Zangief's probably one of the most iconic characters from the Street Fighter franchise. It gets funny how Zangief became a bad guy in some of the Street Fighter adaptations (especially in the American adaptations) while he's really a good guy in the canon. It's probably due to some war with Russia that the American production made the decision -- especially the Street Fighter movie where Balrog (Mike Bison) was made a good guy and Zangief a bad guy who's unaware he's one. Zangief was added to the Marvel vs. Capcom series. In fact, he was a character in the first crossover namely X-Men vs. Street Fighter.
Street Fighter characters got adjusted for better or for worse. Certain projectile super moves got a beam-type replacement. Ryu's Shinkuu Hadoken clearly mimics the Kamehame Wave from the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Chun Li's Kikousho formed a dome and it had bad recovery time. Zangief was added to the mix. Zangief lost his Aerial Slam Super Move and started out with ONLY ONE Super Move for the game -- the Final Atomic Buster. However, Zangief did a Crossover Combination exclusive movie namely a series of Spinning Lariats to compliment.
Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom gave a redefinition for Crossover Combinations. I remember going LOL when Ken and Ryu did the Shinkuu Hadouken together. Zangief had a new move where if he was the primary user -- Zangief would use the Double Final Atomic Buster. It looked simple but it rendered heavy damage. Sadly, the EX editions of Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter AND Marvel vs. Capcom put him at a disadvantage. Fighting giant bosses like Apocalypse and Onslaught would mean Zangief needed to re-strategize. I even remember using Special Partner (which had an infinite assist in the EX edition) so I could unlock Zangief's ending. IMHO I truly hated the Double Final Atomic Buster and am glad it was removed in Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes.
A non-canon version of Zangief known as Mech Zangief was created. In Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter -- Mech Zangief was an unlockable character. However, finishing the game as the secret characters GAVE NO REAL SATISFACTION with their sh*tty endings. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes allowed Zangief to become Mech Zangief. Mech Zangief could breathe a slow flame and do the rising Spinning Lariat super -- taken from the Rival Schools games character Boman. Mech Zangief had high durability but couldn't block at all.
Overall, I'm no Zangief player but I like how the character has some interesting laughs. For example, I can't imagine how Zangief and Colossus would make Omega Red suffer in his X-Men vs. Street Fighter ending. Zangief going to iron body in his ending in Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes was just WTF inducing. Zangief got played for laughs in the Lilith/Morrigan ending.
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