The 25 Coolest Fighting Game Super Combos

Supers so great, they have to be spammed five or six times in a round.

April 11, 2012

Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Lead

Ever been in one of those matches where you stall on using your super? You’re not looking for the perfect moment to win, no, instead you want to win in style. Yeah, we’ve all done it. Your friend has 10% health left and you want nothing more than to land a Psycho Crusher finish. The Super Combo finish will arguably be the most stylish way to win a match. Not every Super Combo is as stylish as the other however. There are some Super Combos that you love for the amount of hits you can rack up or for how dramatic it is. There’s something about each Super that makes you say, “Aww yeah!!” every time it connects and makes you think, “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta” after the victory. After spending several hours between writing to play our favorite fighting games, we at Complex comprised a list of the Supers that we love to do over and over again to deal huge damage, to get a stylish finish, to piss our friends off, or to do just for the hell of it. Here’s our list of the 25 Coolest Fighting Game Supers.

Written by Obi Anyanwu (@obianyanwu)

Lucky Strike

Character: Kevin Ryan
Game: Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves
Button Combination: QCF, QCF + Fierce

Complex Says: The impact from this move is unmatched. Kevin gives his opponent a machine gun flurry of punches before landing the finishing blow worthy of John Madden’s signature “Boom!” The effects and impact of all of Kevin Ryan’s Supers are intense, but this is the most fun to combo into.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21667` ]]

Hou'ou Tenbukyaku

Character: Kim Kaphwan
Game: King of Fighters ‘97
Button Combination: QCF, HCB + Kick (only in midair)

Complex Says: Kim Kaphwan is so fun to play as, because of the several ways to catch your opponent with major moves. Just when you’re expecting a jump kick, you get hit with a fierce kick combo. In the right hands, Kim can frustrate your opponent immensely and cause more rage quits than anyone else. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21639` ]]

Mega Optic Blast

Character: Cyclops
Game: X-Men vs. Street Fighter
Button Combination: QCF + 2 Punches

Complex Says: Cyclops does not get as much love as Wolverine, of course. The few Cyclops fans around (just this guy here) have this Super as their bargaining ship. Sure the Super Optic Blast was dope, because it can bounce off of the floor, aim into the sky, or shoot at the ground while you’re midair, but the Mega Optic Blast is that “Holy Shit” move that makes you[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21653` ]] respect the man. Cyclops says he can destroy mountains, and this Super is more than enough proof.

Proton Cannon

Character: IronMan
Game: Marvel Super Heroes
Button Combination: QCF + 2 Punches

Complex Says: Way before Hollywood was catching wood over IronMan, we were cheesing hard over his awesomeness in Capcom’s Marvel fighting game series (War Machine too, don’t get too upset). The move that put him over was this epic Super, the Proton Cannon, where a giant rocket beam appears over his shoulder and shoots 30-hits of pain. If you got smacked with the cannon, it…. was… over…[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21651` ]]

Hiten Souryuu-Jin

Character: Yun
Game: Capcom vs. SNK 2
Button Combination: QCB, QCB + K

Complex Says: This Super can only be seen in CVS2 or SFA3 so it’s pretty rare. In fact, this is the only time Yun and Yang perform a Super together, which is awesome. The brothers have a bit of a sibling rivalry in SF3 series, but they join forces for this combo that ends with a double jump kick on their opponent. So picturesque. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21759` ]]

Road Roller

Character: Dio
Game: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Button Combination: QCB, QCB + 2 Punches

Complex Says: Okay, we don’t know how to actually explain this one, but it’s all types of awesome. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is one of the few Capcom fighting games that went unnoticed but was surprisingly fun (like Cyberbots and Saturday Night Slammasters.) Dio’s Super is what makes the game so enjoyable. More goofball-ness and kick-ass-ness though this Super has given us more questions than answers.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21669` ]]

Choureppudan

Character: Andy Bogard
Game: King of Fighters XIII
Button Combination: QCB, HCF + Kick

Complex Says: It sucks that Andy is in Terry Bogard’s shadow. Andy’s fighting style is nothing like Terry’s, and there’s nothing wrong with this. This Super is proof. Andy’s Kuuhadan gets kicked up several notches as he gets hot feet and delivers up to 25 hits of pain that looks oh so good. SNK Supers used to be impossible to pull off, but ever since controls have gotten simpler this became one of those Supers that are just too much fun to spam. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21757` ]]

Hyper Chain Drive

Character: K’
Game: King of Fighters XIII
Button Combination: HCB, HCB + 2 Punches

Complex Says: This is one of those Supers we throw out for the sake of throwing it out. It racks up the hits and has all of the theatrics we love. Comboing into this move takes skill and dedication, which shouldn’t be too difficult for the committed K’ players. When you get your groove going and throw out this move, it’s pretty tough to keep your cool. You will most definitely geek out if you win with this.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21663` ]]

