If you’re an avid fan of fighter games, Tekken and Street Fighter probably top the list for you. Both iconic games with Street Fighter dating back to the 1980s. But there’s been one age-old question, a question most players do not even bother with: Is Street Fighter a sports game? Does it belong in the sports genre, or does it stay exclusively in the fighting category? That’s something we’ll debunk today.
Is Street Fighter Part Of The Sports Genre?
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The short answer, no. But there are more nuances behind this answer than one expects. Some could argue that WWE falls under the sports genre umbrella, meaning Tekken and Street Fighter should follow suit. However, it’s not the same. To get a better understanding of the topic, I’ll explain what is classified as a sport, why Street Fighter doesn’t fit that definition, and the implications (if any) this has on the game itself.
What Is A Sport?
According to Wikipedia, a sport is a physical activity or game, often competitive and organised, that maintains or improves physical ability and skills. The main difference with Street Fighter lies in the organised part of the definition. While there is an array of fighting sports available, e.g Boxing, Maui Thai, Wrestling, etc, they are all organised with a set of rules and regulations.
This is the fundamental difference between organised sports and Street Fighter, since Street Fighter is quite literally according to street rules. You have an opponent, and you must beat them using any means necessary. There are no rules, no officiant, and no restrictions.
Sports Games Simulate Real-World Sports
Another major reason why Street Fighter wouldn’t be considered in the sports genre is that it does not simulate real-life sports. Every sports game is bound by real-world constraints, be it WWE, NBA, Madden, NHL, etc. The players, environments, and even administrative decisions are all based on the actual sport.
Street Fighter, on the other hand, has none of this. It is a fictional game based around exquisite combos and flashy finishers. All the characters are fictional, a point that allows the game to think beyond the limits of realism (something we’ll talk about ahead). You could pick up any character you like, choose an opponent, and fight wherever your heart desires. On top of a volcano, within a secret laboratory, the possibilities are endless. Which brings me to my next point.
Physics Goes Out The Window
Unlike sports games like Madden and EA FC that thrive on realism and following physics, Street Fighter does not have those limitations. It doesn’t matter whether your character is an average human girl, while your opponent is a demon of combat; you can beat them all the same (if you have the skills, that is).
Now, this isn’t to say Street Fighter completely warps things into an imaginary dimension. Unlike Tekken and Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter is still comparatively human-like. Almost the entire catalogue of playable characters has human designs, while the same can’t be said about Tekken with Kuma and Panda. Yes, Street Fighter gameplay is not bound by the laws of physics, but there is a touch of realism to keep players grounded.
What Genre Is Street Fighter?
Well, if Street Fighter isn’t part of the sports genre, what genre does it fall under? That’s simple: fighting and action. Fighting and action are the main principles around which Street Fighter was built. It is a competitive game, like many sports, with regular tournaments and organised events, which makes it an eSport. However, it is not part of the sports genre.
Impact On Street Factor
We’ve gone over extensively why Street Fighter isn’t a part of the sports genre, but does that have any implications on the game? Yes, several. First off, Street Fighter isn’t bound by real-world mechanics. It has the creative freedom to add features as it sees fit, without having to think about whether they’re possible in the real world.
Next, the player base is quite diverse and larger compared to most sports games. This is because the gameplay is universal and can be enjoyed by all ages. On top of this, it does not have a yearly reset. Since it doesn’t follow any real-world sport, there are no seasons or leagues. The game has a timeless design, meaning it can be played at any point without being outdated.
The downside, however, is that it loses out on sports-related forums. Talk shows, awards, or even articles on sports games will skip over Street Fighter since it doesn’t meet the criteria. Considering that it doesn’t have leagues or seasons, the retention rate is also slightly lower. Players will casually start the game and can leave midway without any repercussions.
