Platform fighting games are becoming more and more popular these days. The combination of adventure platformer game controls and the PVP elements makes them appealing to newcomers.
Getting started with these games is relatively easy and intuitive. However, unlike most people might think, mastering these games might not be that easy.
If you’re looking for a fun new platform fighting game, I’ve got you covered. I’ve compiled this list of games like Brawlhalla that you may enjoy.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
| Developers | Ludosity and Fair Play Labs |
| Release Date | October 5, 2021 |
| Find at | PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, My Nintendo Store, and Steam |
| Netcode | Rollback |
| Average Playthrough | 5 hours |
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a platform fighting game featuring characters from some of the most popular Nickelodeon shows. The gameplay is similar to that of Brawhalla, with players using various attacks and special moves to try and knock their opponents off the stage.
In many ways, this title is a lot like other games like Super Smash Bros. If you lose all lives, you’re out of the match and the last player standing wins.
Although this game’s released was a bit bumpy, one can see how much the devs love their game. Considering their limited budget, this game turned out ok. At some point, developers managed to add voices to the characters, which made it feel much more alive.
As for the roster, it’s weird and quirky as you’d expect. You have characters like CatDog, Michelangelo, Nigel Thornberry, Aang, Spongebob, and even everyone’s favorite lazy cat, Garfield.
So if you want to experiment with other games like Brawlhalla but want to play with Nickelodeon characters, you’re sure to enjoy this game.
Digimon Rumble Arena 2
| Developers | Bandai Games |
| Release Date | September 3, 2004 |
| Find at | Amazon |
| Multiplayer | Local |
| Average Playthrough | 5 hours |
Digimon Rumble Arena 2, known as Digimon Battle Chronicle in Japan, is a 2004 Digimon fighting video game. It comes from the team at Bandai and is available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox.
This is the sequel to 2001’s Digimon Rumble Arena and has a gameplay style similar to that seen in Super Smash and Brawhlalla. However, unlike most platform fighters, Digimon Rumble Arena 2 has a health meter instead of a percentage value representing damage taken.
Generally speaking, the game exists so you can put several famous Digimon against each other. It might not be the most complex or visually stunning alternative to Brawlhalla, but it can be fun if you don’t take it seriously.
The roster is not massive, but there are characters from lots of different shows. Developers managed to include characters from the Digimon Adventure, Digimon Adventure 02, Digimon Tamers, and even Digimon Frontier.
All characters in this game have unique ‘digivolutions’ and special attacks, as well as somewhat different basic attacks and taunts.
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion
| Genre | 2D Platformer |
| Developers | Papaya Studio |
| Release Date | June 2, 2011 |
| Find at | Amazon |
| Multiplayer | Local |
| Average Playthrough | 5 hours |
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion will feel familiar for fans of games like Brawlhalla.
This game is a guilty pleasure for me. I mostly play platform fighters casually. Therefore, it is much easier for me to have fun with them and other similar games that aim for a more casual and laid back experience.
That’s absolutely the case with Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion. Try out this underrated gem if you want a fun game that you don’t need to take seriously. You’ll have a blast, especially if you are familiar with Super Smash Bros. since the controls in this game are super similar. You even have a guard button and a grab command.
This game’s roster is one of the best things I’ve ever seen in gaming history. This is the only game where you can have dream matches between characters like Samurai Jack, Toiletnado, Captain Planet, Flapjack, Buttercup, and Mojo Jojo. The best part is that these are not even half the game’s available characters.
If you want a laidback, colorful addition to the world of platform fighting games like Brawlhalla, you’re sure to love this funny game. It’s not the most premium game on the market by any means but it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
| Developers | Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. |
| Release Date | December 7, 2018 |
| Find at | My Nintendo Store and Amazon |
| Netcode | Delay-Based |
| Average Playthrough | 10 hours |
Let’s face it, you knew about this one already. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of Nintendo’s most successful games and one of the best fighting games for Switch.
It’s hard not to be popular when you feature iconic characters from legendary franchises.
Super Smash Bros seems to have started as a celebration of Nintendo’s IPs, but it suddenly evolved into so much more than that.
With time, characters like Sonic, Mega Man, Snake, and even Cloud joined the fight.
This is a platformer that feels like a fan game. It’s surreal to have Samus Aran and Ryu fighting Sephiroth and Sora. Things like that, with such high quality and level of polish, are only possible in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
As for the gameplay, this is one of the closest games like Brawhalla in many ways. You win by sending the enemy beyond the stage where the fight takes place. However, in Smash, you can block your opponent’s attacks.
The game also has a perfect guard system that rewards those who can predict their adversary’s behavior and answer accordingly.
If you have a Switch and want to play the most exciting dream matches in a game with an active, competitive community, try Super Smash Bros. If anything, at least you will see where most games like Brawlhalla come from.
