Street Fighter Games in Release & Story Order
This guide explains two ways to play the Street Fighter series: in release order (how the games evolved and what most fans recommend for newcomers) and in story order (the chronological timeline of the in-game lore). You’ll get clear lists for both, plus tips on which versions to pick and what to skip. No prior knowledge of the series is needed—just a device that can run the games and a willingness to throw a fireball or two.
What You’ll Need
- A platform to play on: modern consoles (PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series, Switch), PC (Steam), or a retro setup (arcade, SNES, Genesis, etc.).
- Access to the games: physical copies, digital storefronts (e.g., Steam, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop), or a subscription service like PlayStation Plus or Game Pass (availability varies by region and time).
- Optional but helpful: a controller or fight stick (keyboard works on PC, but a pad is easier).
- For online play: a stable internet connection and a paid online subscription on consoles (e.g., PlayStation Plus, Nintendo Switch Online).
Step-by-Step
Playing in Release Order
- Start with the original Street Fighter (1987). This is the arcade classic that started it all. It’s very dated (limited moves, no special moves except for Ryu’s Hadouken), but it’s short and gives you context. If you can’t find it, skip it—it’s not essential.
- Play Street Fighter II (1991) and its updates. The original SFII, then Champion Edition, Hyper Fighting, and Super Turbo. The definitive version is Super Street Fighter II Turbo (often called ST or Super Turbo). This is the game that defined the fighting game genre. If you only play one SFII, play Super Turbo.
- Play Street Fighter Alpha series (1995-1998). Also known as Street Fighter Zero in Japan. The trilogy—Alpha, Alpha 2, and Alpha 3—is set between SFI and SFII in the story, but released later. They introduced the “Alpha� mechanics (counters, custom combos). Alpha 3 is the most feature-rich, but Alpha 2 is often praised for its balance.
- Play Street Fighter III series (1997-1999). The main entries are New Generation, 2nd Impact, and 3rd Strike. The final version, 3rd Strike, is a competitive classic with the parry mechanic. It’s a huge leap in animation and gameplay depth.
- Play Street Fighter IV (2008) and its updates. The series returned after a long hiatus. Super Street Fighter IV (2010) and Ultra Street Fighter IV (2014) are the definitive versions. It reintroduced classic characters and added the focus attack mechanic.
- Play Street Fighter V (2016) and its updates. The base game was rough at launch, but Street Fighter V: Champion Edition (2020) is the complete package with all characters and mechanics. It introduced the V-System (V-Skills, V-Triggers).
- Play Street Fighter 6 (2023). The latest entry, with a modern control scheme (Classic, Modern, Dynamic) and a single-player World Tour mode. It’s the current standard for the series.
Playing in Story Order (Chronological Timeline)
Note: The Street Fighter story is loose and often contradictory. This order follows the official timeline as best as possible, but some games are non-canon or have ambiguous placements.
- Street Fighter Alpha (1995) – takes place before SFII. This is the earliest point in the timeline, showing Ryu and Ken as young fighters, the rise of M. Bison, and the origins of the Shadaloo organization.
- Street Fighter Alpha 2 (1996) – continues the pre-SFII story. It expands on the Shadaloo plot and introduces more characters. The events lead directly into Alpha 3.
- Street Fighter Alpha 3 (1998) – the conclusion of the Alpha saga. This is the immediate prequel to SFII. It shows the final confrontation with M. Bison before the events of SFII.
- Street Fighter (1987) – the first tournament. The original game’s story is minimal, but it’s canonically after Alpha 3. Ryu defeats Sagat in the final match, which sets up Sagat’s rivalry.
- Street Fighter II (1991) and its updates – the World Warrior tournament. The main SFII story (Super Turbo) is the canonical version. It’s the most famous event in the series.
- Street Fighter IV (2008) – between SFII and SFIII. The story takes place after SFII, with Seth attempting to create a new Shadaloo. It’s a side story, but it’s canon.
- Street Fighter V (2016) – also between SFII and SFIII. This fills in gaps, showing the fall of Shadaloo and the rise of the new generation. It directly leads into SFIII.
- Street Fighter III (1997) – the future of the series. The story is set several years after SFII, with a new protagonist (Alex) and the return of Ryu and Ken. The events of 3rd Strike are the conclusion of the main timeline.
- Street Fighter 6 (2023) – takes place after SFIII. This is the latest point in the timeline, with a new cast and a world-tour mode that explores the aftermath of the previous games.
Common Mistakes
- Playing the wrong version. For example, playing the original SFII instead of Super Turbo. Always look for the “Super� or “Ultra� editions—they have more characters and better balance.
- Skipping the Alpha series. Many newcomers jump from SFII to SFIII, missing the Alpha games that bridge the story and introduce key mechanics.
- Confusing release order with story order. They are different, as shown above. If you want to follow the lore, don’t play in release order.
- Ignoring the non-canon spin-offs. Games like Street Fighter EX, the Street Fighter vs. Capcom series, or the Street Fighter: The Movie game are not part of the main timeline. They can be fun, but they don’t fit the story order.
Tips
- Start with a modern game. If you’re new to fighting games, Street Fighter 6 has the best tutorial and a “Modern� control scheme that simplifies inputs. You can always go back to the classics later.
- Use the “Collection� packs. Capcom has released compilations like Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (includes SFI, SFII, Alpha, and SFIII) and the Capcom Fighting Collection (includes other fighting games). These are cost-effective and convenient.
- Watch the story cutscenes. If you don’t want to play every game, you can watch the story modes on YouTube. But playing is more fun.
- Practice the basics. Learn to do a fireball (quarter-circle forward + punch) and a shoryuken (forward, down, down-forward + punch). These are the foundation of the series.
- Set the difficulty to low for story. If you’re playing for the story, don’t frustrate yourself with high difficulty. You can always increase it later.
Troubleshooting
- Game won’t run on your PC? Check the system requirements. Older games may need compatibility mode (right-click the .exe, go to Properties > Compatibility, and try Windows 7 or XP). For modern games, update your graphics drivers.
- Can’t find a specific game? Some older games are not available on modern platforms. You may need to buy a used console or use emulation (legal only if you own the original game). Check the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection for most of the 2D classics.
- Online multiplayer not working? Ensure your NAT type is open, and check the game’s server status. On consoles, verify your online subscription is active.
- Controller not responding? In the game’s settings, go to controller configuration and remap buttons. On PC, make sure your controller is set as the default input device in Steam (Big Picture mode > Settings > Controller).
- Story order seems confusing? That’s normal. The Street Fighter timeline is not the main focus of the games—it’s a fighting game first. Don’t stress about perfect continuity; just enjoy the fights.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to play every game to understand the story? No. Each game has a self-contained story, and the lore is not deep. Playing the main numbered entries (SFII, SFIV, SFV, SF6) plus the Alpha series gives you the core narrative.
- Which version of Street Fighter II should I play? Super Street Fighter II Turbo is the definitive version. It has the most characters, including the boss characters as playable, and is the most balanced.
- Is Street Fighter III a sequel to SFII? Yes, it’s set years later, but it features a new cast. The story is minimal, and many characters from SFII are absent or have aged.
- Can I skip Street Fighter V and go to 6? You can, but SFV introduces important story elements (like the death of M. Bison) and characters like Luke, who appear in SF6. It’s worth playing if you care about the story.
- Are the Alpha games the same as the Zero games? Yes, Street Fighter Alpha is the Western name for Street Fighter Zero. They are identical in content.
- What about the Street Fighter EX games? They are spin-offs with a separate continuity. They are not part of the main timeline, so you can ignore them for story purposes.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.