No competition, it is for sure that Soul Calibur 2 is my favorite fighting game of all
time because you can buy different weapons for each of the caracters.

Overall, I' d say Soul Calibur 2 for it' s awesome combination of depth, atmosphere and sheer fluidity.

I was also one of the few people who actually liked Tekken 4. Third runner-up is VF4 Evo.

On the 2D front, Guilty Gear XX and SF3 Third Strike pretty much rule the roost IMO.

Before this past fall I would say Tekken, but after I got Mortal Kombat: Deception, i had to change. aside from the pain in the arse it was to unlock new characters, it was by far the best id ever played.

This is kinda difficult to answer. In terms of fighting games I got most into and devoted the most time to i would say

2D: Super Street Fighter 2 (Megadrive) (Genesis)
3D: Virtua Fighter 2 (Saturn)

In terms of what games I actually consider to be the best now (as they evolved quite a bit since those ones I mentioned) I would say

2D: Guilty Gear X2
3D: Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution.

Guardian Heroes (Sega Saturn) if that is considered a fighting game.
If not i would say Soul Calibur 1 (Dreamcast)

Shenmue 2. its not really a fighting game, but you fight alot during the story

Without question: the VIRTUA FIGHTER SERIES.

Each installment has redefined gaming for me. Or at least what the fighting game experience should be, in the case of VF4... which also happens to be my fave overall.

VF1 = revolutionary
VF2 = tightest fighter ever, astonishing design
VF3 = too deep for its own good but perhaps the most beautiful a/v
VF4 = fighting game perfection, moreso with Evo and Final Tuned. Though I played VF4 more than either of its tweaked versions, since that' s when it was " hotter" .

Anyone who didn' t mention at least one VF among their faves is BANNED! ;-)

There is no excuse for not at least trying to get into VF - its balance and depth reward players who make the effort quite unlike any other game of its kind.

Has to be Soul Caliber 2