Some of the Nintendo Switch’s early game lineup begs the question, “Do I really need another copy of that game?” Whether it’s Mario Kart 8, Minecraft, or Tetris, the answer is usually yes, thanks to the system’s incredible portability. Another new release, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, is another one worth picking up, thanks to its updated graphics, new characters, and punching anywhere, anytime.
Breathtaking Graphics
Street Fighter II has never looked better. The updated graphics are bright and the animations are fluid, and both are certain to catch the attention of any veteran Street Fighter player. The game looks good both on the portable handheld screen and the TV, but if it’s a little too good for your liking, there’s also an option for classic pixel graphics to satisfy your nostalgia.
New Characters
All of your favorite classic characters are in the game, from Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li to later additions like T. Hawk and Fei Long. Ultra Street Fighter II also boasts the first two new characters in 20 years, Evil Ryu and Violent Ken, who are pretty much just angry versions of their regular selves.
A great character lineup with varying game difficulties, along with online multiplayer support and a new co-op mode, should give this iteration of Street Fighter II a long life in your game library.
Party Punching
The most compelling reason to pick up Ultra Street Fighter II is to help fill that “party game” gap in your Switch stash of games. Almost everyone who picks up a controller should remember how to play–and if not, the moves list is easily accessed with the Start button–and the game’s mix of nostalgia and new graphics and characters make it easy to get your guests interested in picking up a controller for a few rounds.
And, with the easy portability of the system, you can even bring it along when you head over to a friend’s house for the evening, making you both the perfect host and the thoughtful guest.
Hadoken in Your Hands… Sort Of
The biggest disappointment with the Switch version of Street Fighter II is “The Way of the Hado” mode, which uses the detached Joy-Con to control throwing Ryu’s fireballs and uppercuts by making the motions yourself.
While the practice mode works great and mimics the “Hadoken!” you’ve been yelling since you were a kid, in the actual game mode the moves don’t respond as you’d expect. It’s a shame because this would have been a fantastic new feature that only the Switch can provide.
At $39.99, it’s quite an investment to pick up yet another copy of Street Fighter II. But how often do you bust out the SNES (or even still have one) to play the original? If you’re looking to add to your Switch library, Ultra Street Fighter II is a classic that makes a timeless addition.
GeekMom received a promotional copy for review purposes.
All Images: Capcom / Nintendo
