1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Board / Card Games

Top 5 Fighting Games

By Erik Arneson, About.com

Fighting games provide a completely safe outlet for aggression, and allow us to indulge in fantasies we never could in real life. (When was the last time you had the opportunity to take part in a light saber fight?) These are my choices for the best fighting games.

1. Star Wars Epic Duels

This game, published in conjunction with Attack of the Clones, allows players to recreate famous battles from the Star Wars universe -- or to come up with their own. If you've ever wondered who would win a fight between Boba Fett and Han Solo, or between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Emperor Palpatine, this game is for you. Each character has his own card deck. Great fun for 2 to 6 players.

2. Clash of the Gladiators

Almost purely a dicefest, Clash of the Gladiators offers players just enough choices to keep the game interesting. You begin by building a team of gladiators, then you fight the other gladiators and the wild animals. A nice twist is that when your gladiator team is eliminated, you get to control the animals -- so no one is out of the game until everyone's out. For 2 to 5 players.

3. Gunslinger

Gunslinger is a board game that progresses in increments of two seconds in order to simulate the quick decisions made in a real gun fight. Many real gunslingers from the past (Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, etc.) are included as characters here. Unfortunately, it is currently out of print, but Gunslinger handles any number of players.

4. Button Men

Nearly 200 characters are now available for this simple, addictive dice game. Each player is one character; they roll dice to battle each other. Small dice (four-sided, six-sided) represent speed and agility, while large dice (12-sided, 20-sided) represent power. For 2 players.

5. Swashbuckler

Either in a tavern or on the deck of a ship, players fight to the death. And anything that happens to be nearby (e.g. tables, mugs and carpets) can be used as a weapon. Like Gunslinger, however, Swashbuckler is out of print. For 2 to 6 players.

Explore Board / Card Games

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Hobbies & Games
  3. Board / Card Games
  4. Game Reviews, News, Events
  5. Game Reviews
  6. Top Picks
  7. Best Fighting Games - Board Games and Card Games

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.