Street Fighter 2 Characters and Special Moves
Every Street Fighter 2 character – the 8 World Warriors, the 4 bosses and the 4 new challengers of Super Street Fighter II – with their key special moves.
Updated 2026-10-25
Play Super Street Fighter II OnlineFree in your browser – no download.Street Fighter II gave the world a cast of fighters that are still famous more than thirty years later. This guide lists every character across the three versions on this site – The World Warrior, Champion Edition and Super Street Fighter II – with their home country and the special moves you need first.
Commands are written for a character facing right. qcf = ↓ ↘ →, qcb = ↓ ↙ ←, dp = → ↓ ↘, hcb = → ↘ ↓ ↙ ←, 360 = a full circle. [b], f means hold back for about two seconds, then press forward; [d], u means hold down, then up.
The 8 World Warriors
| Fighter | Country | Key special moves |
|---|---|---|
| Ryu | Japan | Hadouken (qcf + P), Shoryuken (dp + P), Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (qcb + K) |
| Ken | USA | Same as Ryu – Hadouken, Shoryuken, Tatsumaki – with a stronger uppercut in later versions |
| E. Honda | Japan | Hundred Hand Slap (tap P rapidly), Sumo Headbutt ([b], f + P) |
| Blanka | Brazil | Electric Thunder (tap P rapidly), Rolling Attack ([b], f + P) |
| Guile | USA | Sonic Boom ([b], f + P), Flash Kick ([d], u + K) |
| Chun-Li | China | Lightning Legs (tap K rapidly), Spinning Bird Kick ([d], u + K), Kikoken from Champion Edition ([b], f + P) |
| Zangief | USSR | Spinning Piledriver (360 + P), Double Lariat (all three punches) |
| Dhalsim | India | Yoga Fire (qcf + P), Yoga Flame (hcb + P), Yoga Teleport from Champion Edition (dp + three punches or kicks) |
The 4 Grand Masters (bosses)
The bosses are computer-only in The World Warrior and playable from Champion Edition on.
| Fighter | Country | Key special moves |
|---|---|---|
| Balrog | USA | Dash Straight ([b], f + P), Dash Upper ([b], f + K), Turn Punch (hold three punches, release) |
| Vega | Spain | Rolling Crystal Flash ([b], f + P), Flying Barcelona Attack ([d], u + K, then P near the wall) |
| Sagat | Thailand | Tiger Shot (qcf + P), Ground Tiger Shot (qcf + K), Tiger Uppercut (dp + P), Tiger Knee (↓ ↘ → ↗ + K) |
| M. Bison | Shadaloo | Psycho Crusher ([b], f + P), Double Knee Press ([b], f + K), Head Stomp ([d], u + K) |
The 4 new challengers of Super Street Fighter II
| Fighter | Country | Key special moves |
|---|---|---|
| Cammy | England | Spiral Arrow (qcf + K), Cannon Spike (dp + K), Spinning Knuckle (hcb + P) |
| Fei Long | Hong Kong | Rekka Ken (qcf + P, up to three times), Flame Kick (← ↓ ↙ + K) |
| Dee Jay | Jamaica | Air Slasher ([b], f + P), Double Rolling Sobat ([b], f + K), Machine Gun Upper ([d], u + P) |
| T. Hawk | Mexico | Mexican Typhoon (360 + P), Tomahawk Buster (dp + P), Condor Dive (in the air, three punches) |
Who should you pick?
- Learning the game: Ryu or Ken. Their three moves teach you spacing, anti-airs and combos.
- Defensive players: Guile – throw Sonic Booms and answer every jump with a Flash Kick.
- Up-close bruisers: Zangief or T. Hawk – get close and land the 360 throw.
- Tricky and fast: Chun-Li, Vega or Cammy.
Ready to fight? Play Super Street Fighter II online against a friend, try the boss characters in Champion Edition, or browse every game on the Street Fighter hub.
FAQ
How many characters are in Street Fighter 2?
The World Warrior has 8 playable fighters plus 4 CPU bosses. Champion Edition makes the bosses playable for 12 fighters, and Super Street Fighter II adds 4 more for a total of 16.
Who are the four bosses in Street Fighter 2?
Balrog, Vega, Sagat and M. Bison (in the international versions). In Japan the names of Balrog, Vega and M. Bison are swapped around.
Who is the best character for beginners?
Ryu and Ken are the classic first picks - a fireball, an uppercut and a hurricane kick cover almost every situation. Guile is great if you prefer a defensive style.
Which Street Fighter 2 characters are from Latin America?
Blanka is from Brazil and T. Hawk, added in Super Street Fighter II, is from Mexico.
Play Super Street Fighter II OnlineFree in your browser – no download.