Street Fighter V is coming to a close, with the well-known Capcom series receiving its final bout of DLC soon. The game has come a long way since its 2016 release, transitioning from a controversial title into another respectable entry in the venerable series. Like other Street Fighter games, Street Fighter V has released multiple versions over the course of its life, with each offering slight differences in roster and gameplay.
These variants were handled somewhat differently than in previous generations of the Street Fighter franchise, however, so those wanting to finally get into the game might be a bit confused. Here's a look at all of the different forms that Street Fighter V has taken, their differences and which one gamers should get.
Street Fighter V
The original version of Street Fighter V launched on PlayStation 4 and PC in early 2016, and its release was much more controversial than anticipated. The game was noted for a lack of content and gameplay modes, with its launch roster consisting of just 16 fighters. Capcom would later rectify this by adding new modes including the storyline "A Shadow Falls," detailing the collapse of the Shadaloo organization and the events that lead to Street Fighter III.
New fighters would also quickly be added, with fan favorites like Guile and Ibuki helping to alleviate some fans' issues. The game can still be bought in this form, though given how much it would cost to purchase all of the DLC separately, it's better to just buy a later version.
Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition
2017 saw the announcement of Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition, which, despite the name, was an update of the console and PC title and had no arcade port. This version included all of the DLC characters and costumes that had released up to that point, as well as new modes such as a true Arcade Mode. Those who already owned the base game could get it for free, though it could also be purchased separately.
Street Fighter V: Type Arcade
Perhaps the most esoteric version is Street Fighter V: Type Arcade. This Japanese-only release came out in 2019 and took the title from consoles to cabinets, making it the true Arcade Edition. Notable differences include the special timed events that the arcade game has, as well as the USB ports on the side that allow players to bring and use their own controllers.
New modes exclusive to this variant include Boss Rush where players can face off against special versions of the World Warriors such as Shadow Lady Chun-Li and Shin Akuma. Players could also link the game to the Capcom Fighters Network account, allowing them to save their data. Unfortunately, the only way to play Street Fighter V in the arcades is to go to Japan, so for most fans, this version will remain a curiosity.
Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
The third and final retail version of the game was 2020's Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, which contained all of the later DLC updates and costumes, as well as new characters and balance changes. The game was released at a lower price than the vanilla version was intially, and it's definitely the best way to play the game now. In fact, it was so successful at retail that Capcom decided to pad out its lifespan with a final wave of DLC characters, which include the likes of Akira and Oro from Rival Schools and Street Fighter III.