Top 5 Unusual Fighting Games That Go Against The Formula (And Are $15 Or Less!)

If you’re tired of spending hours in training mode, maybe give these strange titles a chance.

Stephen Byrne
By Stephen Byrne, Collaborator
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Fighting games have been a popular addition to every console generation or PC upgrade season, but every now and then you can get bored of grinding the same combo over and over in the lab. When that time comes, you should try one of these games which shake things up. Here are our top 5 unusual fighting games to play with your friends.

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Toribash

Three words. Individual. Muscle. Control. Where most fighting games give you control over the fighter’s fists and feet, Toribash (and its sequel, Toribash Next) task you with controlling every muscle of the fighter's body. Flex, relax, twist, and turn each muscle to beat your opponent in fights that look more like strange dances. With its time based system where you set up your next move and lock it in, you’ll be barely avoiding faceplants in no time. By the way, this one is free-to-play!

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Your Only Move Is Hustle

If Toribash seems a bit too complex for you, Your Only Move Is Hustle might be for you instead. Hustle uses a time-based system in which you plan your moves, lock them in, and then see them acted out.While this is similar to Toribash, Hustle mixes it up with a few new systems of its own. In the vein of traditional 2D fighters, choose your character’s normal and special moves, or even their devastating supers all in order to outsmart your opponent and win.

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Lethal League

Lethal League casts the strategy of the above titles aside to go in a completely unexpected direction. Just when it seems like it’s driving straight back into Street Fighter territory it takes a weird left into baseball. That’s right, baseball. Choose from a variety of characters with unique special moves as you hit a baseball at ever increasing speeds. Be sure not to whiff when you’re at bat, however, or you’ll be knocked out with one hit.

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Nidhogg 2

Nidhogg 2 is a difficult game to describe, but let's see if we can’t give it a shot. Stare down your opponent as you fight in a battle where one hit immediately kills. However, if you thought that winning that battle was the end, we’re just getting started. Now, desperately run through the stage before your opponent can respawn and duel you again. If you manage to win enough duels and cover enough distance, launch yourself straight into the maw of a flying dragon. Victory at last!

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Divekick

When all else fails, just kick your opponent in the head. That's the approach Divekick sems to take. With only two buttons in the game, jump and kick, anyone can hop in and immediately understand what they need to do. With a variety of characters, each with different ways of gaining height, different special moves, and even different kicks and kick angles, Divekick’s two-button limitation doesn’t mean the game is lacking in the depth department.

So what do you think, have you found the next game for you? Have we piqued your interest in at least one of them? Have we missed any wild fighting games out there? Let us know then go win some rounds!

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About the Author

Stephen Byrne
Stephen Byrne, Collaborator

Stephen Byrne has spent perhaps too much time learning about and playing games. Now he’s taking that knowledge and putting it to good use by sharing it with those like him.

More Stories by Stephen Byrne

Discussion (1)

damina217 6 months ago
A baseball fighter!?! What's next! Nice article!


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