+1 for Shaun - great answer. I would like to add a couple of things about the game itself. Like Shaun said character and design are very important, but you also have to 'teach' the player how to play and audio play a massive role in this, especially in fighting games. Most fighting games have 'powerups' before the actually hit - the bigger the hit the larger the 'powerup'. Each one has to be distinctive. Getting these right will also help in actually impact sound - 'framing' as Shaun outs it :). Death bit is also really important and should be distinctive and different from the normal hit sounds. To really touch base with the importance of audio in fighting games check out Brice Mellen he's a mortal combat master and plays purely by sound.

+1 for Shaun - great answer. I would like to add a couple of things about the game itself. Like Shaun said character and design are very important, but you also have to 'teach' the player how to play and audio play a massive role in this, especially in fighting games. Most fighting games have 'powerups' before the actually hit - the bigger the hit the larger the 'powerup'. Each one has to be distinctive. Getting these right will also help in actually impact sound - 'framing' as Shaun outs it :). Death bit is also really important and should be distinctive and different from the normal hit sounds. To really touch base with the importance of audio in fighting games check out Brice Mellen he's a mortal combat master and plays purely by sound.