Game News Who are the two warriors in the intro of Street Fighter II and why did one of them ultimately disappear?
Street Fighter II, the arcade game that marked a whole generation of gamers, brought the fighting game genre to the peak of its popularity. Iconic characters such as Ryu, Ken or Chun-Li have become icons of pop culture. However, two fighters who have been around since the game’s launch remained in the shadows for years: Scott and Max. Their story, between mystery and censorship, deserves to be revealed.
Summary
- Scott and Max: Street fighters with different fates
- Max’s transformation: a case of censorship?
- Max’s disappearance: an unsolved mystery
- The legacy of Scott and Max
Scott and Max: Street fighters with different fates
Scott, the blond boxer in the white shirt, and Max, his shirtless opponent, were designed as independent playable characters. However, they were never included in the official list Street Fighter II. Their presence was limited to the introduction of the game, where they exchanged a few blows before disappearing and making way for the stars of the game.
Fans have been speculating about Scott’s identity for years, with some confusing him with Cody from Final Fight, another Capcom game. But in 2016, Capcom finally revealed their story, revealing that Scott was a talented boxer and Max was his rival.
Max’s transformation: a case of censorship?
Max’s story is particularly fascinating. Over the course of the various versions of Street Fighter II, his appearance has changed considerably. Originally introduced as an African-American, his skin gradually became lighter until he became a blond Caucasian in Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition.
This change in appearance has raised many questions. Some consider this a form of censorship on Capcom’s part, aimed at avoiding controversy surrounding the portrayal of ethnic minorities in video games. Others think it is simply an artistic choice. Regardless, Max’s transformation remains a topic of discussion among fans.
Max’s disappearance: an unsolved mystery
After Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition, Max disappeared from the game’s introduction. The reasons for this disappearance remain unclear. Perhaps Capcom wanted to avoid controversy surrounding the changed appearance, or perhaps it was simply a creative decision to revamp the introduction.
Despite his absence from the intro, Max appeared several times in other games in the series. In Street Fighter V he makes a cameo appearance in the Las Vegas setting and in Street Fighter 6 it is even possible to face him in World Tour mode. These appearances demonstrate Capcom’s continued interest in the character, despite his controversial fate.
The legacy of Scott and Max
Although Scott and Max remained in the shadow of the main characters of Street Fighter II, they left their mark on the history of the franchise. Her story is reminiscent of the evolution of character representation in video games and the impact of censorship on artistic creation. They also embody the mystery and intrigue that surrounds the supporting characters, who are often overlooked but are nevertheless essential to the game’s universe.
Even though they never had the chance to be in the spotlight, Scott and Max remain an integral part of the Street Fighter legacy, and their story of oblivion and revival continues to fascinate fans and spark debate. Maybe one day Capcom will finally give them the recognition they deserve by fully integrating them into the franchise’s roster. In the meantime, they remain the forgotten fighters from the intro of Street Fighter II, mysterious characters whose fate has yet to be written.
As a reminder for all Street Fighter fans: The 6th work is available for PS5, Xbox Series and PC in addition to PS4 and Xbox One.
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