The Game:
Capcom celebrates one of the most iconic of game franchises by releasing this special anniversary edition of Street Fighter 2. This is old school, two-dimensional, one on one fighting, simple and brilliant. The game that launched a thousand toys, movies, comics, cartoons and lunchboxes, Street Fighter 2 was, in its day, graphically beautiful, aurally pleasing, and was the first beat 'em up to have combos, now the staple requirement for a fighter. It also boasted eight selectable characters (unheard of for the time) and needed more brain than banal button bashing. It quite simply redefined a genre.

Such was the game's popularity that Capcom released several spin offs rather than risk a disappointing third game. Each version had extra playable characters, moves, styles and various cosmetic tweaks. This disc collects five versions of the game to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the original's release. Also on the disc is a bonus DVD of the Manga Street Fighter animated film. You can breathe easy; there isn’t a Van Damme or Kylie in sight.

Graphics:
As a retro title it obviously isn't as spectacular as it was in its day. Whilst the graphics are chunky by modern standards, it is still a great looking game. Its strong visual style and cartoon charm have aged well. The Japanese temple stage still looks great after all these years.

Sound:
The compressed cheesy beeping tunes will sound like the very depths of hell to modern gamers. Those that first heard this in sweaty old arcades at Barry Island, or on their beloved Super Nintendo, will weep with nostalgia. It isn't pretty anymore but it is certainly authentic.

Gameplay:
Simple as it gets. Move with the stick, use three buttons for punching and three buttons for kicking. One of the beauties of the original was how beautifully it handled, and the same is true here. Easy to pick up and difficult to master, this is the main reason the game was such a hit; it worked on so many levels for players of all abilities. This edition lets you compare the characters from each of the games in the series against each other. Was Chun Li from the original better than Chun Li from the ‘Hyper’ version of the game? Now you can find out.

Closing Comment:
If you were a fan of the original, and wasted a huge chunk of your life on this game, then this is manna from heaven. The ultimate collection. It could have been presented a bit better with some more options (such as saving stats and high scores), but this is a mere quibble. Multiplayer fun will last as long as your fingers can physically operate. Solo player is stronger than the average fighting game but, on harder settings, could see you flinging your pad across the room in a rage. If you are but a wee nipper then think of this as a sort of video game history book, or encyclopaedia. Without this game the beat ‘em ups you play today would be unrecognisable. So sit up at the back there and show some respect. The added inclusion of the Manga Street Fighter film is a sweet little bit of icing on this chocolate fudge cake of a game. Like vintage wine, it has aged beautifully.
Score: ****

(Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is out now)
James Stafford