What Is It?
Let's get one thing clear, there is no bigger Street Fighter II fan than me. I'm one of those suckers that bought every single version of the game released (all three Super NES games, the Genesis games, the version for the 3DO and even the import TurboDuo port) and I still love the game as much today as I did 15 years ago. But I cannot recommend Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers in good conscience. This is the third (and final) Street Fighter II game released on the Super NES. It includes four new characters (Dee Jay, Fei Long, Cammy and T. Hawk), brand new art, more backgrounds and a few new moves. But outside of that the game is identical to Street Fighter II Turbo, which was released only a few months ago. This Super NES port of the arcade game is watered down, so you shouldn't expect to buy an arcade perfect port for your $8. But the real problem with this game is that it's not worth paying another $8 for what amounts to nothing more than an expansion set. If this game featured online support or something new then it might be worth a second (or even third) look, but as a bare bones release it just seems pointless. What makes this even harder to swallow is that there's a full HD remake of this game's semi-sequel (Super Street Fighter II Turbo) for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This new version will feature all new character models, online support and some new extra modes. But that's not what this Virtual Console release is. Instead you get a Super NES port of a game that wasn't worth the money in the first place. I still love Street Fighter II, but the only reason for Capcom to release this game is to make a few extra bucks off of those who have to buy everything Street Fighter related. This is only worth buying if you haven't already plunked down the money for the other two Street Fighter II games on the Virtual Console, and even then I would suggest you buy Street Fighter II Turbo instead.
Does It Still Hold Up?
So here's the kicker, the game is just as much fun now as it ever was. It's easy to pull off fireballs, windmill kicks, pile drivers and all the other special moves, and the game is balanced and fun to play. Of course, very little of this has anything to do with this version of the game. The truth is that Street Fighter II is just a great playing game; it's one of the few games that still feels just as good today as it did back in the early 1990s. Sure there are a lot of games that have improved on the formula, but Street Fighter II got it right from the get-go. This version remains solid, even though it isn't arcade perfect.
Is It Worth The Money?
I'm going to have to say no on this one, but not because the game is bad. When it comes right down to it this is the second best Street Fighter II game released on the Super NES, which certainly doesn't sound like a bad thing until it sinks in that there are three Street Fighter II games currently on the Virtual Console. Is there a reason we need all of those? Why not just release a three pack for $12? Or better yet, why not give us something we actually want, like Street Fighter Alpha. Super Street Fighter II Turbo is a great game, but it's better on other systems and not worth $8.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
