Fighting game fighters, ranked by who you always picked

From the moment Chun-Li threw her first spinning kick, fighting games gave us characters we actually wanted to play—not just because they were fast or had frame-data advantages, but because they had style, charm and the kind of presence that made you want to master their move set. These are the women who made us keep feeding quarters into arcade cabinets, who we picked first in tournaments, and who still look good on a screen today.

Chun-Li (Street Fighter)

The original. Chun-Li arrived in Street Fighter II (1991) and became the template for every tough woman in fighting games. Her Spinning Piledriver and Lightning Kick were devastating, but it was her poise and the way she carried herself that made her unforgettable. The character design—that iconic look and confident stance—made her instantly recognizable. Decades later, she's still the face of the franchise and the character every new player learns. Play her on modern Street Fighter 6 or revisit the classics on emulation.

Get it: Street Fighter 6 (PS5/Xbox/PC) on Amazon (Play Chun-Li, Juri, and Cammy in the latest entry with modern graphics and online play)

Juri (Street Fighter)

Introduced in Street Fighter IV (2008), Juri brought chaos and swagger to the ring. A taekwondo fighter with a grin that said she was having too much fun breaking bones, Juri's whole appeal was attitude and aggression. Her Taunt mechanic and aggressive play style made her a menace in the hands of a good player. She's the character you pick when you want to style on your opponent, and she's been a mainstay ever since. Available in Street Fighter 6 and earlier entries.

Sonya Blade (Mortal Kombat)

Mortal Kombat's military commando arrived in 1992 and immediately showed that women could be just as brutal as the men. A soldier first and a fighter second, Sonya was equipped with leg scissors and energy rings that made her a technical threat. Her fatalities were as nasty as anyone else's, and she never apologized for it. She's been a core character through every generation of MK and remains one of the franchise's pillars.

Kitana (Mortal Kombat)

The princess with the razor-edged fan made her debut in Mortal Kombat II (1993) and became the face of MK's female roster. Elegant, deadly, and caught between her father Shao Kahn and her own destiny, Kitana's story was as compelling as her gameplay. Her fan throw and teleport made her a technical fighter. She's evolved through every MK game and remains central to the series' lore.

Cammy (Street Fighter)

The British commando with the green beret showed up in Street Fighter II: Champion Edition (1992) as a fast, aggressive rushdown character. Athletic and with a British accent that set her apart, Cammy's Cannon Spike and Hooligan Throw made her a nightmare up close. She's been a tournament staple for three decades and plays a major role in Street Fighter's story. Modern versions are in Street Fighter 6.

Lili (Tekken)

The wealthy, graceful fighter from Monaco joined Tekken 5 (2004) with a fighting style rooted in classical ballet and aikido. Poised and with a rivalry with Asuka that drove her story, Lili brought elegance to Tekken's brutal roster. Her throws and low attacks made her dangerous, and her character design was striking. She's been in every Tekken since and plays a role in the franchise's ongoing King of Iron Fist Tournament.

Ivy (Soulcalibur)

The English alchemist with the whip-sword arrived in Soulcalibur (1998) and immediately stood out. A weapon that could transform and a fighting style unlike anyone else's, Ivy was technical and rewarding to master. Her story—searching for a way to destroy Soul Edge—was central to the series' plot. She's been in every Soulcalibur game and remains one of the franchise's most recognizable faces.

Taki (Soulcalibur)

The ninja assassin with the twin swords debuted in the original Soulcalibur (1998) as a fast, technical fighter. A mysterious past and moves that required precision and timing, Taki appealed to players who wanted to master a character. Her role in the story—hunting Soul Edge—gave her depth beyond the gameplay. She's appeared in most Soulcalibur entries.

Mai Shiranui (The King of Fighters)

The fan-wielding ninja arrived in The King of Fighters (1994) and brought style and charm to SNK's flagship fighting game. A fighting style rooted in ninjutsu with satisfying execution, Mai was a character players gravitated toward. Her chemistry with Andy Bogard added layers to her character, and her move set was rewarding to master. She's been in nearly every KOF game and remains one of SNK's most popular characters.

Kasumi (Dead or Alive)

The ninja princess from the Dead or Alive series (1996) brought acrobatic, fast-paced gameplay to the 3D fighting scene. A tragic backstory involving her clan and a fighting style that emphasized speed and counters, Kasumi was the face of DOA. Her character arc across the series was compelling, and her move set rewarded players who learned her timing. She's been in every DOA game.

Mileena (Mortal Kombat)

The cloned princess with the razor teeth arrived in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as one of MK's most memorable characters. A tragic origin story and a fighting style that blended grace with savagery, Mileena was unforgettable. Her fatalities were among the series' most brutal, and her role in the story—caught between Kitana and Shao Kahn—gave her depth. She's returned in recent MK titles and remains a fan favorite.

Quick answers

Can I still play these games?

Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, and Soulcalibur VI are current entries available on console and PC. Older arcade versions are playable on emulation or through official collections.

Which game should I start with if I'm new to fighting games?

Street Fighter 6 is the most beginner-friendly modern entry, with excellent tutorials and a story mode. If you want pure nostalgia, Street Fighter II on any platform is still the gold standard.

Are these characters competitive in tournament play?

Yes. Chun-Li, Juri, Cammy, and Sonya Blade are all tournament staples. Competitive viability shifts with balance patches, but these characters have always had strong players behind them.

Where's the best place to learn these characters now?

Modern fighting games have robust tutorials and frame-data tools built in. YouTube channels dedicated to fighting game tutorials break down each character's strengths and optimal combos.