Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Encyclopedia
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is a two dimensional fighting game
released using the PlayStation Store
and Xbox Live Arcade
download services. It is a remake of Super Street Fighter II Turbo
(the fifth arcade iteration of the Street Fighter II
series) featuring the original game and a
remixed version using high definition
graphics drawn by UDON Entertainment
, arranged music by OverClocked ReMix
directed by djpretzel and Shael Riley, and rebalanced gameplay. The game was designed by Backbone Entertainment
's David Sirlin
to be the sixth definitive version of Street Fighter II, although it is in fact the seventh, being released after Hyper Street Fighter II
.
Also included are online match rankings and leaderboards arranged by game modes, and each sub-arranged by overall rankings, the player's own score, and their score compared to their friends'. The game also includes an optional 16:9 video mode.
The 224 pixel sprites and backgrounds in the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo were replaced by 1080 pixel resolution artwork drawn by UDON Entertainment, allowing HD Remix to make the most use of high definition (and therefore widescreen
) displays (but the game can be changed to the original sprites as an option). Remixed music was also in development, later revealed to be handled by video game music website OverClocked ReMix
.
David Sirlin, producer of Backbone's Capcom Classics Collection Volume 1, suggested a number of projects to Capcom during the compilation's development, including redrawn versions of Puzzle Fighter and Street Fighter II. While it is unknown whether these suggestions influenced Capcom to develop both games, Sirlin took the helm of development when both were approved. In an interview with TeamXbox
, Capcom's senior director of strategic planning and research Christian Svensson revealed that fans on the company's forums had asked for a high definition Street Fighter game, an "overwhelming request".
HD Remix is a heavily modified port of Super Street Fighter II X for Matching Service, a Dreamcast version of Super Turbo released only in Japan that featured an online versus mode. Acting as design director, Sirlin's role included balance changes to gameplay and correcting differences between the original arcade version of the game and the HD Classic Arcade mode. Other tasks included monitoring speed differences between versions and the addition of new features. However, an HD version of the arcade version's intro sequence had to be cut from the final game to keep its online release small.
. The purpose of the beta was to test the network code behind online play. It was no longer available for download after November 25, 2008. The performance of Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting online was "sometimes-sluggish", according to GameSpot
's staff, who suggested the beta test was Capcom's attempt to avoid the situation occurring again.
s being used in China instead of pushbikes, and the Taj Mahal
being visible in India.
Entitled OC ReMix: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Official Soundtrack, the complete 66-track album was freely released at OverClocked ReMix on November 27, 2008. Along with several new arrangements, edited versions of Blood on the Asphalt tracks and OC ReMixes comprise the soundtrack. OC ReMix's musicians arranged the music based on knowledge of the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo, not requiring access to visuals or gameplay.
Jimenez praised HD Remix
commended OC ReMix's work as "a great tribute to the original soundtrack". Other entities with favorable reviews of the soundtrack included Eurogamer
, GameSpot
, Official Xbox Magazine
, GamesRadar
, 1UP.com
, as well as long-time game composer "The Fat Man" George Sanger, who referred to the Capcom-OC ReMix collaboration as "Game Audio 2.0".
In addition to OverClocked ReMix's arranged soundtrack, the original arcade soundtrack is also available.
Coinciding with the game's PlayStation Network launch, the PSN-exclusive album Street Fighter Underground Remix was also released, made up of five rap remixes featuring artists Hieroglyphics, Redman, Oh No
, DJ Touré, Mistah F.A.B.
, DJ Qbert, and Zion I
. Each track samples from various Street Fighter franchise media, including HD Remix.
gave the game 10/10, citing it as essential for anyone with an appreciation for fighting games. IGN
awarded the game 8.7 and an Editor's Choice award, praising its balanced and deep gameplay, but criticizing its lack of modes. PlayStation: The Official Magazine declared, "as it sounds, this is quite possibly the best all-around version of one of the most important (and fun!) fighting games of all time. Everyone should play a little Street Fighter at some point, and this is an excellent way to experience it." IGN editor Cam Shea ranked it sixth on his top 10 list of Xbox Live Arcade games. He stated that any self-respecting Street Fighter fan would start drooling after seeing this, praising its high definition visuals. He added that while it was lacking in game modes, the online functionality is good.
