The best 15 fighting games for your Chromebook

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If you’re a major fan of the best fighting games, you will undoubtedly admire what options ChromeOS is packing for you. Thanks to a myriad of sources to experience video game titles on a Chromebook, there is quite a variety of fighting games on display here, including Tekken 7, Brawlhalla, and even Guilty Gear Strive.

In this listicle, we’ll go through the top 15 fighting games to play on your Chromebook, along with a brief description of each entry so you can acknowledge what to expect going forward. The source of the game’s playability on ChromeOS will also be touched upon, making it easy to proceed with things bar none.

Let’s get started with no further ado.

What to know before getting started

Before moving ahead, you should know that the following entries have all been verified to work on ChromeOS; just that the source of installing the games will differ. Some can be grabbed easily from the Google Play Store—the popular Android app storefront—while others must be approached through Nvidia GeForce Now.

• Nvidia GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service available in select parts of the world, including the US. Make sure to confirm its availability on your end before you get started.

Lastly, some games are to be downloaded on ChromeOS via Steam alpha. In case you missed it, Midway In the first quarter of 2022, ChromeOS saw the arrival of Steam alpha—the Steam game launcher in a preliminary stage—to its forefront. Thereby unlocking the world of top-level gaming for Chromebook users.

That said, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine here since only some Chromebooks can install Steam alpha and work with it now. Google has promised it’s working toward optimizing more devices for the launcher, so do expect improvement on this front down the road. For now, though, it all hinges on you having a Steam alpha-supported device.

15 of the best fighting games to enjoy on ChromeOS

What entails ahead is a cherry-picked list of the most high-quality fighting games to play on your trusty Chromebook. The better device you have, the better will be your playing experience. If you’ve been scouring the market to purchase a new device soon, consider checking out these performance Chromebooks for better results.

Let’s dive into these titles immediately with that out of the way.

1. Brawlhalla

Starting this list is a high-end side-scrolling 2D fighting game known for its enticing gameplay mechanics and a simple yet addictive base formula. Brawlhalla is a constantly updated platformer, and the cherry on top is that it’s also free to play. The game takes pride in featuring dozens of different playable characters with a feasible learning curve.

Perhaps, the most exciting part about Brawlhalla is its core concept. This is one of those video games that boast cross-overs with other media franchises. At one point in its running period, the title has brought the likes of Tai Lung from Kung Fu Panda and Chun-Li from the Street Fighter franchise to its forefront, elevating the gameplay to a new level.

You can stream Brawlhalla through Nvidia GeForce Now or download the game on Steam on a compatible Chromebook. Not sure whether Steam supports your device or not? Check out our guide on installing the Steam alpha app on compatible Chromebooks for more information.

2. Shadow Fight 3

Next up, we have an entry from one of the most established Android fighting game franchises to cover, and it’s certainly a gripping venture to get yourself into. Shadow Fight 3 comes after two mainline installments in the Shadow Fight series, made better and more complex over its predecessors’ glory days.

The title revolves around 2D fighting either barehandedly or with an assailment of different weapons, with a heavy focus on the latter. A unique ability is incorporated into each playable character’s fighting style that sets you up to unleash a devastating flurry of attacks.

As for the playable game modes, Shadow Fight 3’s focus is on competitive multiplayer, where you’re constantly going up against other human enemies to rank up your profile and unlock more powerful characters, or in other words, “Legends,” as the title likes to coin it. Thankfully, Chromebook users don’t have to go further than the Play Store to get this one.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

3. Shadow Fight 4: Arena

Shadow Fight 4: Arena and Shadow Fight 3 share a similar gameplay style. However, before you step into the next iteration of the Shadow Fight fighting game series, it’s worth acquainting yourself with the right know-how of the title’s technicality. Shadow Fight 3 will serve that purpose for you, but Shadow Fight 4 is where the real fight’s at.

The sequel to the highly established Shadow Fight 3 sports a thorough upgrade in visual aspects and cosmetic upgrades. The rest of the gameplay remains identical to the previous Shadow Fight. Still, adding more fighters, subsequent abilities, and weapons make the whole affair worth trying out on ChromeOS.

Furthermore, the controls are smooth and work like a charm on Chromebooks, especially 2-in-1 convertible ones that let you operate the device like a tablet. Depending on your device’s hardware, Shadow Fight 4’s graphics can be pumped up to a high degree for folks to enjoy all that graphical fidelity like never before.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

4. The King of Fighters ALLSTAR

Next, another remarkable 2D fighter Chromebook users can dive into and relive classic beat-em-up action. The King of Fighters ALLSTAR is spun off the legendary KOF franchise, featuring iconic characters from the mainline series and rendering them into fun-filled action combat for mobile operating systems.

