The Game Awards 2024 which was held last night was the tenth anniversary of the event and was held in a very glamorous manner wherein not only the year’s best games but also new announcements and exclusive premieres were also revealed. One of the most competitive categories of the night was the ‘Best Fighting Game’ category which matched some of the genre’s most eminent titles. 

Why Fighting Games Matter 

Fighting games are one of the most popular genres in the gaming industry. They provide a lot of depth, competitive spirit, and characters that are difficult to forget. Whether you are a casual gamer or a competitive gamer these games have this unique ability to capture people with their combination of planning and execution. This year’s nominees helped to demonstrate how the genre has evolved, giving something to appeal to every type of fighter. 

Nominees for The Game Awards

 This year’s list of contenders was as exciting as ever: 

 • Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO (Bandai Namco Entertainment) — It’s a fresh new Dragon Ball game that boasts amazing graphics and the best heroes of the franchise. 

 • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (Cygames/Arc System Works) — It is a beautiful fighter game that makes the Granblue Fantasy universe come to life while providing easy to pick up but hard to master gameplay. 

 • Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Capcom) — An old school lover’s dream and an opportunity to play polished versions of some of the best arcade fighting games ever made. 

 • MultiVersus (Player First Games/WB Games) — A fast-paced, unstructured battle royal that sees pop culture icons battle it out in an environment. 

 • Tekken 8 (Bandai Namco Entertainment) — The newest addition to the widely popular franchise which came with the best graphics, new mechanics, and the continuation of the main story. 

And the Winner Is… TEKKEN 8

The award for “Best Fighting Game” was given to Tekken 8, and it is quite understandable as to why. Bandai Namco took all that is good about the franchise and amplified it. The graphics of the game are rendered using Unreal Engine 5 and are very sharp, making one feel that every strike, block, or string of combos were truly delivered. The gameplay itself is based on the new Heat System that promotes fast and fierce fights that are never lacking in intensity. 

But the game is not a direct sequel to Tekken 7 and that is a good thing. The story aspect of Tekken 8 is perhaps the strongest element of this game as it expands upon the story of one of gaming’s most famous and dysfunctional families. Besides that, the game’s multiplayer features, such as rollback netcode and enhanced match-making, help to provide a good time for both the casual gamer and the dedicated competitive fighter. 

Why Tekken 8 Stood Out 

This is where Tekken 8 was successful, it brought new ideas into the game without detaching from what the game has been. This is fresh and quite exciting, yet, it does not stray too far from what the game is. The media praised it for being deep, yet approachable, and having the most beautiful character models, which the competitive scene has already adopted as a new tournament staple. 

A Game-Changer for Fighting Games 

Tekken 8 is not only a great addition to the franchise but also a great example of how fighting games should be developed. It is a proof that the fighting game genre can still thrive while remaining faithful to the values that define it. Thus, winning the title of “The Best Fighting Game” at The Game Awards 2024, Tekken 8 set the bar for the future releases. 

With this win, Bandai Namco has cemented Tekken 8’s place in gaming history and raised the bar for what’s to come. The Game Awards also demonstrated that fighting games are very much alive, well, and prepared to continue offering such experiences.