The reason behind Street Fighter 6’s massive sales of two million copies

Street Fighter 6 has achieved impressive sales figures, with over two million units sold worldwide. This latest installment in Capcom’s iconic series stands out not only as one of the best fighting games in recent years but also as one of the most accessible, thanks to its story-driven World Tour mode and beginner-friendly modern controls. These successes pave the way for Capcom’s upcoming Capcom Pro Tour 2023, which boasts a staggering $2 million prize pool.

Capcom states in its latest investor press release, “After more than 35 years since its debut, Street Fighter continues to enjoy immense popularity across the globe, with cumulative sales for the series exceeding 50 million units worldwide. Street Fighter 6 has significantly contributed to this achievement, surpassing the two million units sold milestone.”

Capcom attributes the popularity of Street Fighter 6 to its World Tour mode, which offers players an enjoyable adventure where they can create unique and extraordinary characters to conquer the streets alongside renowned fighters from the series. Additionally, Capcom emphasizes its efforts to appeal to a wide range of players, including the introduction of a modern control type that allows newcomers to execute special attacks using simple button combinations. This approach has garnered positive reception, striking a balance between welcoming newcomers and satisfying long-time fans.

In our Street Fighter 6 review, we highlight how the addition of modern controls has made it easier for players to learn the basics and even master advanced techniques like spacing and frame advantage. However, the modern controls have their own drawbacks, encouraging players to explore the classic control scheme as they gain confidence and determine their preference for the more nuanced control offered by the traditional method.

As a longstanding fan of the series, I have had the pleasure of introducing some non-Street Fighter players to Street Fighter 6. They were pleasantly surprised by how they could do more than mindlessly press buttons against my more knowledgeable yet admittedly amateurish moves. This experience has prompted at least one of them to consider giving the series a proper try, and I’ve noticed a similar sentiment gaining traction online.

While Street Fighter 6 has enjoyed a successful initial month of sales, it will be intriguing to see if positive word of mouth continues to attract more players. Capcom is also hopeful that its Capcom Pro Tour, commencing in August with a $2 million prize pool and $1 million at stake for the eventual champion, will generate further attention as the world’s best players gather to showcase their skills. With the inclusion of modern controls in the tournament, we may even see a newcomer rise to the top.

The Street Fighter 6 community is also buzzing with excitement, including Aleks Le, the voice actor for the new cover star Luke, who has been playing the game on his own YouTube channel. Furthermore, we now have a release date for Street Fighter 6’s first additional character, Rashid, adding to the roster of contenders.

If you’re having trouble selecting a main character, be sure to consult our Street Fighter 6 tier list. Additionally, make sure to explore all the characters featured in the Street Fighter 6 World Tour mode to become a formidable fighter in no time.