Street Fighter 6’s M. Bison update makes me hope two classic villains could return

Season 2 of Street Fighter 6 has officially begun today with the addition of M. Bison as a new playable character. While Capcom has already unveiled who else will be joining the roster for the game’s second year, including two SNK guest characters, today’s update may have already teased a pair of potential fighters for the next batch of DLC: Vega and Balrog.

For context, Bison’s inclusion also means there are new missions in Street Fighter 6‘s World Tour mode. One such mission tasks you with tracking down Vega and Balrog, who were among the highest ranking members of the criminal organization Shadaloo and worked directly under Bison. While the two don’t appear in person, progressing the mission sees you receive text messages from both of them (as highlighted by the Fighting Game Anniversaries Twitter account).

As a reminder, Shadaloo fell apart during the events of Street Fighter 5 after Bison’s death, but with the dictator seemingly back from the dead (albeit without his memories), everything points to the organisation reforming. As such, in their text messages, Vega and Balrog both express an interest in rejoining, though the latter suggests he’ll only come back if he’s offered enough money.

It’s too soon to tell, but these could be read as hints that both characters will appear in Street Fighter 6 as future DLC. It would make sense considering these two have made regular appearances throughout the series since their debut in Street Fighter 2. Plus, they (along with Sagat) are the only characters from the original release of Street Fighter 2 that have yet to be made playable in Street Fighter 6.

I’m sure most fans wouldn’t be opposed to their inclusion either, though I personally hope Capcom doesn’t continue to rely on old faces for future DLC. So far, the only wholly original DLC character for Street Fighter 6 so far has been A.K.I, with season 2 consisting of two series veterans and two guest characters from the Fatal Fury games. That said, there are still plenty of fan favorites who remain absent that may take priority, such as Sakura and Sagat.