Fighting Games With The Best Netcode ft. Surfshark

Fighting games have been a staple of the gaming industry for decades, drawing in millions of players to engage in intense one-on-one combat. However, one major issue that has plagued the fighting game community is poor netcode, leading to frustrating online experiences. Fortunately, in recent times, developers have recognized the significance of strong netcode and have made strides to improve it in their titles. Nowadays, rollback netcode is quickly becoming a new norm for developers and competitors alike. Let’s take a look at some of the games that have the best online experience in the entire fighting game genre – Street Fighter 6, Skullgirls 2nd Encore, Killer Instinct, Melty Blood: Type Lumina, and Mortal Kombat 11.

Before we delve into the standout netcode of various titles, it is crucial to understand why netcode is so critical for any fighting game. Netcode is the networking technology that facilitates smooth and responsive gameplay during online matches. Low-quality netcode can result in input delay, lag, and dropped frames, severely affecting the player's experience and undermining the game's competitive nature. In contrast, robust netcode enhances player immersion and fosters an environment where skill truly prevails.

Street Fighter 6 (SF6)

Capcom's Street Fighter series has always been a dominant force in the fighting game community. However, Street Fighter V’s release state had much to be desired. The main complaints were aimed at the netcode, with the game being barely playable even on stable connections. This issue was rectified in time, but with the release of Street Fighter, the developers prioritized providing the best netcode possible right from the get-go. By adopting a rollback netcode, SF6 has mitigated many of the issues associated with previous SF entries, allowing players to compete across vast distances without significant latency concerns.

Skullgirls 2nd Encore

Skullgirls 2nd Encore, the enhanced version of the critically acclaimed indie fighting game Skullgirls, has garnered significant praise for its exceptional netcode implementation. Developed by Lab Zero Games, this title utilizes the revolutionary GGPO netcode, which has become synonymous with smooth and responsive online gameplay. GGPO is a netcode solution designed for online multiplayer gaming. It was created by Tony Cannon, who sought to address the inherent challenges of online play in fast-paced and competitive fighting games. The main goal of GGPO is to minimize input delay and provide a smoother online experience that closely resembles offline play.

Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct, developed by Iron Galaxy Studios, is another title that has embraced rollback netcode. The combination of its fast-paced gameplay and the netcode's rollback implementation ensures that players can execute and break combos online, just as they would offline. This has significantly contributed to the game's competitive appeal and longevity. This game offers such a smooth online experience that it’s a shame that it’s already ten years old, with no sequel in sight to continue the legacy. Still, the KI community is resilient and will continue to preach the truth of #KILives.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina

Melty Blood: Type Lumina is set in Nasu Kinoko’s and TYPE-MOON’s Nasuverse, a universe of strongly and loosely interconnected works of fiction. The Melty Blood series has always been beloved by its dedicated community, but the newest release saw levels of hype unseen before. However, the release version of the game had some network woes. The game was subsequently patched and netcode upgraded, and now nearly every match is essentially indistinguishable from the offline experience.

Mortal Kombat 11 (MK11)

MK11 is renowned for its smooth and dependable online gameplay. The developers at NetherRealm Studios have incorporated a modern rollback netcode system, which is superior to the traditional delay-based netcode. It’s been widely cited as the fighting game with the best netcode in the world. Players have been able to play opponents from different continents without any issues, let alone neighboring countries. There have even been some cross-continent tournaments and grudge matches, which wouldn’t have been possible without the exceptional netcode this game has.

Despite Mortal Kombat's global popularity, it has faced restrictions and outright bans in some countries due to its violent and graphic content. Some countries impose such bans to protect younger audiences from exposure to excessive violence. Various entries in the series have, at one point, been banned in the countries like Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. There’s a new MK entry coming out soon, and if the game happens to be banned anywhere in the world, there’s a solution for you. A service like Surfshark can be utilized by gamers in countries where Mortal Kombat is banned. A VPN works by routing your internet connection through a server located in a different country, effectively masking your IP address and providing access to region-locked content or services. By connecting to a server in a country where Mortal Kombat is available, you can bypass the ban and securely purchase and play the game. In addition to this, you can also utilize the services of Surfshark to essentially hide your IP from your opponents and avoid any risks of getting DDoSed.

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In conclusion, the evolution of netcode in fighting games has been pivotal in shaping the online gaming landscape. Mortal Kombat 11, Street Fighter 6, Skullgirls 2nd Encore, Killer Instinct, and Melty Blood Type Lumina have raised the bar with their outstanding netcode implementations, delivering seamless and thrilling online experiences for their players, and others seem to be following suit. Let’s hope that the upcoming high-profile fighting games are neither disappointing in their netcode implementation nor are they unavailable to people anywhere in the world. However, getting yourself a Surfshark deal at -82% is a surefire way to guarantee access to any games anywhere.