View source for Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

{{Infobox VG
|title     = ''Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers''
|image     = [[Image:Ulta Street Fighter II Cover.png]]
|developer = 
|publisher = [[Capcom]]
|designer  = 
|artist    = 
|composer  = 
|engine    = ''[[Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix]]''
|release  =  
|genre     = [[wikipedia:Fighting game|Fighting]]
|modes     = [[wikipedia:Single-player|Single-player]], [[wikipedia:Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
|ratings   = '''CERO''': B<br>'''ESRB''': T (Teens)<br>'''OFLC''': M<br>'''PEGI''': 12+
|platforms = [[wikipedia:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], [[wikipedia:Xbox One|Xbox One]], [[wikipedia:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]], [[wikipedia:Windows|Windows]]
|media     = 
|input     = 
|series = Street Fighter II|released=May 26, [[2017]]<ref>https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2017/mar/01/ultra-street-fighter-2-final-challengers-hits-nintendo-switch-may-26th/</ref>}}
'''''Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers''''' is a 2D fighting game developed and published by [[Capcom]] for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows. Released worldwide on 26 May [[2017]], it is an updated version of 1994's ''[[Super Street Fighter II Turbo]]''. The game features two graphical styles—classic pixel art and updated high-definition art. New gameplay mechanics and modes were also introduced, with minor changes being made to the game's balance in addition to adding [[Evil Ryu]] and [[Shin Akuma]] from the ''[[Street Fighter Alpha series|Street Fighter Alpha]]'' series, and [[Violent Ken]] from ''[[SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos]]'' to the roster.

==Gameplay==
There are two graphic options, which are "Classic" and "New Style" graphics. The latter option (also known as "New Generation Mode") reuses [[UDON]]'s redrawn sprites and stage backgrounds from ''[[Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix|HD Remix]]''. Their ending artwork is also implemented regardless of which graphic option is chosen. Conversely, the characters' portrait arts under either option are remastered from the originals.

The game has the option to have special moves and supers on the ready by assigning them to four buttons that can be pressed once to activate that special move.

There is also a [[Dramatic Battle Mode]], called "Buddy Battle", that was featured in home versions of ''[[Street Fighter Alpha series|Street Fighter Alpha]]'' games, which allows two players to face CPU opponents together.<ref>https://www.nintendo.co.jp/software/switch/babba/index.html</ref>

As with the graphics, there are both Classic and New Style sound options to choose between. Classic sound settings' sounds remain the same as the previous ''Street Fighter II'' update series.
[[Image:usfii-shin akuma.png|right|thumb|300px|Character select screen with [[Shin Akuma]] being selected.]]
If the sound setting is in New Style, however, the characters will use the Japanese voice actors and sound effects from the current ''Street Fighter'' games since ''[[Street Fighter IV]]'' and onwards, rather than also having English voice actors while in that graphic mode. The game also features a new announcer voice heard in all modes of gameplay (including the Classic sound option), so as to accomodate the update's new features (added character names, the change of USSR to Russia [as per the official timeline], the title call at the end of the new opening sequence, and so forth). Additionally, a new soundtrack has been produced for the game, with the music being closer to ''[[Super Street Fighter II Turbo]]'' and not being remixes with unique styles. Despite this, the music heard in the endings of the pre-existing 17 characters is retained from ''HD Remix'' (this occurs even under Classic settings) as well as the staff roll theme that follows.

Two new characters have been added: [[Evil Ryu]] and [[Violent Ken]]. This marks Violent Ken's first appearance in a mainline ''Street Fighter'' game. Evil Ryu retains most of his moves from the ''Street Fighter Alpha'' games and his voice is an altered version of original Ryu's, sounding more demonic. Violent Ken has new tools carried over from ''SVC Chaos'', such as his command teleport dash, Rasetsu Kyaku<ref>https://twitter.com/JWonggg/status/819932190972739585</ref> and his voice is altered in the same manner as Evil Ryu's. [[Akuma]] is also now a regularly selectable character, while [[Shin Akuma]] is a secret character, sharing his slot with the newly added Random Select icon.

