7 Fighting Games That Reward Exploration

Fighting games are often built around a tight, repeatable loop that goes something like this: you pick a character, learn the basic moves and combos, practice them, and then proceed to beat up enemies and look for new strategies when the old ones aren't working. So it's natural that exploration isn't the first thing that pops into the minds of gamers when fighting games are discussed.

However, a handful of titles have broken that old, repeatable mold and created a new vibe by hiding different characters, modes, and stages behind exploration. I could say that these fighting games ask you to gently step off the versus screen and go looking around.

7 Mortal Kombat 1

A Seasonal Map of Secrets

While Mortal Kombat 1 is best known for its cinematic Story Mode, Invasions Mode reimagines each season (six weeks long) as a board game where you travel between nodes, optional paths, and reveal secrets, chests, and word puzzles called "Klues". While the main progression is generally straightforward, there is room for exploration as optional paths hide extra rewards, unlock additional areas, etc.

Each season refreshes these Invasions with new themes, layouts, cosmetics, and encounters. Still, I have to mention here that the most valuable rewards are spread across exploration, seasonal progression, and boss completion. So, when I compare Mortal Kombat 1 with most modern fighting games, I can say that Invasions stands out for giving us a more active role in navigating and uncovering content.

6 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

An Overworld Full of Detours

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the best platform fighters with a crossover fighting series that pits characters from Mario, Pokémon, Zelda, and other franchises against each other in fighting matches. However, the main star of the game is the single-player World of Light mode, which allows you to go around the huge overworld map where you need to beat up enemies, find hidden paths, and explore optional side areas that hide extra rewards.

As you roam around the surprisingly long World of Light, you'll find and collect spirits that can boost your character. I love the fact that there are more than 1500 of these available and scattered around the map, which means exploration here will not be completed in a quick afternoon run.

5 Soulcalibur VI

RPG Experience in a Fighting Game?

Alongside Soulcalibur VI's regular duel mode where you cross your sword with another opponent, there are also two interesting single-player narrative modes called Soul Chronicle and Libra of Souls. Soul Chronicle is a traditional story campaign that lets you step into the roles of both main fighters and supporting characters, following their individual journeys through the events surrounding the cursed Soul Edge and the holy Soul Calibur.

But in Libra of Souls, you get to create your own character. If you're a great RPG fan like me, you'll love this mode because it gives you the freedom to explore the map, level up, collect great gear, and complete missions in unique conditions. Still, don't expect much, as this isn't a main RPG game, but it does offer a more than decent RPG experience, and challenging combat will keep you glued to the screen.

4 Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Explore What Could Have Been

If you loved the Dragon Ball anime series, then you'll relive plenty of your old memories when you play Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. It is a 3D arena fighter built around the original TV show, where you dip into a pool of 181 popular characters such as Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and others. However, when it comes to exploring this game, the game's story mode, Episode Battle, comes to light. It puts you in the shoes of one of eight key characters from the series, both heroes and villains.

In this story mode, you get another layer to the game because you're not only playing out the stuff that happened in the series, but you also have the opportunity to change things and see what would happen if things went in a different direction. Roaming around the visual story map will let you challenge different enemies, have interesting dialogues, and discover unique tasks like collecting Super Dragon Balls. Doing all of these things can alter the main storyline, which I find fascinating!

3 Power Stone 2

Every Arena Is Worth Exploring

Power Stone 2 is a game that turns every match into a scramble across huge interactive stages that are packed with things like environmental hazards, moving platforms, weapons, and collectible Power Stones (collecting three gives you a big power boost). So, rather than standing face-to-face with your opponent in a static arena, you are constantly searching the surroundings while fighting and avoiding traps at the same time.

All in all, learning the stages and exploring them is just as important as fighting in this game, so that's why I would say this fighting game is definitely one where exploration is key.

2 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R

Secret Missions Await

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R has a mode called All-Star Battle Mode, which recreates famous battles from the manga series while encouraging you to tackle optional objectives called Secret Missions. When you complete these bonus challenges, you can unlock cosmetics such as costumes, artwork, music, color tints, etc.

Even though exploration here is more about discovering content than roaming in a semi-open world or an open world, if you are willing to explore, you will be rewarded with a wealth of interesting unlockables.

1 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Adventure Beyond the Arena

Outside its cinematic arena battles, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4's Adventure Mode allows you to freely explore familiar locations from the Naruto universe. There, you will talk to different characters outside the main storyline, accept optional quests, and collect memory fragments and materials.

These side activities mean a lot because they expand the game's world by giving you valuable rewards that, in return, create a game where exploration has a meaningful role between battles. They also encourage you to revisit familiar areas, as new quests and interactions become available as you progress through the story.