Normal Moves (12)

Learn the essential normal punch and kick attacks in Street Fighter II. Master moves like Swipe of the Bobcat, Badger Jab, Kick the Jackel, and Buffalo Sweep to control the fight.

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of Street Fighter II's normal moves. These are your bread-and-butter attacks – the ones you'll use most often. Understanding these is key to controlling the pace of the fight and setting up bigger combos. We'll cover the punches first, then the kicks.

Punch Attacks

First up, we have the punches. These are generally your quicker attacks or ones that hit high.

• Flying War Hammer: This is a simple, high-damage move where you bring both fists down. To pull it off, just press the high punch button while you're in the air. It's great for punishing opponents who jump at you or for adding some extra damage when you jump in. On SNES, that's the L button in mid-air. On Genesis, it's Z.

• Soaring Knee Hammer: This one's a bit different. You need to hold Down and then press the middle punch button while you're airborne. It's a solid aerial attack that can catch opponents off guard. For SNES, it's v + X in mid-air. For Genesis, it's v + Y.

• Swipe of the Bobcat: This is a fantastic long-reaching punch. You can use it while standing or moving. It's excellent for controlling space and keeping opponents at bay. On SNES, press L while standing, moving forward (> + L), or backward (< + L). On Genesis, it's the same inputs with Z.

• Badger Jab: This is your quick, low punch. It's not the fastest move in the game, and you can't really spam it, but it's useful for poking and keeping your opponent guessing. Press the low punch button while standing or moving. On SNES, that's Y (or > + Y / < + Y). On Genesis, it's X (or > + X / < + X).

• Arms of the Bear: This move has you spread both arms for a double-hand swipe. To do it, hold Down and press the middle punch button. It's a decent close-range option. On SNES, it's v + X. On Genesis, it's v + Y.

Kick Attacks

Now let's move on to kicks. Kicks often have more range or different properties than punches.

• Kick the Jackel: If you're right up close to your opponent, pressing the high kick button while standing or moving will unleash this strong kick. It's a good close-quarters punish. On SNES, this is the A button when touching the opponent. On Genesis, it's B.

• Reverse Buck: This is a really long-reaching kick, which is great for compensating if your character isn't the fastest. To perform it, hold Left and press the high kick button. On SNES, that's < + R. On Genesis, it's < + C.

• Buffalo Sweep: This is a classic sweep kick. It's slow, but if your opponent isn't expecting it or can't react in time, it's very effective at knocking them down. You need to hold Down and press the high kick button. On SNES, it's v + R. On Genesis, it's v + C.

Mastering these normals is your first step to becoming a solid Street Fighter II player. Practice them until they feel natural, and you'll be well on your way!