by ForlornTwilight

    One of the most highly anticipated titles for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and for good reason. Expanding on Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting released nearly two years ago, HD Remix promises to offer the most comprehensive and unmatched Street Fighter II experience ever. If you can’t wait for the full title to be released, a purchase of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 will snag you access to the beta as an added bonus. While the beta is fairly limited in scope, offering only Ryu, Ken, and the Japan stage to play on, and does having freezing issues being addressed by Capcom, it is clear that HD Remix is going to be a gem of the Arcade.

    The most apparent change to anyone other than the hardcore Street Fighter II players is going to be the graphics. The menus are presented in black and purple and are accompanied remixed music and animated character artwork. The only word for this presentation is extreme, edgy, and just plain awesome. The character models are well done and the visible lines on them really add depth. The muscles are a little on the bulgy side, but they never feel overdone. Heading off to Japan is simply breathtaking, as the stage is just wonderfully redone. While the walls and cannons looks crisp and well defined, the real touches are found in the background. The tower against the night sky has real depth and a towering presence against the battlefield. I was most impressed by the sky, though, as a thin mist of clouds slowly drifts by a moon that is exceptionally well lit. If all the stages have been given this much attention to detail, HD Remix is going to be one of the most beautiful games of this generation.

    Of course, Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is more than just a graphical revival of the classic game; there are gameplay changes to be found as well. It’s hard to divine what all the changes up Backbone and Capcom’s sleeves are based on just Ryu and Ken, but it’s clear that the remixed mode is meant to bring the competitive beatdown on a new level. From the matches I’ve played on Remix mode, it’s clear that both characters are evenly matched. In addition to the HD Remix mode, you can also play Classic Arcade mode, allowing you to select between Super Street Fighter II and Super Street Fighter II Turbo modes of play, with the decision being unique to each combatant. The netcode for the game is very smooth and there is very little noticeable lag, which is a godsend for fighting games, especially considering the issues that Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting had. Player matches allow for spectators as people queue up to fight, and Tournament mode allows for a group of people to fight for the top spot.

    It is still unknown when Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will finally see digital release on both the Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Network, but this beta is a clear indication that Backbone and Capcom have done the series justice with this remixed version of one of the most beloved fighters of all time. With plenty of play options, sharp characters, a crisp soundtrack, and gorgeous graphics, it’s obvious that Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will be well worth the money when it hits, and will most certainly put retail fighters to shame.