Editing Ryu (SSBU)

{{disambig2|Ryu's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''|the character in other contexts|Ryu}}

|image = [[File:Ryu SSBU.png|250px]]

'''Ryu''' ({{ja|リュウ|Ryū}}, ''Ryū'') is a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. He was officially confirmed on June 12th, 2018. Ryu is classified as fighter #60.

Ryu is once again voiced by Kyle Hebert in English and Hiroki Takahashi in Japanese, with their portayals of Ryu from ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' being repurposed for the English and Japanese releases of ''Ultimate'', respectively.  

*Clear {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with {{SSBU|Yoshi}} or anyone in his unlock tree, being the third character unlocked after {{SSBU|Marth}}.

With the exception of the third method, Ryu must then be defeated on {{SSBU|Battlefield}}.

{| class="wikitable"

|-

| [[Weight]] || 103 ||

| No. of Jumps || 2 ||

| Run Speed || 1.6 ||

|-

| Fast Fall Speed || 2.24 ||

|-

| Gravity || 0.12 ||

| Air Speed || 1.12 ||

| Air Acceleration* || 0.035 ||

*Ryu, along with [[Ken]], cannot drift in the opposite direction during a jump.

Ryu has received a mixture of buffs and nerfs in his transition from Smash 4 to Ultimate.

Ryu's [[walk]]ing, [[dash]]ing and [[air speed]] were all unchanged, however, since relatively most other characters had a speed increase in those areas, Ryu's overall speed is much slower relative to the cast.

*{{change|As with all [[veteran]]s returning from ''SSB4'', Ryu's model features a more subdued color scheme. His muscles and other physical features are more pronounced, and his hair is spikier. These changes make him appear virtually identical to his appearance in ''{{s|wikipedia|Street Fighter V}}''.}}

*{{change|Ryu's up taunt no longer has him turn around when tightening his headband, now more closely resembling the taunt it is based on from ''Street Fighter IV''.}}

*{{change|The victory pose where Ryu strikes a hook is slightly modified. He now closes his eyes and crosses his arms before winding the hook, with the camera coming in from the left, making the victory pose more resemble his ''Street Fighter IV'' pose.}}

*{{buff|Like all characters, Ryu's [[jumpsquat]] animation now takes three frames to complete (down from 5).}}

*{{buff|Being able to [[dash cancel]] his tilts greatly improves his approach, letting him threaten the opponent with his tapped tilts for combos, or space his smash attacks more safely.}}

*{{buff|Ryu's double jump gains slightly more height.}}

*{{change|In 1-on-1 matches, Ryu will always face his opponent, similar to how he behaves in his origin series.}}

**{{buff|This makes it harder to be hit from behind by {{SSBU|Shulk}}'s [[Back Slash]] or affected fully by {{SSBU|Robin}}'s [[Nosferatu]].}}

**{{nerf|This makes it difficult to attack things behind Ryu, such as [[Rosalina & Luma (SSBU)|Luma]], and makes him easier to be hit with {{SSBU|Mewtwo}}'s [[Disable]].}}

**{{nerf|If one wishes to use back air in an edgeguard, one must perform a [[reverse aerial rush]], which takes longer to perform as Ryu as he will only pivot around as part of his turnaround, and not in a dash dance. Without performing a reverse aerial rush it is impossible to jump offstage while facing towards it if the opponent is offstage.}}

**{{buff|This changes the application of his [[dashdance]], as his initial dash does not turn him the opposite direction. Instead, he performs a backdash similar to his home series, allowing him to perform an evasive "shimmy" to keep within an effective range while still facing the opponent. This potentially improves his punishes.}}

**{{buff|This makes his command inputs easier to perform. For instance, it is now not possible to accidentally perform a Hadoken backwards when attempting to perform a Tatsumaki.}}

**{{buff|This makes it harder for Ryu to be [[reverse]]d by {{SSBU|Mario}}'s [[Cape]] on the ground, as Ryu will almost immediately turn back around. Aerial caping still works as usual.}}

*{{change|Ryu now has proximity normals that change depending on his distance from the opponent. Tapped [[forward tilt]] changes from his standing medium kick to a new attack based off his ''Street Fighter II'' close medium punch, a right hook inwards. Held neutral attack changes from his ''Street Fighter II'' standing heavy kick to his close heavy punch, which is functionally identical to his held [[up tilt]]. Both attacks can be special-cancelled on hit similar to his held [[down tilt]].}}

