I built a browser fighting game with Smash-style knockback and a live leaderboard. 737 people showed up before I told anyone.
Built Toca Fighters over the last few months - a 2D browser fighter where knockback scales with damage, exactly like Smash Ultimate. No downloads. No install. Just open it and fight.
The game has 53 circle-shaped fighters, each with a completely different ability set. One does mind control. One runs a sports-attack kit. They play nothing alike.
I added ranked matches, a live leaderboard, fighter mastery tracking, and a custom fighter builder where you set speed, power, and a special stat. You can build a main and actually grind it.
Here's what surprised me: 737 visits in the last 30 days and I haven't posted anywhere. Nine people have already created accounts and started logging battle records.
I'm trying to figure out if there's a real competitive community here or if it stays casual. So I'm curious - what actually makes you stick with a browser fighting game long enough to pick a main and climb a leaderboard?