Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Review – Capcom’s Classic Fighters Return on Nintendo Switch

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Review – Capcom’s Classic Fighters Return on Nintendo Switch When Capcom first launched Street Fighter II on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System over 25 years ago, it ignited a fighting game revolution that has defined the genre for generations.

Now, with Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers, Capcom revisits its legacy, bringing the timeless brawler back to Nintendo hardware as part of Street Fighter’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Available exclusively on Nintendo Switch, this enhanced edition reimagines the series’ golden era for both long-time fans and a new audience discovering this icon for the first time. As the most successful entry in Capcom’s long-running Street Fighter series, Street Fighter II’s enduring appeal returns to its roots with a wealth of familiar content and innovative new features.

The classic Arcade mode tasks players with touring the globe to battle CPU opponents, with a range of difficulty settings from beginner-friendly Trainee to the grueling World Warrior.

Versus mode makes quick duels with friends or against the CPU readily accessible, even allowing two Switch consoles to connect for local multiplayer showdowns.

In addition, Training mode is on hand for newcomers to hone their skills, reviewing move lists and practicing combos before stepping into the fray. Capcom, recognizing the need to both honor tradition and add value, introduces several noteworthy enhancements in Ultra Street Fighter II.

Foremost among these is Buddy Battle, a new local co-op feature that lets two players join forces to tackle CPU adversaries.

Sharing a Vitality Bar, duos must coordinate closely to maximize their chances—success demanding both teamwork and careful strategy.

However, this cooperative mode is currently limited to local play on a single device, unable to tap into the online or multi-console connectivity that some fans might hope for. The game also improves accessibility through the optional Lite control scheme.

This mode allows players to map Special and Normal Moves directly to specific buttons, streamlining complex inputs and making the experience more inviting for genre newcomers.

The traditional Pro scheme remains for fighting game purists seeking the classic challenge. Ultra Street Fighter II’s roster delivers all the beloved World Warriors and, for the first time, introduces Evil Ryu and Violent Ken.

These additions bring fresh play styles to the legendary lineup, expanding competitive options.

Players looking for further customization can utilize the Color Editor to design alternate costumes by selecting colors for different parts of each fighter, adding another level of personalization. A major, albeit divisive, experiment comes with the Way of the Hado mode.

Drawing inspiration from motion-controlled gaming, this exclusive first-person feature tasks players with executing Ryu’s signature moves using Joy-Con controllers.

While the responsiveness of gesture recognition surpasses expectations, the mode’s limited content—offering only brief stage battles and an endless survival option—limits its staying power.

Capcom sought to add depth with a stat-based progression system powered by Growth Points, allowing upgrades to Ryu’s abilities like Vitality and Attack; still, the overall variety remains modest. In celebrating Street Fighter’s storied artistic past, the Gallery mode sets itself apart, boasting an extensive collection of artwork from the rare Street Fighter Artworks: Supremacy book.

In handheld mode, players can freely zoom and navigate illustrations with intuitive touchscreen controls, complemented by a music player featuring classic and updated stage themes.

While most text remains in Japanese, the visual trove is a significant gift to dedicated fans. Completing the package are flexible graphical and audio options: players can toggle between pixel-perfect SNES-style visuals and modern HD graphics, as well as classic or remixed soundtracks.

HD Rumble implementation subtly enhances feedback with each special move but remains restrained in intensity. Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers ultimately shines on Nintendo Switch, leveraging its portable design and detachable Joy-Cons for instant tabletop play—capturing the spirit of the franchise’s social roots.

Whether revisiting for nostalgia or experiencing the legend anew, Capcom’s definitive edition pays respectful tribute while introducing enough new elements to ensure its place among Switch’s best fighting experiences. Version Tested: Nintendo Switch.

Review unit provided by Capcom.

Nintendo Switch Capcom Nintendo Switch Street Fighter Street Fighter II Ultra Street Fighter II Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers Evil Ryu Violent Ken Joy-Con Street Fighter Artworks: Supremacy Shadaloo