**{{nerf|Since held neutral attack's proximity variant is identical to up tilt, providing no advantages over that move, this change as applied to neutral attack can result in involuntarily using an up tilt, and provides no advantage to compensate.}}

*{{buff|Tapped [[neutral attack]] can now [[jab reset]].}}

**{{buff|Ryu can now special-cancel the second hit of his [[neutral attack]].}}

*{{nerf|[[Up tilt]]'s light and heavy versions have smaller hitboxes.}}

*{{buff|Down smash deals slightly more knockback, although it is still one of the weakest down smashes in the game.}}

*{{nerf|[[Down smash]] has less range. It also does not hit below ledge as well anymore, hurting Ryu's edgeguarding.}}

*{{buff|Ryu can cancel all of his aerial attacks into special attacks in the same way he can cancel some of his ground attacks.}}

*{{buff|[[Neutral aerial]]'s weak hitbox has more active hitbox frames.}}

**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has more endlag (FAF 28 → 36), making it much more difficult to start combos with it while airborne.}}

**{{buff|Neutral aerial's weak hitbox can be used to [[jab reset]] prone opponents.}}

*{{nerf|[[Forward aerial]] has more startup (frame 6 → 8) and the clean hit's sweetspot deals less damage (15% → 14%).}}

*{{buff|Forward aerial's sweetspot deals significantly increased knockback, boosting its KO potential.}}

*{{buff|Back aerial deals more knockback.}}

*{{buff|Up aerial now has intangibility on Ryu's arm.}}

*{{buff|Down throw deals slightly less knockback, improving its combo potential.}}

===Special Moves===

*{{buff|All versions of [[Hadoken]] deal more damage and are active for a longer time. This helps Ryu control larger ranges.}}

*{{buff|[[Tatsumaki Senpukyaku]]'s weak hitbox deals more damage and knockback.}}

*{{nerf|[[Shoryuken]] deals less knockback and has more endlag.}}

*{{nerf|Shoryuken has less invulnerability frames, most notably on the input version of Shoryuken, which no longer grants intangibility on the first few frames when the move is inputted.}}

*{{nerf|Shoryuken has a shorter window of time in which Ryu can snap to the ledge when recovering with it.}}

*{{nerf|[[Focus Attack]]'s first stage of charge is harder to combo off.}}

*{{change|During Ryu's [[Shin Shoryuken]], the opposing fighter has been given new animations while getting hit, somewhat inspired by animations from ''Street Fighter IV'' for the Metsu Shoryuken.}}

*{{buff|Ryu can cancel several standard attacks and any special move excluding [[Focus Attack]] into Shin Shoryuken. This does not hold true for [[Shinku Hadoken]].}}

*Ryu will always face his opponent during a one-on-one match.

|neutralname= 

|neutralinfdmg=10% (held- far), 12% (held- close)

|neutraldesc=''Tapped'': A jab, followed by a {{s|wikipedia|short straight-punch}}, followed by a hook. It is based on his standing light punch from ''Street Fighter II'' (albeit with its animation from ''Street Fighter III''), close standing medium punch from ''Street Fighter II'', and standing hard punch from ''Street Fighter III'', respectively. The first and second hits can be special-cancelled.<br/>

''Held (Far)'': A spinning hook kick. It is based on his standing heavy kick in ''Street Fighter II''. Unlike many of his other moves, it cannot be special-cancelled.<br/>

''Held (Close)'': The same as his held Up Tilt.

|ftiltname=Collarbone Breaker (Held)

|ftiltdesc=''Tapped (Far)'': The tsumasaki geri, a kick used in Karate. It launches the opponent diagonally upward. Good for following with a dash attack or forward aerial at low percents It is based on his standing medium kick in ''Street Fighter III''. Cannot be special-cancelled.<br/><br/>

''Tapped (Close)'': An inward hook. based off his ''Street Fighter II'' close medium punch. This move causes the opponent to slightly shift towards Ryu, allowing it to combo into any of his special moves. Even at 999%, this move is incapable of KO'ing.<br/><br/>

''Held'': The overhand of the same name that debuted in ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''. Despite its appearance, it hits twice much like the original version. Deals very high [[shield damage]], but its start-up makes it difficult to use on quick opponents.

