[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/meleebattlefield_2716.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350: ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVAV07rpm-o Now, that's a fight.]]'']]

->''"Platform Fighters are an experience I don't get from any other VideoGame. It combines strategy, mind games, mixups from a fighting game with the freedom, creativity, and style of a platform game into an experience unlike anything else."''
-->--'''[[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsreoF1uF2ZUCvJ6KqmnDgw Bowler]]''' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdNpbAsb8PE discussing the genre]]

Platform Fighter is a SubGenre of FightingGame best exemplified by the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series. Unlike traditional fighting games such as ''Franchise/StreetFighter'' and ''Franchise/MortalKombat'', platformer fighters provide a wider array of maneuverability options and feature mechanically dynamic stages. Since the subgenre originated on home consoles instead of arcades, platform fighters generally have the distinction of controls that are designed for typical video game controllers, rather than the fight sticks used to reproduce the arcade-style experience.

While fighting games with platforming elements existed before then, the genre's name was coined by ''Super Smash Bros.'' players to properly describe the mechanics of the series, which is the TropeCodifier. Because these games play so differently from traditional fighters, the fighting game community was plagued for years with people questioning whether ''Smash'' (and, by extension, other platform fighters) [[GenreBusting even qualified as "true" fighting games]]. As far as ''Smash'' creator Creator/MasahiroSakurai is concerned, he originally envisioned the series as more of a casual party game (hence all the randomly-spawning items), but now views it as a mix of both genres, with entries following ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl Brawl]]'' having more options and modes to better accommodate more serious play. ''Smash'' itself has given rise to its own {{Knockback}}-based sub-genre of platform fighters.

Speaking of which, though several of these games are known to have party elements, ''Smash'''s TournamentPlay (no items, timed stock mode, et cetera.) and the emergence of games such as ''VideoGame/RivalsOfAether'' have begun to redefine the sub-genre with more hardcore, [[CompetitiveBalance competitively-viable]] elements.

As an aside, because ''Super Smash Bros.'' is the most well-known of these titles, with many licensed fighting games for other mascot characters following suit, this wiki used to refer to [[NonIndicativeName all games of this type]] (or those with non-traditional mechanics in general) as the MascotFighter. To be clear, a mascot fighter doesn't have to also be a platform fighter or feature non-traditional mechanics, and a platform fighter doesn't have to feature {{mascot}}s or be a MassiveMultiplayerCrossover.

