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Start with Guilty Gear -Strive- unless you have a specific priority. It is Arc System Works’ current Guilty Gear entry, offers the broadest platform choice cited here, and builds its first lessons around universal Burst and Tension systems. Choose Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising if simplified controls and a calmer, more tactical pace matter most. Choose BlazBlue: Centralfiction if you are willing to learn the densest mechanics for the strongest story and character-specific depth.
The short answer: pick by the kind of beginner you are
All three games are anime-styled 2D fighters from Arc System Works, but they teach fighting-game fundamentals in very different ways. The best first game is not necessarily the one with the fewest buttons; it is the one whose pace, controls and long-term goals match what you want to practice.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Guilty Gear -Strive- Nintendo Switch Edition | $58.19 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Guilty Gear -Strive- [Nintendo Switch Edition] (Multi-Language)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yl1prUALL._SL160_.jpg)
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Guilty Gear -Strive- [Nintendo Switch Edition] (Multi-Language) | $60.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Guilty Gear -Strive- - PlayStation 5 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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UniVersus: Guilty Gear: Strive: Blitz Box | $48.17 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Game | Choose it first if you want… | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Guilty Gear -Strive- | A modern all-round introduction, expressive offense and the largest cited current player ecosystem | Its fast, explosive matches can feel overwhelming before movement and defensive decisions become familiar |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | The gentlest mechanical on-ramp, one-button skills and more measured neutral play | Cooldown management becomes a central habit, and its Granblue setting is the main reason to choose its story content |
| BlazBlue: Centralfiction | Character-specific systems, technical optimization and a substantial visual-novel-style saga | Its complete system is the biggest commitment, even with the optional Stylish control scheme |
If you are undecided after reading the comparisons, use this order: check which game runs on your platform, decide whether accessibility or mechanical depth matters more than speed, then choose the story setting you are most likely to keep playing. Stores, editions, downloadable content and online populations change, so verify the current version before buying.
Guilty Gear -Strive-: the safest first Arc System Works fighter
What makes it the default recommendation
Arc System Works describes Guilty Gear -Strive- as the latest entry in the long-running Guilty Gear franchise. It is developed by Daisuke Ishiwatari and Arc System Works, uses hybrid 2D/3D presentation, and is built around the series’ heavy-metal-inspired visual and musical identity. The publisher lists versions for PC, PlayStation and Xbox, giving it the broadest platform reach among the three games in the cited material.
#1 Best Overall
- Enjoy high-quality animation and graphics at 60FPS framerate.
- Battle your friends anywhere, anytime, via handheld mode.
- All Season Pass contents up to Season 3 included out-of-box.
The official battle guide puts two universal resources at the center of every character: the Burst Gauge and Tension Gauge. Because these resources work across the roster, your first lessons transfer when you try a different character. Arc System Works says the design is intended to let newcomers and veterans experience Guilty Gear’s flashy, stylish action rather than requiring a specialist rule set before you can play.
How the first matches feel
Strive is the most immediately expressive of the three. Characters have distinct attacks, movement options and signature techniques, while the universal gauges create decisions that are easy to recognize: use Burst to escape pressure or interrupt an opponent, and manage Tension for powerful special attacks and other advanced options. The match pace rewards decisive offense, but the same speed means a new player may lose rounds before understanding why a jump, reversal or blocked attack failed.
That apparent chaos becomes more legible when you learn one character at a time. Start by identifying a safe normal attack, a basic anti-air, a simple way to approach and one reliable combo. Add Burst and Tension decisions only after you can recognize when you are being pressured. The game’s common resource rules make that learning sequence useful across the roster.
Who benefits most
- Players buying their first Arc System Works fighter.
- Players who want energetic offense and large, visible momentum swings.
- Players who need PC, PlayStation or Xbox support rather than a single platform.
- Players who value a current flagship with a large reported audience; Arc System Works’ official site reports more than 3.5 million players worldwide in 2026.