|utiltname=&nbsp; 

|utiltdesc=''Tapped:'' The sok ngat, an uppercut-style elbow strike used in Muay Thai. It can be used repeatedly as fast as the player can press the attack button, which allows it to chain into itself and lead into many of Ryu's moves for a quick finisher. Despite its appearance, it has decent range. It is based on his close standing light punch in ''Street Fighter II''.<br/>

|dtiltname=Light Ankle Kick (Tapped)<br/> Heavy Ankle Kick (Held)

|dtiltdesc=''Tapped:'' A crouching, Hapkido-style shin kick. It can be repeated as fast as the player can press, similar to his other tapped tilts. If used on a prone opponent, they will be lightly launched back onto their feet, allowing Ryu to continue combos on them for extended periods of time. It is based on his crouching light kick in ''Street Fighter II''.<br/>

''Held:'' A lunging, Hapkido-style shin kick. Despite having low power, it can be immediately canceled into a special move only if Ryu hits the opponent or their shield, allowing Ryu to pressure his opponent. Shoryuken combos well from this attack. It is based on his crouching medium kick in ''Street Fighter II''.

|dashname=&nbsp;

|fsmashname=Joudan Sokutogeri({{ja|上段足刀蹴り|Jōdan Sokutō Geri}}, "High-Level Foot Edge Kick")

|usmashname=&nbsp;

|usmashdesc=Squats and then rises up to throw an uppercut. Makes his hurtbox smaller while attacking, making this a good anti-air attack. Slight ending lag and does not have much horizontal range. A good finisher for his tap combos. KOs at 130%. Can cancel into his Final Smash upon hit. It is based on his crouching heavy punch in ''Street Fighter'', albeit with its animation from ''Street Fighter III''.

|dsmashname=&nbsp;

|dsmashdesc=A legsweep. Launches opponents at a diagonal angle and unlike most down smashes, it only hits in one direction. Has the fastest start-up of all of his smash attacks, with more range than his up smash but less than his forward smash, making it also his safest smash attack at a distance. However, it has below average knockback for a smash attack, which makes it unreliable as a KOing option. Instead, it functions better as a spacing and anti-pressure option. Like his other smash attacks, it works well as a good finisher for his tapped combos. Can cancel into his Final Smash upon hit. It is based on his crouching heavy kick in ''Street Fighter II''.

|nairname=&nbsp;

|nairdesc=A downward angled knee strike. Its limited range is compensated by its [[sex kick]] properties and low ending lag. Can cancel into any of his special moves upon hit. It is based on his diagonal jumping light kick in ''Street Fighter II''.

|fairname=Tobigeri ("Front Kick")

|fairdesc=A flying kick. Ryu's foot has high launching power, while his upper leg has a sourspot and deals less damage. Despite this, the sourspot deals high shield damage. A good combo move and very damaging for its speed, but lacks KO power due to its knockback growth, making it more suitable for damage racking unless near the side blast lines. Can cancel into any of his special moves upon hit. It is based on his diagonal jumping medium and heavy kick animation in ''Street Fighter II''.

|bairname=&nbsp;

|bairdesc=An outside crescent kick. Though it has a small hitbox, its strength and fast start-up make it Ryu's most powerful aerial and a viable KOing option. KOs at 115%. Due to Ryu always facing his opponent in one-on-one matches, it is difficult to use for edgeguarding: one must perform a reverse aerial rush, which takes longer to perform as Ryu, as he will only pivot around as part of his turnaround, and not in a dash dance (without performing a reverse aerial rush, it is impossible to jump offstage while facing towards it if the opponent is offstage). It is based on his vertical jumping heavy kick from ''Street Fighter II'', which in some sources also doubled as his Senpuukyaku ({{ja|旋風脚|Senpūkyaku}}, "Whirlwind Leg") command normal/unique art from other games.

|uairname=Sukui Tsuki ("Scooping Punch")

|uairdesc=An uppercut. Despite its appearance, it hits twice, has good vertical range, and is reliable at catching opponents above Ryu. KOs at 155%. It is based on his diagonal jumping medium punch in ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''.

|dairname=Straight Punch

|dairdesc=A downward angled cross. Hitting an airborne opponent with the attack's sweetspot (his fist as it comes down) results in a [[meteor smash]] that powerfully sends opponents diagonally downward, while hitting an airborne opponent with the sourspot launches the opponent diagonally upward with high knockback. Hitting a grounded opponent, however, results in extremely results in extremely low knockback that will not KO even at 300%, but nonetheless possesses the ability to start combos. Can cancel into any of his special moves upon hit. It is based on his jumping medium and heavy punch in ''Street Fighter II'', albeit at an emphasized downward angle.

