Double Tap – The Fighting Game Community Podcast

Arc System Works made big announcements at the Arc World Tour Finals, including the reveal of the Guilty Gear Strive 2.0 patch and the return of Jam. In this episode of Double Tap, we react to major Strive 2.0 changes like Counter Blitz replacing Wild Assault and what they could mean for the Season 4 meta. We also talk about the Robo-Ky tease, recap key Arc World Tour Finals results, and share takeaways from Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising Top 8.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Arc World Tour Finals Uni 2 Highlights
00:14:12 Granblue Rising Top 8
00:27:29 Strive Top 8 and Jam Reveal
00:39:09 Strive 2.0...

Alex is finally here, and we’re breaking down our first impressions along with the latest Street Fighter 6 patch changes. We dive into how the patch could shift the meta, from drive rush adjustments to character buffs and nerfs. We also talk about the Capcom Cup 12 PPV, including the messy rollout, pricing concerns, and community backlash. We wrap things up with Arc World Tour finals hype, Strive 2.0 expectations, and a look at tools helping players find their local FGC.

Timestamps

01:03 Alex First Impressions
08:54 SF6 Patch Notes and Drive Rush Nerfs
15:16 Patch Impact and Ca...

Capcom Cup’s new PPV rules have the fighting game community debating the future of esports broadcasts. We break down the backlash to Capcom’s streaming restrictions and what the paywall could mean for Street Fighter events. We also share our early impressions of the latest 2XKO patch and discuss how the balance changes could affect the competitive meta. Finally, we react to a rumored Marvel Tokon character leak featuring Magneto and Scarlet Witch and what it might mean for the roster.

Timestamps

01:45 Capcom Cup 12 PPV and Stream Rules
09:28 Capcom Paywall Backlash and Enforcement Issu...

Should we call this the updates episode? We break down the latest Marvel Tokon gameplay improvements, discuss the newly revealed Alex gameplay in Street Fighter 6, and speculate on what Guilty Gear Strive 2.0 could bring to the future of the series.

Timestamps

01:23 Marvel Tokon Gameplay System Change
07:51 Marvel Tokon Gameplay Direction Debate
17:33 Alex Gameplay Breakdown and Mechanics
26:31 Fighting Game Stance Design Debate
34:19 Marvel Tokon Roster Picks and Speculation
45:09 MenaRD’s Move Into Esports Ownership
52:02 Guilty Gear Strive 2.0 Changes and Balance
58:57 Guilty Gear Ideas, Modes, and Updates

Do...

2XKO just revealed its roadmap and the future of the game is clearer than ever. In this episode of Double Tap, we break down the 2XKO dev update after layoffs, including Akali and Senna gameplay impressions, duo mode plans, and what the renewed focus on competitive programs means for the FGC. We also react to the Marvel Tokon new character reveals from State of Play, featuring Wolverine, Magic, and early roster speculation around the launch roster. Finally, we tackle the Capcom Cup 12 PPV controversy, the Street Fighter 6 Battle Hub live stream trial, and what this shift could mean for...

Riot just dropped a bomb on the FGC with 2XKO layoffs, and we’re breaking down what it really means for the game’s future. Is this standard restructuring, or a sign that 2XKO development could shift in a major way? We dive into EVO 2026 registration ranks and early trends to see what the numbers reveal about the health of the fighting game community. Plus, we react to the Marvel Tokon's confirmed 20 character launch lineup, and what we’re hoping to see at State of Play.

Timestamps

00:00:00 2XKO Hype, Launch, and Layoffs
00:08:00 2XKO Design and Mo...

A 16 year old wins a major, international killers get upset, and the ballroom is packed with energy. Frosty Faustings 2026 was more than just another fighting game tournament. It felt like a full FGC health check and the results were clear: the fighting game community is thriving. We break down our biggest moments from Frosty Faustings 2026, including the 2XKO breakout performance, Street Fighter 6 results, Guilty Gear Strive crowd energy, and what this event says about the state of the fighting game community in 2026. If you have been wondering whether offline fighting games are still alive, this major gave us the...

Is 2XKO actually ready for competitive play, or is it still finding its footing? Evan Almighty joins Double Tap to talk about how the game feels now that it is in players’ hands and where it fits in the broader fighting game community. He shares early thoughts on the meta, how Caitlyn is shaping matches so far, and what expectations players should have as the scene grows. The discussion also covers Alex’s Street Fighter 6 gameplay, the latest Mortal Kombat Legacy update, and Frosty Faustings 2026, along with how new players can start learning 2XKO without feeling overwhelmed.

