Street Fighter
The fighter that started it all
Capcom's 1987 arcade fighting game that introduced special move inputs and laid the groundwork for Street Fighter II's revolution - even if the original is largely forgotten.
Overview
Street Fighter (1987) was Capcom’s original fighting game that introduced the special move input system (down-forward + punch for Hadouken) that would define the genre. Though overshadowed by its legendary sequel, the original Street Fighter established the mechanical foundation that Street Fighter II would perfect. Ryu and Ken originated here.
Fast Facts
- Developer: Capcom
- Designer: Takashi Nishiyama, Hiroshi Matsumoto
- Released: 1987 (arcade)
- Characters: Ryu (player), 10 opponents
- Innovation: Motion-based special moves
- Legacy: Largely forgotten, but foundational
Special Move Innovation
The revolutionary input system:
| Move | Input | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Hadouken | ↓ ↘ → + Punch | Ryu |
| Shoryuken | → ↓ ↘ + Punch | Ryu |
| Tatsumaki | ↓ ↙ ← + Kick | Ryu |
These directional motions became the language of fighting games.
Gameplay
Globe-trotting tournament format:
- Play as Ryu (or Ken in 2P)
- Fight opponents across countries
- Two rounds to win
- Bonus stages between fights
- Reach and defeat Sagat
Cabinet Variations
Two cabinet types existed:
Standard Version
- Regular joystick and buttons
- Six-button layout
”Deluxe” Pressure-Sensitive Version
- Large pneumatic buttons
- Punch/kick strength determined by hitting force
- Often broken in arcades
- Physical, exhausting gameplay
The pressure buttons were novel but impractical.
Characters
| Fighter | Country | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Ryu | Japan | Shotokan karate |
| Ken | USA | Same as Ryu (player 2) |
| Retsu | Japan | Shorinji Kempo |
| Geki | Japan | Ninja |
| Joe | USA | Kickboxing |
| Mike | USA | Boxing |
| Lee | China | Chinese boxing |
| Gen | China | Kung-fu |
| Birdie | England | Punk rock brawler |
| Eagle | England | Bouncer |
| Adon | Thailand | Muay Thai |
| Sagat | Thailand | Muay Thai (boss) |
Several characters returned in later games.
The Ryu/Sagat Rivalry
The series’ central conflict started here:
- Sagat is the final boss
- Ryu defeats him with a Shoryuken
- Leaves Sagat with chest scar
- Sagat’s grudge drives SF2 subplot
Why It’s Forgotten
Street Fighter’s limitations:
- Stiff controls - Unresponsive compared to SF2
- Single player only - No versus mode
- Limited roster - Only Ryu playable
- Primitive presentation - SF2 made it obsolete
- Broken cabinets - Pressure buttons wore out
Street Fighter II overshadowed it completely.
Foundation for SF2
What carried forward:
- Special move inputs
- Ryu, Ken, Sagat, Birdie, Gen, Adon, Eagle
- World warrior tournament concept
- Multi-round matches
- Bonus stages