10 Background Video Game Characters That Change EVERYTHING

7. Cody - Street Fighter

Street Fighter 2
Capcom

Shared universes are all the rage these days. But, back in the late '80s and early '90s, (a time in human history famous for giving you such wondrous cultural gifts as, well, me) they were about as rare as a John Hughes film that didn't have a heartwarming dance montage.

Thus when Cody, one of the three major heroes of the Final Fight series, was seen chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool while eating face in the background of the Metro City Stage of Street Fighter Alpha 2, seasoned nerds of the day lost their minds.

Did this mean that both games were part of a larger story, did this mean we might one day get to see a crossover between them? Well long answer yes with an if, short answer no with a but. The games are considered by Capcom to be "cousins", which means they get to hang out together at Xmas but they must absolutely not kiss ever.

Cody did make his way over to Street Fighter properly one day though, as a downloadable character in Street Fighter X Tekken. That, and he's a summonable spirit in, of all things, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Managing Editor
Managing Editor

WhatCulture's Managing Editor and Chief Reporter | Previously seen in Vice, Esquire, FourFourTwo, Sabotage Times, Loaded, The Set Pieces, and Mundial Magazine