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Parents' Guide to

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

By David Wolinsky, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Classic brawler roars back to life with limited extras.

Game Nintendo Switch 2017
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers screenshot 1.
  • Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers screenshot 2.
  • Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers screenshot 3.
  • Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers screenshot 4.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

nuenjins
nuenjins Parent
January 15, 2018
age 10+

A desperate attempt to hide the lack of support for the console.

The fact that Nintendo is selling a game that is 25 years old as a new release shows the state that Nintendo has been in for quite a long time. If you haven't played the now classic SF2 before then you have to flip your rock over. there is nothing unique or new enough to justify buying, yet another, rendition of a game that has been archived as an oldy but goodie. The Switch is yet another underpowered gimmick that is behind it's time before release with every accessory and upgrade costing extra money to tedium. If any other console creator had this marketing scheme of maximum exploitation with minimal effort they would be called out and mocked.But because this is yet another instance of paying to play exclusives form the same Nintendo characters from decades past, it is praised as being innovative. Even though the gimmick is more practical this time around, it is still a minimalist gimmick nonetheless being too weak in hardware to support most modern HD games that will never be able to be ported to this glorified tablet. All things considered, the Switch would cost more in basic upgrades to make it even as accessible as it's peers and yet still grossly behind the times in terms of power or HD capabilities compared to anything else on the market. If consumers continue to buy cheap tablets at a ripoff price to essentially buy a license to play a few exclusive games then it is not a matter of comparable competition as it is underhandedly adding to the cost for the most expensive games ever made once every dollar is accounted for. Exploitation indeed. This game is just another 'in your face' example of how Nintendo has doubled down on it's aged repertoire to sell units with fluff instead of a viable system with a steady stream of competent titles.
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What’s It About?

It's a real mouthful, but ULTRA STREET FIGHTER II: THE FINAL CHALLENGERS stands as the latest entry in what is objectively considered to be an iconic fighting game series. This one marks the 30th anniversary of the arcade-fighter games, which now span multiple spinoffs, crossovers, and even movies. Although the series now has multiple sequels, this 2017 version for the Nintendo Switch is an update of 1994's Super Street Fighter II Turbo. The game offers two graphical styles -- classic pixel art and updated high-definition art -- as well as new mechanics, modes, and tweaks to better refine and balance the line-up of characters.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

While it's still fun and has some new content, this version of the popular fighting franchise could've been a deeper, richer experience. The Final Challengers makes modest attempts to supplement the 1994 game on which it's based, with an impressively extensive digital book of production art with 1,400 illustrations, a Street Fighter V/Street Fighter IV-styled first-person "Way of the Hado" mode (in which players hold the Joy-Con controllers to perform special moves as Ryu), and a "Buddy Battle" mode, where you and a friend can cooperatively and simultaneously take on enemy combatants in a single match. But these additions feel a touch thin. They're fine distractions, as the core of the game has always been playing against the computer and other people. And veteran players will notice altered combo timing and grapple breaks. But it's hard not to feel like this is still an old game. With only Violent Ken and Evil Ryu as "new" characters, you'll wind up pinballing around each mode with your favorite characters and hit a wall sooner or later. Newcomers will be dazzled by the variety, but people familiar with the series will find it familiar. It's still fun, but it could have been so much more.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about violence in the media. Which do you find more disturbing: a more realistic-looking fighting game or a more "retro" visual style? Do you think even a cartoonish portrayal of fighting could desensitize you to real-world violence?

  • Talk about violence as a sport. Even if participants agree to it, is it OK for people to fight and hurt each other until one person is left standing?

Game Details

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