Ryu shouldn't have won the Street Fighter 2 tournament

While playing Street Fighter 2: Special Champion Edition on the Sega Genesis for my last review, I came to an interesting realization; Ryu winning the Street Fighter tournament was the second worst ending possible.

This may sound like an odd thing to say, but bear with me here. Let's analyze the game's endings.







Worst possible outcome: Bison, Sagat, Vega and Balrog win the tournament

The ending for all four bosses is essentially the same with Shadowloo taking over the world. This is the worst possible outcome and for all intents and purposes we'll consider this as a single ending despite it unlocking for four different characters.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo takes over the world
• We're all doomed

Neutral Ending: Ryu wins the tournament

Ryu wins the tournament and the Shadowloo organization is stopped, but he doesn't care about any of that. Nothing in his life changed. His sole focus is his training, there was no character growth to speak of. Yes, the world is saved, but none of the other characters had their issues resolved.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Ryu doesn't go through any character growth
• All other characters have their issues unresolved

Good Ending: Everyone else wins

Blanka's Ending

When Blanka wins, he stops the Shadowloo organization and is reunited with his mother. Blanka is no longer alone.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Is reunited with his mother and finds happiness
• Blanka's character issues are resolved

Chun-Li's Ending

Chun-li stops the Shadowloo organization, avenges her father and can now carry on with her life in peace.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Avenges her father
• Finds inner peace

Dhalsim's Ending

Dhalsim stops the Shadowloo organization, returns home and starts a family.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Returns to his family
• Has a son and finds inner peace

Guile's Ending

Guile stops the Shadowloo organization, returns to his wife and daughter and finds inner peace.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• A family is reunited
• Finds inner peace

Ken's Ending

Ken stops the Shadowloo organization and marries Eliza, finding inner peace.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Marries and lives happily ever after
• Finds inner peace

Honda's Ending

Honda stops the Shadowloo organization, returns to his students and finds happiness.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Returns to his students to share his wisdom and knowledge
• Finds inner peace

Best Possible Ending: Zangief wins

Zangief stops the Shadowloo organization and dances "The Cossack" with ex-USSR President, Mikhail Gorbachev.

In conclusion:

• Shadowloo is stopped
• Seeing Gorbachev dance "The Cossack" is pure win

There we have it. Had anyone else won the tournament other than Ryu or Shadowloo members won the tournament, the final outcome would have simply been better.