Most satisfying melee combat

[The_Liquid_Laser]

Most of the games I can think of are 2D (and can be old or new): Zelda 1 and 2, Castlevania IV, Punch Out, Golden Axe, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Castle Crashers, Double Dragon, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Streets of Rage 4, ect....  There are tons of 2D games with really satisfying melee combat.

For 3D games, the first one that comes to mind is Hyrule Warriors (and Warriors games in general).  The next closest after that I'd say is Elden Ring.  Although I think it's more accurate to say that Elden Ring combat is really engaging, but not exceptionally satisfying.  The delay/timing factor in the weapons makes the combat less satisfying, but it does make the combat very engaging.  FF7 Remake is pretty good too.

Really to get both engaging and satisfying combat there needs to be both challenge and a visceral enjoyment of beating the shit out of something.  It is really hard for 3D games to do this well, while 2D games do this easily.  2D games, in general, have a huge advantage when it comes to tight and satisfying controls.  However, 3D games have a huge advantage when it comes to immersion, and this advantage keeps a lot of people from fully enjoying 2D games.