Street Fighter Collection 2

"The DEFINITE arcade perfect version of the one that started it all"

Street Fighter II. The game that started a revolution. It set the standards for every fighting based game released over the decade that was the 90s. This is a definite piece of gaming history.

Now, let me start by saying that this game was released back in 1998, so yes, it IS a little late after the release of this title for it to get a review.

But, with Capcom Classics Collection out with 3 TERRIBLE versions of the same games, I only saw fit to write up a review on this game. So, as the review goes on, I'll point out what makes this game that much better on the older PSone hardware over the shoddy versions the PS2 hardware received.

On with the review, shall we?

When I say this Street Fighter Collection 2 is the DEFINITE version to own, I mean it. Save for the short load times (which come with EVERY 2-D game on the PSone due to it's RAM limitation) the PSone ports of Street Fighter II : The World Warrior. Street Fighter II' : Champion Edition, and Street Fighter II' Turbo Hyper Fighting, stood the test of time and this particular Collection of these games is STILL the one to have if you want perfect arcade ports.

Up until SF Collection 2's release, the only other ports of these games available were those on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, which of course were faithful but not perfect due to the weaker hardware. In 2005, Capcom released Capcom Classics Collection, which featured the 3 original SFII games. But, to MANY people's dismay, the game was less than arcade perfect, with poor mono-quality audio, and reduced graphics.

But, what makes SF Collection 2 the version to have? Let me tell you...

Graphics? Arcade perfection. Every frame of animation. Big sprites. Vivid colors. Just as you remember it being on the old arcade machines.

Sound? The voices REALLY irritated me with the CCC versions. They all played at a higher pitch. It was almost like playing the SNES versions all over again.

But, the thing that REALLY bugged me with CCC was... loading.

While both games load, there's NO reason the PS2 version should even have to. And there's MORE load times on CCC than the PSone's SF Collection 2 has.

SF Collection 2 only loads on these occasions.
- Right before the match-up
- Loading a bonus stage
- Loading an ending
And the load time is no longer than 2-3 seconds.

CCC has the SAME load times, and in MORE places. In addition to the ones I just listed, it also loads:
- starting the game
- after the match

Inexcusable on a powerhouse system such as the PS2.

As for extras in Street Fighter Collection 2, you also get these:

- Deluxe Versus (just like Hyper Street Fighter II. Match up characters between the 3 separate titles)
- Tips / artwork for each game
- A remixed soundtrack

On a side note, the artwork you get in this game differs from the CCC versions.

So, my friends, nearly 10 years after the PSone release of the 3 classic Street Fighter games, Street Fighter Collection 2 is STILL the one to own if you want arcade-perfect versions of these 3 classic titles. The game is old, so tracking down a copy may be a bit of a chore. But, if you were disappointed with the Capcom Classics Collection versions, this title will fulfill your needs.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/21/06