The best ways to get into fighting games are free 

Fighting games have come a long way since the days of their supposed exclusivity. Nowadays, modern titles can be seen lowering the barriers to entry to capture a wider audience. But seeing as video games are getting more expensive, free demos, trial periods, and free-to-play fighting games are some of the best ways to get into the genre without overcommitting.  

Playing old fighting games is still viable but doesn’t always provide a complete experience 

Before free demos and free-to-play fighting games were a thing, people looking to dip their toes into the genre before making a full-price purchase would borrow or rent the game, play at an arcade or friend’s house (this includes portable fighting games), or purchase an older, cheaper entry in the game franchise they were interested in. While borrowing/renting games has evolved to include digital subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and playing with a friend’s copy of the game is still an option, purchasing older games has lost some of its luster. 

For starters, recent fighting games are online and live off their player population. While Mortal Kombat X is still a fun fighting game that people occasionally go back to, its playerbase isn’t as populated aswhen it launched in 2015. Unless players are content with its story mode and Living Towers where they fight against AI-controlled opponents, they are missing out on roughly half of what the game has to offer.  

Fighting online matches in older games also carries its fair share of issues. The remaining players are likely dedicated fans who spend hours on the game and continue to play against equally skilled opponents or unsuspecting newbies. The netcode can also pose problems as it isn’t as responsive as those found in modern fighting games. Those looking for nostalgia can go back to older fighting games, but these titles usually aren’t the best places for newer players to start. 

Free demo versions, trial periods, and free-to-play games are becoming more abundant 

These days, there are multiple ways that people can get into fighting games without spending anything. Free demo versions like the one for Granblue Fantasy Verus: Rising allow players to partake in both offline and online matches with a limited and rotating roster. Once enough matches have been played to make an informed decision, purchasing the game transfers all progress from the demo to the full game. 

Free trial periods like the one held by Mortal Kombat fromMarch 7 to10 this year work similarly to free demo versions but within a set time period. Certain content is made available, and any progress made during the free trial period can be saved and carried over to the full game upon purchase. Free trial periods usually coincide with new content patches and a discount on the different versions of the associated title, making it easier for players to make the jump to the full game. 

Free-to-play fighting games are a rarer breed, but they do exist. Games like Brawlhalla and MultiVersus have a more basic design and cater to a wider audience. While they don’t have as many features or modes as bigger fighting game names like Street Fighter or Tekken, players get to play for free as long as the developers and publishers say so. Some free-to-play fighting games like MultiVersus require players to grind for certain playable characters but so long as they put in the time and are having fun, then the games will remain as free as players want them to be. 

The great thing about free-to-play options for modern fighting games is that anyone can jump in and experience the online scene. Newer games are populated with more players and the netcode is usually the best it has ever been for that particular series. Multiple basic and advanced tutorials are available for players of all skill levels and helpful features like frame data, replays, and combo trials are becoming the norm for the genre. Fighting games have started to enter another Renaissance era and those eager to partake in them have a lot of ways to begin without immediately committing to large purchases.