The Psycho Crusher (サイコ クラッシャー, Saiko Kurasshā?) is M. Bison's signature attack in all of his appearances in the Street Fighter series, first appearing in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior. In the Street Fighter Alpha series (excluding X-ISM in Street Fighter Alpha 3) and the Marvel vs. Capcom series, it functions as a Super/Hyper Combo, while the Psycho Shot takes its special attack slot.
| Appearance | Function | Input |
|---|---|---|
| Street Fighter II series Street Fighter: The Movie (arcade game) Street Fighter: The Movie (home video game) Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold (as EX Bison) Street Fighter Alpha 3 (X-ISM) Street Fighter EX series Street Fighter IV series Capcom vs. SNK (as EX Bison) Capcom vs. SNK 2 SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos Capcom Fighting Evolution Street Fighter × Tekken Street Fighter 6 (Classic) |
Special Attack |   + 
|
| Street Fighter Alpha series Street Fighter Alpha 3 (A-ISM) |
Super Combo |  +
|
| Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition | V-Trigger Attack |  +  (only during V-Trigger II)
|
| Marvel vs. Capcom series | Hyper Combo |   +  (  or  )
|
| Street Fighter 6 (Modern) |
Special Attack | + 
|
Description
A quick charge forward empowered by Psycho Power. It deals a large amount of damage, making it particularly effective in combos.Street Fighter 6
Executed by charging backward then pressing forward and punch, Bison charges his right hand with Psycho Power, then surrounds himself with the energy while spiraling himself through the air towards his opponent, similar to a torpedo (in fact, early versions of strategy guides referred to this move as a "Flaming Torpedo") whilst holding out his palm to 'crush grind' into his _target. Whether the attack knocks down or launches with a single or a few hits depends on the game.
The distance traveled, launch speed and damage dealt are all determined by the punch button pressed, with heavier punch versions meaning greater distance, speed and damage.
The EX Special version introduced in Street Fighter IV is faster, does the most damage and is immune to projectiles. Because of its aerial nature, it can go over low attacks. As a V-Trigger II-only move, it has projectile immunity and can lead to a cross-up.
This move returns as one of M. Bison's default special moves in Street Fighter 6, renamed as Psycho Crusher Attack'. This time, his entire body radiates with a mixture of light blue and purple energy as he spins across the stage. If M. Bison hits the opponent with OD Psycho Crusher Attack while the opponent has a Psycho Mine inside them, he then follows up by driving a fist straight into the opponent's midsection. The Psycho Power inside the opponent's body rapidly builds up. As M. Bison raises the opponent up, the amount of accumulative negative energy causes an eruption of Psycho Power, causing the opponent to tumble back to the ground.
Variants
When using M. Bison's Shadaloo-ISM variant in Street Fighter Alpha 3, he can use the Final Psycho Crusher, a much stronger version of the original Psycho Crusher. Here, he disappears and comes from off-screen and fills the whole screen with Psycho Energy as he does a Psycho Crusher that goes across the whole screen. It does a large amount of damage, up to more than half of the _target's health, cannot be blocked in air and even does high chip damage.
In some of the Capcom vs. SNK games, Bison has the Psycho Crusher as both a special attack and a Super Combo, with the super version being known as Mega Psycho Crusher. Another variation is the Heartbreak Despair, where he throws the opponent after doing the Psycho Crusher.
A more powerful version known as the Psycho Break Smasher appears as Bison's Meteor Combo in the EX series.
In Street Fighter V, Bison lacks the standard Psycho Crusher (similar to the Alpha series), but his Critical Art is the Ultimate Psycho Crusher. Bison surrounds his body with a burst of Psycho Power; if the energy sphere connects with his opponent, it launches them into the air while Bison teleports backward and strikes with a powerful Psycho Crusher, pinning them to the far "wall". As of Arcade Edition, his second V-Trigger grants him access to the move again.
Tactics
Generally, if the attack is performed at a close enough range to the opponent, Bison will pass by and come out of the move on the far side of the opponent, even if they block. However, if the opponent blocks, they will be able to attack a helpless Bison as the move ends and he recovers to standing position. Most of the time, this move is used as a gap-closer, but also as a way to cross-up the opponent should it hit and score a knockdown at the optimal range.
In Street Fighter 6, Psycho Crusher Attack can be used against an opponent's single-hit projectiles. It is also his most damaging special move. It also has excellent corner carry. The OD version becomes more of a threat when the opponent has a Psycho Mine inside them. It launches the opponent into the air, allowing M. Bison to follow up with OD Head Press to further juggle the opponent and inflict more damage. If the opponent blocks the OD version, it can be difficult to punish due to it being -3 as well as possibly dealing with Psycho Mine detonating to give M. Bison frame advantage.
Concept
Although unconfirmed, the Psycho Crusher could have been inspired by an technique used by Bask from the manga and anime series Fist of the North Star.
Trivia
- In the Street Fighter manga, the Psycho Crusher is a "one-hit kill" which is an equivalent of an output of 40 grams of Psycho energy.[citation needed]
- Street Fighter II V's depiction of the attack differed from the games, with Bison rapidly spinning before flying forward for the attack. The force is strong enough to literally send the opponent's body spiraling into the air.
- In both Street Fighter: The Ultimate Battle and Street Fighter IV: Aftermath, M. Bison didn't rotate his body when unleashing the Psycho Crusher.
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