From the weirdest to the most effective, these are the greatest combos in fighting game history!
We might as well call chess the monochrome game.
An expertStreet Fighterplayer is the closest we have to a combat cyborg.
And this cyborg systems most powerful technique is the combo.
The combo is computerized combat artwork, both form and function crafted to the most efficient beatdown.
Which is why were marvelling at the the dinosaurs and dodos of this most amazing of combat strategies.
Capcom invented the combo by accident.
Much as Sir Alexander Fleming invented penicillin by accident.
But with the opposite vertical-to-horizontal effect on millions.
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It wasnt really built for combos.
None of which reduces the hilarious glory of theMortal KombatKombo.
It was like the Three Stooges had taken the stage to fight for their lives.
But is still fantastic fun when youre in the right mood.
The originalKiller Instinctadvertised ridiculously extended Ultra Combos, which were just special moves with tediously extended animation sequences.
One of the most infamous of these is the Magneto Rom infinite loop.
A sequence of launches, kicks, and air dashes keeps the opponent on the back foot.
Or rather Magnetos front foot.
Too simple and players get bored.
Too complicated and something is bound to be broken.
And now the expert winners can do it almost automatically.
The Focus Attack Dash Cancel makes mere teeth and claws look like things to cuddle enemies with.
Not least because Leona conjures lines of ass-kicking energy out of thin air.
But games let us enjoy those who are so much better than us, theyre almost a different species.
Homo Streetfighterus have unleashed astonishing combos inStreet Fighter V, and that games not even out yet.
Beta players have already developed grand unified ass-kickings of every iteration and rebalancing of the game mechanics.
The above video is just one of these wonderful things that are now much more than combos.
Because a combo is just a way of exchanging your skill for your enemys health bar.
These are research reports and kinetic artworks all in one.
Homo Streetfighterus may be a new species, but tournament player Daigo is their god.
Hes a professional player, expert, a force of nature, and an outright swear-word.
Often all at the same time.
And Daigo didnt just win that battle: he danced through it.
A Matrix Agent couldnt have dodged all those hits.
Thats the kind of combo where a Terminator would say well played and concede defeat.
Whats even more impressive is how blatantly he baited that incoming ultra combo.
And more technically impressive.
Because his combo had no flaws.
Luke McKinney is a freelance contributor.
