Best games
Best Fighting games of 2005
The 9 best Fighting games released in 2005, ranked from 455 critic and player ratings.
The best Fighting game of 2005 is Soul Calibur III, with a critic score of 86/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Each game is ranked in one genre only, the one that defines it best, so the same title never tops two different genre charts.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2005.
- 9 games are listed on this page, carrying 455 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 28 September 2026.
Top 9
01
Soul Calibur III
Soulcalibur III is a fighting game produced by Namco as a sequel to Soulcalibur II and the fourth installment in the Soul series. The game includes three new modes and a larger character roster with 24 characters playable in Tales of Souls mode and an additional 18 playable in all other modes.
86
/100
02
The Warriors
Based on the 1979 movie of the same name. A battle on the New York streets. The armies of the night number 60,000 strong, and tonight they're all after The Warriors - a street gang wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader.
84
/100
03
Jade Empire
Set in an ancient world inspired by mythical China, Jade Empire lets you train under your master's watchful eye as you learn powerful martial arts and mystical powers. When danger threatens, you'll travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. In your adventures, you must face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn the exotic and magical martial arts, and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Practice the greatest fighting styles and defeat the most powerful enemies to become a master of martial arts.
82
/100
Soul Calibur III
Soulcalibur III is a fighting game produced by Namco as a sequel to Soulcalibur II and the fourth installment in the Soul series. The game includes three new modes and a larger character roster with 24 characters playable in Tales of Souls mode and an additional 18 playable in all other modes.
86
/100
02
The Warriors
Based on the 1979 movie of the same name. A battle on the New York streets. The armies of the night number 60,000 strong, and tonight they're all after The Warriors - a street gang wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader.
84
/100
03
Jade Empire
Set in an ancient world inspired by mythical China, Jade Empire lets you train under your master's watchful eye as you learn powerful martial arts and mystical powers. When danger threatens, you'll travel across the world, from the harsh mountains of the Land of Howling Spirits to the lush gardens of the Imperial City. In your adventures, you must face powerful human and supernatural foes, learn the exotic and magical martial arts, and discover the darkest secrets of the world. Practice the greatest fighting styles and defeat the most powerful enemies to become a master of martial arts.
82
/100
04
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
The debut PlayStation Portable offering of THQ and Yuke's long-running 3D wrestling series. WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 expands on THQ's popular multi-million unit-selling franchise with a number of key new features. The Buried Alive Casket match, two new wrestler attributes (Stamina and Hardcore), and a realistic momentum system all combine to turn the series away from its arcade roots and towards that of a simulation. The PSP version follows closely on the heels of its PS2 tag-teammate in terms of features and wrestler rosters, with exclusive extras including additional characters and other features for the PSP version, plus USB system link to connect the two versions together.
84
/100
05
Dead or Alive 4
Dead or Alive 4 is a fighting game and the fourth major title in the Dead or Alive video game series, its plot following the events of the 2001 title Dead or Alive 3. Dead or Alive 4 features 22 playable characters and many multi-tiered and interactive fighting arenas. DOA4 has a number of updates in reference to previous titles. Characters' move lists have been vastly updated and four new characters have been added to the fighting roster, with returns from a couple of past characters as well. The counter system has been tightened, making the window for counters shorter and more difficult to execute, and the amount of damage that counters inflict has been changed.
80
/100
06
Yakuza
Just as Kazuma, a former rising star in the Yakuza, emerges from prison after a murder cover-up, 10 billion yen vanishes from the Yakuza vault, forcing him once again into their brutal, lawless world. A mysterious young girl will lead Kazuma to the answers if he can keep her alive.
75
/100
07
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is an action-adventure beat 'em up video game set in the Mortal Kombat universe. Players take on the roles of the iconic Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao, either solo or in cooperative mode, as they defend Earthrealm against the threats of Outworld. The game offers a reimagining of the storyline from Mortal Kombat II.