Strive is not automatically the easiest game in every individual matchup. Its universal systems are clear, but its fast offense can demand quick reactions. It is the strongest general recommendation because the learning materials, roster-wide resources and platform options give a new player several ways to stay engaged while improving.
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising: the gentlest mechanical entry
Controls that reduce the first hurdle
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising was made through a partnership between Cygames and Arc System Works. Its Steam listing highlights one-button skills and a skill-cooldown system. Instead of requiring every special move to begin with a traditional directional command, the accessible controls let a new player activate a character’s signature techniques with less execution overhead.
Rank #2
- 28 PLAYABLE CHARACTERS – A diverse roster of 28 characters and the largest roster in GUILTY GEAR history, from Sol Badguy to the recently added Slayer in Season 3!
- STORY MODE – Experience the over 6-hour GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- main story
- ANOTHER STORY – Enjoy a full-length movie that follows what has been occurring in the background of the game’s main story!
- ONLINE BATTLES – With Rollback Netcode* functionality installed; players can enjoy lagless online battles with other Nintendo Switch players remotely!
The simplified input does not remove decision-making. Skills go on cooldown after use, so repeatedly pressing the strongest option is not a complete strategy. You must track when a move will return, decide whether to spend it to approach or punish an opponent, and play neutral while waiting. This creates a more measured rhythm than Strive’s most explosive exchanges.
Modes and entry options
Steam describes Rising as a revamped sequel that is “more enjoyable and accessible than ever before.” The listing includes online multiplayer, single-player modes and a free-to-play entry option. That combination makes it practical for a curious player who wants to test the controls and basic match flow before committing to the full package. Confirm the current free-to-play roster, upgrade terms and platform policies in the store listing for your region, since those details can change.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Cygames’ official documentation identifies PlayStation 4 and Steam support for the Granblue fighter. If you are on another console, do not assume the same edition is available; check the current platform listing before planning to play with friends.
Who should choose it first
- Players who have never learned traditional fighting-game inputs.
- Players who prefer spacing, whiff punishment and deliberate cooldown management over constant rushdown.
- Players who already like the Granblue Fantasy characters or setting.
- Players who want to sample an accessible version through the available free-to-play entry option.
Rising is the clearest answer to “Which anime fighter has the best beginner controls?” if “best” means the smallest execution barrier. It is not a simplified game in the sense of being shallow: its tactical choices move from input execution to timing, resource availability and positioning.
BlazBlue: Centralfiction: the specialist route for depth and story
The system stack you will eventually learn
BlazBlue: Centralfiction asks more of a learner because its important systems interact rather than sitting beside one another. The official manual documents four major pieces:
Rank #3
- A brand-new game in the Guilty Gear series, dedicated to all fighting game fans and all game players
- The series' charismatic characters have been completely renewed and many new characters join the cast
- The play feel has been revamped from previous games; It remains an easy-to-understand system while achieving greater depth than ever before
- Features numerous rock songs composed by General Director Daisuke Ishiwatari, and a story mode boasting more volume and scenes than a movie, designed not only for Guilty Gear fans, but also for anime fans
- Overdrive: temporarily powers up a character’s abilities.
- Active Flow: rewards aggressive actions and affects how a match develops.
- Barrier Guard: spends a gauge resource to provide stronger defense.
- Exceed Accel: a powerful attack available during Overdrive.
Each rule is understandable on its own. The difficulty comes from deciding when to spend a defensive resource, when to pursue Active Flow, how to convert Overdrive into damage or pressure, and how your chosen character’s unique mechanics alter those decisions. This is why Centralfiction has the highest ceiling and the steepest complete learning curve of the three.
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The official system guide documents a Stylish control mode that simplifies special moves and combo execution. It is a useful way to sample characters, follow the story and understand the rhythm of a match without first mastering every technical input. Stylish mode lowers the execution barrier; it does not remove the underlying resource interactions or teach matchup knowledge automatically. Players who stay with Centralfiction should eventually learn what their character’s normal and technical control options do outside the simplified scheme.
