Aside from throwing the opponent or wearing away their health by using special moves, a way to fight blocking is the "Guard Break".

The original Street Fighter EX features 17 characters (two of them being computer-controlled bosses), growing to 23 for the home release.

In this version, all of the hidden time-released characters are available by default, as well as Garuda and M. Bison, who were exclusively computer-controlled in the original game.

This version also adds four new hidden characters, increasing the total number of playable characters to 21: Evil Ryu from Street Fighter Alpha 2, an alternate version of Hokuto named Bloody Hokuto, and two cyborgs named Cycloid-β and Cycloid-γ.

Development of the game was headed by Akira Nishitani, best known for his work on Street Fighter II.

Arika vice president Ichiro Mihara explained, "In specific terms, it's a different development line.

The music was written by former Namco composers, Takayuki Aihara, Shinji Hosoe, and Ayako Saso.

He remarked that while the characters are evenly balanced and have a handful of innovative moves, "The game plays more like a distant cousin to the Street Fighter series" and is simply not as fun.

Next Generation explained that it had far exceeded the arcade version by adding new characters and new gameplay modes, as well as correcting the feel, and called it "an outstanding title even non-SF devotees will enjoy.

"[34] The Official UK PlayStation Magazine said that the "gameplay is as recognisable as the Taj Mahal", and that it was "the most fun we've ever had with Streetfighting since Turbo", rating the lifespan as 10/10.

"[citation needed] IGN's Jason Boor stated "this is one of the best Street Fighters I've ever played, and I think it's a good switch.

"[35] GamePro similarly said that it "adds a cool polygonal 3D look to the classic game while keeping the fun, basic gameplay that's made the series one of the fighting genre's all-time best.

Hsu said that while there were enough changes in the moves and timing to challenge Street Fighter veterans, he was disappointed that the new characters all used the traditional fireball and dragon punch joypad motions,[33] and GamePro likewise opined that it made them feel like "Ken and Ryu clones.

[42] The PlayStation version also received a nomination for "Console Fighting Game of the Year" during the AIAS' inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards.

[46] The PlayStation version sold over 400,000 total copies worldwide after its first year on sale, qualifying for the Platinum Range.