How Cammy & Co. Kicked Diversity Into Super Street Fighter II

Variety is the spice of life – well, that’s probably a dash of Tabasco or diced habanera to add some kick, right? The same rule applies to games: sometimes a little kick to the tried-and-true recipe is necessary. Takes Street Fighter 2, For example. Flawless, however, when you add a few extras, especially a particularly spicy ingredient, it becomes even more appetizing.

In a series that revolves around martial arts tournaments around the world, you’re bound to rub shoulders/punch in the faces of those with different cultural backgrounds at some point (in the friendliest way possible, of course). It made sense that 1993’s Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers would introduce previously unrepresented fresh meat into the mix. With the inclusion of four new players from different nations, races, and genders, it meant not just an almost better roster, but an introduction to the game’s only other female character who has since reached Ryo’s level of appreciation.

Street Fighter II (and its subsections) are games that have lost none of their appeal, as evidenced by countless re-releases. The characters are unforgettable. Each with its own personality, backstory and distinctly crushing moves, which, when successfully presented, made for an exhilarating experience. Your breathing stopped as you took the killing blow, while your heartbeat jumped a notch or two. And like its caffeinated fans, Street Fighter II simply refused to go…