Value is subjective, and in the realm of video games, that sentiment rings especially true. For some, dropping $40 on Ultra Street Fighter Ii: The Final Challengers for the Nintendo Switch might seem like a no-brainer. For others, including myself, it feels like a punch to the wallet. The core question then becomes: is this iteration of Street Fighter 2 on the Switch such a blatant cash grab that players should avoid it entirely? Unfortunately, after spending time with it, the answer leans towards a resounding yes, primarily due to its exorbitant price tag.
What exactly does $40 get you in Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers? At its heart, it’s a somewhat altered version of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, the classic fighting game from 1994. Alongside this retro foundation, Capcom throws in two “new” characters that feel more like palette swaps, a gimmicky first-person motion control mode, a forgettable co-op mode, a basic color editor, and online multiplayer. That’s the package.
Promotional image for Street Fighter 2 emphasizing motion controls and multiplayer
It’s crucial to acknowledge that Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo is a masterpiece of the fighting game genre. Despite some balance issues (Sagat, anyone?), it’s a fluid, deep, and incredibly satisfying fighting experience that holds up remarkably well even today. Its legacy is undeniable, and the core gameplay remains timeless.
However, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, despite being touted as the definitive Street Fighter 2 experience, feels more like a cobbled-together Frankensteinian creation. Key features that fans expect are missing. There’s no speed select option, a staple for veterans to fine-tune the pace of combat. The iconic bonus stages from arcade mode are also inexplicably absent. Visually, players are forced to choose between the original, pixelated graphics – which still look fantastic – or the updated “HD” visuals from the nine-year-old Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix. These HD visuals, developed by Udon Entertainment, are divisive, often criticized for their jerky animations and arguably less appealing art style compared to the original sprites.
Considering the inclusion of Udon’s HD art, one might assume Ultra Street Fighter II is simply a port of Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix. This is not the case. Notably, Capcom decided to strip out the balance adjustments expertly crafted by competitive fighting game guru David Sirlin for the HD Remix. Instead, we get a handful of Capcom’s own tweaks. Grapple breaks are introduced, and the combo timing is slightly more lenient. While these changes might register with the hardcore fighting game community, for the average player, The Final Challengers essentially boils down to Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo running on the Nintendo Switch.
Let’s address the two “new” characters: Evil Ryu and Violent Ken. Evil Ryu, a familiar concept to Street Fighter enthusiasts, is essentially a blend of Ryu and Akuma, borrowing moves from both iconic characters. Violent Ken’s backstory involves brainwashing by M. Bison, granting him Psycho Power-infused abilities. In practice, Violent Ken is just a faster, more aggressive version of Ken with purple fireballs, a dash attack, and a unique two-hit overhead move. Calling Violent Ken a genuinely new character stretches the definition considerably.
The infamous first-person mode, Way of the Hado, has been widely criticized, and for good reason. It’s a shallow, motion-controlled gimmick that quickly loses its appeal. Buddy Battle, a two-player co-op mode where players share a health bar against computer opponents, is a minor distraction. While co-operative combos are a neat touch, the novelty wears off quickly. It’s suitable for brief, casual play sessions but lacks depth.
The color editor allows players to customize character palettes, but it’s a far cry from a full costume editor. It’s a basic palette swap tool that offers limited creative options. While some might find amusement in creating bizarre color combinations, it’s a superficial feature.
Ultimately, Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers is a disappointing offering. As a long-time Street Fighter fan, one would hope for a more substantial and thoughtfully crafted Street Fighter debut on the Nintendo Switch. If the aim was a definitive Street Fighter 2 edition, it falls significantly short of its potential. A straightforward, accurately emulated port of Super Turbo at a reasonable price would have been a far more appealing and sensible approach for both Capcom and fans.
The most egregious issue is the price. Charging $40 for what is fundamentally a 23-year-old game with online functionality is simply outrageous. To put it in perspective, modern, feature-rich fighting games like Injustice 2 are often available for a similar price or even less on other consoles. Even Street Fighter 5, a more recent and arguably more complex title, can be found for significantly cheaper.
While some may point to the cost of Nintendo Switch cartridges as a factor in the price, this justification rings hollow for consumers. Whether it’s cartridge costs or Nintendo’s pricing policies, the end result is a $40 price tag for both the physical and digital versions on the eShop. A digital-only release at a lower price point, around $10-$15, would have been a much more palatable proposition and less indicative of corporate overreach.
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers does have one saving grace: its arcade mode. Ironically, Street Fighter 5 launched without an arcade mode, a feature still absent even years after its release. Yet, Street Fighter 2 on the Switch includes a functional arcade mode.
In many respects, Street Fighter is ideally suited for the Nintendo Switch. A retro-themed release on the platform makes logical sense, capitalizing on nostalgia and pick-up-and-play appeal. The Final Challengers boasts quick loading times and is easy to jump into. Many who grew up with Street Fighter 2 might be tempted to revisit it on the Switch, especially in portable mode, using the Joy-Cons for quick bouts of nostalgic fun. However, the exorbitant price erects a significant barrier to entry. It’s a price point that’s difficult to justify, making Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers a hard pass for most discerning gamers.
