Capcom Street Fighter 6 Release Date and More

Street Fighter 6 is almost here, and the excitement is palpable. Since its announcement, old-school fans and newcomers alike have been itching to learn everything they can about the new installment in the beloved series. Seeing as this year marks the 35th anniversary of the franchise, fans are expecting big things. 

Street Fighter 6 will combine the well-known 2D playstyle while allowing for exploration in a 3D world during the World Tour game mode. The game is touted to combine vibrant design and a focus on customization and experimentation. Players are looking forward to a game that not only pays tribute to previous titles that helped build the franchise, but also branches out into modern mechanics.

While waiting for Street Fighter 6, let’s review what we can expect from the long-awaited release. We’ll go over the release date, character roster, playstyles, game modes, and the new Drive System. So, let’s get ready, fighters! 

Street Fighter 6 Release Date

Capcom announced Street Fighter 6 in February of 2022. The game is set to release June 2, 2023, and will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on Steam. Street Fighter fans have been waiting for over 20 years for the release. It seems fitting that a new installment is released 35 years after the original Street Fighter game that helped define the future of fighting games. 

Features Three Distinct Game Modes

Street Fighter 6 Deluxe Edition - PS5

$84.99

• New game modes, including Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub
• Choose one of 18 playable characters, including both new and legendary World Warriors
• Features Real-Time Commentary in 13 languages, just like a real match
• Core gameplay enhanced by Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine
• Classic controls plus two new options, Modern and Dynamic controls for greater accessibility for players of all skill levels

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11/26/2023 01:36 am GMT

Street Fighter 6 Character Roster

The character roster for Street Fighter 6 looks like a well-balanced lineup. We see a good variety of character archetypes. Also, we’ll get six new playable characters, two more than Street Fighter 5. However, fans may notice it’s four less than the original release of Street Fighter 3, which, for its 1997 launch, gave us ten new and unique characters. In addition, there don’t seem to be any fighters returning from Street Fighter 3 and Street Fighter Alpha titles. This leads some players and critics to speculate that there may be room for adding these characters to additional content releases. 

One returning character fans are excited about is Dee Jay, who has not been seen since Street Fighter 4. In addition, the game will have Juri, Ed, and Rashid, who are original fighters from the franchise’s fifth installment. 

While we don’t know much about the new characters that will be available, we can take a look at some of the known returning characters and their archetypes. For example, it looks like we will have a couple of good zoners in the new addition, JP, who lays down traps, as well as returning character, Guile. It can be challenging for opponents to get close to zoners, but these characters lack good defense once you do. 

If you’re more into letting projectiles fly, E Honda, Chun-Li, and Blanka can set your opponents straight. If you’re after more all-around fighters, you can choose a favorite among Ryu and Luke. 

New Characters

Now, let’s take a look at the new characters and what we know about them. Jamie looks to be a good option for mid-range tricky fighting style, but Kimberly may be your pick if you’re looking for speed. 

Here’s a high-level overview of the new characters joining the Street Fighter lineup:

• Jamie: Jamie’s closer-range combat style takes a lesson from Yun and Yang’s playstyle. His movements are unpredictable, so expect to see some moves like handstands and break-dancing.
• JP: JP fights with kicks and strikes from his cane. JP can also summon specters and portals to help him take down his opponents. 
• Kimberly: Kimberly’s playstyle is all about speed and keeping her opponents guessing. Her agility will prove helpful by giving players a ton of movement options. 
• Lily: Lily is great for ranged attacks, using her war clubs to attack from afar. 
• Manon: Manon will combine long-range attacks using her long legs while also throwing powerful close-range blows. She mixes a bit of judo with ballet to appear to dance while fighting. 
• Marisa: Marisa is a slow but powerful close-range fighter. She uses a combination of wrestling and boxing, called Pankration. Pankration is a fighting style that dates to 7th Century Greece. 

Despite what appears to be a lineup of varied but dialed-in characters, we’re hoping to see some other returnees in future DLC. 

Street Fighter 6 New and Returning Characters

Hit the Streets With World Tour Mode

Could this be the most approachable Street Fighter installment yet? We touched on customization as well as experimentation earlier, and one way they both come into play is within each of the three game modes and how your customizable avatar can utilize them.

To start us off, Street Fighter 6 has a new game mode called World Tour Mode. And, from what we know so far, World Tour is a 3D environment where your customizable player avatar can explore and challenge people to fight. 

This immersive story mode appears to be accessible immediately after defeating your first enemy, the NPC named Bosch. Once Bosch takes the player through the “Basic Training Course,” they can go forth and explore. While your customizable avatar explores the world, you have a goal: pursuing True Strength. To help your fighter on their way, you’ll meet all types of characters, or masters, who will teach their own personal fighting styles. Learning each fighting style will help your character reach their True Strength goal. 

Other Street Fighter 6 Game Modes

The sixth installment of the Street Fighter franchise will include two additional game modes: Battle Hub and Fighting Ground. Battle Hub is an online lobby you can visit with your avatar. Fighting Ground includes more traditional fighting game content. Some things to expect in the 2D style Fighting Ground will be local and online versus battles, a training mode, and an arcade mode. 

The New Drive System Fighting Moves

We also hear a lot about the new Drive System. The Drive System consists of five special moves that every character can access and that players can experiment with. Combining the Drive System with the familiar overdrive artwork appears to merge the classic Street Fighter with modern mechanics. 

Here are the five special Drive moves: 

• Drive Impact allows players to unleash a powerful strike, absorbing incoming attacks and sending opponents flying.
• Drive Rush lets players make short work of significant gaps between them and their opponents. 
• Drive Reversal adds counterattacks which will be helpful if players are backed into a corner.
• Drive Parry lets players drive off attacks and refill their Drive Gauge.

There’s no doubt that the original Street Fighter helped shape all future fighting games. Street Fighter 6 promises to advance the classic fighting game, while also paying homage to its roots. If the game can balance old and new school — while being as customizable as it appears — it’s sure to appease long-time fans while reeling in new recruits to the magic that is the Street Fighter franchise. 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Miguel Lagoa/Shutterstock.com.