Doub...

2XKO is officially launched, and Caitlyn wasted no time making an impression on the early Season 1 meta. We share our first thoughts on her kit, why the combo potential already looks scary, and what that could mean once players really get time in the lab. We also discuss the City of the Wolves Season 2 reveal and the community backlash over the use of AI generated characters in the trailer. Finally, we get into the Rivals of Aether Workshop reveal and why community built content is such a big deal for the FGC.

Timestamps

00:01:36 2XKO Caitlyn...

Evo Japan 2026 registration numbers make it clear which game is carrying the event (spoiler alert: it’s Street Fighter 6). We talk through Alex’s SF6 World Tour trailer, Caitlyn’s first full 2XKO gameplay reveal, and what her kit could mean for Riot’s upcoming fighter. The episode also covers Kenshiro’s appearance in the City of the Wolves teaser and why SNK’s crossover is turning heads with longtime fighting game fans. We close out with a conversation about Harada’s retirement and what it could mean for Tekken’s future and the wider Fighting Game Community.

Timestamps

Crash and Jaa are joined by Aaron David Harris as we throw iconic fighting game legends into the ring and ask the question every FGC fan loves to argue about: who would actually win? We break down matchups like Liu Kang vs Kilik, Oro vs Jinpachi Mishima, and a chaotic “Blonde Bombshells” debate featuring Nina Williams, Sonya Blade, and Cammy. Things get weird in the best way with Peacock vs Faust, before we wrap it up with a heavyweight showdown between Heihachi Mishima and Takuma Sakazaki (Mr. Karate). We lean on lore, abilities, mindset, and straight-up fight logic, and when...

In our final episode of 2025, we break down the flood of announcements from the last two weeks across the FGC. The Game Awards delivered new 2XKO character reveals, a console launch update, the Street Fighter movie trailer, and a bit of news on Marvel Tokon. We also dive into the EVO announcement show, covering dates, featured games, and format changes coming to EVO 2026. We’re excited for what’s ahead—but we can’t ignore the rising cost of attending the biggest fighting game tournament of the year.

Timestamps

00:01:32 Street Fighter Movie Trailer Reaction
00:21:42 Aging Pl...

This week we're covering the new Virtua Fighter documentary and what it reveals about Virtua Fighter history, fundamentals, and the legends who shaped the series. We also break down the current state of 2XKO, diving into how recent balance changes are affecting the meta and what FGC community reactions tell us about where the game is headed. Finally, we share thoughts heading into Marvel Tokon Beta 2, looking at how character balance is evolving and shaping the early competitive scene.

Timestamps

01:11 VF Doc: Final Round
13:58 Marvel Tokon Beta 2
19:38 State of 2XKO
41:26 What is...

We're exploring how the Steam Box impacts the FGC with a detailed look at its performance specs and what the hardware debate means for competitive fighting games. The latest Marvel Tokon beta update brings significant changes to the table, and we break down what players need to know about the newest build and character adjustments. Plus, Chun Li finally arrives in City of the Wolves, and we're diving into her gameplay mechanics, what Chun Li brings to COTW gameplay, and early FGC reactions to her debut.

Timestamps

00:55 Steam Machine Revealed
05:33 Portability & Market Fit
10:23...

StaticGorilla is back from First Attack 2025 with exclusive tournament highlights from Puerto Rico's premier fighting game event, breaking down the family atmosphere and intense matches that made this FGC celebration unforgettable. We tackle the heated Capcom Cup paywall controversy head-on, examining how Capcom's decision to gate Capcom Cup 2025 finals behind a paywall impacts Street Fighter 6 fans and the broader Capcom esports scene. Plus, we share our first impressions of Avatar Legends: The Last Airbender Fighting Game, discussing how its early gameplay captures the spirit of the animated series and what Avatar fighters gameplay means for the fighting game community's...

We recap the hype of Evo France 2025, from wild Dragon Ball FighterZ moments to the energy of the French crowd. Then we break down the surprise DBFZ patch featuring Super Saiyan 4 Goku and all the chaos it brings. Finally, we talk C. Viper’s return in Street Fighter 6, her new mechanics, and Capcom Cup PPV controversy.

Timestamps

00:01:59 Warwick Surprise Drop
00:01:59 Evo France Highlights
00:20:50 Dragon Ball FighterZ Announcements @ Evo France
00:38:21 Avatar: Legends First Look
00:44:40 C. Viper Character Breakdown
01:05:00 Capcom Cup PPV Controversy
01:13:59 2XKO Character Cadence

Double Tap Co...

