Street Fighter is the first game for many fighting game fans, but eventually, they want to try something new. From brutal and gory games like Mortal Kombat to anime brawlers like Dragon Ball Fighter Z, it's easy to get overwhelmed by choices. Nevertheless, there's a fighting game for everyone, since the genre covers a wide range of aesthetics, community sizes, and accessibility levels.

Consider all of these games as a jumping point, as you may find yourself going down a deep dive. They all share the same charm that makes fighters worthwhile, and if you love Street Fighter, you'll love these games.

9/9 Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors

Darkstalkers Night Warriors Gameplay

At first glance, the Darkstalkers franchise looks like a cheesy Halloween series with monster-inspired characters, but it's much more. Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors was the first fighting game to implement airdashes, chain combos, and EX moves. Despite creating the foundation for future games, Capcom let the series languish into near-obscurity, until the release of Capcom Fighting Game Collection.

Now you can experience the series that rewrote fighting games, with the luxuries of modern fighters — like rollback netcode and training modes. As with most fighters, Darkstalkers doesn't offer the most thrilling story, but its gameplay and unusual roster make up for it.

The Character Select Screen for Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is undoubtedly one of the most beloved fighters in the fighting game community. Its roster encompasses well-known Marvel and Capcom characters, such as Magneto, Iron Man, Wolverine, Mega Man, Cammy, and Zangief. Thanks to a tag-team system, you can create your favorite lineup against friends.

If you want a Street Fighter-like that offers faster gameplay, character assists, and juggling opportunities, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is that game. Besides, where else can you have Guile, Ryu, and Felicia spar against Magneto, Dr. Doom, and War Machine? The only thing stopping you from playing right now is an affordable copy.

7/9 Granblue Fantasy Versus

Lunalu stands back as Charlotta performs her Skybound Art in Granblue Fantasy Versus.

Granblue Fantasy Versus is the perfect entry point into Street Fighter alternatives. It's not as mechanically demanding as other fighting games, and is a great way to spend time with friends without worrying about frame data and matchups. Granblue also has simplified inputs, to make early gameplay a breeze.

Despite looking like a run-of-the-mill anime fighter, it's oddly rooted closer to Street Fighter. Since it's very accessible, you can use this game as a way to hone your skills before moving on to other IPs. Unfortunately, its community is tiny, and the lack of rollback netcode is far from ideal.

6/9 Street Fighter 3: Turbo

Yang jumps to counter an attack from Ryu in Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike from the Anniversary Collection

Street Fighter 3 Turbo is overshadowed by Street Fighter 2, but it's the Street Fighter you should play if you haven't already. Turbo started as a completely unrelated fighting game, with a few other games considered for the sequel. While it initially underperformed, it's become one of the best — if not the best — games in the series.

Eagle-eyed fans will notice that Street Fighter 6 is pulling elements from Turbo, including its parry system and hip-hop-inspired soundtrack. Street Fighter 3 will also help your mechanical knowledge, by having you adapt to much quicker and offensive-heavy matches. A little shake-up never hurt anyone.

5/9 Samurai Shodown 5 Special

Samurai Shodown V Special Roster

Samurai Shodown is a name few people will immediately recognize, and it's because The King of Fighters, SamSho's sister series, vastly overshadows it. Samurai Shodown is the best game to cut your teeth in reading your opponents, because every move could be your last. Everyone hits like a truck, especially Yashitora.

Samurai Shodown 5 Special is comparatively simpler than Street Fighter, but demands players know the basics. If you're struggling with combos and offensive plays in Street Fighter, Samurai Shodown can help improve your neutral game and reads. Impatient players can learn to play it smart and punish mistakes.

4/9 Tekken 7

The Character Select Screen for Tekken 7

You can't mention Street Fighter without bringing up Tekken. When Tekken was first released, it blew Street Fighter 3 out of the water with its grounded mechanics and 3D models. Fights also have more noticeable weight behind each hit. If you wanted a Street Fighter that teetered closer to realistic combat, Tekken is the best choice.

Tekken also has broader move pools and combo opportunities. Tekken's stages are 3D, which means you can sidestep attacks. It's a very different game compared to Street Fighter, and that's fine. Who would want to play the same game with character model swaps?

3/9 The King of Fighters 15

Team 10, Galaxy Anton Wrestling in The King of Fighters 15

If Street Fighter 5 isn't challenging enough for you, SNK's The King of Fighters 15 is waiting to humble you. All you have to do is take a quick look at its combo challenges. Its 3v3 elimination system, rapid mobility, and offensive-heavy gameplay are a world away from Street Fighter's mechanics.

However, that shouldn't deter you from trying it out. King of Fighters 15's diverse roster has some overlap with characters you loved in Street Fighter, such as Antonov and Zangief. Incidentally, the lead developer for the original Street Fighter, Takashi Nishiyama, is also the same person behind The King of Fighters.

2/9 Them's Fightin' Herds

Thems Fighting Herds Stage Selection

Don't let Them's Fightin' Herds cutesy art style and characters fool you — it offers the complete package for fledgling fighting game players, and enough of a challenge for players wanting to try something new. It's a seemingly unorthodox step away from Street Fighter, but makes sense if you want to move into more complex gameplay.

Them's Fightin' Herds has a thorough tutorial tied to the story, and an expansive training mode that honestly puts other games to shame. It iterates and improves upon features that should be staples in AAA fighting games — a dynamic music system, rollback netcode, and straightforward public lobbies.

1/9 Guilty Gear Strive

Baiken using her counterattack on Chipp in Guilty Gear Strive

Guilty Gear Strive introduced players to the franchise with an approachable system and an even more badass soundtrack. Arc System Works proved to veterans that simplification doesn't always mean an inferior game. Compared to Street Fighter, Strive's gameplay is more dynamic and aggressive.

Characters are easy to pick up but ridiculously hard to master —unless you're a Ky or Sol main, that is. If you want to unwind from fighting, you can fish to unlock songs and customizable outfits, practice user-created combo challenges, and play the story mode. With such broad appeal, there's a lot you can find yourself interested in.

NEXT: The Best Indie Fighting Games