The game has a few changes from ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''. Teching throws is now possible<ref>https://twitter.com/JWonggg/status/819930868600999936</ref>. The balance changes from ''HD Remix'' aren't returning for ''Ultra Street Fighter II'', with characters retaining their gameplay from ''Super Street Fighter II Turbo''. This means certain moves and changes from ''HD Remix'', like the addition of Ryu's fake Hadoken and Zangief's Spinning Piledriver being a "180" motion are not in the game. Chun-Li and E. Honda can't store their supers. However, Vega's Cage Climb has returned, but, as before, can only be performed in the Fighting Barroom arena.

===Modes===
The game features three new modes and one returning mode. The [[Way of the Hado]] mode is a first-person shooting gallery where players take control of Ryu and fight waves of Shadaloo soldiers using the Joy-Con motion controllers. To perform moves, they have to be mimicked with the controllers. Ryu can be improved in this mode using the Practice Mode, which lets players practice a fighter's moves and gain experience points to improve the following parameters: vital (health), attack, speed, guts, defense and luck.

The [[Arcade Mode]] has three stages: Beginner, Standard and Extra.

Gallery Mode features over 1400 illustrations from the official ''Street Fighter'' artbook, ''Street Fighter Artworks: Supremacy''.

Color Edit mode allows players to make custom color schemes of a given fighter; up to ten colors can be saved for each custom character, which can be used in all game modes, including online.<ref>http://www.gamer.ne.jp/news/201702170010/</ref>

==Development==
''Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers'' was announced for the Nintendo Switch console in January 2017 and marked the beginning to celebrate the [[Street Fighter series|series]]' 30th anniversary. The development team for the game is composed of a mixture of old and young employees, some of which worked on recent Capcom fighting games like ''[[Street Fighter V]]'' and ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite]]''.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII">http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/01/20/6-things-we-learned-about-ultra-street-fighter-ii-on-nintendo-switch</ref> With the last ''Street Fighter'' title to release on a Nintendo system being ''[[Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition]]'' for the Nintendo 3DS in [[2011]], Capcom saw the launch of the Nintendo Switch as an opportunity to bring a brand-new remixed version of a classic ''Street Fighter'' game to a Nintendo console.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII" /> The mindset of ''Ultra Street Fighter II''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s development was to allow a parent to introduce ''Street Fighter II'' to a newer generation.<ref>https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2017/jan/15/capcom-wanted-dads-who-grew-street-fighter-2-play-new-version-together-their-children-ayano-talks-usf2-famitsu-interview/</ref> There are currently no plans to release the game on other consoles unless it sells well on the Switch.<ref>https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2017/jan/21/if-title-sells-extremely-well-well-consider-it-time-being-its-only-going-be-switch-ono-usf2-console-availability/</ref>

On February 14, 2017, the game was fifty percent complete.<ref>http://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/14/ultra-street-fighter-iis-fps-mode-will-shoryuken-hadouken-joy-cons/</ref>

On the decision to revisit ''Street Fighter II'', series producer [[Yoshinori Ono]] noted that they wanted to go back to their roots.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII" /> Capcom chose to include two graphical styles so that the game would give old players a sense of nostalgia but still appeal to a younger audience with the update art.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII" /> The game's high-definition graphics were created by [[Udon Entertainment]]. The development team did not want to overhaul the game's balance as they want the game to feel like a fighting game from the 1990s.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII" /> However, they felt that some questionable aspects of the game's balance should be re-tuned.<ref name="ign_ono_usfII" />

==Reception==
''Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers'' received a mixed reception, according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers</ref> The game was criticized for charging a US$40 retail release for what is essentially an updated port of the much cheaper ''[[Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix]]''.<ref>http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/ultra_street_fighter_ii_the_final_challengers</ref><ref>https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/25/15686474/ultra-street-fighter-2-review</ref> 