We tackle the big question: Is 2XKO actually ready for competitive play? After spending weeks in the closed beta, Crashtag, Mezza, and StaticGorilla discuss what's working like solid character variety and surprisingly stable netcode, to what still needs serious polish before Riot's tag fighter can truly shine in the FGC. We dig into the awkward spacing issues, questionable balance decisions, and that evolving meta everyone's either exploiting or complaining about. We also talk about experiences in early 2XKO tournaments. Finally, we discuss where game stands heading into Season Zero and what needs to happen for 2XKO's future in the...

Evo 2025 is in the books, and StaticGorilla brings a full breakdown of his experience—from the layout and artist alley to the pools and tournament play. We talk about how this year’s venue changes impacted the vibe, arcade setups, and why this may have been the most well-organized EVO yet. They also unpack global EVO expansion, MvC2 cameos, and more.

Double Tap Community Discord https://doubletap.gg/discord

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3ox

Hosts:

Andres Mirandes
twitter.com/CrashtagVS

Jeremiah Ward
twitter.com/mezzafgc

Gabr...

Evo 2025 is right around the corner, and Double Tap is breaking down everything leading up to the biggest fighting game event of the year. The crew dives into the latest 2XKO updates, including Vi’s gameplay trailer and major system changes for the upcoming beta. Plus, they dissect the Mortal Kombat 2 movie trailer and highlight key reveals from Ken’s City of the Wolves trailer and Sagat’s return to Street Fighter 6.

Timestamps

00:01:19 Vi 2XKO Trailer
00:09:00 Vi at Evo 2025 and Closed Beta
00:11:10 Updates from 2XKO Alpha Lab
00:16:11 Poll Results: Street Fighter Live Action...

Crash and Static Gorilla dive into Evo’s record-breaking Marvel vs. Capcom 2 tournament numbers, the evolving Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 landscape, and what players can expect at EWC with big payouts on the line. They also cover Guilty Gear Strive’s Anime Expo panel, the Lucy reveal coming to Evo, and how Cyberpunk’s Edgerunners music will shake up your playlist. Plus, the Street Fighter 6 Costume 4 drops just in time for Evo, bringing new fits (and opinions) to the hype.

Timestamps

02:56 Evo 2025 Game Placements
11:46 EWC Scheduling
16:12 What Game Would You Add to 2026?
23:33 Guilty...

Mr. World Wide (StaticGorilla) talks about his experiences at CEO 2025 and its return back home to Orlando. They discuss the surprise announcement of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls made by Arc System Works, as well as EVO 2025 registration leaderboard. They talk a bit about the importance of supporting your locals, and dig into the outlook for fighting games through 2026.

Timestamps

00:01:35 CEO 2025 Experience
00:26:22 Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Reveal
00:50:42 Evo Registration Leaderboards
01:01:45 Evo Registration Discussion
01:07:32 Fighting Games Through 2026

Double Tap Community Discord https://doubletap.gg/discord

Episode URL: mtb...

We discuss the latest Street Fighter 6 updates, including Elena’s debut and our take on how she could shift the meta. We also break down City of the Wolves newest patch means for characters like Hotaru and Hokutomaru. From our personal Combo Breaker experiences to exclusive stories behind-the-scenes, we share what made this year’s event special. Plus, we explore the Nen x Impact demo and how its mechanics stack up against classic versus-style fighters.

Timestamps

00:01:47 Street Fighter 6 Patch
00:15:10 City of the Wolves Patch
00:21:52 Guilty Gear Strive UNIKA
01:00:15 Nen X Impact Demo

Evo Japan brought major news across the FGC, and we’re breaking it all down. From Virtua Fighter's long-awaited return to a surprising Street Fighter x Overwatch crossover, this episode is packed with hype and controversy. We dive deep into the MK1 “Definitive Edition” and whether it signals the end—or just another chapter—for NetherRealm. Plus, we explore Tekken 8’s polarizing DLC direction and what fans are calling the “NRS curse.” All that and the stacked Team Reject roster reveal for Street Fighter League!

Double Tap Community Discord https://doubletap.gg/discord

Episode URL: mtb.gg/3o5

In this Bonus Round we break down Evo Japan 2025. We chat about incredible third strike comebacks during the Cooperation Cup, along with the diversity of playstyles in both Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8. Along with the highs came some lows, particularly those technical difficulties that interrupted several matches. We also take issue with organizers sticking with PS5 consoles despite their well-documented overheating problems, making the case that competitive fighting game tournaments should really transition to PC setups to ensure fair play across the board.

