As we anxiously approach the March 2023 release of the newest version of Resident Evil 4, we’re reminded that Capcom is no stranger to remakes. That’s not a bad thing in itself, as we’ve seen plenty of examples where this experience is not only worthwhile, but made for a pleasantly expanded experience from the original.
However, we’ve seen more than a few examples where a remake isn’t quite worth the asking price, and 2017’s Ultra Street Fighter 2: Final Challengers feels like it falls into that category. In a recent deep dive video, Top Hat Game Man explores both SF2’s evolutionary history and its recent update.
Capcom has long attempted to update Street Fighter 2 by updating its long-running Street Fighter entries with fresh coats of paint, resulting in varying degrees of actual changes.
We started with Street Fighter 2 and eventually got introduced to Champion Edition, The New Challengers, Super Turbo, HD Remix and the aforementioned Ultra.
However, that doesn’t include the standout Rainbow Edition, which spawned multiple handheld ports of the game and hacks and mods that crank up the chaos of combat to 11.
Each of these updates offered some combination of changes, ranging from overall balance, introduction of new mechanics, altered game speed, introduction of new characters, or music and graphics updates.
If you’re starting to think this is starting to rub audiences the wrong way in terms of asking them to continually fork over money for new layers of pain in the same experience… it’s complicated.
Whether certain changes are worth the extra cost depends on who you ask, but USF2’s $40 price tag was not well received by fans, according to THGM.
What some saw as essentially a new game price for adding a new character and a throwaway game mode wasn’t a great look anyway, but Capcom’s actions shortly after releasing USF2 took that a step further.
Watch Top Hat Gaming Man’s full video essay below, and then chime in with your thoughts and reactions in the comments.
Have you checked out USF2 for Nintendo Switch and feel it’s a worthwhile purchase?