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
released using the PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games,...
and Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
download services. It is a remake of Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Super Street Fighter II Turbo, released in Japan as , is a competitive fighting game released for the arcades by Capcom in . It is the fifth arcade installment in the Street Fighter II sub-series of Street Fighter games, following Super Street Fighter II...
(the fifth arcade iteration of the Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
is a competitive fighting game originally released for the arcades in . It is the arcade sequel to the original Street Fighter released in and was Capcom's fourteenth title that ran on the CP System arcade hardware...
series) featuring the original game and a
remixed version using high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
graphics drawn by UDON Entertainment
UDON
UDON Entertainment Corporation is a studio of Asian-influenced comic book creators that provides creative services to the entertainment industry. The company is a publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and art books, as well as English editions of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa titles. Erik...
, arranged music by OverClocked ReMix
OverClocked ReMix
OverClocked ReMix, also known as OC ReMix and OCR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and paying tribute to video game music through arranging and re-interpreting the songs with new technology and software, as well as by various traditional means...
directed by djpretzel and Shael Riley, and rebalanced gameplay. The game was designed by Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment
Backbone Entertainment is an independent video game development company located in Emeryville, California.Backbone Entertainment is the result of a 2003 merger between Digital Eclipse Software and ImaginEngine...
's David Sirlin
David Sirlin
David Sirlin is a game designer from California. He balanced the popular video games Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix...
to be the sixth definitive version of Street Fighter II, although it is in fact the seventh, being released after Hyper Street Fighter II
Hyper Street Fighter II
is a competitive fighting game by Capcom that was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in in Japan and in in North America and Asia. Released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Street Fighter series, Hyper Street Fighter II is a modified port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo in which...
.
Gameplay
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix features the same roster of characters as Super Street Fighter II Turbo, and two single-player gameplay modes: Classic and HD Remix. Multiplayer gameplay modes include Local Multiplayer, Player Match and Ranked Match, along with online tournaments. Other notable features included in the game include a hit box display in training mode, to show players where their moves affect their opponent. Another is the inclusion of Quarter Match mode, allowing players to spectate and instantly join online match lobbies, simulating an arcade environment.Also included are online match rankings and leaderboards arranged by game modes, and each sub-arranged by overall rankings, the player's own score, and their score compared to their friends'. The game also includes an optional 16:9 video mode.
The 224 pixel sprites and backgrounds in the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo were replaced by 1080 pixel resolution artwork drawn by UDON Entertainment, allowing HD Remix to make the most use of high definition (and therefore widescreen
Widescreen
Widescreen images are a variety of aspect ratios used in film, television and computer screens. In film, a widescreen film is any film image with a width-to-height aspect ratio greater than the standard 1.37:1 Academy aspect ratio provided by 35mm film....
) displays (but the game can be changed to the original sprites as an option). Remixed music was also in development, later revealed to be handled by video game music website OverClocked ReMix
OverClocked ReMix
OverClocked ReMix, also known as OC ReMix and OCR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and paying tribute to video game music through arranging and re-interpreting the songs with new technology and software, as well as by various traditional means...
.
Development
TeamXbox
TeamXbox is a gaming media web site dedicated to Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms. While the majority of content is Xbox and Xbox 360 related, the site occasionally covers general technology and other video game news....
, Capcom's senior director of strategic planning and research Christian Svensson revealed that fans on the company's forums had asked for a high definition Street Fighter game, an "overwhelming request".
HD Remix is a heavily modified port of Super Street Fighter II X for Matching Service, a Dreamcast version of Super Turbo released only in Japan that featured an online versus mode. Acting as design director, Sirlin's role included balance changes to gameplay and correcting differences between the original arcade version of the game and the HD Classic Arcade mode. Other tasks included monitoring speed differences between versions and the addition of new features. However, an HD version of the arcade version's intro sequence had to be cut from the final game to keep its online release small.
Beta
An open beta version of the game, with Ken and Ryu as playable characters and a single environment available to fight in, was released on June 25, 2008 and was set to run for eight weeks. After finding and fixing issues in the beta, a patch was released and the beta was extended to September 5, 2008. Players wishing to participate had to purchase the Xbox Live Arcade version of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is a downloadable game developed by Backbone Entertainment for the Xbox 360's Xbox Live Arcade service and Sony's PlayStation Network. It is the second sequel to Capcom's Commando arcade game, following Mercs, the name Wolf of the Battlefield being a literal...