Why the story is its strongest differentiator
Steam presents the PC version as a 2D fighter combined with a visual novel and a story-rich presentation. Arc System Works calls the Nintendo Switch release, BLAZBLUE CENTRALFICTION Special Edition, the definitive version of the fourth BlazBlue game on the Switch eShop. That edition includes all downloadable characters and system voices and concludes the story that began with Calamity Trigger. The Switch release date listed by Arc System Works is February 7, 2019.
That makes Centralfiction the best first choice for someone who wants an established saga as much as competitive matches. Starting here gives you the concluding chapter and its full roster, but some emotional and narrative context comes from earlier games. If you mainly want a self-contained modern online fighter, Strive or Rising is a less demanding first stop.
Accessibility compared directly
| Beginner concern | Guilty Gear -Strive- | Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | BlazBlue: Centralfiction |
|---|---|---|---|
| First controls | Traditional fighter inputs plus clear universal Burst and Tension resources | One-button skills and cooldowns reduce execution demands | Stylish mode simplifies specials and combos; full inputs remain available |
| What you must track early | Positioning, pressure, Burst timing and Tension | Spacing, cooldown availability and safe skill use | Character Drive mechanics, Overdrive, Barrier, Active Flow and matchup-specific rules |
| Likely first obstacle | Fast offense and sudden momentum shifts | Learning when a cooldown is worth spending | Remembering several interacting systems while learning a unique character |
| Best learning approach | One character, one anti-air, one approach tool and one basic combo | Use the accessible controls, then practice cooldown-aware neutral | Use Stylish mode for orientation, then add systems one at a time |
“Easier” therefore depends on what you find difficult. Rising is easiest to operate immediately. Strive is easiest to understand as a shared ruleset across characters. Centralfiction is easiest to sample through Stylish mode but hardest to master in its complete form.
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- EXPLOSIVE FIGHTING GAME RETURN: The UniVersus GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Blitz Box delivers a high-energy booster experience packed with style, intensity, and iconic characters, bringing excitement to every match and collection.
- NEW MECHANICS & IMPACT: Featuring dynamic gameplay additions like Roman Cancel and new STRIVE-era fighters, this powerful booster set enhances deck building with electrifying options that elevate competitive strategy.
- STUNNING COLLECTIBLE CARDS: Discover 6 serialized manga-style Chrome Rares and a pearlescent 9-card alt-art image, offering striking visuals and collectible appeal that reward both dedicated players and passionate fans.
- FULL BLITZ BOX CONTENTS: Each Blitz Box includes 12 GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- Blitz Packs, and every pack contains 11 cards—1 character, 6 commons, 3 uncommons, and either a Rare, Ultra Rare, or Secret Rare for thrilling pulls.
- RANDOMIZED EXPERIENCE: Blitz Packs are randomly assorted, ensuring every opening delivers unique possibilities, deck-building surprises, and fresh opportunities to explore new strategies and expand your UniVersus collection.
Match feel: speed, spacing and decision-making
Choose Strive for explosive offense
Strive emphasizes expressive attacks and rapid shifts in momentum. Burst gives every character a way to challenge pressure, while Tension creates a visible incentive to stay active and make meaningful decisions about powerful options. If you enjoy the sensation that a single read can turn a round around, this is the strongest fit.
Choose Rising for grounded tactical play
Rising’s cooldown model naturally spaces out repeated special moves. You still attack, defend and punish mistakes, but the pause before a skill returns encourages deliberate footsies and resource awareness. It suits players who would rather win through positioning and timing than through the fastest possible execution.
Choose Centralfiction for character-specific interactions
Centralfiction’s match flow varies more dramatically by character because the system stack interacts with individual Drives and resources. That variety is rewarding if you enjoy lab work, optimization and discovering unusual routes through offense and defense. It is less suitable if you want every matchup to use the same small set of beginner rules.
