One of the new characters introduced in Street Fighter IV. She's an American secret agent, with a specially designed battle suit, complete with electrified gloves. Not quite Queensbury rules.
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This mixed martial artist from France is another of the new characters for Street Fighter IV. Like Zangief, he's a grappler, with an array of grab and throw moves. His signature special move is the tornado throw – you don’t want to be caught in the middle of it.
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A sylph-like martial arts assassin from the Street Fighter EX series. An expert in the Kobujutsu style. Boasts an array of counter moves – and a lovely kimono.
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A gigantic Indian wrestler with an extravagant moustache, Darun appeared in Street Fighter EX, then promptly disappeared – a shame as his spinning pile driver move is quite something to behold.
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Another character exclusive to the EX series, Allen is an American karate expert, once considered the finest in the US until beaten by Ken. Those really aren’t the sideburns of a ruthless combatant.
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The Indian mystic with the rubberised elongating limbs, and another classic character from Street Fighter II. Absolutely, positively the only character to choose if you want to kick someone in the face from the other side of the screen.
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The US special forces operative with the oh-so-eighties hair is widely considered to be the third man of Street Fighter after Ken and Ryu. He’s one of the most defensive characters in the game, hanging back until opponents are driven mad with impatience. Then, wallop, they’re on the floor.
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Guile's bespectacled war buddy is another Brash young American with extravagant hair. Sensibly, he takes his glasses off before each round. The awful yellow life jacket, however, stays on.
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Making his first appearance in Super Street Fighter II, Fei Long is Capcom’s trubute to Bruce Lee – a super-fast Hong Kong movie star. One of his specials is the ‘flame igniting kick’, which has no doubt proved useful at barbecues.
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With their extravagant hair and Top Man fashion leanings, teenage twins Yun and Yang are essentially the Jedward of Street Fighter lore. The difference is, one set of brothers heads up a super hard street gang for a shadowy cabal of underworld bosses; the others are characters from Street Fighter.
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This hulking special forces bully was originally a boss character in Final Fight before cropping up as a playable character in Street Fighter Alpha 2.
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Another seminal Street Fighter II veteran, this bearded Russian wrestler is, according to SF lore, a national hero who wrestles bears in the Siberian wastelands.
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An amnesiac nomad warrior from the Street Fighter EX series, and seemingly brother to Hokuto. 'He’s quite a dark figure in the game,' says Hart. 'He had a cool presence, and he was very strong too. I really liked him at the time.'
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A brash American ninjitsu specialist who first appeared in the 1989 arcade game Final Fight. Capable of a useful spinning elbow attack which goes through projectiles.
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A ferocious Thai kickboxer who lost an eye fighting Gou Hibiki, the father of Street Fighter IV character, Dan. 'He’s the last boss in the original Street Fighter, and one of the hardest in Street Fighter 2,' says Hart 'A very strong, very technical character.'
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The central protagonist in the Street Fighter series, and one of the most recognisable characters in fighting game history. Famous for his ‘Hadouken!’ battle cry.
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A good old British bruiser in the style of Eagle, but with a more refined Victorian look. Possibly the only Street Fighter character who could get away with wearing a frilly blouse. Apart from Chun-Li, maybe.
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The spoiled son of a billionaire hotel magnate, Ken is Ryu’s best friend and sparring partner, and another mainstay of the series. The two used to sport identical moves, but now Ryu’s projectiles are faster, while Ken’s dragon punch is more powerful. And he has better hair.
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A musically-inspired kick boxer who first turned up in Super Street Fighter II. 'He’s from Jamaica where my family are from. He’s also a really positive, happy character,' says Hart. A happy street fighter? That doesn’t seem right.
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A British nightclub bouncer, whose special moves are all named after UK cities. The character has rarely been used in the series, but always makes an impression. 'He’s like a pub owner coming at you with two sticks!' says Hart. Ah yes, we’ve all been there.
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