2023 might be the year of the classic fighting game. Street Fighter 6 was just released, ushering in a new era for the iconic game, while the second fighting game heavy hitter is underway: Mortal Kombat 1 is set to reboot the celebrated series later this year. More than three decades after their initial release, Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat are still the cream of the crop in the fighting genre. Classics like these never go out of style.
Street Fighter 6 just released
35 years after its original release and following a six-year hiatus, Street Fighter is back. The sixth entry in the long-running series was just released to major critical acclaim. The new game stays true to its roots and brings back beloved characters such as Ryu, Ken, and Chun Li, while also venturing into completely new territories for the franchise. It is still jam-packed with heart-stopping action, high-intensity battles, and jaw-dropping moves, as the characters smash each other in an exhilarating and finely-tuned game of rock-paper-scissors. Apart from the familiar concept, Street Fighter has dared to reinvent itself after more than three decades, with success. Introducing an ambitious adventure mode and simplified controls gives new players an easy entry into the franchise. Street Fighter 6 revives the classic fighting game with a fresh layer of paint for fighting veterans and novices to jump in.
Mortal Kombat soft reboot is on the way
The second major franchise in the world of classic fighting games is following suit: the next installment in the best-selling fighting game series of all time, Mortal Kombat 1, is available for pre-purchase for PC via Steam and Epic, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, and is set to be released in September this year. While set at the same time as the first title, Mortal Kombat 1 will purportedly be a rebirth of the original. Bringing back iconic characters such as Liu Kan and Shang Tsung, the new title will stay true to its roots, while simultaneously aiming to reinvent itself. The new entry promises new mechanics and a bevy of modes, as well as “Kameo Fighters” which can help players mid-battle. As the fresh new trailer confirms, the gore Mortal Kombat is infamous for will still characterize the new title. Street Fighter 6 has set a high bar, whether Mortal Kombat will be able to successfully counter the attack remains to be seen.
Classics never go out of style
The two most iconic fighting games from the arcade game era are getting new leases on life. Even three decades after their initial release, these cult classics haven’t gone out of style and continue to draw gamers in. Thanks to emulators and ports, you can still play the original games today. Our list of free games on FreeGameEmpire includes Street Fighter 2 to play in your browser, and you can also find PC and console versions of the original Mortal Kombat games to travel back to the arcade era on your modern device. With the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, you can even play Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 against others online.
The classic titles have also inspired a bevy of games from different genres that took the popularity of these hits to create something new. The platformer Street Fighter X Mega Man, for instance, combines two classic arcade games, while Street Fighter X Tekken lets two of the biggest fighting games collide. Similarly, the Street Fighter II Online Slot combines the arcade hit with a traditional slot machine. Modern online slots draw inspiration from every corner of modern popular culture and depict all kinds of themes on their reels. To help find the best platforms to play on, experts from CasinoBonusCA rate and review casinos and their bonuses and offers. Some of the best-rated platforms have the Street Fighter II Online Slot in their game library, allowing fans to experience the retro arcade game with a new look and gameplay. These titles prove that the fighting game classics never go out of style – now they’re headed for our modern devices.
With Street Fighter 6 out now and a reboot of Mortal Kombat 1 underway, the cult classics from the 80s and 90s are back. Although they boast new features and modern mechanics, seeing characters such as Ryu, Chun-Li, Liu Kan, and Shang Tsung will undoubtedly trigger a wave of nostalgia in everyone who played the original hits back in the day.
