For over five years now, Capcom has been iterating and expandingStreet Fighter 5into the fully-featured and competent fighting game that it’s become today. When the game initially released,Street Fighter 5was criticized by fighting game fans just as much as media critics for its lack of content, inconsistent online experience, among other concerns. In 2021, during the last content year for the fifth mainline entry, the game is in a far better condition than it ever was. With a filled out roster of 40 characters, along with a slew of new game modes and mechanics improving the game,Street Fighter 5’s last year is looking really strong, especially with the new DLC.
The final five DLC characters on the way to the game are ending the life cycle ofStreet Fighter 5on a relatively high note, depending on what the final mystery character will be. Fan-favorite characters like Rose and Dan are making their way into the fifth game, alongside the classicStreet Fighter 3character Oro, as well as the brand new character Akira fromRival Schools. However, considering Rose is only the second DLC character in Season 5 (releasing in April),Street Fighter 5’s fifth DLC character may not be revealed until much later this year. That being said, depending on who it is,Street Fighter 5’s last character could end the game’s life with a bang or a whimper.
Street Fighter 5’s Past DLC Trends
Similar to Season 3’s DLC characters, this last season of characters has almost entirely been revealed beforehand, save for the last character. Season 3’s additions of Sakura, Blanka, Falke, Cody, G, and Sagat were all announced prior, alongside the launch ofStreet Fighter 5: Arcade Edition. Last season was a little different, with the final DLC character in Season 4 marking the relatively surprising release ofStreet Fighter 5: Champion Edition. However, with Season 5, Capcom hasunveiled nearly all of the characters coming toStreet Fighter 5save for the last one. Obviously, with little to no context or clues as to who the last character could be, fans are guessing.
The general sentiment on Reddit forStreet Fighter 5fans guessing on who the last character could be is pretty straight forward, understandably so. Many believe that because the fourth character is already a crossover, with Akira coming fromRival Schools, that the fifth character will likely be a completely original character. Some have even posed the idea that the new character could serve asa bridge to the nextStreet Fightergame. Alternatively, many believe that sinceRival Schoolsis technically in theStreet Fighterextended universe, that the last character will be a crossover character with another fighting franchise, which isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
The Likely Options For Street Fighter 5’s Last Character
As for the most likely outcome for the last character, there’s likely two specific scenarios: It’s a completely new character to theStreet Fighteruniverse, or it’s another classic character from the seriesthat’s yet to be represented inStreet Fighter 5. Considering the second-to-last character being added toStreet Fighter 5is a crossover character, it’s possible the last fighter in the game will be a series veteran. The last two seasons have added aStreet Fighterveteran fighter as the final seasonal DLC in the game, that being Sagat, Gill, and technically Seth. As for what iconic character could be added toStreet Fighter 5, it could be any number of iconic characters.
There is the chance thatStreet Fighter 5’s last roster addition could be a new original character, which wouldn’t be completely out of the realm of possibility.Street Fighter 5has introduced several interesting brand new characters to the series like Zeku and Menat, so a final new character to send off the game would be welcome. Of course, that’s a big risk to take as the final roster addition to the game, especially ifStreet Fighter 5is going to be around for a long timebefore the next installment. Especially if the character is particularly broken or disappointing,Street Fighter 5’s lasting impression on players may not bode well if it’s a character that’s largely loathed by fans.
In terms of what’s most likely forStreet Fighter 5, the best way to send the game out on a high note would be to bring back an already loved character from the series' past.Street Fighter 5has already included severalStreet Fighter 3characters like Ibuki and Gill, so many figure anotherThird Strike/A New Generationcharacter like Dudley or Makoto could be the last character. Others have posited thata more notable/legendary character inStreet Fighterlike Fei Long or Gouken could be added as well. The point is that adding a completely original character asStreet Fighter 5’s last character is a far more risky endeavor compared to a notable series veteran.
Street Fighter 5: Champion Editionis available now on PC and PS4.
