Following Terry Bogard last September, it is now Mai Shiranui’s turn in Street Fighter 6. The release date for Mai Shiranui is set for February 5th. Last week, Capcom invited me to experience the game firsthand with SNK’s ninja character. As someone who grew up playing brawler games and spent their teenage years with the NeoGeo, it was impossible to refuse this opportunity. I had the chance to play with Mai Shiranui for one hour and thirty minutes and even recorded some gameplay in 4K.
Following Terry Bogard’s addition last September, Mai Shiranui is set to join Street Fighter 6. The release date for this character is February 5th. Last week, Capcom invited me to a premier playtest of SNK’s ninja, Mai Shiranui. Given my background with brawler games and my teenage years spent playing the NeoGeo, it was impossible to turn down this opportunity. I played as Mai Shiranui for 90 minutes and managed to capture some gameplay footage in 4K for you.
In this regard, I find that Capcom has successfully struck a good balance in its design, avoiding both the overly simplistic aesthetic reminiscent of the 90s and contemporary expectations for female characters in fighting games. She maintains her charm and allure while steering clear of vulgarity. On this point, Capcom has executed well. To address the question on everyone’s mind, the bouncing, jelly-like breasts are not present in this version of Street Fighter 6.
FIRE AWAY
Regarding gameplay, Capcom has adhered strictly to their approach with Terry Bogard from last September. The SNKboys will indeed regain Mai’s entire move set without any exceptions. This includes moves such as Kachôsen, Ryu-enbu, Hissatsu Shonibi Bachi, and Hicho Ryu-en-jin; even the series of fans she can chain is included in its entirety. Concerning her Super Arts in Street Fighter 6 terminology, it’s the same case; we have the usual super attacks, with Kagero no Mai serving as Fury level 1. In summary, it’s the SNK Mai, albeit with slightly less liveliness compared to her appearances in King of Fighters due to the more controlled movement and jumping mechanics typical of a Street Fighter game.
EASTER EGG
There is also one final aspect regarding Mai that I would like to mention: she possesses an ability to manipulate both planes, enabling her to send opponents to the background plane with her signature spinning kick, which is equivalent to the C+D attack from the KOF series. Terry had a similar move for sending opponents to the background, and I find this reference particularly commendable as it pays homage to the gameplay mechanics of the Fatal Fury games, which featured two distinct planes. In earlier titles, players could voluntarily switch between these planes; in later iterations, specific movements and attacks allowed for transitioning between the foreground and background to avoid enemy attacks. Indeed, this is a remarkable tribute. To summarize: Mai is likely to become a highly sought-after character in Street Fighter 6, given that she embodies the shoto archetype with an added vivacity not found in other fighters. It remains to be seen how professional esports players will deploy this kunoichi in future competitions.
While we eagerly await the release of Mai Shiranui in Street Fighter 6, it’s worth noting that another highly anticipated fighter game has shifted its release date. Sophie Laurent’s recent post on Players for Life details how Tekken 8, originally slated for late 2023, is now set to launch on January 26, 2024. The delay allows Bandai Namco Entertainment and producer Harada-san to strategically position the game to avoid direct competition with other major releases. Sophie delves into the new trailer that showcases Tekken 8’s multiplayer hub and avatar customization features, promising an engaging experience for both newcomers and seasoned players. For those intrigued by the latest additions to Street Fighter 6, Sophie Laurent has also delved into the venomous world of A.K.I., the game’s newest character. Revealed through a captivating gameplay trailer, A.K.I.’s fighting style is as deadly as it is mesmerizing, complete with moves like Nightshade Pulse and Claws of Ya Zi that will surely captivate fans. Dive deeper into her story mode to learn how she ties into Shadaloo’s mysterious operations; Sophie’s comprehensive breakdown not only showcases A.K.I.’s unique abilities but also reveals exclusive rewards available from September 1st for eager players looking to customize their experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting addition! For fans of darker, more mature takes on beloved franchises, Sophie Laurent’s recent post delves into the highly anticipated “TMNT The Last Ronin,” unveiled at THQ Nordic’s Digital Showcase 2023. Set in a dystopian future New York inspired by the acclaimed comic, this game aims to capture the same artistic depth and narrative complexity seen in Santa Monica Studio’s God of War series. Although no release date has been announced yet, the game is shaping up to be an exciting addition for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S owners. Dive into the details at TMNT The Last Ronin: A Ninja Turtles Game Inspired by God of War, Adapted from Comic-Book, First Video to learn more about this intriguing new direction for the Ninja Turtles.
