Retro game compilations can sometimes fall short, offering little more than ROM dumps that lack context and diminish the appreciation of classic titles. Thankfully, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection bucks this trend. This compilation expertly brings together 12 iconic Street Fighter games from their original arcade versions, optimized for modern consoles like the Switch. It’s packed with customization options, a wealth of historical background, and captivating concept art, making it a definitive celebration of the Street Fighter legacy. While playing through 12 games spanning essentially four core Street Fighter styles might seem repetitive to some, this collection stands out as a Criterion Collection for video games, brimming with historical intrigue and offering a deep dive into the evolution of a genre-defining franchise.
This comprehensive package includes the original Street Fighter, five distinct iterations of Street Fighter II, three compelling versions of Street Fighter Alpha, and the visually stunning Street Fighter III trilogy. Coming into this collection as someone with a general appreciation for Street Fighter, my experience was largely centered around Street Fighter II. The other series were exciting, uncharted territory. Playing the original Street Fighter for the first time was an eye-opening experience, and likely my last. Outside of its late 80s aesthetic, the first game hasn’t aged gracefully. The advancement from the original to Street Fighter II is truly monumental.
Street Fighter II remains a benchmark in fighting game design. However, the initial releases included here – The World Warrior and Champion Edition – are overshadowed by the refinements seen in Hyper Fighting, The New Challengers, and Turbo. Observing the evolution across these iterations, released over three years, is fascinating. Each game subtly showcases graphical and gameplay improvements, charting the meticulous refinement of the Street Fighter II formula.
For me, the Alpha series emerged as the collection’s unexpected highlight. It presents a faster-paced combat system compared to Street Fighter II, emphasizing intricate combo execution. Unlike the numerous iterations of Street Fighter II, the three Alpha games—Alpha, Alpha 2, and Alpha 3—are distinct entries, each introducing significant changes and expanding the character roster. The combo mechanics are refined from Alpha to Alpha 2, and Alpha 3 innovatively incorporates a style-switching system, allowing players to choose fighting styles inspired by Alpha 1, Alpha 2, and even Street Fighter II, adding layers of strategic depth. The final segment of the collection features Street Fighter III and its subsequent updates. The animation quality in these games remains remarkably impressive even today. A key gameplay addition in Street Fighter III is the parry system, a challenging but rewarding mechanic to master, demanding precise timing and adding a new dimension to defensive play.
Each title in the collection can be experienced in its authentic arcade form, meticulously ported to function seamlessly on modern consoles like the Switch. Versus and Training modes are consistently available across all titles. These modes are essential for acclimating to the nuanced control schemes that vary across the series, particularly for players less familiar with earlier titles. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch controller options aren’t ideally suited for Street Fighter. The Pro Controller’s D-pad is less than optimal, and the Joy-Cons, when used individually, are too compact. The platform would greatly benefit from a readily accessible arcade stick to truly capture the intended arcade experience.
Online play is enabled for four select titles: Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Street Fighter III: Third Strike. While online matches could occasionally suffer from lag, the experience was generally positive when connections were stable. An Online Arcade mode allows solo players to practice while awaiting online opponents, and a lobby system facilitates social interaction among up to four players, enabling game switching and casual hangouts. Local multiplayer is also supported across these four titles on multiple consoles. The Switch version uniquely features Street Fighter II: The Tournament Battle, which leverages the console’s local wireless capabilities to simulate classic arcade tournament setups with up to four linked systems. While this feature might be niche, it’s a welcome addition, especially for potential use at gaming events.
The Museum mode is truly the hidden treasure within this collection. An interactive timeline spans from the series’ debut in 1987 to the present day. It allows seamless transitions from historical points directly into playable games. The Museum is rich with trivia, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, detailed development insights, and a vast gallery of concept art. A dedicated character section provides extensive backstories for every playable character, along with sprite breakdowns showcasing their visual evolution across different game appearances. The Museum even includes a scan of the original Street Fighter pitch document and an extensive breakdown of Street Fighter II’s groundbreaking development process.
Individually, the 12 games in this collection may appeal primarily to dedicated series enthusiasts. However, the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection transcends mere game compilation. It stands as a carefully curated package of significant historical value. It serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the pivotal first decade of the Street Fighter franchise. Even if venturing online might lead to inevitable defeats, the collection’s high production quality and user-friendly interface make it enjoyable and accessible even for players just learning to throw a Hadouken. Aside from the limitations of the Switch’s controller options for fighting games and occasional online inconsistencies, this collection is undoubtedly the best and most comprehensive way to experience classic Street Fighter games and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