Rivals of Aether
| Developers | Dan Fornace, Aether Studios |
| Release Date | March 28, 2017 |
| Find at | Steam |
| Netcode | Rollback |
| Average Playthrough | 5½ Hours |
Well, this one is a given. Not only is this a famous platform fighter, but it’s also one of the best fighting games on Steam. Comparing Rivals of Aether to Brawlhalla is akin to comparing Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter.
Despite belonging to the same genre, they are very different games. If you enjoy any other platform fighter, you should try this one at least once. While there is a risk you won’t like it, there is also a good chance you may be pleasantly surprised by the graphics, art style, and mechanics present in Rivals of Aether.
All of this game’s characters and their special moves are original, making them anything but rehashed versions of characters from other games.
Although the rhythm and movements might remind you of Super Smash Bros, Rival of Aether is closer to Brawlhalla in other ways. For instance, the game has no block button. Rivals of Aether is more focused on mastering spacing, movement, and dodging your enemies’ attacks to punish them.
In many ways, Rivals of Aether plays out more like a typical fighting game. After all, a significant number of strikes are very whiff-punishable. You can’t just keep repeatedly using the same move; good aim and timing are essential.
MultiVersus
| Developers | Player First Games |
| Release Date | 2024 |
| Find at | – |
| Netcode | Rollback |
| Average Playthrough | – |
It is amazing what a lot of money and the power of famous franchises can do for a game. MultiVersus is a free-to-play platform fighter focused on 2v2 battles, but it doesn’t stop there. It has Warner’s full power behind it.
This means that MultiVersus can use some of the most popular characters ever created in their game. This is why we have Steven Universe, Superman, Arya Stark, Buggs Bunny, Finn the Human, and many others.
As for the gameplay, it is what you’d expect from a platform fighter. There’s a number to represent damage that makes you floatier the bigger it gets. Characters have regular attacks and special abilities, but like Brawlhalla and other platform fighters, it doesn’t have a block button.
The one thing that makes MultiVersus stand out is its focus on cooperative gameplay. Thinking of that, the developers attributed roles to their characters. Some of them have support abilities that might make them very important in team battles. On the other hand, those abilities might hurt how effective they are in 1v1 scenarios.
There aren’t many high-quality platform fighters in the market. However, MultiVersus seems to be the new, high-quality, competitive game that platform fighter fans were waiting for. If you want a great platform fighting game on Steam to play with a partner that’s reminiscent of Brawlhalla, this is the ideal game for you.
Fraymakers
| Developers | McLeodGaming Team Fray |
| Release Date | January 18, 2023 (Early Access) |
| Find at | Steam |
| Netcode | Rollback |
| Average Playthrough | 9 Hours |
Fraymakers is a platform fighter that includes some of the most known characters from indie games. Up to 4 players may duke it out by striking one another, using special attacks, taking advantage of the stages, and using assistance to their advantage.
The gameplay is exactly what you’d expect from a platform fighter. There’s a dodge, an air dodge, and a guard mechanic. However, there’s also a parry mechanic, and the health works differently from what you’d expect.
In Fraymakers, characters have a set amount of Hit Points. Attacks deal damage once they connect, which reduces one’s HP. They can take away 1HP or more from the character hit.
Fraymakers also comes with a weird gimmick. It has an engine that allows players to create new stages and characters. If you are looking for endless enjoyment, you can make and play your own unique characters, backgrounds, and more.
Although you will be able to create characters for this game, Fraymakers’ roster might be familiar to indie games fans. You can play characters like Orcane from Rivals of Aether, Octodad from Octodad, The Watcher from Slay the Spire, and others.
This is one of the most creative games like Brawlhalla, hands down.
Rushdown Revolt
| Developers | Vortex Games Combat Lab, Inc. |
| Release Date | September 10, 2020 |
| Find at | Steam |
| Netcode | Rollback |
| Average Playthrough | – |
The devs describe this game as the most exciting, combo-focused, and expressive platform fighting game ever created. I think they might be right. Rushdown Revolt is an amazing platform fighter that mixes elements from traditional 2D fighters and famous platformers to make something truly unique.
Rushdown Revolt comes from the team at Vortex Games. This game has one-sided shields, combo mechanics, meter management, long combos, and more. It also comes with 10 different characters with unique playstyles.
The rollback netcode in this game is pretty good. The controller to screen time for Vortex Rollback is a lightning-fast 2 frames. This means that you don’t require any further latency beyond 150 ms.
On top of that, the game also has many weekly tournaments, which might be a great way to test your skills.
Another thing that this game brings to the table is the Healthbars. Rushdown Revolt uses a Knockback Bands system. Each you take damage, your health bar diminishes. When it goes below a band, your character becomes lighter and can be knocked away further.
