Chances are you’ve played a fighter in the past. We take a look at our favorite characters in these fighters.

Let’s face it, fighting fanatics and even newcomers can easily identify with some sort of character right from the get-go, and then grow and love with that character and all the tactics they offer in fighting game. So we recently asked our staff to give their inputs on the top fighting characters of all time. You’ll be surprised by the results…

Jun Kazama – Tekken 2/Tekken Tag Tournament

I have a problem, you see. When acquainting myself with a fighting game, I tend to inadvertently attach myself to the low tier characters of the game: the dregs of the roster, as it were. So, it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite characters of all time in any fighting game is Jun Kazama, the chaste-hearted beauty of the Tekken universe. She’s not a flashy character by any stretch – her clothes are hardly revealing or scandalous, her face, although charming, isn’t necessarily distracting to the eye, her technique isn’t all that deserving of attention, and her chest size doesn’t come close to breaking any sort of freakish records. But, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the way I like it.

You see, whatever Jun lacks in base, physical appeal, she more than makes up for with grace, fluidity, and purity. Her techniques, although easily read by most high-level opponents, resemble something more of a flowing dance rather than a strict fighting discipline (and to its credit, it’s nowhere near as outlandish as Eddy’s Capoeira). It’s a shameful crime that, apart from the Tekken Tag dream match, Jun couldn’t even make it past her debut game. Her recent successor, the lovely Asuka Kazama, is a suitable replacement (I dig her Osaka vibe), but sadly, the absence of Jun is somewhat akin to innocence lost. And it’s a further shame that most of her moves just suck so damned much.

Li Long – Soul Edge/Blade

When I hear of people who no longer seem to remember Li Long… oh, how my gorge rises at it. Those of you “Soul Calibur” people can have your Maxi, for all I care, but those of you old school types will recall Li Long to be the superior character. Li Long was pretty much the “anti-Maxi” – that is, his moves were focused around efficacy and efficiency, not style, flash, and wildly flailing limbs. Plus, Li Long had a much more compelling story, whereas… geez, does Maxi even have a story? I vehemently despise the fact that Namco left no trace of Li Long’s legacy in the Soul Calibur games, and left us instead with this… this… Elvis impersonator

Area – Street Fighter EX

I have a feeling that the majority of you have never played the EX games to any extent, and those of you who have probably harbor unfairly ill opinions of the series. Still, the debate of EX’s validity is reserved for another time – say, oh… next Sunday. We’re here now to discuss why Area is one of my favorite characters, so let us proceed.

Well, for one thing, she’s kinda ditzy, VERY nerdy, and just a bit goofy too (three qualities I look for in a date), and the humongous mecha arm also earns gíc points as well. In terms of technique, though, it’s her “Download” move that really makes her shine, as it’s the epitome of all mix-ups. “Uh-oh – the huge arm’s burrowing towards me… should I jump, block, attack, or what? DAMMIT!” is what I force all of my opponents to ponder nearly 20 times a match. Not many other fighting game techniques are capable of giving opponents a brain aneurysm.

Takuma – King of Fighters

I’ve said this a million times, but it seems there are suckas and punks out there who still can’t fathom it. Takuma will take a strap to you, and you will LIKE IT. Remember the SNL skit with Robert Duvall and Will Ferrell on that game show that determined “Who’s More Grizzled?” Well, that entire skit is Takuma in a nutshell. If you talk back, you’ll wish you never did. If you give him sass, he’ll knock you upside the head and tell you to respect your elders, you deadbeat. If you ever disrespect him, I promise you that he will go old school on your buttocks. And understand me when I say this: there are very few things in life that are as satisfying as jumping right next to an opponent, and having Takuma shout, “SHIN… KISHIN GEKI!!!” as you pummel him with an earth-shattering six-hit combo. To further ice the cake, Takuma will scream, “DOUJA!!!!” as your opponent’s consciousness starts to fade. Life is good when that happens.

Daigo – Rival Schools, Project Justice

I find it incredibly funny when a fighting game character screams what sounds like “Misogyny!” as he performs his staple technique. Other than that, I got nothin’.

Chun-Li – any game, but specifically SF EX 3

This one goes out to my dearest one – the one who has occupied my deepest thoughts every single day for what has seemed like an eternity. You, my dear, are the only reason why I ever started using Chun-Li, and I pray for a time when we can be together and play against each other as often as the rains fall from the sky. I doubt you’ll ever read this, but if you do, know that I still love you.

Taki – Soul Blade/Calibur

She’s fast and very agile with great kicks and jumps. Not to mention, she seems to become more *ahem* defined with each successive game she’s in. Makes for an interesting distraction tactic.

Sheeva – Mortal Kombat

I wouldn’t call her the best character of any fighting game, but there must be something to be said for a tall, large breasted, four-armed Shokan. Grabbing someone with two arms then using the other two to pummel them is always a fun trick! Mai – Capcom vs SNK. Most of the same reasons listed for the other two except the four-armed thing.

Raiden – Mortal Kombat

Suspiciously, he’s a caucasion Asian god of lightning. Go figure. Anyway, many of his special moves are similar, usually variations of back-back-forward. When trying to play a fighting game with a keyboard, you couldn’t ask for a better character to have.

Sol Badguy – Guilty Gear

He’s powerful and all, but I don’t really care much about that. I just love his name. If I ever have a kid, I would seriously consider naming him Sol Badguy.

