadtapchannel4132]

how they squeezed the original ki into a snes cart with it still being awesome is amazing lol

[@seamusinmusic]

Max, you and me are on such the same wave length. Mvc1 and KI were God tier for me as a kid.

[@seamusinmusic]

Mvc on was why I learned stick. And it is definately my fav art style of all fighters even to this day.

[@tinomoreno21]

What is the name of that background song?

[@ReeceHoward06]

MvC 1 has one of my favorite boss fights of all time. When I first fought Onslaught at the arcade, I was like 😮

[@Aramane]

Same reaction for me fighting Apocalypse in X-Men v SF

[@ReeceHoward06]

@@Aramane Not gonna lie, XvsSF had the biggest impact on me as a kid. I'll never forget seeing it in the arcade for the 1st time!

[@Aramane]

@@ReeceHoward06 apart from the various iterations of SF2, I don't think I've played any game in the arcade more than XvSF. Having Killer Bee and Gambit fight as a team - hell yeah!

[@markdodd4559]

Still play K.I 2013/2017 now and its 2023. I love it

[@ryanadams8735]

I would probably have more SNK titles like Garou and KOF in the top 20 since that's what I grew up with. This is a great personalized list showing how you can love all games of a franchise aside from MVCI.

[@spiderhulk26]

MVCI is in his top 20 so I think he does like it

[@RGF91]

another Max top 10 list? OH MY?!

[@dddccc8449]

From which video sre the fulgore clips that he uses when talking about KI?????

[@Xion_Stellar]

Whoever edited this video I would like to say to you that I appreciate the of PSO music in the background.

[@alexisdelangel13]

MAX. The hair is looking good. I understand you're a busy KZbinr but you should definitely keep it touched up.

[@tonware]

What’s the song playing throughout the video?

[@maleficentdunn5370]

What is that between MvC Infinite and X-Men vs Street Fighter?

[@Spritofjazz]

Looking to far into this but it’s so true that how a game “feels” is everything. I almost get addicted to the way I can move around and how mechanics feel to pull off in certain games and those are the ones I always go back to. Even if there are 100% other objectively better games to be on probably

[@megaunderflow4076]

I super respect how well Max is able recognize and acknowledge his bias with these things. Like, when other people say "This isn't my bias", you raise an eyebrow. But whenever Max says it, I believe him. Mainly because he's also really good at admitting when he IS biased. 😆

[@lordjimbo2]

2:30 - This is exactly how I remember it.

[@splish8869]

It'd be interesting to see how MVC2 ranks differently with and without ratio rulesets. Stuff like this can be tricky, as for instance when you rank a smash game you could rank the game based around what the overall package of a game provides, or how it plays within the community's competitive ruleset But I think from what I've seen of MVC2, the game can be played in a way with a lot of varaity, or a way where the most popular teams dominate the cast in the way smas4 bayonetta and cloud dominated their game, and theyre incredibly common. not to say there isn't fun to be had there, or one version carries more game history over the other, just that you are kinda playing two different versions of the same game in a way similar to how 3rd strike and 2nd impact are different games, and bobby fischer's chess 960 is different from chess

[@Sevatar_VIIIth]

That Phantasy Star Online theme music 🔥 😂

[@Snoozytube]

I remember playing killer instinct 12-13 years ago on an arcade for the first time and I knew about the game but never played it and I thought it was nuts. Then I forgot the game existed until I met Max's videos and remembered fulgore, riptor, and jago and got into 2013 KI. And I might do it again sometime soon if the online is still good

[@shadecollins]

Video has major props simply for phantasy star music.

[@hunterzolomom9480]

my top 10 MK 9/x/armaggedon/trilogy/11 Injustice 2 Killer Instinct OG/2013 Kof 13/15 Samurai Shodown v special/6 Naruto accel 2 Street 4 Tekken 5/7 GodZila

[@dedisetiawan7424]

So any chance sv6 gonna go up there?

[@creeyis5092]

I remember watching the reaction video to the KI 2013 reveal, and truly connecting because I swear I did the same shit

[@axiscrevite]

To this day, I still struggle fighting Gill in 3rd strike...especially when he does his resurrection 😶, but I still love playing it 🎮

[@eth102]

Part of me really wanted him to hit the mix up and put MVCI at number 1.