74
/100
08
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi lets you play as more than 60 characters from the Dragon Ball Z TV series. You can battle using authentic special attacks of each character as you run, fly, and swim through fully destructible and free-roaming levels. Design your own character by assigning and upgrading 10 different attributes. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi has multiple game modes for both one and two players.
72
/100
09
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 3 makes leaps in the franchise with a host of “firsts” for the series. Players can now live through and be a part of all the major events that defined Story Arc 1 in Heroes History mode. Also, ninja-in-training can customize their characters with the Ultimate Jutsu which gives them that extra bit of edge during battle and allows them to earn points towards upgrading their strength, defense, chakra, agility and other special abilities. Turn playable characters into more powerful ninja of unprecedented size or summon giant creatures as allies with the new Summoning mode. In addition, NARUTO fans throughout North America can experience the game in both English and original Japanese voice over. In keeping with the tradition of the series, an exclusive and original story has players exploring the massive 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village, participating in battle royale matches and completing more than 55 missions. The experience doesn’t stop there as tons of unlockable content are available to offer loads of replay value including movies, music and cards
70
/100
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006
The debut PlayStation Portable offering of THQ and Yuke's long-running 3D wrestling series. WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2006 expands on THQ's popular multi-million unit-selling franchise with a number of key new features. The Buried Alive Casket match, two new wrestler attributes (Stamina and Hardcore), and a realistic momentum system all combine to turn the series away from its arcade roots and towards that of a simulation. The PSP version follows closely on the heels of its PS2 tag-teammate in terms of features and wrestler rosters, with exclusive extras including additional characters and other features for the PSP version, plus USB system link to connect the two versions together.
84
/100
05
Dead or Alive 4
Dead or Alive 4 is a fighting game and the fourth major title in the Dead or Alive video game series, its plot following the events of the 2001 title Dead or Alive 3. Dead or Alive 4 features 22 playable characters and many multi-tiered and interactive fighting arenas. DOA4 has a number of updates in reference to previous titles. Characters' move lists have been vastly updated and four new characters have been added to the fighting roster, with returns from a couple of past characters as well. The counter system has been tightened, making the window for counters shorter and more difficult to execute, and the amount of damage that counters inflict has been changed.
80
/100
06
Yakuza
Just as Kazuma, a former rising star in the Yakuza, emerges from prison after a murder cover-up, 10 billion yen vanishes from the Yakuza vault, forcing him once again into their brutal, lawless world. A mysterious young girl will lead Kazuma to the answers if he can keep her alive.
75
/100
07
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is an action-adventure beat 'em up video game set in the Mortal Kombat universe. Players take on the roles of the iconic Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao, either solo or in cooperative mode, as they defend Earthrealm against the threats of Outworld. The game offers a reimagining of the storyline from Mortal Kombat II.
74
/100
08
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi lets you play as more than 60 characters from the Dragon Ball Z TV series. You can battle using authentic special attacks of each character as you run, fly, and swim through fully destructible and free-roaming levels. Design your own character by assigning and upgrading 10 different attributes. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi has multiple game modes for both one and two players.
72
/100
09
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 3 makes leaps in the franchise with a host of “firsts” for the series. Players can now live through and be a part of all the major events that defined Story Arc 1 in Heroes History mode. Also, ninja-in-training can customize their characters with the Ultimate Jutsu which gives them that extra bit of edge during battle and allows them to earn points towards upgrading their strength, defense, chakra, agility and other special abilities. Turn playable characters into more powerful ninja of unprecedented size or summon giant creatures as allies with the new Summoning mode. In addition, NARUTO fans throughout North America can experience the game in both English and original Japanese voice over. In keeping with the tradition of the series, an exclusive and original story has players exploring the massive 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village, participating in battle royale matches and completing more than 55 missions. The experience doesn’t stop there as tons of unlockable content are available to offer loads of replay value including movies, music and cards
70
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Fighting game of 2005?
Soul Calibur III currently tops the ranking with a score of 86/100 across 51 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.