Blocking

To block, hold back on the joystick. To block low attacks, hold down back on the joystick. You can block just about anything apart from throws and command throws, such as Zangief's spinning pile driver. You will not take any damage whilst blocking standard punches or kicks, but you will take a very small amount of damage when blocking special moves and super combos. You cannot block in the air.

Jumps

There are three jump types in the game -holding up on the joystick will have you character jump straight up, holding up forward has them jump toward the opponent and holding up backward has them jump away from the opponent.

Throws

Each character has at least one throw technique. Throws are done by getting close to the opponent, holding forward (to throw them forward) or backward (to throw them backward) and then pressing either strong punch, fierce punch, forward kick or roundhouse kick. It depends on the character for which button you need to press, for example, Chun-Li can only throw with the strong and fierce punch buttons. To see what throws a character can do, go to the character section and check each fighter's page.

Stuns

If you repeatedly manage to hit your opponent with attacks within a few seconds, they will be stunned. This means that they will briefly be unable to move or block, so you've basically got the chance to get in a free combo. If you are stunned, press every button to shake off the stars quicker.

Meet the Bosses

BALROG

Balrog can no longer do his repeated dash punch tactics as well in this game, so it is now even easier to sweep him when he charges. He's still the easiest boss and often fails to block attacks. Plus he still has that bad habit of charging into projectiles.

VEGA

Vega has been toned down as his jump kicks are now no longer anywhere near as effective as they were in the previous game. He is still fast though and is still capable of leaping onto the cage and jumping off it to grab and throw you. He is also still capable of avoiding attacks by using a back flip, but if you can get close to him when he does this, you can throw him as he recovers from this move.

SAGAT

Sagat is mostly the same as before, so if he starts spamming his tiger shots, just jump forward and carefully time it so you can hit him before he can counter with his tiger uppercut. His tiger uppercut is still his most powerful move, so don't randomly jump at him.

M. BISON

Bison is now much easier than before, he can no longer combo you with knee presses and his head stomp attack isn't as effective. He can do his psycho crusher faster than before however, plus he doesn't take as much damage if he gets hit whilst doing it. His jump kicks are no longer as effective as they were in The World Warrior.