Retro game compilations can often feel like a barebones effort, simply repackaging old ROMs without any care for context or player experience. Thankfully, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection stands in stark contrast to this trend. This meticulously curated package brings together 12 iconic Street Fighter arcade classics to the Nintendo Switch, offering not just the games themselves, but a wealth of customization options, historical background, and captivating concept art. While the sheer volume of titles might seem daunting – essentially variations on four core Street Fighter styles – this collection earns a strong recommendation as a definitive historical archive for any fighting game enthusiast.
This comprehensive anthology includes the original Street Fighter, a staggering five iterations of Street Fighter II, the complete Street Fighter Alpha trilogy, and the three evolutions of Street Fighter III. As someone with a more casual familiarity with the franchise, primarily through Street Fighter II, delving into the deeper cuts of the series was a revelation. My first encounter with the original Street Fighter was also likely my last in any serious capacity. While boasting a certain late 80s aesthetic charm, the inaugural title simply hasn’t aged gracefully. The leap in quality and gameplay innovation from the first game to Street Fighter II is truly monumental.
Street Fighter II, even decades later, remains a benchmark for fighting games. However, within this collection, the initial releases – The World Warrior and Champion Edition – pale in comparison to the refined brilliance of Hyper Fighting, The New Challengers, and Turbo. Playing through each iteration sequentially offers a fascinating glimpse into the gradual evolution of the game. You witness firsthand the subtle but impactful refinements in graphics, gameplay mechanics, and character balance that cemented Street Fighter II’s legendary status over those crucial three years.
One of the most pleasant surprises within the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is the Alpha series. These games inject a faster, more combo-centric energy into the classic Street Fighter formula. Unlike the variations of Street Fighter II, the three Alpha titles feel like distinct entries, each introducing significant changes and expanding the character roster. The combo system itself undergoes notable tweaks from Alpha to Alpha 2, and Alpha 3 boldly introduces an innovative “ism” system, allowing players to choose fighting styles reminiscent of Alpha 1, Alpha 2, and even Street Fighter II, adding a layer of strategic depth. Rounding out the collection are the visually stunning Street Fighter III series and its three iterations. The animation quality in these games remains breathtakingly fluid and detailed even today. The defining gameplay addition in Street Fighter III is the parry system, a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that demands precise timing and can be initially challenging to master.
Each game in the collection can be experienced in its authentic arcade form, expertly emulated for the Nintendo Switch. The inclusion of Versus and Training modes across all titles is invaluable. These modes allow players to experiment with each game’s unique control scheme, a necessity given the subtle but significant differences between titles. However, it’s worth noting that the Nintendo Switch controller options aren’t ideally suited for Street Fighter. The Pro Controller’s D-pad can feel imprecise, and the Joy-Cons, especially when used individually, are simply too small for comfortable, extended play. The absence of readily available arcade stick support for the Switch is a missed opportunity for dedicated fighting game fans.
For online battles, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection offers online play for four key titles: Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Street Fighter III: Third Strike. While online matches can be exhilarating when connections are stable, occasional lag was noticeable across multiple sessions. When the online functionality performs well, it’s a fantastic feature, but consistency could be improved. An Online Arcade mode allows for solo play while waiting for online challengers, and a lobby system facilitates social interaction with up to four players, enabling game hopping between different titles. Local multiplayer is also supported for these four games across multiple Switch consoles. Unique to the Switch version is Street Fighter II: The Tournament Battle, a mode allowing up to four consoles to connect, recreating the feel of classic arcade tournament setups. While niche, this feature is a welcome addition and a potential highlight for future gaming events.
The true hidden gem of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection is undoubtedly the Museum mode. This interactive timeline meticulously chronicles the series’ history from its 1987 inception to the present day. Players can seamlessly jump from timeline entries directly into playable games. The Museum is brimming with fascinating trivia, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, detailed development insights, and a treasure trove of concept art. A comprehensive character section provides in-depth backstories for each playable character, along with sprite breakdowns showcasing their evolution across different games. The Museum even includes scans of the original Street Fighter pitch documents and an extensive exploration of Street Fighter II’s groundbreaking development.
While individually, the 12 games in this collection might not appeal to everyone beyond hardcore series devotees, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection as a whole represents a package of significant historical value and entertainment. It serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the formative first decade of this genre-defining franchise. Even if venturing online might lead to some digital defeats, the collection’s high production quality and user-friendly presentation make it an enjoyable and accessible experience, even for those who are just learning to throw a Hadouken. Aside from the aforementioned controller limitations on Switch and occasional online hiccups, this collection stands as the definitive way to experience classic Street Fighter games and should remain so for years to come.