Double Tap Community Discord https://doubletap.gg/discord

Episode URL: [episode_short...

In this Bonus Round we discuss the rich and often overlooked lore of fighting games. Joined by Ambie Award-winner Aaron David Harris, we explore the narrative power behind iconic characters from Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Guilty Gear. From family drama to mysterious origins, discover how story, design, and personal connection shape who we choose on the character select screen. Whether you're a casual fan or a hardcore FGC lore buff, this episode validates the storytelling genius hidden in every fighter.

Timestamps

04:04 Design and Story of Characters
11:08 Narrative Elements in Fighting Game Stories<...

Lots happening in the FGC right now. We have Evo Japan registration numbers rolling in and showing another huge turnout for Street Fighter 6. We discuss why that could be, and also talk registration numbers for other games. We dig into the character showcase for City of the Wolves, and also discuss the current community feelings around the game and its characters. In the last 2 weeks Tekken 8 has been in turmoil. The season 2 patch seems to be killing interested in the game. Finally, we discuss Elena's World Tour trailer.

Timestamps

01:03 Evo Japan Entry Numbers
15:02 Is...

Lots has happened over the last 2 weeks! We talk about the 2xKO Alpha Lab 2 coming over Easter weekend, featuring new characters and mechanics, and debate the pros and cons of launching with just ten characters. We recap our experience with CotW Beta 2, and discuss Ronaldo as a guest characters. We break down the intricacies of Venom in Guilty Gear Strive, discussing his playstyle and viability. We wrap up by recapping Ark World Tour 2024, including the final matches and the controversial decisions that impacted the competition.

Timestamps

00:01:35 2XKO Update
00:17:34 2XKO Alpha Lab 2 and Roster Size<...

In this Bonus Round we welcome back Aaron David Harris to discuss what makes these fighting games we love so much special. We discuss what actually is a fighting game, the music and art of fighting games, and the unique fighting game community.

Timestamps

00:03:47 Defining Fighting Games
00:12:33 Music in Fighting Games
00:18:09 Competitive Spirit in Fighting Games
00:25:52 Unique Community
00:29:33 Challenge and Appeal of Difficulty
00:33:09 Complexity vs Accessibility
00:44:43 Lack of Originality and Diversity
00:57:13 Modern Trends in Fighting Games
01:12:13 Why FIghting Games will Endure

Double Tap Community...

Evo 2025 early registration reveals there might be a shake up in the big 3, with City of the Wolves taking 3rd place behind Street Fighter 6, and Tekken 8. We also talk about the cost of going to Evo 2025 and what would make it worth it. We move into some Guilty Gear Strive updates around Venom, Dual Rulers, and AWT finals. We talk about the T-1000 Kombat Kast and updates coming to other MK1 characters. Finally we get into changes coming to Capcom Cup 12.

Timestamps

01:20 Evo Registration Leaderboards
11:51 Evo 2025 Costs
34:47 T-1000 Kombat Kast
48:04 New Mechanics...

We discuss the highlights and analysis of Capcom Cup 11, celebrating the triumphs and failures of the best Street Fighter 6 has to offer. We cover everything from the Grand Final's intense matchup between Blaz and Kakaru, to the controversial tournament format and the production elements; notably the shift to using PCs. Insights about specific matches, the variety of character picks, and the surprising performances from both seasoned veterans and new challengers like Blaz, a 15-year-old Ryu player. We discuss the tournament's success and its implications for the future of Street Fighter competition.

Timestamps

02:01 Event and Production<...

City of the Wolves beta wrapped up, so we give our thoughts on the good and what needs to be addressed before launch. We discuss what's coming in Tekken 8 season 2 along with Anna Williams. We dig into new info from MK1 for T-1000 and Madam Bo as a kameo. Finally, Capcom Cup XI is this week, so we discuss our final predictions before the event.

Timestamps

01:22 CotW Beta Impressions
20:47 Tekken 8 Season 2
31:07 MK1 T-1000 and Madam Bo
40:48 Capcom Cup XI

Double Tap Community Discord https://doubletap.gg/discord

...

Fresh off the EVO Awards, we talk our thoughts on the event. From the category selections and nominations to the most memorable exhibition matches and player performances, while also touching on areas we think could use some improvement next time around. We talk about the show's announcements, including the reveal of new City of the Wolves characters. We also share our hands-on experience with Street Fighter 6's latest addition, Mai, who dropped since our previous episode. We wrap things up by breaking down the Capcom Cup XI group assignments and offer our predictions on which competitors will advance to...

