Editing Ryu (SSBU)

Ryu was previously considered a powerful character in ''SSB4'', even consistently ranking in top tier in competitive play (being ranked 11th/12th out of 54 ranked characters near the end of the game's lifespan), thanks to a combination of an extremely powerful combo game and consistent KO potential, made better by his great endurance and the existence of rage. Likely due to some of these factors, Ryu was initially significantly nerfed in the transition to ''Ultimate'', losing many of his options and being harmed by gameplay changes, though he has also received plenty of equally significant buffs from game updates that have alleviated his direct nerfs. Nonetheless, despite now being objectively buffed as a character, the changes to the engine's gameplay means Ryu is still considered to be slightly nerfed overall.

Ryu has received various nerfs to his most powerful options. Light [[up tilt]] and both versions of [[down tilt]] have smaller hitboxes, and the former sends aerial targets at a less favorable angle, making it less feasible to chain multiple tilt attacks in a row. [[Up aerial]] also possesses similarly shorter range. [[Neutral aerial]] possesses far more ending lag, and the changes to the [[Sakurai angle]] make it far harder to chain into itself or combo into down aerial. [[Shoryuken]] has more landing lag and less intangibility. [[Focus Attack]] also has a lower armor threshold, boasts less range and doesn't hit behind Ryu, making it less safe of a move to use.

Most of the changes to gameplay mechanics have been detrimental to Ryu. Most notably, the universal increase in mobility hurts him more than any other character; he has the dubious distinction of being the only character whose [[walk]]ing, [[dash]]ing and [[air speed]]s were all completely unchanged, thus providing absolutely no benefit to him and placing him at a greater disadvantage relative to the cast's faster mobility, and it exacerbates Ryu's already commital approach. While the reductions to landing lag benefit his own aerials, they already had among the lowest landing lag in ''SSB4'', which benefits him less than most other returning veterans as it grants them combo potentials that are just as superior as Ryu's own. The toning down of [[rage]] is also harmful to Ryu, giving him more issues at KOing the opponent, most notably causing his Shoryuken to be much less threatening (though it still remains a highly powerful KO move if inputted). The changes to [[air dodge]]s make Ryu far easier to edgeguard due to the limit to one air dodge per air time, while he also gains little benefit from the mechanic due to his lackluster edgeguarding potential. The changes to knockback and the universal nerfs to grabs hinder Ryu's already poor grab game even more, as it is riskier to grab an opponent and his down throw possesses lower combo potential. Finally, the changes to [[jostling]] make [[Tatsumaki Senpukyaku]] perfectly punishable on shield, removing a mix-up.

However, Ryu has also received predominantly more useful buffs to both his unique mechanics and individual moves. His [[special move canceling]] has been significantly expanded upon, as many of Ryu's moves can now cancel into his special moves, including the second hit of his light [[neutral attack]] combo, [[down smash]], and all of his aerials; down smash, in particular, can now special cancel during its first frames (even while charging). All of his attacks (except throws and getup/edge attacks) can also cancel into his Final Smash. This has opened several now routes in Ryu's already impressive combo game, and drastically buffs his shield pressuring ability to the point where it is now one of the most fearsome.

Ryu now possesses a new heavy neutral attack and light forward tilt, both of which are executed when close to an opponent and can still be special-canceled, further upping Ryu's repertoire of grounded moves and making his hit confirms easier. [[Hadoken]] has been strengthened to be notably stronger, having variable speeds and overall higher damage, which helps its utility as both a zoning option and an approaching tool. Tatsumaki Senpukyaku has seen a drastic increase in versatility through his pivoting leg gaining intangibility and the move itself dealing more knockback, making the move a much more useful burst and KO option, especially out of a hit confirm.