Those who’ve tried the title speak volumes about the overall graphical quality and fast-paced combo-centered action. But beware, though, since this is a game with a steep learning curve, it’s easy to learn but hard to master. Besides, you’ll have to employ tactical measures to take down your opponents in specific scenarios; mindless punching won’t be it.

ALLSTAR is free to download from your Chromebook’s Google Play Store, but the developers recommend using a Chromebook with at least a 2.5 GHz quad-core CPU and 2 GB RAM. Most Chromebooks are way over that requirement, so we hardly doubt the specs sheet will have to be looked at for this one.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

5. Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is another rip-roaring video game fighting franchise that spans decades of games and consequent success. Luckily, industry tycoon WB Games has pushed out a mobile iteration of the popular fighting game series, naming it just that and allowing gamers on mobile operating systems to get a taste of true lethal combat.

This title is unlike most fighting games; an unruly sense of gore here will wrench your guts if you’re new to virtual bloodbaths. Mortal Kombat features several iconic characters and their versions from alternate realities, including Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Fire God Liu Kang, Jade, and Skarlet.

The core gameplay hinges on 3 vs 3 combat, where you’re led to creating your team of fighters. Progression earns you special attacks and artifacts, and assembling a team of warriors synergetic to each other adds more fuel to your squad’s fire. Last but not least, you got over 130 different characters to play with in Mortal Kombat.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

6. Injustice: Gods Among Us

Surprisingly, the fighting game at hand remains updated even to this day, despite releasing almost a decade ago. The developers, again Warner Bros., appear to be committed to the IP, given its eminence in the comical world. Injustice: Gods Among Us pits the most prominent characters of the DC universe against each other in ferocious combat.

The likes of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Nightwing, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Solomon Grundy are all part of Injustice’s epic roster, letting you take control of each noteworthy figure in what is otherwise one of the best fighting games for Chromebooks.

Unlike most of its counterparts, Injustice also runs offline, so you can seamlessly enjoy your vicious fights even without being connected to the internet. More than 10 million people have downloaded it on their end, only to get addicted to the title’s action-packed gameplay with a relatively progressive reward system.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

7. Tekken 7

To put it in simple terms, Tekken 7 is the face of fighting games across the planet as a whole. This legendary 3D title has been a prominent eSports participant over the years with tournaments that span hundreds of thousands of dollars in reward money. Talk about a highly intricate gameplay design with involved mechanics to learn and master.

This is, of course, outside of the usual and fun gameplay that Tekken 7 entails daily. You can choose from an assortment of new and returning characters and enjoy ranked matches online or take to the in-game “Practice Mode” to hone your skills.

The big question is: How does one run a game like this on a Chromebook? The answer is simple: Steam alpha. If you’re flexing something like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, you can install Steam alpha and download Tekken 7 after purchasing it. Not too challenging, but the key here is having a compatible Chromebook.

• For a more detailed guide on installing Tekken 7 on ChromeOS, check out our interlinked guide.

8. Guilty Gear Strive

Hailing to one of the slickest fighting game series ever, Guilty Gear Strive, more properly written as “GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-” is a cutting-edge title fueled with mixed 2D and 3D elements. The title comes with enhanced fight animations and a novel art design for its characters, leading one to experience an unseen side of a fighting video game title.

One facet of Strive that players have praised is how it stays true to its originality while making it possible for franchise newbies to learn the basics of the game. This kind of beginner-friendly approach makes the title appear to be a fighting game done well.

Guilty Gear Strive is not free, and you can purchase it on Steam for $19.99 via Steam alpha on ChromeOS. However, another option to approach here is that of the aforementioned Nvidia GeForce Now. By subscribing to the service for $9.99 a month, you get to enjoy Strive and a diverse catalog of other games, all bundled in one package.

• Before you move ahead, ensure your Chromebook fulfills the minimum system requirements for GeForce Now.

9. Streets of Rage 4

An epitome of side-scrolling beat-em’-up action, Streets of Rage 4 is one of the most enjoyable indie games you can use. It’s loaded to the brim with action, not to mention its buttery smooth gameplay stemming from easily manageable control inputs.

The Streets of Rage franchise also has a profound history to its name that has been lingering on for multiple decades. The fourth iteration in the series, being the latest game, offers the most robust Streets of Rage experience to date. Talk about more enemies, different special abilities, and the iconic weapon-wielding ability of all playable characters.

Streets of Rage 4 is available on multiple platforms so that Chromebook users can benefit from the added flexibility here. There’s a Google Play Store version of the game that costs about $6 to purchase, and you can also stream it on the cloud through Nvidia GeForce Now—whatever floats your boat.

10. The King of Fighters XV

Often abbreviated as KOF XV, The King of Fighters XV is the latest installment in this long-running franchise of world-renowned fighting games. The title was released in 2022 and has since been a part of Nvidia GeForce Now through an Epic Games Store or Steam connection.

