35 years ago this day in Japanese arcades, the original Street Fighter was released and introduced the world to the franchise that would be synonymous with Capcom and the world of fighting games. It wouldn’t be until the release of its 1991 sequel Street Fighter II where the series’ popularity would boom and many characters like Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Guile, Sagat, and M. Bison would become household names, but it got its start with that 1987 title and things would only grow bigger from there.
Following Street Fighter II’s success, more sequels, spin-offs, and other forms of media and merchandise would follow. Street Fighter would take the world by storm and would feature largely in the fighting game community, leading to the birth of events and tournaments where fans and fighters from around the world could gather and participate in. After a brief hiatus in the early 2000’s that saw the franchise all but gone, Street Fighter IV would be released and see a resurgence in interest for fighting games. Street Fighter V would eventually follow, and now that game is ready to give way to its successor in Street Fighter 6 - which is set for release some time next year.
Three and a half decades of FIGHT! Happy anniversary, Street Fighter!
Capcom's signature fighting game franchise is officially counting to 6 now on the year the franchise celebrates its 35th anniversary!
As revealed at the end of the Capcom Countdown alongside the Capcom Fighting Collection trailer, Street Fighter 6 is officially confirmed with a teaser trailer showing off Street Fighter V's new character Luke facing off against the series' main wandering warrior mascot Ryu - sporting a beard and embracing the Battle Costume 1 look from the previous game that is dubbed "Hot Ryu"!
Street Fighter 6 - Teaser Trailer
Also if you enjoy Capcom fighting games, here's the trailer for the upcoming Capcom Fighting Collection set to hit this June!
Capcom Fighting Collection – Announcement Trailer
More information on Street Fighter 6 will arrive this Summer!
It's the late 90's and early 2000's all over again, as Capcom has made a surprising reunion with fellow Japanese video game developer and publisher Arika to add some content to their latest iteration of Street Fighter in "Street Fighter V: Champion Edition" - and that's in the form of a special Extra Battle costume for Ryu based on the Fighting EX Layer/ Street Figher EX character Kairi!
For those who don't remember the Street Fighter EX series, it was the first 2.5D spin-off series for Capcom that departed from their traditional 2D animated fighting games. The games were developed by Arika, and while they featured well known World Warrios like Ryu, Chun-Li, Ken, Guile, and Zangief, some new fighters like Hokuto, Allen, and the aforementioned Kairi made their debut in this series. Street Fighter EX would go on to have two sequels as well as updates in true Street Fighter fashion, but the characters developed by Arika would not return in a Capcom game after the release of Street Fighter EX3 for the Playstation 2. Instead, they would appear in their own Arika published game called "Fighting Layer", and recently in a new spiritual successor game called "Fighting EX Layer".
With many fighting game companies working together and allowing crossovers to happen in their titles, Kairi's "addition" as an unlockable Extra Battle Costume for Ryu is the first in years that the two companies are back working together to put an "active character" from the EX series in SFV CE (not counting the Shadaloo profiles database). If you're a fan of these characters and still play Street Fighter, go and log in to unlock this outfit for Ryu! It runs from now until early October!
Fans of the Street Fighter saga who played "Street Fighter Alpha 2" and watched "Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie" will be very pleased with what's coming to Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition - as Capcom recently announced that the classic "Field of Fate" stormy weather grass stage will be making its grand return to the franchise as a new DLC stage players can purchase or redeem with Fight Money!
Check out the trailer below for a dose of nostalgia.
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition - Field of Fate DLC Stage trailer
The Field of Fate stage will go live with Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition starting March 26 and will be sold for $1.99 or 40,000 FM!
Another year goes bye bye, and here we are preparing to welcome a brand new one!
