20 Greatest Ever Beat Em Up Video Game Characters

5. Ken (Street Fighter)

One part of the Ryu-Ken dichotomy that defines the Street Fighter series, Ken is one of the all-time most iconic fighting game characters, marked out by his red karate outfit with the sleeves torn away. In contrast to his constant rival Ryu, Ken is boisterous, egotistical, arrogant, and basically a bit of a douche, but that's why we love him really. However, when it comes to fighting, he does adhere to the same code of honour as Ryu, and won't cheat an opponent in order to win. Though Ken and Ryu's fighting styles were virtually identical in the first Street Fighter, eventually moves were made to differentiate the two. Ken's defining attack throughout the series has been his multi-hit Shoryuken (a flaming uppercut that deals huge damage).
 
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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.