From its arcade roots to current gen consoles, Street Fighter is one of the biggest fighting game franchises around. If you need any more proof, Street Fighter 6 has already sold one million copies at the time of writing. And it only launched a few weeks back! Pretty crazy stuff.
The latest instalment brings new modes, characters, moves and more to the popular fighting formula. Let’s take a look…
Street Fighter 6 gameplay
Funnily enough, Street Fighter is all about fighting in the streets. The lyrics ‘everybody was kung fu fighting’ have never been more appropriate. You’ll battle in a side-on 2D style that’s been used since Street Fighter 1 - which came out all the way back in 1987. Like they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
You’ll use a range of flashy fighters – each with their own moves, special powers, and characteristics – to dominate your opponents. And with more strikes, kicks and headbutts than you can shake a boxing glove at, this is a game with one of the deepest fighting systems around.
But if you’re anything like me, this can sometimes be a problem. That’s because fighting games can be incredibly difficult to master. Complex combos. Precise, ordered button presses. It can all get a bit overwhelming. Which makes them hard to pick up and play, especially if you’re more of a casual player. That’s a thing of the past with Street Fighter 6 though.
Capcom have developed three control options to cater to different ability levels. So, whether you’re a Street Fighter veteran, or picking up a controller for the first time, you’ll be able to dive right in.
You’re in control
Modern – don’t want to (or just can’t) remember loads of different button combinations? No worries. Modern lets you unleash special attacks with super simple button presses. Just one or two will trigger devastating moves. And you won’t forget what to press halfway through either.
Classic – the traditional 6 button layout that Street Fighter fans know and love. It’s perfect for high-level matches, where you need full control over every single part of the battle. And if you want to, you can even customise the layout of each button - which caters to loads of different fighting styles.
Dynamic – this is perfect if you’ve got family or mates round who just want to fight without the faff. Hit the auto-attack button and leave the thinking to the computer! You’ll automatically use combos and attacks that match the position of you and your opponent. So, pulling off those complicated moves becomes an absolute breeze. It’s also a handy option when you want to learn the ins and outs of a particular character.
Street Fighter 6 game modes
Think fighting games are all the same? Think again. In Street Fighter 6, you’ve got three distinct modes to try from the off.
World Tour
This is Street Fighter’s big, shiny new mode. In this single player story, you’ll travel the globe to find the answer to one simple question. What is strength? Deep. Across the course of your journey, you’ll meet and face legendary fighters, tackle exciting challenges and trials, and grow your reputation on the streets. There are even some kooky mini games thrown in for good measure too.
And there’s one massive change to all this. It’s the first time Street Fighter has gone semi open world. With city hubs in different countries, you’ll explore them on foot at your own pace. Each one is stuffed full of secrets and pulse pounding combat encounters for you to find. So, make sure to check out every single nook and cranny.
But first, you’ll need to make your avatar. An in-depth character creator lets you make any kind of fighter you can think of. Change their body type. Give them a snazzy looking haircut. And pick out some gear. This gear isn’t just all for show though. Each piece will impact your abilities – so make sure to go for some clothes that match your play style.
It isn’t just the look of your avatar you’ll be customising either. As you progress, you’ll develop and build your very own set of moves. Become a student of your favourite characters and learn their special combos and style to fight just like they do. And because you can study with different masters, you can mix and match abilities from each of them. Letting you craft a completely unique arsenal of skills that’s entirely your own.
Fighting Ground
The Fighting Ground features all the different head-to-head modes in Street Fighter 6. And you’ve got a load of fun ones to get stuck into…
Versus – battle one-on-one against the computer or fight against a friend. Or set up a team battle with multiple characters and jump into special formats like Elimination and Doubles.
Online Battle – fight against other players from around the world in Casual or Ranked matches. In Ranked, you’ll be scrapping for League Points (LP) to rank up – so every win and loss matters. But with Casual, you can fight without the stress as League Points don’t mean a thing here.
Extreme Battle – this is exactly what it says on the tin. This special mode adds a bunch of quirky modifiers to mix up your fights. How does a rampaging bull charging across the screen every now and then sound?
Arcade – got a favourite character from the roster? Take them through a series of fights and experience their story in this single player mode.
Training Menu – this is the place to train and hone your combat skills. Pick a character and practice with their unique set of abilities, combos, and special moves.
Battle Hub
This is the place to meet, battle, enter tournaments and hang out with your fellow online fighters. Using the avatar you’ve made in World Tour, you’ll be able to chat and challenge other players to a fight. Just make sure you’re ready. People can spectate, so the world will be watching – literally.
Or maybe you fancy a trip down memory lane? The hub is packed full of classic, old-school game cabinets. Compete against your mates and strangers or aim for the high score and get your name on the leaderboard. It’ll be just like you’re down at the arcade.
We all know the first rule of fight club too. But this is Fighters Club. So, those rules don’t apply. With it, you can set up your own private group of fighters. Invite your friends and design every single part of your club. Create everything from scratch - from your team’s kit to the logo - and make something completely unique. With a look that will strike fear into your opponents when you face them online.
And this probably goes without saying. You’re going to want to look good while you battle. At the Hub Goods Shop you can customise your character with hats, clothes and more. Letting you really put your own unique stamp on your avatar. There’s the more serious stuff – like boxing gloves and helmets. But if you want to go a little more whacky, why not slap a TV on your head (yes, you can really do that) instead? Then you can really put on a show!
Street Fighter 6 characters
Street Fighter 6 has a big roster of characters to pick from straight out of the box. In total, you’ll have 18 fighters to play as – from series staples to brand new combatants. And Capcom have promised to add even more in their upcoming add-ons. So, if your favourite Street Fighter characters are missing right now, there’s a good chance they’ll be coming further down the road.
Here are a few familiar faces, plus some others who are making their Street Fighter debut…
Ryu – pretty much *the* most famous Street Fighter character and the face of the series. A powerful martial artist, Ryu’s special move – Hadouken – is one of the most iconic attacks in all of gaming.
Chun-Li – another familiar name to Street Fighter fans. With a whole new look, Chun-Li uses quick and aggressive kung fu kicks to defeat her enemies. Spinning bird kick, anyone?
Marisa – 6’ 8”. Built like a giant. Marisa towers over most of the roster. She delivers massive kicks and punches to dominate any fight. And while she isn’t the quickest, Marisa only needs a few hits on target to land that KO blow.
JP – he’s a bit like Street Fighter Gandalf. JP strikes with a hefty staff and creates spectres and portals to take out his opponents. And he’s got a majestic beard too, of course.
Street Fighter 6 platforms
You’ll be able to play Street Fighter 6 on most current and older consoles. The game is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
However, if you’re an Xbox One player who hasn’t made the leap to current gen yet, you’ll definitely want to. That’s because there isn’t an Xbox One version. And the same goes for the Nintendo Switch too. Sorry Nintendo fans!
Street Fighter 6 FAQs
Not a fan of Street Fighter? That’s alright. Head to ShopLive and speak to one of our gaming experts. They’ll be able to help you find a game that’s right up your street.
