The Top 10 Best Street Fighter Characters, Ranked

Street Fighter is a beloved video game series that has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Since the release of the first Street Fighter game in 1987, the franchise has continued to thrive and expand, introducing new characters, fighting styles, and special moves. With so many characters to choose from, it can be challenging to determine the best Street Fighter characters of all time. In this article, we’ll be ranking the top 10 Street Fighter characters of all time based on their play style, special moves, fighting style, and character design.

10. Guile

First Appearance: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

Who is he? Guile is a member of the United States Air Force who uses his martial arts skills to fight against M. Bison and his forces. Guile’s fighting style is focused on fast, powerful strikes and pressure. He is a charge character, which means he requires holding down a direction for a short period before releasing a move.

Special moves: Guile’s special moves include the Sonic Boom, Flash Kick, and Somersault Kick, which are all powerful and effective in the right hands. Guile is a unique character with a memorable design and great combo potential. He is a fan-favourite character and an essential part of the Street Fighter roster.

9. Balrog

First Appearance: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

Who is he? Balrog, also known as M. Bison in Japan, is a former heavyweight boxing champion who uses his fists to pummel his opponents. Balrog’s fighting style is straightforward and focused on powerful strikes and pressure. He is a charge character, which means he requires holding down a direction for a short period before releasing a move.

Special Moves: Balrog’s special moves include the Dash Straight, Dash Upper, and Turn Punch, which are all devastating in the right hands. Balrog is a unique character with an interesting backstory and great combo potential. He is a fan-favourite character and an excellent addition to the Street Fighter roster.

8. Akuma

First Appearance: Super Street Fighter II Turbo (1994)

Who is he? Akuma, also known as Gouki in Japan, is a powerful martial artist who possesses the Dark Hado, which grants him incredible strength and the ability to manipulate energy. Akuma’s fighting style is aggressive and focused on heavy strikes and pressure. He is a secret character who can be unlocked by meeting specific criteria.

Special Moves: Akuma’s special moves include the Gohadoken, Goshoryuken, and Tatsumaki Zankukyaku, which are all powerful and devastating in the right hands. Akuma is a unique character with an interesting backstory and great combo potential. He is a fan-favourite character and an excellent addition to the Street Fighter roster.

7. Dan Hibiki

First Appearance: Street Fighter Alpha (1995)

Who is he? Dan Hibiki is a martial artist who parodies the Street Fighter series. He is a comedic character with a unique fighting style that incorporates taunts and insults. Dan’s special moves include the Gadoken, Koryuken, and Dankukyaku, which are all similar to Ryu’s but with slight variations.

Special Moves: Dan’s popularity is due to his unique character design and his ability to make players laugh. He is not a strong character, but he is an interesting character and an essential part of the Street Fighter roster. Dan’s fighting style requires little effort, making him an excellent character for beginners.

6. Sakura Kasugano

First Appearance: Street Fighter Alpha 2 (1996)

Who is she? Sakura Kasugano is a high school student and a huge fan of Ryu. She has modelled her fighting style after Ryu’s, and her play style focuses on quick strikes and aerial attacks. Sakura’s special moves include the Hadoken, Shouoken, and Shunpukyaku, which are all similar to Ryu’s but with slight variations.

Special Moves: Sakura’s popularity is due to her excellent character design and relatable backstory. She is a fan-favourite character and an excellent addition to the Street Fighter roster. Sakura’s great combo potential and her ability to keep opponents off balance make her a strong character in the right hands.

5. E. Honda

First Appearance: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

Who is he? E. Honda is a sumo wrestler and one of the most unique characters in the Street Fighter series. His fighting style is focused on powerful strikes and grapples, and he is a charge character, which means he requires holding down a direction for a short period before releasing a move. E. Honda’s special moves include the Hundred Hand Slap, Sumo Headbutt, and Super Killer Head Ram, which are all devastating in the right hands.

Special Moves: E. Honda’s play style is straightforward and easy to learn, making him an excellent character for beginners. His character design is unique and memorable, and his backstory is engaging and fun. E. Honda’s only downsides are his lack of speed and mobility, making him vulnerable to faster opponents.

4. Ken Masters

First Appearance: Street Fighter (1987)

Who is he? Ken Masters is Ryu’s best friend and rival, and his fighting style is similar to Ryu’s, but with a few key differences. Ken is more aggressive than Ryu, and his play style is focused on high-speed strikes and aerial attacks. Ken’s special moves include the Hadoken, Shoryuken, and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, which are all similar to Ryu’s but with slight variations.

Special Moves: Ken’s popularity is due to his excellent character design and relatable backstory. He is a well-rounded character with great pressure and combo potential, making him a fan favourite among Street Fighter fans. Ken’s martial arts mastery and his long-time association with Ryu make him an essential part of the Street Fighter cast of characters.

3. M. Bison

First Appearance: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

Who is he? M Bison, also known as Vega in Japan, is the main villain in the Street Fighter series. He is a powerful martial artist who possesses the Psycho Power, which grants him incredible strength and the ability to manipulate energy. M. Bison’s fighting style is aggressive and focused on heavy strikes and pressure.

Special Moves: M. Bison’s special moves include the Psycho Crusher, Scissor Kick, and Double Knee Press, which are all devastating in the right hands. M. Bison is a unique character with an interesting backstory and great combo potential. He is one of the most iconic villains in video game history, and his presence in the Street Fighter roster adds to the game’s appeal.

2. Chun-Li

First Appearance: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (1991)

Who is she? Chun-Li is the first playable female character in the Street Fighter series and one of the most popular characters of all time. She is a martial artist and a member of Interpol, and her fighting style incorporates kicks, acrobatics, and lightning-fast strikes. Chun-Li’s special moves include the Hyakuretsukyaku, Kikoken, and Spinning Bird Kick, which are all essential to her play style.

Special Moves: Chun-Li’s popularity is due to her excellent character design and unique play style. She is a charge character, which means she requires holding down a direction for a short period before releasing a move, making her a challenge for beginners to learn but a powerful fighter in the right hands. Chun-Li’s aerial attacks and great combo potential make her a great character for those who love high-pressure gameplay. Chun-Li is definitely one of the best characters from the game franchise.

1. Ryu

First Appearance: Street Fighter (1987)

Who is he? Ryu is the main character and one of the most iconic fighters in the Street Fighter series. He is a martial artist with a strong sense of justice, and his fighting style focuses on balanced strikes and aerial attacks. Ryu’s special moves include the Hadoken, Shoryuken, and Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, which are all powerful and useful in different situations.

Special Moves: Ryu’s play style is straightforward and easy to learn, making him a fan favourite among both new and experienced players. His character design is simple yet effective, and his backstory is engaging and relatable. Ryu is a strong character and a perfect example of what makes the Street Fighter video games so great.

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Tell us, who do you think the best Street Fighter characters are?