|grabname=&nbsp;

|pummelname=&nbsp;

|pummeldesc=A knee strike while holding the opponent in the {{s|wikipedia|collar-and-elbow}} position. It is based on Ken's Tsukami Hizageri ({{ja|つかみ膝蹴り|Tsukami Hizageri}}, "Grasping Knee Kick") throw in the ''Street Fighter Alpha/Zero'' games.

|fthrowname=&nbsp;

|fthrowdesc=The {{s|wikipedia|seoi nage}}, a Judo throw. If the opponent does not react, this throw can lead into a down aerial meteor smash at medium percentages. It is based on his punch throw in ''Street Fighter II'', where it had the same name in most in-depth sources.

|bthrowname=Somersault Throw

|bthrowdesc=The {{s|wikipedia|tomoe nage}}, a Judo throw. Heavy opponents can be knocked back onto their feet with a tapped down tilt, then thrown again. It is based on his kick throw in ''Street Fighter II'', where it had the same name in most in-depth sources.

|uthrowname=Heel Drop

|uthrowdesc=A stretch kick transitioned into an axe kick. It can combo into an aerial attack at low percents. While the axe kick cannot hit the thrown opponent, it can nevertheless hit another opponent that is too close to Ryu. Unlike the stretch kick, the axe kick deals much more damage and has high knockback. It is based on his close heavy kick in ''Street Fighter II''.

|dthrowname=&nbsp;

|dthrowdesc=Pins the opponent to the ground and performs a {{s|wikipedia|knifehand strike}}. Its angle allows it to combo well into aerial attacks and Shoryuken until 30%, where thrown opponents are launched too high to get hit. Deals immense shield damage, enough to instantly break the shield of opponents that are right next to Ryu. Based on the brick breaking bonus game in ''Street Fighter'', though it also resembles Akuma's Shurettō ({{ja|朱裂刀|Shurettō}}, "Vermilion Rending Blade") throw in ''Street Fighter IV''.

|floorfdesc=Kicks behind himself and then in front of himself before getting up. The front hit is based on his crouching heavy kick in ''Street Fighter III''.  

|nsdmg=6%, 6.5%, 7% (Standard);<br/> 7.5%, 8.1%, 8.7% (Input);<br/> 1.1% (Shakunetsu Hadoken, hits 1-4),<br/> 5% (Shakunetsu Hadoken, hit 5)

|nsdesc=Quickly cups his hands to his side and then thrusts them forward to launch a blue ''ki'' blast from his cupped hands that deals low damage and knockback, and may cause tripping at low percents. Only one Hadoken can be active, as attempting to shoot another results in a puff of smoke emitting from his hands. Holding down the special button slightly increases the blast's speed and damage output. Three versions of the move can be performed, two of which have directional inputs: a small blue Hadoken (special button only), a minutely stronger and larger inputted Hadoken (↓ ↘ → + attack/special), and the red [[flame|flaming]] '''Shakunetsu Hadoken''' that hits multiple times (← ↙ ↓ ↘ → + attack/special). Combos well out of his tapped tilt attacks and aerials, and is mainly used to rack up damage due to its low damage outputs, knockback and slow speed. Shakunetsu Hadoken deals some shield damage, though not to the extent of his Collarbone Breaker. However, the Hadoken and its variants should be used wisely due to its low [[priority]]. All variants can cancel into his Final Smash.

|ssdmg=9%, 10%, 11% (Standard);<br/> 10.4%, 11.5%, 12.4% (Input)

|ssdesc=A jumping, spinning crescent kick. Ryu moves in the given direction he is facing. Has sex kick properties, and deals more damage and knockback after the first few frames. Holding down the special button increases damage dealt, distance traveled, and the move's duration, also giving the attack additional knockback. Using an inputted Tatsumaki Senpukyaku (↓ ↙ ← + attack/special) sees Ryu announce the move by name and results in it dealing even more damage, covering more distance, and granting it better KOing potential. The move can be used as a good horizontal recovery while not causing helplessness, but it can only be used once in the air without touching the ground. Essentially, it is a high risk, high reward option for approaching and recovering. Can cancel into his Final Smash.