2017 certainly was a year of constant unpredictability and change. As with past years, I challenged myself to do new cosplays, and I've had PLENTY OF THEM. One of them - Logan - was my way of paying tribute to Hugh Jackman's portrayal of one of my favorite comic book characters in the big screen, and I was alongside Mislaine who did a WONDERFUL Laura/ X-23 right beside me. That movie is my pick for "2017 Film of the Year" as well, but I digress - this year has a LOT of EPIC films that did well in their own way.
As I pushed forward, I also had the opportunity to FINALLY cosplay Ryu from the Street Fighter series - honoring my fandom and the series' 30th Anniversary this year! I also got to have some AMAZING adventures with my Spider-Verse PH family - in no small part due to the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming this year and our favorite wallcrawler's introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
Then there was the big departure - leaving a team I worked with for seven years due to creative differences and the way things were running. It was arguably the best decision I have made, and I'm used to working on my own and being free to do my own thing. That still didn't stop me from dressing up like a Bat - and I FINALLY UPGRADED MY BATSUIT just in time for the Justice League Movie - joining other like minded friends and comrades who also enjoyed doing things out of passion and for the fun of it.
From ToyCon to APCC, there were exciting conventions to attend and memories to cultivate - including meeting Karen Fukuhara/ Katana from Suicide Squad and Ray Fisher/ Cyborg himself with my buddy CAZ. Then there was Geek Day 2017 too and being invited as a judge and speaker. So much to be grateful for along with fellow ambassadors Dinny Grayson, Xidge Evangelista, and FoxRots! Plus I also got to cosplay Kylo Ren. for Star Wars and take part on A Hero's Call as Green Arrow!
Bottomline - 2017 was a rollercoaster ride full of unpredictability and memorable moments. I have a lot to convey and share, but this collage will do the trick for the highlights! THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! TO 2018 WE GO!
She's strong hearted and a bit of tomboy in terms of attitude, but make no mistake - she is dearly loved by fans of Street Fighter across the globe! Ryu fangirl and "Precious Heart" world warrior Sakura Kasugano (or simply "Sakura" for short) celebrates her birthday this March 15 - and it comes in the year when Street Fighter celebrated its 30th Anniversary too! The character made her big debut in Street Fighter Alpha 2/ Street Fighter Zero 2, and has since gone on to appear in other spin-offs, sequels, and even in the Rival Schools franchise!
As a trip down memory lane, here are some of her most memorable themes:
Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold - Sakura Theme
スーパーパズルファイターII X - I Want You to Know (Vocal Theme)
Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha/ Street Fighter EX 3 - Precious Heart
Today may just be any other ordinary day... But for one video game character who has dedicated his entire life to the fight and finding answers through battle actually celebrates his fictional birthday today!
That's right... Street Fighter's own main man and protagonist - the Ansatsuken warrior known as Ryu, was born this day July 21st, and the occasion just comes right after the big annual fighting game event known as the Evolution Championship Series! Ever the recognizable figure and mostly used as an entry point fighter in the series, Ryu has constantly appeared in every single iteration of Street Fighter and its many spin-off and crossover games! He will make his presence felt once more as he joins the next battle and generation of World Warriors for Capcom's upcoming new fighter next year in Street Fighter V!
Here's an example of how the red bandana wearing warrior will play from this HD E3 2015 gameplay video of the much anticipated sequel!
Street Fighter 5 Ryu Vs. Ryu Gameplay E3 2015
And while we're all waiting for that in the meantime, let's take a trip back down memory lane... And see this Evolution 2009 video edited and made by Sonic Hurricane!
It's been a good 26 years for Capcom's signature brawler franchise Street Fighter, and through the years there's been a number of sequels, upgrades, spin-offs, crossovers, and just about anything that involves our favorite world warriors. The latest build and release, Street Fighter IV, will be getting its latest upgrade next year with Ultra Street Fighter IV, bringing with it some new fighters and some new mechanics to add some new dynamics to the franchise before an eventual new sequel turns over.
Meanwhile, Events Hubs (as shown from Kotaku) has created this excellent visual graph of Ryu's evolution wit each installment and spinoff from the Street Fighter franchise.