Blanka – Street Fighter

Definitely one of the most colorful Street Fighter characters, Blanka is a cheap $#%^#%#&^ that can drain enemy energy real quick. I’m fond of his electricity attacks, but nothing beats his biting moves.

Yoshimitsu – Sould Calibur 2

Why is Yoshimitsu in Tekken anyways? Here we have a total bad @SS character with a sword and he hardly uses it. But in Namco’s SC2 it’s all about the blade. It’s easier to take advantage of his unique abilities, especially where he spins around and stabs himself while at the same time striking his opponent. Great stuff!

Gon – Tekken 3

Clearly one of the cheapest characters in all of Tekken (which is why I love him so), Gon can piss off people more than any other fighter simply because he’s like, three feet tall, so all of your punches and kicks are useless! BWAHAHAHAHA!

Lizard Man – Soul Calibur

Lizard Man is without question my favorite fighting game character of all time. Not only does he look cool, but he’s a great character for beginners, and he has this cool Matrix-like maneuver where he twirls in the air, hangs there for a brief second and kicks his opponent in the face. When I was in college I racked up hundreds of victories over countless chumps using him, as very few could defend against my diving head butt and multiple sword strikes.

Mai Shiranui – Fatal Fury

Let’s face it, a character who can manage to pack a whopping arsenal of bloody power and combine that with the kind of eager sexiness you just don’t see in serious fighters anymore is worth mentioning on the list. Mai Shiranui deserves this mention. Her super fiery attacks are definitely worth noting, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the girl’s two-legged throw attack, having some shades of Sonya from Mortal Kombat and yet packing an even sexier execution of it. And nothing beats “me bouncy!”

King – Tekken

I’m sure there are a ton of you who have their favorites in Tekken (you listening, Bryan?), but my favorite would have to be King, a one-of-a-kind wrestling superstar who brings his brutal attacks to the world of Tekken. Tekken 5 is his best appearance yet, as he brings back the hurling head-slammer from yesteryear and also combines it with a few fancy new throws. His attire may have gotten a little…questionable over the years, but he’s still delivering the goods. “Heyyyy!”

Blue Suede Goo – Clay Fighter

“Hey, watch the hair, man!” Taking a comical spin on the Street Fighter legacy, Clay Fighter introduced many characters, but the Elvis impersonator, Blue Suede Goo, stole the show. He used a vicious hair slice to cut his opponents in half, and his musical note projectiles are just as deadly as they appear to be. And nothing’s wrong with a little post-victory “Thank you very much”, I’m assuming.

Sabrewulf – Killer Instinct

Sabrewulf is a werewolf with a mission throughout the Killer Instinct games, and he packs plenty of sweet combos amidst his swiping attacks, both high and low. His howls also play a huge role in setting up moves, as they can help build up for double the impact- something that comes in handy for chaining together a Killer Combo. Plus, his stage music, taking place in parts of a Victorian castle, are off the hook.

Kasumi – Dead or Alive

Damn. Let me say that again. Damn. Over the years, Kasumi has shaped up into a much more lovely figure with each new Dead Or Alive game, topping it off with her sexy appearance in Dead Or Alive Ultimate. But it’s more than just looks for the fighter- she packs a mean set of kicks and has a “jump up on your face and then slam you to the ground” throw that has to be seen to be believed. Oh, and she doesn’t look too bad in a bikini, either.

Ryu – Street Fighter

The original… the archetype… the best. The beginning of what would become part of fighting game vocabulary: “shoto-fighter”, “shoto-clone”, “shoto-cheese”. For as many adjectives as its been given, Ryu’s style is about as fancy as him: straightforward but effective. It fits the man who embodies Japanese martial arts. Ryu is humble, and instead of ending his fights with taunts, he says “You fought well. I was honored.” A pure ambition to know his own strength, a desire to fight his personal darkness, and a never ending quest to find better opponents… its the fighting game way.

Kazuya Mishima – Tekken

Perhaps one would could be classified as the “anti-Ryu”: thoroughly arrogant, rude, and evil. Kazuya isn’t subtle in the way he deals with his opponents, crushing them with his powerful Mishima Style Fighting Karate. When he’s not drubbing with his hated father, Heihachi or perhaps his estranged son, Jin, he’d would probably rather be using some “Book of the 5 Rings” philosophy in the corporate board room. Speaking of which, you got to respect a guy who fights in a suit. And that hair… man, I wish I could be as cool as Kazuya!

Siegfried Schtauffen – Soul Calibur

“No one can stop me!” Innocent Darkside is both the Soul Calibur’s knight in shinning armor and worst Nightmare. Haunted by the visions of the father he killed, he first seeks the Soul Edge… and then seeks a way to be rid of it. “I’ll redeem myself!” Utilizing a style of his own creation for his oversized zweihander, Siegfried cuts a swath using his range and power. “I will show you… the greatest Nightmare!” Will he find a way to reclaim his soul and find a way to be rid of the demon blade? “There’s… no turning back.”

Dudley – Street Fighter III

“Let’s fight like gentlemen.” You’ve got to respect a guy who goes all Queensbury on you and doesn’t even use kicks in a mixed fighting tournament. Fast, dangerous, and powerful, Dudley can make you black and blue without throwing out a bunch of fireballs. “Down for the count!” His attitude and style really compliments his unique way of fighting. “You, sir, have no dignity.” Well groomed with an old-timey mustache he taunts you in English… not even with a fake English accent or Engrish, its really British English! “Gutter trash!” As a fighter with both British class and arrogance, he’s someone I can respect.