|usdmg=13%, 14%, 15% (Standard, grounded);<br/>12%, 13%, 14% (Standard, early air);<br/>7% (Standard, late air);<br/>15.6%, 16.8%, 18% (Input, grounded);<br/>14.4%, 15.6%, 16.8% (Input, early air);<br/>8.4% (Input, late air)

|usdesc=A leaping uppercut. Upon usage, Ryu announces the move's name while propelling his fist into the air at high speed. Holding the special button increases damage and height traveled. However, it has heavy aerial lag once the hitbox ceases. An inputted Shoryuken (→ ↓ ↘ + attack/special) deals even more knockback and damage and grants Ryu both slightly more [[intangibility]] and lower landing lag. Aside from being his main vertical recovery move, Shoryuken is also a viable KOing option due to its fast start-up, especially when used in conjunction with [[Focus Attack]]. In comparison, an inputted Shoryuken is Ryu's most powerful vertical KOing option overall and has the highest growth in his entire standard moveset. Ryu becomes [[helpless]] as he descends with the move's high aerial lag. Can cancel into his Final Smash.

|dsdesc=Assumes a focused stance while emitting a black ink-like aura, and then throws a short straight-punch. Crumples opponents where they stand with a lengthy stun animation if charged for more than half a second, which can allow for follow-ups. Ryu gains [[Armor|super armor]] that can withstand a single hit while it is charging. When fully charged, the attack becomes [[unblockable]] and will pierce through [[counterattack]]s. Ryu can also perform a technique called the Focus Attack Dash Cancel. This is performed by tapping left or right twice, which cancels Focus Attack and instead propels Ryu a set distance depending on where the control stick was tapped. However if the punch misses, Ryu will be unable to cancel the move. If the move hits an airborne opponent, they will instead by launched with heavy hitlag. The move's charge is indicated by Ryu flashing during its start-up. Level 1 is performed immediately and slightly launches an opponent. Level 2 is performed after half a second and crumples an opponent, but deals the least amount of damage. Level 3 is performed after a whole second, crumples the opponent for a much longer time and deals the most amount of damage. Although Focus Attack cannot block grabs and is countered by multiple hit attacks, it is a useful tool for baiting opponents and punishing, while its Dash Cancel can function as a horizontal recovery oprion while offstage.

|fsdmg=1% - 1.5% (multi-hits), 10% (explosion), 1% (initial hit), 10% (hits 1 and 2), 20% (last hit)

|fsdesc=A Final Smash that varies depending on range. At point-blank range, Ryu traps the opponent with the '''Shin Shoryuken''', a three-hit combo that launches the opponent with an even stronger Shoryuken. Begins KOing at specific percentages for every character, much like [[Straight Lunge|KO Uppercut]] and [[Limit Charge|Finishing Touch]]. At any other range, Ryu performs the '''Shinku Hadoken''', a much larger Hadoken that [[wind#pulling attacks|vacuums]] nearby opponents into it before dragging them a distance across the screen and exploding. Shin Shoryuken has much higher KO potential against a single opponent, whereas Shinku Hadoken has more range, reliably affects multiple opponents, and is capable of bypassing walls. Shin Shoryuken can be cancelled into from Ryu's neutral attacks (both tapped and held variants), tilts, smash attacks, aerials, and special moves (for the variants of Hadoken, it must be at point blank range).

===[[Taunts]]===

*'''Up Taunt''': Pulls his headband's ends taunt, while stating "Come on!" Unlike in ''Smash 4'', Ryu does not turn around during the taunt.

*'''Side Taunt''': Ryu holds his fist forwards, and declares "Talk is cheap!"

*'''Down Taunt''': Stomps on the ground and grunts. This is his taunt from most of the ''Vs. Capcom'' series games.

*Adjusts his gloves.

*Winds back to throw a hook and assumes an [[wikipedia:Boxing styles and techniques#Stances|upright stance]] while saying "Give it your all!"

*Slings his duffel bag over his shoulder while saying "The journey... has just begun."

*Punches in the stance of [[Focus Attack]] before triumphantly raising his fist in the air, saying "Your range is one fist short."

Ryu's opponents are all references to characters that appear in ''Street Fighter II'' and are stamina battles with all of the stages being in [[Ω form]]. The Bonus Stage also comes earlier, similar to the car mini-game from said title. The final boss fight also includes {{SSBU|Ken}} as a teammate. His song in the [[credits]] is "Ryu Stage".

