Genre: 2d Fighter
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Publisher: Capcom

The trend in 2d fighters has always been to make larger, better animated, and more colorful character sprites. UDON Entertainment, recruited for this project, has successfully trumped all previous efforts in the genre according to the aforementioned metrics. Unfortunately, another important metric, richness and detail, has been overlooked, detracting somewhat from what is otherwise an eye-appealing effort.

The Street Fighter II soundtrack has been remixed probably two dozen times in a variety of styles by composers all over the world. This version falls near the leading edge in terms of quality, but only with a few selections does it approach the renditions from the 3DO version of this game. Sound effects, selectively taken from Super Turbo and previous incarnations of the game, are all solid choices.

With almost any dpad other than the standard 360's, this version of the engine is the ultimate incarnation of the best playing Street Fighter game of all time. Selectable hit-box display, functional 4:3 and 16:9 display modes, speed selection, and the spot-on engine mechanics are all here. A wonderful "remixed" mode is also available, which rebalances gameplay and alters certain special moves.

The uneven soundtrack and glossy-yet-plain character and backdrop artwork are a step backwards from the original arcade version. Most important though, the gameplay is not only completely intact, but it is rebalanced and perfect in its precision, making this the definitive version of Super Turbo. A rebalanced port of the 3DO version would have made for a better game, but this rendition is still excellent.