If you wish to play the title on your Chromebook, you must have the game bought on either store first and then stream it from GeForce Now. The latter integrates with Steam and Epic Games in this manner, but only for specific titles and not all.

As for the gameplay, expect crisp and tight combat mechanics with a revised parry system for more hard-fought battles. The visuals are up to par as well, and it would undoubtedly amplify the overall experience of playing KOF XV on a Chromebook with a top-quality display. If you’re a fan of the fighting games genre, this series front-runner by SNK is a must-play.

11. Stick Fight: The Game

There is a massive variety of Stick fighting games out there. Still, developer Land Fall West decided to properly implement this style of interactive video title with Stick Fight: The Game. What we have here at our disposal is a physics-based venture with tons of different levels, multiple iconic Stick characters, and a level editor to craft your levels.

Moreover, there’s also the added ability to play community-created levels, with some featuring various challenges and whatnot. The visuals look cool and snappy, and the overall gameplay is built using the Totally Accurate Battle Simulator system, which the developers have employed for instilling the physics in Stick Fight: The Game.

You can stream this title through GeForce Now if the game is purchased on Steam. On the other hand, Stick Fight has been launched as a mobile game on the Google Play Store, but Chromebook users cannot avail of that, so you’re left with the cloud streaming option only.

• Go to Stick Fight: The Game on Steam.

12. Marvel Future Fight

If you’re a Marvel aficionado and love getting yourself into addictive fighting games, Marvel Future Fight is just the thing you’re looking for. It’s a Google Play store title optimized to run smoothly on Chromebooks, so don’t expect performance hiccups or anything of the like, although it doesn’t hurt to run it on something like the Asus Chromebook CX9.

Future Fight boasts hundreds of different Marvel characters to play as iconic, mainstream, and famous comic characters. Playing this game doesn’t just open you up to the extended comics universe of Marvel but allows you to step into the shoes of the best Marvel characters and enjoy their fighting ability.

Furthermore, expect the likes of the Avengers, X-Men, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s The Defenders, and many other elite groups of heroes to be a part of Future Fight. Due to what the game brings forth in terms of gameplay and graphics, it has amassed over 100 million downloads on the Play Store alone.

•  Download from the Google Play Store.

13. Sifu

Sifu has been crowned one of the best games of all time for not just one but various factors. It has over-the-top gameplay, catchy art direction, and an exceptionally intriguing storyline that’s meant to grip players right from the second they start playing.

The game has been stitched together with meticulous care, particularly for those with a sprawling interest in martial arts and those looking to acquaint themselves with the craft. Sifu sees a young boy witnessing a devastating event in front of his own eyes, leading him down a ferocious path of revenge. What entails next is best if you experience it yourself.

You’ll have to purchase this title on Steam and then play on your Chromebook from the GeForce Now cloud gaming service.

• Go to Sifu on Steam.

14. Skullgirls 2nd Encore

Crowned one of the best fighting games of all time, Skullgirls Second Encore is a revisited version of the base Skullgirls game, boasting enhanced visuals and smoother fight animation. Don’t dive into this one thinking it’s beginner-friendly; it’s not, and let us clear that out immediately.

However, once you begin to get the hang of things, Skullgirls will be a fantastic experience, given how polished and balanced the developers have tweaked it to be in 2023. It deserves a go on ChromeOS, but you must have it off Steam to play it through GeForce Now.

• Go to Skullgirls 2nd Encore on Steam.

15. Injustice 2

Last but not least, Injustice 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the first Injustice: Gods Among Us game on mobile platforms. We recommend you play the first game to grip the basics and then transition over to its bigger, worse sibling to get a clearer hint of how much has been improved. Both titles run great on ChromeOS.

Injustice 2 expands upon the ever-growing roster of DC characters and fuels the villains’ side with even more menacing figures, such as all the members of the Suicide Squad. The sequel improves upon the customization options featured in the first game and continues the story from where the latter left off.

Injustice: Gods Among Us featured a “synergy” mechanic that lets you enjoy heightened perks and powers by grouping in-sync characters. Injustice 2 brings more team synergies, including a new gear type that acts as a passive buff to your character’s stats. It’s a pretty involved game that’ll keep you content on your Chromebook.

• Download from the Google Play Store.

Conclusion

Chromebooks have seen a massive improvement in gaming and not just accessibility over time. Today, these sleek devices can run the Google Play Store at full blast and let users enjoy cloud gaming from renowned platforms such as Nvidia GeForce Now. What’s even more prospective is the imminent arrival of Steam on ChromeOS.

In this guide, we’ve closely looked at the most robust fighting games you can enjoy on your Chromebook. Tekken 7, Brawlhalla, and Streets of Rage 4 are top-notch options you can sink your teeth into right away. Comment below and tell us about the games you’ve tried on your Chromebook.

As always, Chrome Ready wishes you happy gaming!