Zangief

Overview

Gameplay Characteristics

Special Moves

• Spinning Pile Driver: Do a 360-degree motion w/ the joystick, then press punch at the end.
• Spinning Clothesline: Hit all three punch buttons at the same time.
• Fast Spinning Clothesline: Hit all three kick buttons at the same time. 
• Banishing Flat:  Do a shoryuken motion and punch.
• Siberian Suplex: Do a 360-degree motion w/ the joystick, then press kick at the end (only at close range).
• Running Power Bomb: Do a 360-degree motion w/ the joystick, then press kick at the end (anywhere but directly next to the opponent, else you get a
                                             siberian suplex).

Super Moves

• Final Atomic Buster: Do a 720-degree motion w/ the joystick, then press punch at the end.
• Aerial Russian Slam: Do a double fireball motion w/ the joystick, then press kick at the end. 
• Ultra Atomic Buster  540~720 degrees PPP
  

Biography

As the greatest professional wrestler in the Soviet Union, Zangief was contacted by a man referred to as Erai Hito (Great Man) to represent his country in the second World Warrior tournament; this individual clearly resembles former Soviet leader and President, Mikhail Gorbachev.

Zangief agreed and began training in the extreme climates of Siberia. He built his strength by wrestling polar bears, gaining many fearsome scars in the process.  His  trademark Spinning Piledriver was created after being picked up by a cyclone while performing a piledriver on a bear. With the assistance of his government, Zangief emerged from his training as "The Red Cyclone", determined to demonstrate Russia's magnificent power to all of the world.

A patriot through and through, Zangief opposed the activities of Shadaloo. During the course of his battles, Zangief would come to meet one of his biggest fans, the Japanese pro wrestler R. Mika, co-operate with the Sumo wrestler E. Honda to destroy M. Bison's Psycho Drive, co-operate with X-Man Colossus against Omega Red, and dance with his Gorbachev - like benefactor after winning the World Warrior tournament; in later editions in the Street Fighter II series, Zangief calls him "Mr. Ex-President", yet Zangief is listed as being from the USSR, making it unclear as to whether these events take place before or after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Most of the above events are considered non-canon, as they contradict the versions of events pertaining to central characters, such as Ryu and Charlie Nash.

Evil Zangief!

Evil Zangief is a sprite variation of Zangief in Marvel vs Capcom. He is extremely heavy and almost impervious to any attack (animation wise; Evil Zangief rarely gets stunned.  However, he does receive adequate damage.)

Evil Zangief is available in game via a simple cheat code.