Hou'ou Kyaku

Character: Kim Kaphwan
Game: King of Fighters ‘97
Button Combination: QCB, HCF + Kick (Also in midair)

Complex Says: Kim Kaphwan is one of those characters that is just plain cool. After Fatal Fury 2, Kim stepped into the spotlight by leading Team Korea in the King of Fighters series. The Desperation Move that Kim stuck with from day 1 (or day 2 for the huge Fatal Fury fans) happens to be one of the coolest Supers that always happened to get better and better throughout the years. Our personal favorite is from KOF ’97 where it was all flash and all damage.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21635` ]]

Psycho Crusher

Character: Final M. Bison
Game: Street Fighter Alpha 3
Button Combination: Hold back for 2 seconds, forward, back, forward + Fierce

Complex Says: Now this is a boss. Bison has been getting on our nerves for several years, but the most fun facing him has to be in Street Fighter Alpha 3. In Street Fighter II, we feared the Psycho Crusher, but after the emergence of Supers, the Psycho Crusher got a major makeover. After Bison glides off of the screen, he performs his patented Psycho Crusher, but this time it moves faster and fills the entire screen. This Super was proof that Bison cannot be messed with though this was one of the last times we get to face him as the final boss of a Street Fighter game.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21633` ]]

Double Inferno

Character: Bakuryu
Game: Bloody Roar: Primal Fury
Button Combination: QCF, QCF + X (Nintendo Gamecube)

Complex Says: The Bloody Roar series is all about characters that can transform into beasts and thrash each other. There are all types of Supers in the game that deal huge damage with the most awesome being Bakuryu’s. Bakuryu is a ninja as a human, and a mole as a beast, and yes he runs several rings of fire around his opponent before striking them with several after images. The Super with the most hits in the game just so happens to be the coolest.

Shin Shoryuken

Character: Ryu
Game: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Button Combination: Forward, Down, Down-Forward + 2 Attacks

Complex Says: Crossover games have been tough on Ryu until TVC. His balanced fighting style and ease of use can be enough of an argument to show that he’s broken. His supers do major damage, but when it comes to being all types of awesome the Shin Shoryuken trumps all. He hasn’t screamed it in the other games, which makes TVC’s version so special. Snag a definitive victory with this move and you’ll be screaming Shin Shoryuken in your friend’s face. Believe us, we’ve done it. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21661` ]]

Million Dollars

Character: Dante
Game: Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Button Combination: QCF + 2 Attacks

Complex Says: We’ve been waiting to see Dante in a fighting game, so MVC3 was total bliss. Seeing this Super in the early development stages made us want to play this game that much more. Dante has always been super cool, hands down, and these gunslinger tricks add more cool points. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21657` ]]

Aiara Tengu

Aiara Tengu (Flying Tengu)

Character: Maki
Game: Capcom vs SNK 2
Button Combination: 720 degrees + Punch

Complex Says: Maki is yet another Capcom creation used to stick it to SNK for their creation of Ryo Sakazaki. Maki debuted in Final Fight 2, and appeared again in CVS2 with a move set much like Guy's. When Guy isn’t running across screen with the quickness, he is making suicide style throws that only Maki and he can pull off. Maki took Guy’s simple toss and added style to it by hopping from wall to wall before dropping her opponent on their head. 720 Supers are tough enough to pull off, but if you can nail the grab in mid air, you get major props.

Final Destruction

Character: Cody
Game: Street Fighter Alpha 3
Button Combination: QCF, QCF + Fierce

Complex Says: If you grew up playing Final Fight, odds are you pick Cody for this one move. Literally, select Cody, hop into your first match, dodge as often as you can until you land this Super Combo, and then quit game (only in homes, no one wants to waste quarters.) This Super pays homage to the punch combo infinite you could pull off in FF against cronies and bosses alike. Cody’s infinite was the easiest to pull off in FF, so developers gave a bit of fan service with this one. If you’re wondering, yes, we’re still gracious. *golf clap* [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21675` ]]

Deadly Rave Neo

Character: Rock Howard
Game: Capcom vs. SNK 2
Button Combination: HCB, F + Short, Jab, Jab, Short, Short, Strong, Forward (kick), Fierce, Roundhouse, QCB + Fierce

Complex Says: Rock Howard is one of SNK’s popular characters. You would think that it was blasphemy to mix Terry Bogard and Geese Howard’s move set, but if you play as the finished product, Rock Howard, you wouldn’t care less. Rock’s coolest super is a move picked up from Geese that has a more elaborate button combination than Akuma. When the move gets started, Rock runs towards his opponent to land the first hit, which gets followed by an awesome combo that gets faster as you go through it, and ends with a blast. Literally. This Super is one of the most fun to pull off and one the most rewarding when it’s landed. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21645` ]]

God End

Character: Omega Rugal
Game: Capcom vs SNK 2
Button Combination: HCF, HCF + Fierce

Complex Says: “The wait is finally over!” After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Capcom squared off against SNK and put the “who would win in a fight” debate to rest (for now…). Those that were able to rack up the points in a single playthrough squared off against Omega Rugal. Rugal’s Super, the God End, is much like Shin Akuma’s Raging Demon in that it is his level 3 Super that dishes out more damage than necessary. After Rugal grabs his opponent, he lifts them over his head and then proceeds to take a dump on their health bar. No joke.

