Street Fighter 6 Reveal: Alex Teaser Shows Off New Look and Classic Moves
Capcom has released a new cinematic teaser for Alex, giving players their first in-engine look at the Street Fighter III protagonist in Street Fighter 6. While the video stops short of showing raw match footage, it confirms that his updated design and signature moves are ready for the Drive System era.
Key Takeaways:
- Release Window: Alex is set to launch in Early Spring 2026.
- Visual Update: The teaser reveals a rugged redesign fitting the new "Haggar Stadium" stage.
- Meta Implications: The showcase highlights "mobile grappling" tools that may challenge the current dominance of Ed and Ryu.
A Challenger for the Kings of Neutral
The teaser highlights Alex’s arrival in Metro City’s Haggar Stadium, featuring a confrontation with Andore. While cinematic in nature, the choreography clearly demonstrates that his core identity remains intact. We see the return of his signature Power Bomb and what appears to be a Flash Chop, suggesting that his game plan will still revolve around high-impact strikes leading into command grabs.
This kit is exactly what the current meta needs. Currently, Ed and Ryu sit comfortably atop our tier list. Their strength comes from controlling the neutral game with superior pokes and fireballs, creating a wall of hitboxes that traditional grapplers often struggle to bypass.
Alex is historically a hybrid. Moves like his Slash Elbow and Air Stampede allow him to skip the neutral game entirely, closing the gap instantly against zoners. If these tools retain their traditional properties in Street Fighter 6, Alex could become the designated "anti-meta" pick, a grappler who doesn't need to walk you down to hurt you.
Saving the Grappler Archetype
The current data paints a bleak picture for throw-centric characters. While Zangief has managed to secure a respectable spot near the top, the rest of the archetype is suffering, with both Manon and Lily failing to find consistent success in the current competitive landscape.
The disparity suggests that in the current version of the game, lack of mobility is a major liability. Zangief survives through sheer health and high-damage reads, but other grapplers simply cannot get in against the likes of Mai or Blanka. Alex represents a new hope for diversity. As a "brawler-grappler," he traditionally trades some of Zangief's raw damage for significantly better movement speed. If he can combine the threat of his command grabs with the ability to punish Ed's Flicker jabs from midrange, he could single-handedly elevate the threat level of grapplers in tournament play.
What’s Next
With a release window set for Early Spring 2026, players have a few months to prepare. Visually, Alex has been updated for the RE Engine with a rugged look that pays homage to his wrestling roots, set against the backdrop of the wrestling-themed "Haggar Stadium" stage which appears to be his home turf. If his kit translates faithfully to the new engine, he may offer the solution frustrated grappler players have been waiting for.
Source: Street Fighter Official YouTube