And here's something nostalgic from Sonic Hurricane...SF? Ryu Exhibition (Evo2k9+OHN8 Edition).
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since the original Street Fighter was released, but here we are and still seeing a lot of dedicated fighters and players thrashing each other in good ol’ fashioned two-dimensional styled brawling. Whether you're dusting off playing the classics or polishing your skills with new entries Super Street Fighter IV AE ver. 2012 and Street Fighter X Tekken, Capcom’s illustrious fighting game series has thrived and continued the battle for supremacy with each installment released.
To commemorate two and a half decades of the World Warrior, Capcom Unity has released this neat retrospective video that focuses on the lead and main character himself, Ryu. Watch how the man with the white gi and bandanna has evolved, along with the numerous titles and spin-offs the franchise has thrown out since 1987!
Ryu Retrospective: 25 Years of Street Fighter
Pretty neat retrospective, and it's been a long journey for Ryu indeed! Happy 25th Birthday, Street Fighter! Shoryuken!
Yes, you read that right. Apparently according to Capcom's official database, wiki page, and UDON's Street Fighter World Warrior Encyclopedia, July 21st is the official birthday of Ryu, the eternal seeker, wandering warrior, and male lead of the entire Street Fighter franchise! Having appeared in almost EVERY fighting game launched and licensed by Capcom, this practitioner of Ansatsuken karate (sometimes called Shotokan by others) is celebrating his day today, and as such, I offer this tribute post to commemorate the occasion. Below you'll find one AWESOME video that I've featured before in a post last year that highlights the steadfast fighter from Japan and his many in-game appearances over the years, from the numerous Street Fighter games to the different VS series of which he has transcended into something of a legendary status. Check it out below again, and know why this world warrior is among the best of his kind.
Street Fighter Ryu Exhibition
The song below, Ryu's Theme from the American release of Street Fighter: The Animated Movie, is aptly titled "Ryu's Meditation". It's the one that plays when he does a Shoryuken off the cliff and reminisces his time training with his friend and partner, Ken. Also makes for good listening while you're training or, well, meditating.;)
SF II Animated Movie OST - Ryu's Meditation
Finally, I took this photo as part of my toy photography practice to commemorate the occasion. I call it "Parking Lot Brawler".
Well, there you have it. Cheers and salutations for being one of my favorite fighting game characters, Ryu-San, and many happy returns to you as well, world warrior.
In case you haven't heard about it yet, I will say it again. MARVEL VS CAPCOM 3 IS CONFIRMED, and it's coming to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 sometime on 2011! The trailer broke out earlier, much to the glee and anticipation of the millions... AND MILLIONS of MvC fans who have waited for a decade to get a taste of another that features Hyper Combos and Aerial Raves! As a longtime fan of fighting games and all things Capcom in general, this is the announcement to make everyone go insane, and I'm getting ready for the next, intense battle of heroes and villains striving for dominance and supremacy!
Breaking out the news officially today following a week of silence in respect to Captivate 2010's embargo, Kotaku mentions in grand detail what players can expect from this grand sequel, once again combining the forces of Marvel with the superb fighters from Capcom's gaming roster. Officially called "Marvel Vs Capcom 3: Fate Of Two Worlds", the only details that have surfaced so far is that the game will boast over 30 characters from both sides of the fighting coin, with 6 characters already revealed in the launch trailer - namely Wolverine, Hulk, and Iron Man (in his Extremis type armor) from Marvel, and Ryu, Morrigan, and Chris Redfield representing Capcom. In total counting the unrevealed shades in the trailer, that's 16 characters "confirmed" to appear in MvC 3, and people have begun speculating as to who these fighters are, Kotaku included. So far they've listed people like Captain America, Super-Skrull, and even Devil May Cry's protagonist Dante as candidates to appear in this versus game, so anything is pretty much up in the air. As for how the game will play, It'll still be classic 3 on 3 tag team fighting, but with 3D sprites sparring on a 2D plane. The graphics will be totally new, utilizing an advanced version of the MT Framework game engine used in Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2. At first, I thought Capcom would be using a retooled Tatsunoko vs Capcom or Street Fighter IV engine as their basis for the game's creation, but looks like that won't be the case.
