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What were our favorites in each genre in 2012?

Street Fighter X Tekken - Winner

It's almost inconceivable to see a crossover of two of the biggest fighting series in the industry, much less two from completely different companies. However, this year gave rise to Street Fighter X Tekken, a fighter built on the Street Fighter IV engine by Capcom. Amazingly, the company was able to successfully transition the entire Tekken roster into the Street Fighter mold, producing a seemingly brand new roster of Street Fighter characters that remain true to their Tekken roots.

While the game hasn't quite found its place with the competitive fighting crowd due to the controversial gem system and some spotty online play, there's no question that the core engine holds wide appeal for casual fans of the genre and enthusiasts alike. Digging into this new Tekken roster and utilizing the simplified execution patterns for the Street Fighter characters makes a traditionally hardcore experience accessible for the wide market.

If you dig deep enough, the layered Street Fighter strategy still sits beneath the surface for players to re-master. Whether you're on-the-go or at home, there's no question that this year's Fighting Game of the Year will serve you well.

Write-up by Nick DiMola

Soul Calibur V - Runner Up

When a series runs long enough, more of the same doesn’t cut it anymore.  For Soul Calibur, the fourth title was this point.  It became clear that an evolution was in order, even if only a small one, if this beloved fighting series was going to continue to be considered relevant in a genre that was suddenly bursting at the seams.  Soul Calibur V brought with it the requisite changes necessary for the series to feel fresh.  The combat, which had been slow and laborious in the fourth game, saw a jump in tempo through the use of smaller weapons and new, dexterous characters.  By pushing the game’s timeline ahead 15 years, the story and mythology was allowed to breathe again, and new fighters could enter the ring, while others could exit.  Soul Calibur V may not be the game of choice on the competitive circuit, but it has found quite a home among fans new and old.

Write-up by Jesse Miller