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Why I Like Street Fighter Continuity

Posted by Nadia Oxford

First, you must watch this trailer for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Capcom/Udon probably couldn't have chosen a better licensed song even if God demanded it.



Oh oh, Chun-Li got one of those annoying chain letters. You'd better keep that going, dear, or else great misfortune might fall upon your family. Wait--oops. Shit. Sorry.

Boys and girls, I'm here to talk about your urges to follow Street Fighter continuity. Do you feel a prick of annoyance when people pronounce Ryu's name as "Rye-oo?" Do you like eagerly informing the person sitting next to you on the bus that Ken and Guile are actually brothers-in-law? Do you lament out loud about the tribulations of T Hawk in the middle of conference calls?

It's okay. These urges are natural and normal and all part of being a Street Fighter enthusiast--especially one who's still kind of bad at actually playing the game.

Some smart person once said something about familiarity breeding contempt, but as the years have gone by for Street Fighter, I somehow feel closer to its goofy cast. They're all way out there, but still lovable. Guile's always moody and troubled, Ryu's just moody, Blanka wants his mommy and Cammy's just a basket case with a creaky porch and fifty cats in her future.

Giving the characters families and occasionally visiting those families is a smart move on Capcom's part, too. Not only do we become attached to the characters, we get to know their wives, their children and any bears they might happen to bed with (Zangief). It gives the roster a human touch, but they're hardly boring normal people. None of you have dads who wear skull necklaces, right? If in fact you do and you're in trouble of a measure you can't speak about, just leave "abc" in the comments and I'll try to help.

For the record, I think Ken's son, Mel, is adorable. Where do I send gifts?

Related Links:

Street Fighter IV's Fighting Spirit in Painstaking Detail
Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix C-C-Combo Makers
Street Fighter IV In North American Arcades


Comments

Roto13 said:

Zangief is all about the bears. I have a friend who loves him just because of that.

November 11, 2008 8:17 PM

DAN! said:

best. soundtrack. ever. and here i've been associating it with the competition since a few friends of mine made this: www.youtube.com/watch

abc

November 11, 2008 9:24 PM

Demaar said:

That's just about the most awesome song they could have licensed. Cheesy, yes, but absolutely awesome.

I know plenty of people that misspell Ryu's name, but I refrain from correcting them 'cause I'm usually just glad they know something (anything) about games (any games).

November 11, 2008 9:25 PM

Nemo Incognito said:

Speaking of Street Fighter continuity I couldn't help but notice in that video that Capcom finally bit the bullet and changed Ryu's fighting style from Shotokan back to Ansatsuken.  I think they finally realised the only people who would really notice the change would be the ones who would approve of it and nobody else would care that much.

November 12, 2008 6:26 PM

Danmartigan said:

wait, what's wrong with pronouncing Ryu as Ryoo ?

November 12, 2008 7:44 PM

Demaar said:

I didn't notice, but I do approve.

November 12, 2008 7:58 PM

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    John Constantine, our superhero, was raised by birds and then attended Penn State University. He is currently working on a novel about a fictional city that exists only in his mind. John has an astonishingly extensive knowledge of Scientology. Ultimately he would like to learn how to effectively use his brain. He continues to keep Wu-Tang's secret to himself.

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