Any sports fan will find the next month or so agonizing as we wait for what is sure to be the boxing match of the decade between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. If video games have taught us anything, it’s that punching faces is always a satisfying experience and can really help pass long periods of eager anticipation. These characters are some of the best punchers in all video games.
1. Kazuya (Tekken)
Though pretty well versed with all of his limbs, Kazuya Mishima has a special affinity for his hands. He finds unique ways to get his punches where they need to be, and they always land with a satisfying thud, sending foes into piles of crumpled pugilist every time. Being a cyborg demon has its perks.
2. Ken (Street Fighter)
He and Ryu share similar training, but when it comes to putting hands on World Warriors, Ken has the advantage. Wreathing his fists in flames helps put the requisite stank on his punches. Technically, he was designed to be the more physical of the two – even though Ken and Ryu had identical moves in earlier games, his physical special moves boasted more damage and left opponents more vulnerable to follow ups. ‘Merica.
3. Terry (King of Fighters)
Cut from a similar cloth as Ken, Terry is a physical brawler who knows how to make his impressions fist first. His Buster Wolf punch is legendary, and its not even the whole of his punching repertoire. It should be pointed out that Terry is pretty much what Japan thinks Americans are: cocky guys in jeans, t-shirts, and trucker hats punching their problems away. I mean, they probably aren’t wrong.
4. Dante (DmC)
The Eryx weapon lets Dante release his inner Tyson, because sometimes all a demon needs a solid haymaker. His punches are quick and have plenty of power, stunning combatants and breaking defenses in the blink of an eye. He can hang back and charge them, as well, making the poor unfortunate soul struck by the blow an incredibly sad panda.
5. Captain Falcon (Super Smash Bros.)
For a guy who spends a lot to time driving at high speeds, Captain Falcon packs a wallop. Where did he learn to hit like that? Mr. Miyagi wishes he could wax Jigglypuff like that.
6. Dudley (Street Fighter)
A perfect gentleman, Dudley is a prestigious and prolific boxer. His punches are precise, piercing, and wildly accurate. You wouldn’t expect the sort of viciousness from someone wearing a cummerbund.
7. Vi (League of Legends)
Piltover’s resident face puncher embraced her calling wholeheartedly, and thanks to her giant hextech gauntlets, she’s well qualified. They punch through armor, walls, or any other such obstruction with ease, as well as shielding herself from harm. She rockets across fields fist first, knocking fodder out of the way until she hits her target.
8. Johnny Cage (Mortal Kombat)
Cage is an accomplished martial artist and movie star. When you put his skills up against the likes of Sub Zero or Quan Chi however, he doesn’t really match up on paper. Where Cage really shines is his willingness to adapt and improvise, turning his enemies weaknesses into his strength. Sometimes its not about how big your muscles are, but just where you put the fist.
9. Batman (Arkham Series)
Batman happens to be a billionaire genius with a wardrobe worth more than the average American mortgage. That’s not his real strength, though. Batman is a well trained ninja, not afraid to do with his hands what is usually reserved for one of his gadgets.
Who’s your favorite punch peddler? Comment below or tweet @CurseGamepedia with your picks.