Fighting games tend to have a reputation as being difficult to get a handle on, be that because of their complex control schemes, depth, and complexity, or their intensely competitive environments. Newcomers to the genre often report struggling hopelessly against more experienced opponents and becoming discouraged in the process.
Thankfully, new players burning out is the last thing that developers want to see when it comes to fighting games, which has lead to a tendency in recent years for games to try and lower the barrier of entry for newcomers to the genre and turn them into longtime fans. Some do this by simplifying controls, some by improving the online experience, and others by building the best tutorials possible. At any rate, there are titles out there that do all they can to bring new players into the fold, while still being fun games on their own.
Granblue Fantasy Versus
Based on the popular mobile game Granblue Fantasy, Versus is a fighting game designed with an eye for accessibility. Of particular note are the simplified combos, one-button specials, and unique approach to meter management that streamline the experience for new fans. The game also features some excellent graphics and artwork typical of an ArcSys release.
Unfortunately, the game's online multiplayer leaves a lot to be desired. The outdated delay-based system for online play means that this won't run as smoothly online as titles like Power Rangers, so it's probably best to purchase this one with a friend.
Punch Planet
Punch Planet is an indie title that fans have compared to titles like Street Fighter 3: Third Strike and Ultra Street Fighter IV in that it's designed to facilitate a deliberative, ground-focused back and forth between players. The big difference here is that Punch Planet features excellent online functionality through its rollback netcode, and a decreased execution barrier in specials and combos.
Those looking to get a taste of what legacy Street Fighter titles were like, but are intimidated by their execution requirements and die-hard players, will likely want to give Punch Planet a look.
Divekick
The aptly titled Divekick is an exceedingly simple fighting game with only two buttons, and one attack. One button dives, one button kicks, and that's it. The aim of the developers was to simplify the essential experience of fighting games to its logical conclusion, and in that regard, they largely succeeded: Divekick is an excellent introduction to the fundamental concepts of fighting games in general with the world's most simple control scheme.
The goofy aesthetic and simple controls disguise a good amount of actual tactical depth and mind games. Beyond all the fancy combos and wild graphics, what most players say they truly love about fighting games is the back and forth of misdirection, feints, and tactics that all great matches exhibit. Divekick is a great way for new players to experience that.
Skullgirls
Fans of Skullgirls might disagree with the game's inclusion in this list on of its long combos, frantically high-speed gameplay, and complex assist mechanics. This is all true, but what makes Skullgirls a standout title for newcomers is its truly excellent and expansive tutorials.
The tutorials in Skullgirls set out to explain to the player not just the mechanics of the game itself, but of fighting games at large, taking pains to familiarize even the newest of players with the terminology and techniques associated with the genre. This is a great way to get players started from zero, and fans of fighting games often hold up Skullgirls as the gold standard of fighting game tutorial sequences.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
The smash-hit entry in the Super Smash Bros. franchise, Ultimate, has developed an impressive competitive scene since its release, finally rivaling the tournament legacy of Melee. Ultimate's impressive roster of familiar gaming icons means that basically everyone will find someone they want to play as, and the gameplay here isn't anything to be dismissive of either.
Characteristic of the series, Ultimate features simplified controls that ease players into the game, only to slowly reveal the true depth of the tricks, techniques, and fighting styles that make the title such a rich competitive game. It's a compelling example of the oft-repeated "easy to learn, hard to master" adage that's kicked around in fighting game discussion spaces.
Fantasy Strike
Fantasy Strike is a free-to-play fighting game on a variety of platforms designed specifically to be as welcoming as possible for genre newcomers. Featuring single-button specials, simplified combo mechanics, and strong online infrastructure, there isn't really a game out there that's easier to pick up and start playing with no experience than Fantasy Strike.
For PC players, the game was also designed for use with keyboards in mind, which adds to the accessibility by removing the need for a specialized controller to get into the game. It might not have quite the mechanical depth of some other titles in the genre, but it's a good starting point for complete newcomers.
Footsies
Footsies is half fighting game and half fighting game training tool; a small, lightweight game designed to boil down some of the common elements of the genre to their bare essentials. And, impressively, the essentials do come through even in this seemingly barebones title. The basics of fighting games, namely hit confirms, spacing, defense, and whiff punishing, are all present here in this unassuming package.
Footsies also features rollback netcode, meaning that it officially has better online multiplayer than Street Fighter V, and crossplay with Android, which is another nice feature. It's unlikely that this will become anyone's main game on of its simplicity, but as an introduction to the core concepts of fighting games it succeeds wonderfully.
Mortal Kombat 11
It seems that everybody has fond memories of tearing out their friend's spine in the Mortal Kombat heyday of the mid-'90s, and those with nostalgic feelings for the outrageous, bloody violence of the old games will be happy to learn that Mortal Kombat has come into its own in recent years.
Mortal Kombat 11, the latest entry in the series, features an impressive array of classic kombatants as well as some eye-catching crossover characters like Robocop and the Joker. The game features simplified controls for super attacks and krushing blows which levels the execution barrier a bit, and newcomers will also feel at home with a well-implemented netcode solution.
Power Rangers: Battle For The Grid
Battle for the Grid is an underdog release that, despite its rocky launch, has really come into its own in the years since its initial release. This is a must-play for any Power Rangers fan, as it features an impressive roster of rangers and villains from the many entries in the Power Rangers multiverse.
The developers of the game also took important steps to ensure that beginners wouldn't be overwhelmed with the title, even if it's their first fighting game. The control scheme is simplified, mapping special attacks to single inputs, and it features an impressive network solution that allows for crossplay on all available platforms, making it a perfect beginner's choice.
Street Fighter V
Capcom's Street Fighter V might be a good bit more complex than some of the other entries on this list, but when it comes to learning the mechanics, terminology, tactics, and techniques that populate nearly all other fighting games, there really isn't a better option than the Street Fighter series. After all, Street Fighter II is essentially the progenitor from which all other fighting games stem, making Street Fighter as a whole an excellent entry point for the genre.
Beginners will also be happy to learn that SFV's execution requirements are not as hefty as some other genre mainstays, and the gameplay is focused on deliberative, ground-based combat that won't overwhelm newcomers as much as the rapid sidestepping of Tekken or the high flying airdashes of Guilty Gear.