Anniversary Blimey, Street Fighter Is 35 Years Old

Today sees one of the world's most famous video game brands turn 35. Capcom's remarkable Street Fighter series began life on August 30th, 1987, with the Japanese release of the original arcade game. Created by Takashi Nishiyama and Hiroshi Matsumoto, the game featured Japanese martial arts master Ryu in the lead role, and was unique in that it allowed players to perform 'special moves' via particular button and directional combinations.

Street Fighter was a modest commercial success for Capcom in the arcades, but it would be that game's sequel that would genuinely propel the series into the realms of superstardom; Street Fighter II would turn the one-on-one brawler into the genre of choice for millions, spawning countless imitators and copycats.

Street Fighter II would also sire a dazzling number of upgrades and updates, including Street Fighter II: Champion Edition, Street Fighter II Turbo Hyper Fighting and Super Street Fighter II, and would be followed by sequels such as Street Fighter Zero (that's technically a prequel, we know), Street Fighter III, Street Fighter EX, Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter V. Street Fighter 6 is currently in development and is looking very good indeed. Many of the best entries in the series can be played on the excellent Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, but Street Fighter games have graced practically every major video game system for the past few decades (sorry, N64).

At its height, Street Fighter also spawned toys, sticker albums, comics, movies, anime and even music albums, making it one of the most recognizable brands on the face of the planet. While its fame has perhaps waned in recent years compared to its early '90s heyday, it's still one of video gaming's most prestigious franchises – so here's to another 35 years.

While we've got you, don't forget to vote for what you think is the best Street Fighter.