10 coolest super moves in fighting games

Super moves are powerful, flashy, and often devastating attacks that can turn the tide of a battle in a fighting game. These moves are often tied to a character's meter or energy gauge and require a specific set of inputs to execute. They are usually the deciding factor in a close match or the ultimate way to humiliate your rivals. As a result, super moves have become an integral part of the fighting game genre.

The past few years have seen these super moves get even gorier and more gruesome, undoubtedly making them even cooler. This article will look at 10 of the coolest super moves in fighting games.

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From Tekken to Street Fighter, these are some of the coolest super moves in fighting games

10) The Raging Demon - Street Fighter

Akuma performing Raging Demon (Image via Capcom)

The Raging Demon, also known as the Shun Goku Satsu, is one of the most iconic super moves in the history of fighting games. It is the signature move of Akuma, the dark master of the Satsui no Hado, and has been featured in many Street Fighter games and crossovers.

The move consists of Akuma dashing toward his opponent and grabbing them. He then unleashes a barrage of punches so fast that they are invisible to the naked eye. The screen goes black, except for a few flashes of light and kanji symbols, and then the opponent falls to the ground, defeated.

The Raging Demon is a move that strikes fear into the hearts of anyone who faces Akuma, and it is a fitting representation of his ruthless power.

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9) Hakumen's Astral Finish - BlazBlue

BlazBlue is a series of anime-style fighting games that feature unique characters with diverse fighting styles and abilities. Each character has an Astral Finish, which is a super move that can only be used once per match when certain conditions are met.

Hakumen is a mysterious swordsman in the BlazBlue series with one of the coolest super moves as his astral finish. His astral finish is called Void Formation: Snow Wind, and it is a counter move that can only be used when he has a full meter and his opponent’s health is low.

When activated, Hakumen creates a red barrier around himself that can catch any attack from the enemy. If successful, the screen changes to a dark background with snowflakes falling, and Hakumen delivers a single slash that instantly kills the opponent. Executing it is extremely tough, but the reward is very satisfying and worth the risk.

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8) Deep Freeze - Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is known for its brutal violence and gore, and one feature that proves this is the X-Ray Moves. These super moves deal a lot of damage and show the internal damage inflicted on the opponent’s bones and organs.

Sub-Zero’s X-Ray Move, Deep Freeze, is one of the coolest super moves in Mortal Kombat. While performing this move, Sub-Zero rips out his opponent's intestines and crushes them into an icicle. He then takes the icicle and smashes it into his enemy's eye. This is one of the coolest and most gruesome moves in fighting game history.

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7) Potemkin Buster - Guilty Gear

The Potemkin Buster is one of the most iconic and feared moves in the Guilty Gear series. It is a special attack performed by Potemkin, a former slave soldier who fights for the freedom of his people. This move is a command grab that requires Potemkin to be close to his opponent.

When executed, Potemkin grabs his opponent by the neck, lifts them over his head, then slams them down with tremendous force, creating a shockwave on impact. The move does huge damage and can be used to punish any mistake or hesitation by the opponent. The Potemkin Buster is also very fast and has a long range for a grab, making it very hard to avoid or escape

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6) Final Kamehameha - Dragon Ball FighterZ

Vegito Blue performing the Final Kamehameha (Image via Namco)

Dragon Ball FighterZ is a game that faithfully recreates the epic battles of the Dragon Ball anime and manga series with stunning graphics and animations. One of the most impressive super moves in the game is the Final Kamehameha, which is a combination of Vegeta’s Final Flash and Goku’s Kamehameha.

This move can only be performed by Vegito, the fusion of Vegeta and Goku, or Gogeta, another fusion of them. Vegito or Gogeta has to charge up a massive ball of energy in their hands, then fire it at their opponent with a shout of “Final Kamehameha!” to execute this super move. The blast is so powerful that it destroys the stage and leaves a huge crater behind.

The Final Kamehameha is a move that showcases the immense strength of Vegito and Gogeta and is a sight to behold.

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5) Critical Hit (Marth and Lucina) - Super Smash Bros.

Super Smash Bros. is a series of fighting games that feature characters from various Nintendo franchises and other guest stars. Each character has a Final Smash, which are super moves that can be activated by breaking a Smash Ball or filling up a meter. One of the Final Smashes shared by three characters is Critical Hit, based on the critical hit mechanic from the Fire Emblem series. This move is used by Marth and Lucina, all swordfighters from Fire Emblem.

Critical Hit involves them dashing forward and delivering a single slash that deals massive damage and knockback to anyone it hits. An HP gauge from Fire Emblem appears on the screen to show the opponent’s health dropping to zero. This super move is one of the most powerful Final Smashes in the series, as it can easily KO opponents at low percentages though it requires precise timing.

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4) The Man of Steel - Injustice 2

Injustice 2 features characters from the DC Comics universe, such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and more. Each character has super moves that can be activated by filling up a meter and pressing two triggers simultaneously. One of the coolest super moves in the game is The Man of Steel, which is used by Superman.

The Man of Steel involves Superman punching his opponent into the air, flying after them, and hitting them with a series of punches and kicks. He then grabs them and flies them into space, throwing them towards Earth. While they descend, Superman flies faster than them and catches up, delivering a final punch that sends them crashing into the ground.

Superman's Man of Steel is a super move that showcases his incredible strength, speed, flight abilities, and iconic status as a hero.

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3) Rolling Death Cradle - Tekken

As a legendary fighting game series, Tekken features some of the most memorable super moves ever. One of them is the Rolling Death Cradle, a brutal move executed by King, a masked grappler who excels at chain throws.

The Rolling Death Cradle is the final part of a complex sequence of inputs that starts with an arm breaker combo and ends with a chicken wing face lock. If executed successfully, King will trip the opponent and roll around with them, breaking their bones and crushing their organs. The move is notoriously tough to execute but does significant damage.

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2) Hadouken - Street Fighter

The Hadouken is a special attack that originated in Street Fighter. It is one of the series' most famous and iconic super moves and is used by Ryu, Ken, Sakura, Akuma, Gouken, and other characters who practice the art of Ansatsuken. The move involves the user thrusting their palms forward and firing a blast of ki energy at the opponent.

The Hadouken has many variations depending on the character and the game. For example, Ryu can use a fire-based version called Shakunetsu Hadouken, which briefly engulfs the opponent in flames. Akuma can use a dark version called Gohadoken, which has a purple color and travels faster. The Hadouken has become one of the most recognizable and iconic super moves in gaming.

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1) Rain's Fatality - Mortal Kombat 11

Fatalities have been a legendary part of the Mortal Kombat series since its inception. A Fatality is a super move used to end a match and has become symbolic in the Mortal Kombat series. One of the coolest fatalities ever made is Rain's fatality in Mortal Kombat 11, called eye-solated.

In this fatality, Rain unleashes a massive water blade that slices his enemy in two. The blade keeps spinning below their waist, sending a jet of water upward that tears their flesh off and blasts their eyes out of their skull and torso into the air. As the torso lands, Rain catches it with the blade and splits it vertically into chunks. He finishes with a flourish, creating a water sphere and trapping their eyes inside as souvenirs.