Story and single-player priorities
| If your priority is… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise presentation with character-focused arcade content | Guilty Gear -Strive- | It is the current Guilty Gear entry and uses its distinctive audiovisual presentation to introduce the cast |
| Granblue characters and RPG-flavored single-player content | Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | The listing includes single-player modes alongside online play and the Granblue setting supplies the central context |
| A long, lore-heavy conclusion | BlazBlue: Centralfiction | Its visual-novel-style presentation concludes the story begun in Calamity Trigger, with the Switch Special Edition including all DLC characters and system voices |
Centralfiction is the clear story-first choice, but it is also the game most likely to make you pause and read before returning to matches. Strive and Rising make better first purchases when your main objective is learning an active online fighter and story is secondary.
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- Confirm your hardware. Strive is listed for PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Rising is documented for Steam and PlayStation 4. Centralfiction is available on Steam, while the cited definitive Special Edition is on Nintendo Switch.
- Check the exact edition. Centralfiction’s Switch Special Edition includes all downloadable characters and system voices; other editions may package content differently.
- Check the current online terms. Rising has a free-to-play entry option, but the available characters and upgrade rules can change by region or date.
- Check your friends’ platforms. Platform support is not identical across the three games, so availability matters more than a theoretical preference if you plan to play together.
A practical first-week plan
For Guilty Gear -Strive-
- Choose one character whose movement and attacks you enjoy watching.
- Learn one anti-air, one approach option and one short punish combo.
- Play until you can identify when Burst is available and what kind of pressure it interrupts.
- Add one Tension use only after you can reach the opponent reliably.
- Review losses for one repeated mistake instead of changing characters after every match.
For Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising
- Begin with the accessible one-button skills and note each skill’s cooldown behavior.
- Practice walking, blocking and spacing while your strongest skill is unavailable.
- Learn one anti-air and one punish so cooldowns do not become your only plan.
- Use single-player modes to see your character’s range before entering online matches.
- Move to more technical inputs only if you want additional control; they are not a prerequisite for learning neutral.
For BlazBlue: Centralfiction
- Use Stylish controls to identify a character’s basic attacks, Drive and movement.
- Learn Barrier Guard before trying to manage every offensive resource.
- Add Overdrive and Exceed Accel as a deliberate sequence rather than pressing them whenever available.
- Study Active Flow after you understand how your character starts pressure.
- Switch from Stylish to full inputs gradually, keeping the same neutral plan while adding execution complexity.
Common wrong turns and how to avoid them
- Picking the most technical game because it looks impressive: Centralfiction rewards commitment, but its depth is useful only if you are willing to learn its systems and story context.
- Assuming one-button skills mean no strategy: Rising shifts difficulty from motion inputs to cooldown timing, spacing and risk management.
- Changing characters after every loss: Give one character enough matches to reveal your recurring mistakes before judging the game.
- Trying to memorize every system at once: Add one resource or defensive option at a time; this is especially important in Centralfiction.
- Ignoring platform and edition differences: Verify the current store listing, included content and online requirements for your region before purchasing.
Final decision guide
- Choose Guilty Gear -Strive- if you want the best all-round first Arc System Works fighter, broad cited platform support, energetic offense and universal systems that transfer between characters.
- Choose Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising if traditional inputs are your biggest concern, you want one-button skills and cooldowns, or you prefer a more grounded tactical pace.
- Choose BlazBlue: Centralfiction if technical depth and lore matter more than a gentle learning curve, and you are comfortable making Stylish mode a stepping stone rather than the endpoint.
For a completely undecided newcomer, start with Strive. It offers the most balanced introduction to Arc System Works’ style. Rising is the better first download for testing whether fighting games click with you, while Centralfiction is the most rewarding destination for a player who already knows that layered systems and a long story are exactly what they want.
Quick Recap
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