Fighting games are one-on-one combat games where players use complex button inputs to execute special moves, combos, and defensive actions (blocking, dodging) in a fixed arena, relying on strategy, timing, and character knowledge (fundamentals like spacing, footsies, anti-airing) to deplete the opponent's health bar, often categorized by style (2D vs. 3D, anime, platform fighters) and character archetypes (rushdown, zoner, grappler).