. The purpose of the beta was to test the network code behind online play. It was no longer available for download after November 25, 2008. The performance of Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting online was "sometimes-sluggish", according to GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's staff, who suggested the beta test was Capcom's attempt to avoid the situation occurring again.
Graphical changes
Several of the backgrounds had details of their setting changed, such as mopedMoped
Mopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
s being used in China instead of pushbikes, and the Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal...
being visible in India.
Music
The artists of the video game music tribute website OverClocked ReMix were chosen to handle the remixed soundtrack for HD Remix after Capcom associate producer Rey Jimenez heard the organization's 2006 Super Street Fighter II Turbo tribute album Blood on the Asphalt. OC ReMix founder David "djpretzel" Lloyd directed the soundtrack and served as the organization's contact with Capcom "to ensure that working with a large fan community was as close as possible for Capcom to working with a single composer."Entitled OC ReMix: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Official Soundtrack, the complete 66-track album was freely released at OverClocked ReMix on November 27, 2008. Along with several new arrangements, edited versions of Blood on the Asphalt tracks and OC ReMixes comprise the soundtrack. OC ReMix's musicians arranged the music based on knowledge of the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo, not requiring access to visuals or gameplay.
Jimenez praised HD Remix
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
commended OC ReMix's work as "a great tribute to the original soundtrack". Other entities with favorable reviews of the soundtrack included Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
, GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
, Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and...
, GamesRadar
GamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
, 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
, as well as long-time game composer "The Fat Man" George Sanger, who referred to the Capcom-OC ReMix collaboration as "Game Audio 2.0".
In addition to OverClocked ReMix's arranged soundtrack, the original arcade soundtrack is also available.
Coinciding with the game's PlayStation Network launch, the PSN-exclusive album Street Fighter Underground Remix was also released, made up of five rap remixes featuring artists Hieroglyphics, Redman, Oh No
Oh No (rapper)
Oh No is an underground hip hop artist from Oxnard, California who has released several albums on Stones Throw Records.-Biography:...
, DJ Touré, Mistah F.A.B.
Mistah F.A.B.
Stanley Petey Cox , better known by his stage name Mistah F.A.B. , is an American rapper. He attended Oakland Technical High School and Emery High School. He is signed to Bay Area rap legend Mac Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Mistah F.A.B...
, DJ Qbert, and Zion I
Zion I
Zion I are a hip hop duo from Oakland, California. The duo consists of producer DJ AmpLive and MC Zumbi. The group is known to its followers for Amp's futuristic production techniques, using a mix of live instrumentation and samples, and Zumbi's positive and socially conscious lyrics. Zion I...
. Each track samples from various Street Fighter franchise media, including HD Remix.
Critical reception
GamesRadarGamesRadar
GamesRadar is a multi-format video game website featuring regular news, previews, reviews, videos, and guides. It is owned and operated simultaneously in the UK and US by worldwide publisher Future Publishing...
gave the game 10/10, citing it as essential for anyone with an appreciation for fighting games. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
awarded the game 8.7 and an Editor's Choice award, praising its balanced and deep gameplay, but criticizing its lack of modes. PlayStation: The Official Magazine declared, "as it sounds, this is quite possibly the best all-around version of one of the most important (and fun!) fighting games of all time. Everyone should play a little Street Fighter at some point, and this is an excellent way to experience it." IGN editor Cam Shea ranked it sixth on his top 10 list of Xbox Live Arcade games. He stated that any self-respecting Street Fighter fan would start drooling after seeing this, praising its high definition visuals. He added that while it was lacking in game modes, the online functionality is good.
Commercial reception
Despite not being released for the European PSN until February 2009, the title had a quarter of a million paid downloads within a month. It had broken both first-day and first-week sales for a download-only title.External links
- Official Website
- Capcom USA blog
- Capcom's official website for Street Fighter
- Blood on the Asphalt, the basis of OverClocked ReMixOverClocked ReMixOverClocked ReMix, also known as OC ReMix and OCR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and paying tribute to video game music through arranging and re-interpreting the songs with new technology and software, as well as by various traditional means...
's Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix soundtrack - OC ReMix: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Official Soundtrack, the soundtrack from the game made by OverClocked ReMixOverClocked ReMixOverClocked ReMix, also known as OC ReMix and OCR, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and paying tribute to video game music through arranging and re-interpreting the songs with new technology and software, as well as by various traditional means...
- Super Balance Articles II Turbo