Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior
By Yorch la Torch
Released in 1991, Street Fighter 2 is the second entry in Capcom's Street Fighter series. It uses the CP arcade system board, the same platform used by classics such as Final Fight, The King of Dragons, and U.N Squadron. Designed by Yoshiki Okamoto, Street Fighter 2's character roster, combo mechanics, and locations make it a seminal entry in the fighting genre, contributing to its worldwide popularity.
5 reasons to play Street Fighter 2 this week
1. The Combat System
A good fighting title is as good as its underlying combat system. Even if not evident at first glance, there is a defining cadence in every Street Fighter 2 battle. A player can hit a quick punch, followed by a second quick hit, finalized by a special move or strong hit. If an opponent wasn't fast enough to defend against it, this 3-hit combo will cause significant damage. The player hit, in turn, can reproduce another combo, making the combat in Street Fighter 2 an addictive dance of defense, offense, and timing. If you are not a seasoned Street Fighter 2 player, give it a try. You'll become hooked for hours.
2. The Locations
Before Instagram, Google and YouTube, the only places I could get a glimpse of the Amazon, an U.S. Air Force Base, a Maharaja's Palace in India, or a Spanish Flamenco Show were either an encyclopedia, a TV documentary or... the stylized versions featured in Street Fighter 2. The game takes you to different locations in Brazil, USA, India, Thailand, China, the Soviet Union, Japan, and Spain. Each stage is beautifully designed, making each battle feel immersive and unique, while providing a quick tour of the colors and architecture that define each country. The global nature of Street Fighter 2 make it a unique title with worldwide apppeal, leaving an indelible mark on how games are developed and marketed. It is, truly, an entry for World Warriors.
3. The Roster
This is where Street Fighter 2 shines in ways no other fighting game before it did. Every single character distills a strong personality and a particular fighting style (with, arguably, the possible exception of Ken and Ryu in the first iteration of the game). Chun-Li features fast, frontal combat. Her special move, the lightning kick, is an icon in video game history. Dhalsim can extend his legs and arms to hit a distant opponent. Zangief wrestles adversaries with devastating moves. Ryu throws the famous Hadoken, a blast of spirit energy, while Guile counterattacks with a powerful Flash Kick. The fact that each world warrior features a set of special moves makes exploration and experimentation a staple of Street Fighter 2.
4. The Bonus Stages
Street Fighter 2 features 3 memorable bonus stages that have even become part of meme culture. After defeating a set of three oppponents in single-layer mode, you'll have to destroy a car on a pier, break the largest amount of falling barrels, or smash tiles of metal oil drums. These bonus stages are an opportunity to increase your total score, while also providing a welcoming distraction from the ongoing tournament.
5. The Replay Value
I previously stated how Street Fighter 2 prompts you to explore and experiment with all characters and their special moves. On top of that, each character presents a captivating story based on their motivations to fight in the tournament, that adds an extra layer of emotional connection. The single-player mode includes four CPU-exclusive characters--Balrog, Vega, Sagat and M. Bison. You will eventually want to master all characters to watch how their stories conclude.
Street Fighter 2 is a timeless classic that has aged incredibly well. It's beautiful art direction, engaging combat system, and memorable roster make it a unique fighting game. It doesn't matter if you have never played it, or you are a seasoned veteran. This week is a perfect time to go back to the Street Fighter 2 universe and foil M. Bison's plans.