Super Turbo introduced several new play mechanics to the game system from the previous Street Fighter II installments, including the addition of powered-up Special Moves called Super Combos. It also introduced the hidden character of Akuma, who would go on to become a recurring character in later Street Fighter installments and other Capcom fighting games.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo made the following changes and additions to the play mechanics inherited from Super Street Fighter II. A Super Combo is a type of special move, usually a more powerful version of a character ' s special move, that can be performed only under a certain condition and will strike an opponent multiple times. Each player has a Super Combo gauge at the bottom of the screen which is filled up while the character performs their basic and special techniques against the opponent. When the Super Combo gauge is filled completely, then the gauge will be replaced with the word "SUPER". The player will then be able to perform their Super Combo technique by inputting the specific command, which will then reset the Super Combo gauge back to zero. If an opponent is defeated with a Super Combo, then the background will flash red and yellow.

Super Turbo also introduced the ability to perform a combo against an opponent who is in mid-air. Whereas previous versions of Street Fighter II feature a few techniques which would strike an opponent multiple times, Super Turbo was the first game in the series to feature an extensive Air Combo feature. Certain basic moves allows the player to strike an opponent more than once in the air and "juggle" them. These "juggling" moves can be connected into another juggling move or into a Super Combo.