We break down everything from the latest on Mai in Street Fighter 6's to the Multiversus shutdown that nobody saw coming (at least, not this early). We discuss how players banded together to uncover Mortal Kombat's secret fighter Floyd, plus some news about City of the Wolves' beta test around the corner, and talk a little Virtua Fighter.

Timestamps

01:22 Street Fighter 6 Mai Character Guide Impressions
16:45 SF6 Ranked Improvements
22:17 SF6 Replay System
25:16 What Went Wrong with Multiversus
53:03 City of the Wolves Open Beta
56:43 MK1 Pink Floyd

Double Tap...

Looks like taking that week off worked out for us. We talk about the Evo 2025 lineup, even though it was leaked ahead of time. They still managed a few surprises for us, though. We also discuss the Evo Awards categories and nominations. We appreciate the effort, but we feel like there are some missed opportunities there. We then head into discussing the DLC characters incoming soon (or later in the case of Venom for Guilty Gear Strive). We got a much better look at Mai for Street Fighter 6, and finally got a look at Conan gameplay for MK1. To...

In this episode we're celebrating 400 episodes and 10 years of Double Tap! Looking back over the past decade, we discuss some of our takes on fighting games and the FGC, and also, what we would like to see over the next 10 years.

Timestamps

00:02:38 MKX is the Best NRS Game
00:06:44 Mid-game Coaching Has to Go
00:16:37 Guilty Gear Strive Has Aged Poorly
00:20:22 The Live Service Model in Fighting Games
00:29:02 The FGC Contradicts Itself
00:34:34 FGC Gatekeeping and Community Dynamics
00:43:51 Creating a Welcoming Environment in the FGC
00:54:17 Hopes for SF6 to Become a...

In this Bonus Round we sit down with Blackmore, a passionate content creator specializing in the styles and histories of fighting game characters. Blackmore shares his journey into the FGC, starting from his first experience at EVO to creating detailed videos exploring the martial arts inspirations behind characters like Sonya Blade, Zafina, and the even Voldo. We discuss how character designs and fighting styles impact players' choices and their connections to the community. We also cover trends in character designs across various franchises like Tekken and Mortal Kombat, and the exhaustive research that brings these characters to life.

This week we start the show talking about the announcement of a new Virtua Fighter at The Game Awards, move into the addition of Clive Rossfield in Tekken 8, and then the upcoming balance patches for Guilty Gear Strive. We also discuss the importance of quality assurance in tournament setups following some complaints about the inconsistency of PS5 as a competitive console. This is our last new episode for 2025. After our winter break, well be back on January 7th. See you next year!

Timestamps

00:01:04 New Virtua Fighter Announced!
00:09:16 Challenges Facing Virtua Fighter in the Competitive...

This week we started by discussing the reveal of Mai in Street Fighter 6 and the mixed reactions to her design. We then talked about Tekken 8's upcoming winter update and the speculation surrounding its final Season 1 character. We also covered KOF XV's character breakdowns for Mature and Vice. Finally, we looked ahead to 2025, discussing upcoming games like Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, 2XKO, and potential events in the FGC calendar.

Timestamps

01:46 Mai Street Fighter 6 Reveal
14:45 Poll Results: What Should Capcom Focus on for SF6
19:05 Tekken 8 Winter Update and DLC
26:56 Anna Teased for...

Today we are joined by Aaron David Harris, an award-winning filmmaker and creator of the "Tales of Fist and Fireballs" podcast. Aaron talks about how his love of fighting games shaped his journey in becoming an animator and fiction podcast creator. We discussed the challenges of adapting fighting games into other media like movies and TV, focusing on successful examples like Mortal Kombat and potential issues with upcoming adaptations like Guilty Gear. We also explored the importance of simplicity in storytelling and the balance between fan service and accessibility for new audiences.

Aaron David Harris
https...

We start by talking about the rumored cancellation of MK1 Kombat Pack 3. We discuss why Khaos Reigns may have failed to meet expectations, the economics of game development, and the future of the Mortal Kombat series, including the potential for an Injustice 3. We also covered the latest Street Fighter 6 patch, examining the significant changes made to characters like Ryu, Rashid, Kimberly, and Ed, and how these adjustments might impact upcoming tournaments. We wrap up with a discussion about the patch's impact on competitive players and what we hope to see in future updates.

Timestamps

01:38 MK1...