The question of whether it is called “Hadouken” or “Shoryuken” is a common debate among fans of the Street Fighter series. As someone who has been playing the game since the 80s, I can provide some insight into this matter.
Firstly, let's address the move itself. The “Hadouken” is a signature move performed by Ryu, one of the main characters in Street Fighter. It involves him thrusting his palms forward, emitting a projectile energy blast towards his opponent. On the other hand, the “Shoryuken” is a move performed by Ryu (and other characters like Ken) where he performs an uppercut, launching his opponent into the air.
Now, when it comes to the pronunciation, it is true that many players, especially in the early days of Street Fighter II, would often mispronounce the move names. “Hadouken” would often be referred to as “Hadooken” or even “Hairyuken.” This could be due to a combination of factors, such as mishearing the move name, the excitement of the gameplay, or simply not being familiar with the Japanese pronunciation.
However, despite the mispronunciations, most players still knew what move they were referring to. Whether it was called “Hadouken” or “Hadooken,” players recognized the iconic motion and understood the move's function. In fact, the move was so popular and widely used that it became synonymous with Ryu himself.
As the years went by and the Street Fighter series evolved, pronunciation became clearer, and players became more aware of the correct names for the moves. The term “Hadouken” became the widely accepted and recognized name for Ryu's signature projectile attack.
While there may have been some confusion and mispronunciations in the early days, the move is officially known as “Hadouken.” It is important to note that the mispronunciations did not detract from the move's popularity or recognition among players. The iconic nature of the move and its association with Ryu made it a staple in the Street Fighter series.