Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For a single-player recommendation, start with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate if you own a Nintendo Switch; for technical practice, choose Rivals of Aether; for free cross-platform matches or a larger group, try Brawlhalla. This ranking weighs what the available official listings establish about modes, training, online play, platforms, and availability—not a definitive consensus on which fighter is best.
How this ranking works
Platform fighters share the broad idea of knocking opponents off a stage, but they serve different needs. The order below is an editorial guide: it prioritizes a clear fit for players, backed by documented features. It is not a controlled comparison of balance, matchmaking quality, or competitive scenes. Where the available official details are limited, the entry is ranked conservatively rather than filled out with guesses.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics - Nintendo Switch | $24.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Mortal Kombat 11 (Nintendo Switch) | $31.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (Nintendo Switch) | $25.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 - Nintendo Switch | $29.37 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Mortal Kombat 1 - Nintendo Switch | $28.34 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — the recognizable Nintendo Switch starting point.
- Rivals of Aether — a strong pick for training tools and competitive modes on Switch.
- Brawlhalla — the clearest free-to-play, cross-platform option for groups.
- Rivals of Aether II — a PC choice with rollback netcode and several match formats.
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 — a licensed-character alternative worth checking against current listings.
Only five games in the available evidence can be responsibly assessed for this current list. MultiVersus is included below as an availability warning, not as a recommended active game; the evidence does not support inventing five more current picks to reach ten.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Best for: Nintendo Switch owners seeking the best-known series entry.
#1 Best Overall
- Experience your Favorite MARVEL vs. CAPCOM classics All in One – Enjoy 7 of your favorite classic titles that helped shaped the MARVEL vs. CAPCOM universe both single player and online.
- Enjoy Enhanced Features Added to the Classic Collection – To enhance your playability experience, we incorporated the favorite added features from Capcom Fighting Collection including gallery mode, quick save, training mode for all fighting titles, and the high score challenge. Beginners and first timers into the franchise are also welcome to play through adjusted settings and execution of one-button specials!
- Play with Friends Worldwide through Online Compatibility – This collection also includes rollback net code for a smooth and enjoyable experience online. Play casually or competitively through casual, ranked, or custom matches using rules of your choosing!
Nintendo’s US product listing confirms Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch. That makes it a direct recommendation for Switch owners who want to begin with the platform-fighter series most broadly recognized by the evidence available here. The reviewed listing does not establish current price, roster size, modes, or online quality, so this ranking does not claim a particular advantage in those areas.
2. Rivals of Aether
Best for: players who want practice tools and structured competitive modes on Switch.
Rank #2
- Mortal Kombat is back and better than ever in the next evolution of the iconic franchise
- The all new Custom Character Variations give you unprecedented control to customize the fighters and make them your own
- The new graphics engine showcasing every skull-shattering, eye-popping moment, brings you so close to the fight you can feel it
- Featuring a roster of new and returning Klassic Fighters, Mortal Kombat's best in class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga over 25 years in the making
- Pre-order now to get Shao Khan
The original Rivals of Aether is not the same game as Rivals of Aether II. Nintendo’s Switch listing describes elemental powers and animal movement, and lists competitive 1v1 and 2v2, free-for-all, story, Abyss, ranked online, tutorials, and practice modes. Its practice mode includes frame data and hitbox visualizations, making it the most explicitly documented training-focused option in this list.
Nintendo records the Switch release date as September 24, 2020. The listed mix of solo and multiplayer modes gives newcomers ways to learn before taking on ranked matches, while the frame and hitbox displays also suit players who want to study matchups and mechanics.
Rank #3
- Celebrate 30 years of the most iconic fighting game series
- Relive the titles that made gaming history
- New gameplay options including online play
- Hadoken your way down memory lane
- Learn more about fan-favorite characters
3. Brawlhalla
Best for: free-to-play matches across devices, including larger local or online groups.
Brawlhalla’s official site describes it as a free 2D platform fighter for up to eight local or online players, with cross-play across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. That combination makes it the most straightforward choice here when players need to meet across platforms or want a group match larger than the usual small set of opponents.
Rank #4
- Face Off with Friends Online: Online play is available across all eight titles, featuring rollback netcode for a strong and stable online experience!
- Hit the Training Bag: Training Mode is now available across all titles with tons of features to help you master combos and setups!
- Expanded Language Support: 14 languages will be supported including English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Arabic!
- A Museum’s Worth of Content: Explore art and music galleries with official art, concept art, design documents, and more never-before-seen content.
- Customize Your Experience: Fine-tune specific features of your gameplay experience via EX Settings specialized to each game, various Display Filters, button customization, and more.
The site displayed announcements and updates in October 2026, including an October 6 announcement, indicating current activity on the official site at that date. This does not establish that it has the best matchmaking or the largest player base; choose it for its documented access and group-play features.
4. Rivals of Aether II
Best for: PC players who want rollback online play and a mix of familiar and expanded mechanics.
Best Value
- A New Universe - Discover a new beginning, as crafted by the Keeper of Time and protector of Earthrealm, Fire God Liu Kang.
- Origins Reimagined - Familiar characters return with all new intertwined histories, interacting in brand new ways.
- New Kameo Fighters - Choose from a unique roster of Kameo fighting partners to assist you in battle.
- Immersive Story Campaign - Fight through a brand new story featuring your favorite Mortal Kombat characters like you’ve never seen them before.
- The Ultimate Fighting Franchise Returns - The Fight for Earthrealm is upon us. This is Mortal Kombat.
The Steam page describes Rivals of Aether II as a PC Windows game with local and online play, including 1v1, 2v2, and free-for-all. It lists rollback netcode as well as shields, ledges, grabs, and throws. Those details make it a distinct option for players interested in a deeper set of interactions than the original game’s documented elemental-movement focus.
The page specifies 20 GB of storage. Its Steam listing establishes a Windows PC product; it does not establish console availability. The store page also says future characters are planned to be added for free, which is a publisher/store statement rather than a guarantee of a particular schedule.
5. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Best for: players drawn to a platform fighter built around licensed characters.
The 2026 TechTimes overview names Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 as a Smash alternative for readers interested in familiar characters. The current platform availability, price, online status, and detailed modes are not established by the official listings available for this ranking, so check the game’s official store page for your platform before buying. Its inclusion is a candidate recommendation, not a claim that it outranks the better-documented entries on features.
What about MultiVersus?
MultiVersus is no longer an active online recommendation. In a January 31, 2025 Steam announcement, the publisher said Season 5 would be the final seasonal update, online features would end on May 30, 2025, and the game would no longer be downloadable or playable online after that date. Offline access required downloading the latest version and logging in during Season 5. As of October 7, 2026, new players should not expect to download it or use online matchmaking.
Quick Recap
Which platform fighter should you choose?
- You have a Switch: consider Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the series anchor, or Rivals of Aether if training tools and ranked modes matter most.
- You need a free option across devices: Brawlhalla is the documented choice, with cross-play and matches for up to eight local or online players.
- You play on Windows PC and care about online mechanics: Rivals of Aether II lists rollback netcode and multiple match formats on Steam.
- You want licensed characters: investigate Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, verifying current platform and service details before purchase.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