By golly, this is truly exciting news for the average fighting game fan, and like everyone else, I'm pumped up to see actual gameplay soon. You can check more about the big MvC 3 announcement via Kotaku here! For the mean time, enjoy the announcement trailer below, and dream for more Marvel Vs Capcom madness soon!
I recently got Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix from the Playstation Network sale, and for somebody like me who appreciates all things Hadoken and Sonic Boom, I've been enjoying the game for the most part, especially with the updates sprites and graphics courtesy from the guys at UDON entertainment, who also work and publish the official Street Fighter comics. This game has been out for a long time now, but I didn't have the opportunity or motivation to grab it back then, especially since Street Fighter IV came into the picture and swamped everyone with its 2.5D system overhaul. Flashforward to today, and I finally grabbed SSFIITHD Remix. It may be "old school" SSFII gameplay with new school graphics, but I can still play this game like it only came out yesterday, and it only increases my anticipation for Super Street Fighter IV, which is closing in and coming this end of April. This game is great for nostalgic purposes, and if you're ever on the mood for some competition, online battles are still active and feverish as ever via multiplayer. Or you could do things the old fashioned way, and play against the CPU or call a friend and let him pick up a controller to fight you one on one. Either way you choose, this is Street Fighter at its best. Check out these series of trailers here that impressed me a great deal when I saw them before. They still look fresh to this day, and make use of a classic Karate Kid song that fits the mood altogether.
Round 1!
Round 2!
Round 3!
On the side, I noticed this impressive looking fan made "movie trailer" of Street Fighter that definitely should be checked out by the hardcore fan. For all intents and purposes, it's a "teaser" to the original world warrior tournament, and features Ryu training and honing his skills in preparation for the fight, ending the clip with a mighty "Hadoken!" that fans will definitely get a kick seeing. Check it out.
Just a day after the release of the "New Features" Trailer for Super Street Fighter IV, Capcom has generously poured out more excitement for the fans to brew on by releasing another video featuring a match between the Japanese wanderer Ryu and Metro City's bad boy hero, Cody Travers! Here you'll see Ryu unleash his newest ultra, the Metsu Shoryuken, in full detail, but you'll also get to see some of Cody's arsenal as well, including his Super and his other Ultra combo, the Last Dread Dust, that has a lead filled surprise waiting for Mr. Hadoken at the end of it! Go check it!
Super Street Fighter IV Trailer - Ryu vs Cody!
Excited Now?! Super Street Fighter IV hits sometime this year! Prepare for battle!
Since the days of Street Fighter II, there hasn't been any other character I have used as frequently as the lone Shotokan warrior known as Ryu. The wandering loner from Japan continues to stand as a symbol of pure determination in the world of fighting, and his quest to seek true strength from his clashes with other world warriors is a feat that is respectable as it is to commended. Admittedly, I started out as a Ken player, preferring his flashy combat style to Ryu's solid techniques. However, as the combat engine evolved and the CPS-2 engine paved the way for the Street Fighter Alpha/ Zero series, my direction changed and I started using the headband wearing warrior. Since then, despite my attempts to rotate between other SF characters and "shoto-clones", Ryu has remained a constant in my side, and his evolution as fighter continues to impress me and the rest of his fans around the world. From his concentrated Hadoken to the Shin Shoryuken, there's no stopping this man from achieving his goals, and to get a better understanding of this one man army, it's best you see this video below:
The Ryu Street Fighter Exhibition
"The Answer Lies In The Heart Of Battle..." - Ryu's pre-battle animation quote from Street Fighter IV