[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21775` ]]

Final Symphony Remix

Character: Kyosuke
Game: Capcom vs. SNK 2
Button Combination: HCB, HCB + Roundhouse

Complex Says: Kyosuke ditched Rival Schools to venture into the 2D world and join Capcom in the fight with SNK. He wasn’t alone though. His Taiyo High School squad appeared for one super, the Final Symphony Remix, which is ridiculously rewarding if you land and win with it. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21767` ]][[complexVideo? &video_id=`21771` ]]

Captain Storm

Character: Captain Commando
Game: Marvel vs. Capcom
Button Combination: QCF + 2 Kicks

Complex Says: Nostalgia at its finest! We loved MVC for the return of our favorite Marvel characters and the return of our favorite Capcom adventurers. Those that have played Captain Commando know all about the 4-player feature and how awesomely dope it is. This move is a dream of ours. It’s what we envisioned as kids teaming up in the arcades picking our favorite Commandos as we battle through the streets. What makes the move ten times more epic is the end pose, swag. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21655` ]]

Bushin Musou Renge

Character: Guy
Game: Street Fighter Alpha 3
Button Combination: HCB, HCB + Fierce

Complex Says: Guy’s return was favorable amongst the crew here. His outfit overhaul was amazing right down to his Nike Dunks. Truly one of gaming’s style trendsetters. As if Guy wasn’t stylish enough, he adds another Super to his repertoire. This 10 hit combo rivals Akuma’s Raging Demon, and according to Guy’s ending it can take out Bison with relative ease. Don’t try to catch every strike Guy throws, because he’s too quick. He’s always too quick… [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21763` ]]

Raging Demon

[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21629` ]]Raging Demon

Character: Shin Akuma
Game: Capcom vs SNK 2
Button Combination: Jab, Jab, forward, Short, Fierce

Complex Says: The Raging Demon is epic. Akuma’s entrance into our lives was with the use of this move on the boss that has been giving us headaches for 5 years until Akuma’s debut. Needless to say, we were hyped and ready for a good fight. Then we got our asses kicked. Why do we still love Akuma? Well because of this awesome Super. Akuma floats across the screen and grabs his opponent, which is followed by a black screen and several flashes of light from demons attacking. If you win with it, Akuma emerges over a fallen opponent while his kanji fills the entire screen. 15 hits of greatness, which doubled in CVS2. Just when you thought the combo was over, the hits just keep on coming.

Ultimate End

Character: Kohryu
Game: Last Blade 2
Button Combination: Back, HCB + B (Arcades)

Complex Says: Leave it to the boss of each fighting game to have the super that deals the most damage and takes the longest to watch. When you face them, the move is beyond annoying, but when you pick them the move is amazing. Kohryu’s Super is the type of Super that makes your friends suck their teeth and give a very annoyed sigh, because you used this Super a million times on them and they can’t seem to get around it. Despite being beyond pissed for being on the receiving end of this move it really is one of the more epic Supers in existence.[[complexVideo? &video_id=`21671` ]]

Instant Kill

Character: Faust
Game: Guilty Gear X2
Button Combination: QCF, QCF + High Slash

Complex Says: We love Faust’s goofball style, and this Super puts him way over the top. Before Deadpool was breaking the 4th wall, Faust had us in stitches over this goofy Super. He must’ve been a lousy doctor if his idea of surgery was to blow up a person, but for the sake of our lives we won’t argue. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21665` ]]

4th Wall Crisis

Character: Deadpool
Game: Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Button Combination: Back, Down, Down-Back + 2 Attacks

Complex Says: Deadpool is ridiculous (in a good way.) He’s laughs on laughs on more laughs plus he’s fun to play as. His moonwalk and one-liners have nothing on this Super. Where do they come up with this stuff? Beating your opponent with your life bar takes fighting game weapons to a-whole-nother level, and yes Deadpool we were recording that! [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21659` ]]

Shin Mozu Otoshi

Character: Hattori Hanzo
Game: Samurai Showdown V
Button Combination: QCF + CD (Arcade, Neo-Geo)

Complex Says: Ever wondered what types of bodily harm each character endures after a huge Super move? Well after watching Hanzo’s Super, you’ll wish you had never asked. Bone breaking, skull crushing, blood spewing and more with this Super that just might be the most realistic depiction of the effects of any fight in any fighting game. More than enough reason to be the coolest Super Combo ever. [[complexVideo? &video_id=`21673` ]]