Most video games take place in a world of fiction, and thus include a variety of otherworldly themes and elements. Protagonists and villains will often opt to use the most eccentric means of combat available to them and, though this can add depth to the world a game is set in, the characters who rely on the strength of their fists stand out a great deal more.
There is something impressive about relying on one's fists in the presence of danger, especially when they have the option to acquire something more suitable. Most of these fist fighters have honed their abilities to the point where they can hold their own against some truly frightening foes, but some have trained harder than others.
8 Hercules - Kingdom Hearts
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Sora meets Hercules during his first visit to the Olympus Coliseum, where the two team up to protect Cloud from Cerberus. The battle with this sinister canine is rough, but it would have been much harder if not for Hercules's weakening of the creature prior to Sora's arrival.
Hercules is highly regarded as a true hero, a title that Sora can only dream of. Though the battle against him in the Hercules Cup implies he isn't exactly deserving of this title, the feats he can pull off thanks to the strength of his fists are hard to ignore.
7 Kratos - God Of War
Kratos's most associated weapons in the God of War series are his Blades of Chaos. Gifted to him by Ares, and likely taught in their usage by him as well, these blades became iconic for their intricate design and how Kratos chose to wield them.
2018's God of War, however, saw Kratos abandoning these vicious blades and favor of less grotesque weaponry. He relies mostly on his axe to fell his foes, but sometimes he must use the strength of his fists to truly get the job done. This is made evident through his numerous battles with Baldur, where Kratos's skills in close-quarters combat are allowed shine.
6 Abby - The Last Of Us: Part 2
Abby will acquire multiple means of combat throughout the story of The Last of Us: Part 2, but none can hold a candle to the raw strength she wields through her fists. She has undergone a great deal of physical training to fully enhance the power she holds, evident through her muscular physique and confidence in battle.
Though she mostly relies on firearms to deal with her enemies, she doesn't always have access to them. In these cases, the full extent of her power will be revealed and, much to the dismay of her enemies, her core strength is even scarier.
5 Sabin - Final Fantasy 6
Terra first encounters Sabin Terra while venturing through Mt. Kolts. He is seen pursuing a martial artist named Vargas who murdered Sabin's master, Duncan. Little is known about Sabin prior to this encounter except that he is King Edgar's brother, but he quickly gives the player a shocking reason to remember him.
As a monk, Sabin fights primarily with his fists. He can inflict tremendous damage to his opponent thanks to the skills he acquired from Duncan's teachings, but his main source of power stems from his Blitz abilities. Unleashing these attacks requires the player to commit certain inputs to memory, but they are well worth the effort of doing so.
4 Spider-Man - Marvel's Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fascinating fighter in that his hands are the source of most of his power. He is mostly renowned for being able to swing through the city of New York by spraying spiderwebs from his wrist. It's because of this incredible ability that the strength he harbors is often overlooked.
Though his web-slinging abilities have certain benefits in battle, Spider-Man must rely solely on his fists to do any real damage. He will also use his legs to deliver some devastating blows, but he relies mostly on the power in his hands to incapacitate his foes. Spider-Man takes pride in never killing his enemies, but it's hard to believe that a single one of his foes could survive even a swipe from his hands.
3 Ryu - Street Fighter
As the primary protagonist of the Street Fighter series, it is understandable why Ryu is as powerful as he is. His sole motive in the series is to become the strongest martial artist he can be, evident through the throat-cut way he approaches each of his physical encounters.
Though Ryu could decimate his foes if he opted to use weapons, he chooses to use nothing more than his frighteningly powerful fists. They are his primary means of inflicting damage on enemies and, to further ensure victory, they can also be used to conjure some otherworldly powers.
2 Knuckles - Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is renowned for being able to jump on the heads of his enemies to vanquish them, but Knuckles prefers a more practical approach. Though most echidnas would pose little danger in a combat situation, this particular one holds a baffling level of power in the palm of his hands.
Not only does Knuckles use his physical prowess to take down his enemies, but also to break through obstacles in his path. He is a force to be reckoned with and is arguably the strongest character in the Sonic universe.
1 Tifa - Final Fantasy 7
Though her companions often rely on heavy weaponry while engaging in combat, Tifa chooses a much more simplistic approach. No matter the danger posed by the threat she faces, she will always attack her opponents with nothing more than her fists.
It is because of this that she stands out as one of the strongest party members in Final Fantasy 7. Cloud and Barret have the luxury of hiding behind their swords and guns. But Tifa, ruthless brawler she is, doesn't require anything to achieve victory aside from her fists and maybe a dolphin or two.