Well now that is a question
![8-)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cool.png)
... As I play so many fighting game and have so many I like this list could be a mile long with numerous characters switching, the two trends are oddballs who are hard to use, so I'll go with a short selection (for me)
Street Fighter - My main game franchise I like using all the charcters to be honest but these top my most used.
Dhalsim - Number one there isn't another character I enjoy playing as more than Dhalsim, forget combos I find the challenge of zoning/blocking people out a hell of a lot of fun. I recommend anyone should try playing as him just because it will teach you how to block/anti-air/spacing because if you don't it's KO time.
Vega - He's quick, has range and can fly around the screen, also the first 'boss' to truly trouble me in a fighting game many moons ago.
Hakan - Of the new charcters Hakan is just so damn odd that he really grew on me, oil wrestling and his humerous attitude makes him really appealing.
Gen - Ah Gen the old master of two different fighting stances, I like him because he's complicated to fight with.
Mortal Kombat - Finish him or Her, I like the series but find a lot of the charcters lack personality (MK9 helped somewhat).
Sub-Zero - The Ice Ninja has always been my personal favorite, it's the simple effect of stopping you opponent completely with his freezing.
Noob Saibot - Remember how I like Dhalsim for zoning? Well here's the MK version plus that make a wish fatality is brutal.
Shang Tsung - To wrap up we have the complicated Character although I wish they would bring back his turn into anyone in the game move (Memory restraints I know)
SNK/KOF/FF/AoF - SNK has tons of characters over tons of games and my favorites can change King of Fighters remains the best IMO.
Iori - Stylish Jerk that kind of reminds me of Vegeta, a rarity for me as his playstyle isn't too tricky and he is fairly normal.
Duck King - Hilarious character and his stage in fatal fury is nuts.
Eiji - Not hard to use, fairly bland as Ninjas in fighting games go but I like him.
Soul Calibur - I'm not so keen on the 3D fighters but Calibur is my favorite of the lot.
Voldo - He looks nuts, his moves are wierd and the confusion he creates in a fight makes him so much fun to play as.
Astaroth - It's rare I like a big slow lumbering fighter but Astaroth is the exception, too much fun to play as.
Cervantes - Lots of tricks and how can you not like an undead pirate.
Tekken - I really don't play Tekken very much as I find it to be slow and clunky.
Heihachi - If I do play I pick Heihachi as he is effective enough without having to do to much.
Virtua Fighter - The blandest of fighting games, but the sound effects of people getting hit make up for it.
Pai Mei - I like her counter moves.
Killer Instinct - The game of style over substance, but what style it has.
Spinal - Jason & the Argonauts is awesome therfore Spinal is also awesome, he has great music too.
Riptor - A slow burner for me, as time has gone on I have grown to like the raptor more and more.
Marvel vs - A chance to play as marvel super villain, Yes!
Shuma-Gorath - I'm amazed he ever got in the games, but damn is he fun to use. Mystic Smash, Chaos Dimension will seal your fate.
Juggernaut - He's huge and fills the screen and it's the Juggernaut.
Dormammu - The upgrade for Blackheart, Dormammu is too evil to contain, also a zoner.
Amingo - I am amused that a sentient Cactus is a in a fighting game.
Smash Bros - Unlike any other fighting game but I'm including it here anyway.
Samus - My default choice, She kicks ass and has a massive hand cannon
Captain Falcon - Falcon PUNCH!
Mr Game & Watch - Nothing is more fun than beating someone with Mr Game & Watch. (I don't like his satges though)
Other - Too many fighting games must limit mentions to 5.
Boro (FD) - The N64 is not known for its fighting games and of them all Fighter's Destiny is probably the best. Boro was my favorite of the lot, the swiss female boss had some fun kicking combos.
Pojo (M:DA) - Mace: The Dark Age was a 3d mortal kombat/soul calibur game & gets a special mention for Pojo the fighting chicken, it even had a fatality.
Arakune (BzB) - Another wierd charcter, Arakune easily appealed to me in Blazblue.
Icky Bod Clay (Cf) - Clayfighter was memorable if not too technical ... Icky Bod was my favorite in the end. Squirm like a Worm!
Shredder (TMNT:TF) - Great game with an awesome soundtrack, I was going to pick Wingnut but he's too silly even for me so Shredder and his Aura Crusher gets the nod.
Beans (TeN) - Tuff e Nuff/Dead Dance is obscure by snes fighting game standards espeically as it had only 4 playable charcters, unless you knew the code. Beans is an absurd mad max-esque dutch man who fights in clogs. His laugh is great and his stage music is fantastic.
I think that will do.