STREET FIGHTER 4 AND NBA SUPERSTARS, PART 2
March 5, 2009 by Andy Socrates
Last week, I looked at which core Street Fighter characters corresponded to which NBA superstar. Well, Street Fighter 4 brought in some new characters, so let’s cover the rest of the cast from the arcade version.
Gouken / Michael Jordan: Gouken is the sensei for both Ryu and Ken and also the older brother of Akuma. He is the elder statesmen of the Street Fighter universe, and commands that respect. So what better parallel is there than the greatest NBA player of all time? Gouken is Jordan. His devastating moves are equal only to Jordan’s killer shot and ability to finish at the hoop. He’s a mentor to LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, the Ryu and Ken of the NBA world. Kobe Bryant, the Akuma doppleganger, is considered the heir apparent, but still falls short.
Seth / Gilbert Arenas: Seth aka the “Puppet Master” is a soulless character that has the best special abilities from multiple Street Fighter characters, and was created by advanced technology. Arenas contains all the abilities of the best players to play the game, but his selfish score-first attitude benefits no one but himself. It’s also why the more complete player - those wiling to work with others - will defeat him. Considering how often he’s injured, I would say he spends about the same amount of time with guys in lab coats as Seth.
Chun-Li / Tony Parker: Try not to make too many direct parallels here, as I’m trying to compare the spirit of the character and the player. Chun-Li, for instance, is a lightening quick fighter who can swoop in with pummel you with a wave of kicks, or attack from above with her heels. Similarly, Parker can put on the jets and go coast to coast against the best of them. His ability to penetrate the defense makes him a nightmare to guard against. In his younger years, he battled against Shaquille O’Neal, whose counterpart M. Bison is a longtime Chun-Li antagonist.
Dhalsim / Rashard Lewis: Dhalsim relies on his extendable limbs to attack from afar. He’s slow moving, but can devatate opponents from a distance, negating those who prefer to brawl up close. Lewis, meanwhile, prefers to do his damage from 22 feet away, or beyond the three point arc. Lewis’ limited ability to take it inside means defenders need to play his game and follow him outside.
Zangief / Ben Wallace: Zangief professional wrestling style and great size makes him a tall, lumbering character that relies a lot on strength and moves like his devastating spinning piledriver. A relic of the Soviet Union, he is fortified by a work ethic that included training with bears (that’s where the scars come from). Wallace, meanwhile, worked his way into become a superstar. His size and strength makes him one of the great rebounders and defenders in the league. Like Zangief, he’s a bit slow, and isn’t known for moving too gracefully.
Abel / Amare Stoudemire: Abel is a large French mixed martial artist and amnesiac with “no past.” He moves swiftly and attacks from close range with his wrestling like moves. Similarly, Stoudemire can move swiftly despite his size and pounce with a cat-like ability to get to the rim. Armed with a run-and-gun offense in Phoenix, Stoudemire is a force to be reckoned with.
Crimson Viper / Chris Paul: Viper, an American female spy, is all business with a cold personality. Her battlesuit is loaded with hidden technology that improves her fighting abilities with fiery kicks and electric punches. Paul is all business on the basketball court, doing it what it takes to win. That could mean steals, assists, points - it doesn’t matter. As one of the best point guards in the game, he controls the tempo of the game with his decision making on offense and steals ability on defense. Don’t let his smile fool you because he is a smiling assassin waiting to rip your heart out.
Rufus / Charles Barkley: Rufus, an overweight Kung Fu fighter seeks to fight Ken to prove himself as the best fighter in the United States. Don’t let appearances fool you as his quickness and agility can match up with the best fighters in the world. Joining Rufus on the overweight wagon is Barkley, who could stand to lose a pound or two. Barclay’s game, however is no joke, as he is routinely hailed as one of the best rebounders and offensive forces the game has ever seen.
El Fuerte / Nate Robinson: El Fuerte is a superstar wrestler and an aspiring gourmet chef ready to do what it takes to gather the world’s greatest recipes. He’s a flashy showman with a equally show-stopping entrance. Robinson has shown in the recent All-Star game and at Madison Square Garden that he can please a crowd too. He’s not afraid to don a green costume or two, and he brings a unique energy to the court. He’s quick and deadly on the floor even with a small 5′9″ frame and boasts a high-flying ability rivaling El-Fuerte’s own hops.
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