While battle royale titles still dominate the esports stage, other genres are gradually making their mark. Fighting games, in particular, are growing in popularity, evolving with each release, and pushing closer to the top tier of competitive play. In this article, we’ll look at Three fighting games that are not only thrilling to watch and play but also rewarding their competitors with impressive prize pools.

1. Street Fighter 6

Street Fighter 6 is one of the top fighting games today. Once you start playing, it’s hard to stop. Released by Capcom in June 2023, it holds a strong 9/10 rating on Steam and 4.3/5 on PlayStation. Fans on Reddit praise it as one of the best Street Fighter titles ever, securing its place among the greatest fighting games.

“Getting to play matches is so fast and practical, it makes the experience addicting.”

“It’s been recognized as one of the best street fighter games since launch.”

“I tried playing many fighting games in the past and dropped all of them after a short time. I have been playing SF6 nonstop since day 1 and I’ll probably keep going until the end of its lifecycle. Not only the best SF game, but one of the best games ever in general.”

Street Fighter began as an arcade classic and has now reached its seventh major entry with Street Fighter 6. The game is available across Xbox, PlayStation 4 and 5, arcade machines, and Windows, making it accessible to players everywhere. By November 2025, it had already sold over 6 million units worldwide.

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Street Fighter 6 in EWC

The Esports World Cup (EWC) has now added Street Fighter 6 to its lineup of major games. In this event, 48 players went head‑to‑head, all aiming for a share of the massive $1,000,000 prize pool.

• From China, Xiao Hai came out on top, winning the championship and taking home $250,000.
• Blaz finished second and earned $130,000.
• Leshar secured third place with $75,000.
• Angry Bird claimed fourth place, walking away with $45,000.

What set this tournament apart was that every participant received prize money, ensuring that all 48 competitors went home with earnings. The prize distribution highlighted EWC’s approach to rewarding players across different ranks. With Street Fighter 6 now included in the event, the game continues to establish its presence within the wider esports landscape.

Capcom Cup, Annual Fighting Tournament

The Capcom Cup began in 2013, originally focusing on the Street Fighter series. In 2025, the tournament was held in Tokyo, Japan, with a total prize pool of $1,282,000. Japanese player Kakeru secured first place, winning the championship title along with $1 Million in prize money.

2. Tekken 8

The Tekken series was first introduced in December 1994, developed by the legendary Japanese studio Namco. Originally released as an arcade title, it was quickly ported to the PlayStation in 1995, marking the beginning of its global dominance.

From the very start, Tekken captured the imagination of players worldwide. In Japan, it sold an impressive 942,000 units, making it the fourth highest‑grossing arcade game of 1995. Across the United States, it achieved similar acclaim, ranking among the top five arcade titles with 786,556 units sold.

Tekken grew into a well‑known name in gaming culture, with each release refining its gameplay and stories. In January 2024, the series continued with Tekken 8, confirming its strong place in competitive gaming and ongoing popularity with fans worldwide.

Tekken 8 arrival in EWC

The Esports World Cup (EWC) is one of the biggest events in competitive gaming. In 2025, the tournament added Tekken 8 to its lineup, drawing 32 players to compete for a prize pool of $1 million.

The matches were held in Riyadh from August 13 to 16, 2025, and the competition was dominated by South Korean players, who secured all of the top five positions. ULSAN claimed the championship title and took home $250,000. The runner‑up earned $130,000, with $70,000 awarded for third, $50,000 for fourth, and $37,500 for fifth.

Tekken World Tour (TWT)

Tekken organizes its own global tournament, known as the Tekken World Tour (TWT), where players can showcase their skills on an international stage. This Tekken World Tour (TWT) is an annual international tournament organized by Bandai Namco, first introduced in 2017. It has since become a consistent fixture in the competitive fighting game calendar.

The prize distribution is as follows:

• First place: $100,000
• Second place: $60,000
• Third place: $30,000
• Fourth place: $15,000
• Remaining 33 participants: All receive prize money, with the lowest tier set at $1,000

The 2026 edition of the Tekken World Tour will be held from January 29 to February 1, 2026, featuring four days of competitive matches among top players from around the world.

It means that Tekken personal tournaments are also worth considering. Participation in these events can provide valuable experience and open up future opportunities.

3. Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Fatal Fury is a long‑running fighting game series developed by SNK in Japan. The franchise began in 1991 as an arcade title and became known for its distinctive characters, moves, and battle system. Over the years, it has built a loyal following, especially among players who remember its early arcade roots.

In 2025, the seventh installment of the series was released. The game has received positive reviews, with a rating of 9/10 on Steam and 4.4/5 on PlayStation. It is available on Xbox, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows.

Fatal Fury at the EWC 2025

Fatal Fury, developed by SNK, secured a spot in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The tournament offered a $1 million prize pool, underscoring the game’s growing relevance in modern competitive play.

The event featured top players from around the world. In the grand finals, Goichi “GO1” Kishida defeated Xiaohai to win the championship. As the winner, GO1 received $300,000 from the prize pool along with competitive points.

Xiaohai from China finished as runner‑up and received $155,000.

DarkAngel earned $100,000 for third place.

Mok received $65,000 for fourth place.

Prize money was also distributed among the remaining participants, with amounts awarded down to the 16th place, where players received $20,000.

Last Words

Esports is not only about battle royale games, since those don’t fit everyone’s style. Fighting games are also a good option because they are straightforward, competitive, and can help players build a future in gaming.

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