Name: Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection
Consoles: Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Steam
Date of Release: May 2018
Excitement 'O' meter: 7.5/10
So, it looks like Capcom are really cranking out the collection games this year doesn't it! In one of my last blog posts I talked about the Mega Man X collection which is to be released on various current generation consoles in the summer; which I'm very much looking forward to by the way! But it seems Capcom is already working on another collection which is due once again to be released on current generation consoles even sooner than the X collection. Arguably Capcom's most famous series, Street Fighter! Celebrating 30 years of the franchise.
I am however going to say something which will, umm, for a lack of a better word probably make people a bit angry....well a certain community of people anyway. I don't mean to create an argument it's just how I really feel and think about the game thus far. So please bare that in mind. To cut the point, I'm just unsure about this collection and how much its content is going to keep the average gamer content. Let me explain.
So any gamer worth their salt knows what is contained within a Street Fighter game, it did perfect the genre after all. For those of you a bit unsure let me remind you. The Street Fighter games are one on one tournament fighting games, the same premise which are seen in games such as Mortal Kombat and Soul Caliber (If anyone is still playing that franchise these days). Back in the 90s thanks to Street Fighter 2, fighting games were all the rage thanks to its intricate combo system, graphics and memorable character roster; not to mention their move sets too! Going back to my point then, if the Street Fighter series is so good why I am talking about this collection (which contains 12 full games by the way) potentially dissatisfying some gamers? Well this is due to the games which are actually contained on the list. You see, Capcom didn't just release one version of Street Fighter 2. In fact they kept updating the game which included new features such as new characters or more balanced move sets for the fighters. This resulted in Street Fighter 2 getting released about five different times, maybe more as I can't quite recall how many versions were actually released back in the day.
Herein lies the potential problem for this game then: most of the games on the collection are updated releases of the same game. The full games on the collection are as follows:
- Street Fighter
- Street Fighter 2
- Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition
- Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting
- Super Street Fighter 2
- Super Street Fighter 2: Turbo
- Street Fighter Alpha
- Street Fighter Alpha 2
- Street Fighter Alpha 3
- Street Fighter 3
- Street Fighter 3: 2nd Impact
- Street Fighter 3: Third Strike
As you can see there are a fair few versions of Street Fighter 2 included on the collection. Now, If you're a big Street Fighter fan and never managed to play the various versions before, this collection will be a god send! And yes, I too am very much looking forward to the collection as I've never really had chance to play all the various games, especially in upscaled HD graphics which they're sure to be. It even includes an online mode where you can battle various other players over your favourite version which is a fantastic edition.
What about the average gamer though? Will this collection satisfy them? Well first of all it goes without saying you need to be a fan of one on one fighters. Secondly, will the average gamer be happy that the majority of the games are re-releases of the same game? Some players might even struggle to spot the differences between the various versions as some just simply increase the speed of gameplay and a few minor move tweaks to certain characters. Plus, as I mentioned before, the game is a one on one fighting game. Now I don't mean to tread on anyone's toes, and I don't mean to insult the tournament fighter community as I know it is a huge and well respected one, but some gamers maybe put off due to the genre of the game as the nature of the games don't really change in each playthrough and title. Each game consists of fighting one on one with another opponent, something which to the average gamer may start to get tedious within an hour or so. The core mechanics don't really change with each game either. Sure, the game may feel a little faster and the fighters may have new moves which they can utilise and be newcomers themselves, but at the end of the day each game has the same one on one fighter premise.
I don't mean to slate this collection though, far from it. Put it this way: I will be getting the collection for my Switch for sure. And if you are a tournament fighting fan or a Street Fighter one then this game is sure to an amazing treat and one hell of a history lesson for you. The game even includes a digital museum and soundtrack which you can listen to in game! Any Street Fighter fan will tell you how great the music is in this franchise and its brilliant to see Capcom acknowledge it here. So yes, If you enjoy Street Fighter and are curious about the various versions you've never played before like myself, then this collection is perfect for you. For the average gamer though, I'm not too sure. You need to ask yourself do you like tournament fighting games and are you happy shelling out money for various versions of the same game? If you're unsure better wait until the collection drops in price before buying at top price. If you're willing to take the plunge though, you will find some of the most finest video games created, in addition to some of the titles available on the collection which essentially pioneered and practically invented a new genre.
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