Subtrope of FreeFloorFighting. In single-player mode, these games can resemble an EliminationPlatformer.
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!!Examples include:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Knockback-based Platform Fighters]]
A noted sub-genre of Platform Fighters and also known as "''Smash'' clones" or "''Smash''-likes" after ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', these games are based around scoring kills via RingOut. Instead of a health bar as in most video games, knockback-based platform fighters instead feature a "percent meter" to represent damage. Fighters start with 0% on their percent meters, which increases as they take damage. As each fighter takes damage, they are [[{{Knockback}} knocked back]] more strongly by attacks than at less damage. The goal of Knockback-based Platform Fighters is therefore to build up damage on the opponent, then knock them back strongly enough that they fly towards the stage's boundaries, at which point they lose a life and/or the attacker scores a point.
[[index]]
* ''VideoGame/AirDashOnline'' (canceled)
* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}}''
* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlout}}''
* ''VideoGame/CartoonNetworkPunchTimeExplosion''
* ''VideoGame/FlashParty''
* ''VideoGame/{{Fraymakers}}''
* ''VideoGame/{{Multiversus}}'', a FreeToPlay game featuring characters owned and licensed by Creator/WarnerBros and related companies such as Creator/{{DC}}, Creator/CartoonNetwork, Creator/{{HBO}}, Creator/AdultSwim.
* ''VideoGame/NickelodeonAllStarBrawl''
* ''VideoGame/RivalsOfAether''
* ''VideoGame/RushdownRevolt'': (Originally called ''Icons: Combat Arena'') the development team includes a handful of former ''Project M'' developers.
* ''VideoGame/SlapCity''
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' (The TropeCodifier of the whole platform fighter genre and both UrExample and TropeMaker of the knockback-based subgenre)
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros64''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosMelee''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosForNintendo3DSAndWiiU''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''
* ''Super Smash Bros.'' fan projects:
** ''VideoGame/BrawlMinus''
** ''VideoGame/ProjectM''
*** ''VideoGame/PMEXRemix''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosCrusade''
*** ''VideoGame/CMCPlus''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashFlash''
** ''VideoGame/SuperSmashLand''
* ''VideoGame/SuperSmashPonies''
[[/index]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Other Platform Fighters]]
[[index]]
* ''VideoGame/AntonballDeluxe'''s ''Vs Antonball'' mode is a twist on the concept. Instead of depleting your opponent's health or sending them off-screen, you try to break your opponent's bricks using a {{VideoGame/Breakout}}-style ball. All this is mixed with platforming, and usage of items such as guns that can break your opponent's bricks and stun your opponent.
* ''VideoGame/BarbarianTitus'' (A 3D one in the vein of Power Stone)
* ''VideoGame/BaraBariBall''
* ''VideoGame/BattleStadiumDON'' -- ''Magazine/ShonenJump'' {{Crossover}} of ''Franchise/DragonBall'', ''Franchise/OnePiece'' & ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}''
* ''VideoGame/ChaosFaction'' and its sequel.
* ''VideoGame/CombatCore'' (has similar gameplay to ''VideoGame/PowerStone'')
* Several from ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'':
** ''VideoGame/DigimonBattleSpirit''
** ''VideoGame/DigimonRumbleArena''
** ''VideoGame/DigimonAllStarRumble''.
* ''VideoGame/DisneyInfinity'' has a play set called ''Marvel Battlegrounds'' that turns the game into one of these. As one could guess from title, only the Marvel figures can be used in this play set.
* ''VideoGame/DuckGame''
* ''VideoGame/DreamMixTVWorldFighters''
* ''[[VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed The Force Unleashed II]]'' (Platform/{{Wii}} version) has a multiplayer mode that is essentially one of these.
* ''VideoGame/FrightFight''
* ''Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist: Dream Carnival''
* ''VideoGame/GangBeasts''
* ''VideoGame/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy''
* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear: Dust Strikers''
* ''VideoGame/{{Homestrife}}''
* ''VideoGame/IndieBrawl'' (cancelled)
* ''VideoGame/IndieGameBattle'' (cancelled)
* ''VideoGame/IndiePogo''
* ''VideoGame/IndieRumble'' (cancelled)
* ''VideoGame/JoJosBizarreAdventureEyesOfHeaven''
* ''VideoGame/JumpSuperStars''
* ''VideoGame/{{Keriotosee}}''
* ''VideoGame/KingOfTheHat''
* ''VideoGame/KirbyTripleDeluxe'' has a MiniGame called "Kirby Fighters" where several Kirbies with permanent abilities from the game fight each other.
** This was later updated with a standalone download-only game called ''VideoGame/KirbyFightersDeluxe'' and a Nintendo Switch sequel called ''Kirby Fighters 2''.
* ''VideoGame/KnightClub''
* ''VideoGame/KungFuChaos''
* ''Franchise/KungFuPanda: Showdown of Legendary Legends''
* ''VideoGame/TheLastGeneration'': A fan-made game using characters from anime and other {{animesque}} works.
* ''VideoGame/LEGOBrawls''
* ''VideoGame/LethalLeague''
* ''[[Franchise/LooneyTunes Loons]]: The Fight for Fame''
* ''VideoGame/LordOfTheSmash'', a ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''-based fan-made game.
* ''[[Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi Mahou Sensei Negima]] Neo Pactio Fight!''
* [[/index]]''[[WesternAnimation/TheSuperHeroSquadShow Marvel Super Hero Squad]]'' (Nintendo DS version)[[index]]
* ''VideoGame/MegabytePunch''
* ''[[VideoGame/MegaCoinSquad Mega Coin Squad's]]'' multiplayer mode.
* ''VideoGame/NanseiDoujinSpirit'' (Formerly known as ''Franchise/{{Touhou|Project}} Super Smash Battles'')
* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}: Ultimate Ninja'' series.
* ''Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble''
* ''[[VideoGame/KunioKun Nekketsu Fighting Legend]]'' (The UrExample.)
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion: Battle Orchestra''
* ''VideoGame/NewgroundsRumble''
* ''VideoGame/{{Nidhogg}}''
* ''Manga/OnePiece: Grand Battle'' and ''Gigant Battle''
* ''VideoGame/OnimushaBladeWarriors''
* ''VideoGame/TheOutfoxies'' (The TropeMaker)
* ''VideoGame/{{Paperbound}}''
* ''[[VideoGame/LittleFighter2 Platform Little Fighter]]''
* ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale''
* ''VideoGame/ThePowerpuffGirlsChemicalXTraction''
* ''VideoGame/PowerStone''
* ''VideoGame/PoyPoy''
* ''[[http://pastadium.forumotion.com/f14-project-axis Project Axis]]'': A planned fan made game that is, essentially, ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' VS ''VideoGame/PlayStationAllStarsBattleRoyale''
* ''VideoGame/RagDollKungFuFistsOfPlastic''
* ''VideoGame/RoofRage''
* ''VideoGame/RushdownRevolt''
* ''VideoGame/SamuraiGunn'' ([[SimilarlyNamedWorks Not to be confused with]] ''Manga/SamuraiGun'')
* ''[[VideoGame/FuunSeries Savage Reign]]'' (in a manner that harkened more to the plane-switching of ''VideoGame/FatalFury'')
* ''VideoGame/SentinelsINC''
* ''VideoGame/ShovelKnight Showdown''
* ''VideoGame/ShrekSuperSlam''
* ''VideoGame/SlayersForHire''
* ''VideoGame/SmallArms''
* ''VideoGame/SonicBattle''
* ''VideoGame/SpellSwap''
* ''VideoGame/StickFight''
* ''[[VideoGame/{{Hebereke}} Sugoi Hebereke]]''
* ''VideoGame/SuperKnockoffVS''
* ''VideoGame/SuperNukeBrosMelee'' (OrphanedSeries)
* ''VideoGame/SuperSonicKnockout'', a ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog''-based fan-made game.
* ''[[VideoGame/TalesSeries Tales Of]] Versus''
* ''VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesSmashUp''
* ''[[VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 TMNT]]: Mutant Melee''
* ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry: Fists of Furry'' and ''[[VideoGame/TomAndJerryInWarOfTheWhiskers War of the Whiskers]]''
* ''VideoGame/TowerFall''
** [[/index]]''[[UpdatedRerelease TowerFall: Ascension]]''[[index]]
* ''[[VideoGame/UmiharaKawase Umihara Kawase BaZooKa!!]]''
* ''VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe: Red Hot Rumble''
[[/index]]
[[/folder]]
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