The [[Way of the Hado]] mode was also panned by critics for poorly implemented motion controls that are prone to confusing attack inputs for other attacks, as well as being shallow in content.<ref>https://www.destructoid.com/review-ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers-435754.phtml</ref><ref>http://www.gameinformer.com/games/ultra_street_fighter_ii_the_final_challengers/b/switch/archive/2017/05/26/ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers-review.aspx</ref><ref>http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers</ref><ref>http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/ultra_street_fighter_ii_the_final_challengers</ref><ref>https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/25/15686474/ultra-street-fighter-2-review</ref> The game's functionality of the Joy-Con controllers was also criticized<ref>http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers-review/</ref> with critics pointing out issues with the Joy-Con's D-Pad and analog stick controls and suggested players pay an extra $70 to get a Pro Controller.<ref>https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/25/15686474/ultra-street-fighter-2-review</ref> IGN concluded "''Despite being the most complete version of Street Fighter II to date, the specific additions for the occasion just do not excite us.''"<ref>https://es.ign.com/ultra-street-fighter-2-nintendo-switch/118824/review/ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers-analisis-para</ref>

===Sales===
Despite the negative reviews, ''Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers'' is considered a "smash hit" in term of sales.<ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/street-fighter-2-switch-called-a-smash-hit-as-capc/1100-6452075/</ref> The game reached number 8 in the UK sales chart,<ref>https://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p/software/uk/archive/index_test.jsp&ct=110032&arch=t&lyr=2017&year=2017&week=21</ref> number 3 in Japan,<ref>https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-31/japan-video-game-rankings-may-22-28/.116842</ref> 2 in Australia and 3 in New Zealand.<ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-best-selling-games-of-the-past-week-in-aust/1100-6450472/</ref> In the USA eShop the game was number 2 behind ''[[w:c:minecraft:Minecraft|Minecraft]]''.<ref>https://nintendoeverything.com/switch-eshop-charts-53117/</ref> The Wall Street Journal's Takashi Mochizuki reported that the game sold over 450,000 copies, selling more than what Capcom expected. Because of this, Capcom has shown more interest in selling more games on the Switch.<ref>https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/07/29/capcom-preparing-more-switch-games-after-ultra-street-fighter-ii-success.aspx</ref> As of 2018, the game has crossed 500,000 sales.<ref>http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/05/capcom_says_ultra_street_fighter_ii_and_monster_hunter_xx_enjoyed_hit_status</ref>

==Trivia==
* Apart from the main game, which uses the 2D sprites from ''HD Remix'', the Way of the Hado mode uses 3D models, like in ''Street Fighter IV'', ''Street Fighter V'' and ''Street Fighter 6''.
* The theme song for the series' 30th anniversary in the Japanese version is a new version of "Itoshisa To Setsunasa To Kokoro Tsuyosa To" from ''Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie'' performed by J-Pop singer May'n. It was played in-game when Ryu and Ken face off against M. Bison in Buddy Battle mode instead of Bison's theme (which is also a reference to the film's climax), in which it can only be played if DLC is installed.
* The character theme remixes from this game were later added into ''Street Fighter 6'' as part of that game's May 22, 2024 update.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="185">
6496484eba0cdd80d4cc654bc4b9219c.jpg|250px|Ultra Street Fighter II Logo
USFII-Poster.jpg|Character group artwork by [[Bengus]].
File:745299-ultra-street-fighter-ii-the-final-challengers-nintendo-switch-front-cover.jpg
Ultra-streetfighter2-akuma-evilryu-violentken-poster.png|Poster by [[Bengus]].
15972456 1418530338178199 734143622760194684 o.jpg|Poster of the character select screen.
13 sf2-new05.jpg|Evil Ryu vs. Violent Ken, HD Remix graphics mode.
13 sf2-new06.jpg|Evil Ryu vs. Violent Ken, classic graphics mode.
</gallery>

==Video==
<gallery widths="300">
All_20_Endings!!!_Ultra_Street_Fighter_II_The_Final_Challengers
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.capcom.co.jp/usf2/ Official site] (Japanese)
*[[wikipedia:Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers|Wikipedia article]]
*[[w:c:capcom:Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers|Capcom Database article]]

{{Street Fighter series}}
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Street Fighter II Series]]
[[Category:Main Series Games]]