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

!Round!!Opponent!!Stage!!Music

|1||{{SSBU|Ken}}||[[Suzaku Castle]] (Ω form)||Ken Stage Type A

|2||{{SSBU|Zero Suit Samus}}||[[Onett]] (Ω form)||Chun-Li Stage Type A

|3||{{SSBU|Incineroar}}||[[Boxing Ring]] (Ω form)||Zangief Stage Type A

|4||{{SSBU|Donkey Kong}}||[[Kongo Falls]] (Ω form)||Blanka Stage Type A

|colspan="4"|Bonus Stage

|5||Giant {{SSBU|Little Mac}}||Boxing Ring (Ω form)||Balrog Stage Type A

|6||{{SSBU|Meta Knight}}||[[Arena Ferox]] (Ω form)||Vega Stage Type A

|Final||{{SSBU|Master Hand}} and {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}}||{{SSBU|Final Destination}}||M. Bison Stage Type A

Although Ryu does not appear in the World of Light opening cutscene, he was vaporized and later imprisoned alongside the rest of the fighters (sans {{SSBU|Kirby}}) when Galeem unleashed his beams of light.

Ryu only appears after the player clears the World Tour sub-area reminiscent of ''Street Fighter II'' by beating every spirit.

Ryu's Fighter Spirit can be obtained by completing [[Classic Mode]]. It is also available periodically for purchase in the shop for 500 coins. Unlocking Ryu in World of Light allows the player to preview the spirit below in the Spirit List under the name "???". As a Fighter Spirit, it cannot be used in Spirit Battles and is purely aesthetic. Each Fighter Spirit has an alternate version that replaces them with their artwork in ''Ultimate''.

Ryu Spirit.png|977. '''''Ryu'''''

SSBUWebsiteRyu6.jpg|Failing to perform a [[Hadoken]] on [[Tortimer Island]], with {{SSBU|Pichu}} laughing.

RyuDuckHuntFinalDestinationUltimateBattleReady.jpg|Ryu and {{SSBU|Duck Hunt}} on {{SSBU|Final Destination}}.

RyuDaisySuzakuCastleUltimateFightStart.jpg|Ryu fighting {{SSBU|Daisy}} on Suzaku Castle.

===Character Showcase Video===

*Ryu and {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}} are the only two characters (so far) whose full renders are not on the [https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/index.html/ official ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' website]. In this case, the picture stops around his ankles.

*Ryu's artwork pose resembles a pose from [http://streetfighter.wikia.com/wiki/File:Ryu_(SF2).png his official artwork] for ''Street Fighter II: The World Warrior''.

**He is also the only third-party veteran to have an Echo Fighter, as {{SSBU|Simon}} and {{SSBU|Richter}} are both newcomers.

*Ryu is one of three veterans from ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' to have their Boxing Ring alias changed in ''Ultimate'', the others being {{SSBU|Mega Man}} and {{SSBU|Link}}.

*Ryu's classic mode has numerous references to ''Street Fighter II'':

**Each stage represents an opponent from the franchise: Zero Suit Samus (Chun-Li), Incineroar (Zangief), Green Donkey Kong (Blanka), Giant Little Mac (Boxer/Balrog), Meta Knight (Vega/Claw). Each character's theme plays during these fights on stages that resemble their Street Fighter 2 home stages.

***These fights are identical to their Spirit Battles with only Blanka and Balrog being fought on different stages.

**Ryu's bonus stage is in the middle, referencing Street Fighter's tendency to have bonus stages as midway points.

**The final two bosses before the final boss is a reference to the "Four Heavenly Kings" who must be fought as the last fighters before Bison, in this case Balrog and Vega (minus Sagat) with Bison being the fourth king.

**Ryu's final stage in Classic Mode is a reference to the [https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/capcomdatabase/images/8/8b/SFIICEPCJapan.png/revision/latest?cb=20110223190039 artwork] used for ''Street Fighter II': Champion Edition'', which features a giant M. Bison towering over Ryu (represented in the game as both Master Hand and Crazy Hand) and the finale of ''Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie'', where Ryu and Ken double team against M. Bison. Additionally, M. Bison's theme plays in the background during the final battle.

[[Category:Third party characters]]