Despite Capcom’s general abusive DLC practices, I actually kind of like what they’ve done with Street Fighter IV. The game was first released on consoles in 2009, and has since been iterated and updated rather substantially since. Yes, Capcom’s been updating the game the way did with Street Fighter 2: adding characters, levels, mechanics and stupid prefixes and suffixes to the game’s title. The latest, and quite probably last (unless there’s a balancing update) iteration is Ultra Street Fighter IV – which is available today. How is it?
According to those who’ve been playing, it represents the series’ biggest overhaul to date, with more than just characters and stages added to the brawler. Sadly, of the 5 new characters, most utilise assets ripped straight from Street Fighter X Tekken.
Ultra adds in Red Focus, which has the ability to soak up multiple hits at the expense of two super bars; and each character can utilise both of their ultras in a match. It also ads an eleven frame delayed wakeup for those who like to be sneaky.
Here’s what critics think
After the disappointingly meagre Arcade Edition, Ultra is an expansion every bit deserving of its title, and more than worthy of the time of anyone that has, does, and is yet to enjoy Street Fighter. Here’s to the next five years of brave Ultra counters and delayed wake-up mix-ups.
Eurogamer – 8/10
The only thing that holds this sequel back is the sense that it was made on a fairly tight budget. It’s the little things, like the meagre choice of “new” characters and the way that some of the new Ultra animations lack the dramatic flair of their predecessors. But with the development team’s passion taking up most of the slack, £11.99 for the digital upgrade feels like a fair price. It’s not the Street Fighter 5 that we’ve all been hankering for, but as the fifth (and reportedly final) version of Street Fighter 4, Ultra is an ultimate end in more ways than one.
IGN – 9/10
Ultra Street Fighter 4 takes an already incredible, content-rich fighting game, and builds upon it in ways that fighting enthusiasts can get lost in and casual fans can enjoy. Every addition and refinement, both big and small, works. The new characters feel like they’ve been here all along, and the rebalancing gives old characters a fresh lease on life, making Ultra a must-have for anyone who’s enjoyed any version of Street Fighter 4.
CVG – 8/10
For casual players or newcomers, Ultra Street Fighter IV is the same thrilling, deep, and accessible fighting game it always has been. And with the retail release featuring all previously released costume DLC content, it’s a game that every Xbox 360, PS3 or PC owner should have in their collection.
It’s worth remembering that you’ll be able to pick this up either as DLC, or as a standalone disc (available in August). It’s also worth remembering that Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition will be free to Xbox Gold Members later this month, and it’ll just cost the price of the DLC – about R200 – to upgrade to this latest, most feature-packed iteration.
Last Updated: June 3, 2014
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:05
After watching that trailer of the new Mortal Kombat I don’t really care about any other fighting games.
Skoobaz
June 3, 2014 at 12:30
Hahaha, Yes!
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 12:30
Yuuuuuuuuup
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:31
I have gone back every hour so far today to watch that trailer again!! Man I think I am in love!! Don’t even care if it is in game footage, make a movie that looks like that and count me in!!
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 12:34
Plus it’s the tenth one in the series already. Here we have what, the fourth release of SF4 but with new characters and a few gameplay changes?
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:35
SF is doing the DLC thing to the MAX!!! Hahahaha
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 3, 2014 at 12:57
A few..That’s the sort of thing people who don’t actually play SFIV say.
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 13:23
Well I mean I did read about the Red Focus,Double Ultra and the delayed wakeup mechanic, but no I haven’t played Ultra yet. I did own the first SF4 but traded it after a while.
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 15:09
That is what you all say when I buy a new Fifa every year!!!! Cause they also only change a few things according to you all!! 🙂
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 3, 2014 at 13:46
Here, have a upvote.
Skyblue
June 3, 2014 at 23:01
NOOB!
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 12:13
Wouldn’t mind this game! But seriously now…Who cares about SF or even MK when Guilty Gear Xrd is on our doorstep????
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:27
The what is on our doorstep?
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:28
Believe it or not that is what its called.
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:29
Goes off to play google!!
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 12:32
Xrd man…XRD! 😛
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:27
Well just play them all I say. I like all fighting games – I am really, really bad at them and yet they can be fun to play.
I think its that old-school arcade feel – just you (and your poor fingers) against a possibly brutal AI. Tinkered with DOA4 online and got my ass handed to me…often.
Jonah Cash
June 3, 2014 at 12:28
My wife beat me fairly regularly with the last MK….. I traded it in!!!
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:51
LOL
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 12:32
Lol naa, can’t afford to sink time into so many fighting games. I only play a select few. ANYTHING from Arc Systems is a MUST. Persona 4 Arena easily became my fav fighting game this gen
Also…Never play DOA online, as a matter of fact, most fighting games…Asians will whoop you! lol
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:53
Cannot remember offhand but do they do the BlazBlue games? I see the new one, Phantas…something or other. Did you ever try Battle Fantasia? I own it but never played it.
WufanGohan
June 5, 2014 at 13:16
Just enjoy yourself for that is all that matters.
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 12:30
Not even MK X?
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 12:31
Oh, not a fan, mostly because block is mapped to a button. I was too dumb to get used to it
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 12:36
Practice makes perfect, plus it’s been like that since MK1
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 12:38
I know, I’ve never liked any MK lol and Agh, maybe will give it a try, will get MK 9
Sk3tz0
June 3, 2014 at 13:45
blasphemy!!!
WufanGohan
June 5, 2014 at 13:18
No.
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:28
I want
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 12:31
Same here, but only if it’s finally the final version they have for SF4.
CAE9872
June 3, 2014 at 12:50
Whahahaha…unlikely knowing them! SF4 for PS4 next.
WufanGohan
June 5, 2014 at 13:13
It’s alright. The current systems are good enough.
WufanGohan
June 5, 2014 at 13:15
Play other games.
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 13:31
Like Nintendo being the fanboi that I am 😛
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 3, 2014 at 12:59
I dig Mortal Kombat, it’s fun stuff – but SF is a deeper and better fighter than Mortal Kombat will ever be.
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 13:17
One of the greatest moments in gaming history…
http://youtu.be/pS5peqApgUA?t=2m44s
SF is a much better game, has much more subtle nuances and technicalities that make it a much deeper fighter. SF 4’s Foucs cancelling is great!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 3, 2014 at 13:25
Ahh, Justin Wong and Dago. That shit is legendary.
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 13:30
Yeah, still get goosebumps whenever I watch that
hendrik
June 3, 2014 at 13:23
Shaddup a your face!
Hammersteyn
June 3, 2014 at 13:26
That’s true and testament to that is the fact the people play this in tournaments rather MK. So I would agree the SF is for the hardcore fighter enthusiast and while MK comes close but is more inclined to tell a story by focusing on the single players. That’s why I believe Capcom has trouble moving their franchise beyond the letter 4
hendrik
June 3, 2014 at 13:28
Maybe the next FFD should be: Tekken, SF or MK
Umar's Crown
June 3, 2014 at 13:30
BlazBlue
Sk3tz0
June 3, 2014 at 13:43
This game i’l only get as a trade in. like i said previously. Im over Street Fighter. Bring on Mortal Kombat X or a Marvel Versus DC but like they did with injustice. Kinda wish there was a decent Smash Brother type Game for the PS console.
Fighting Games I’m gatvol of:
Street Fighter
Marvel vs Capcom
Capcom vs SNK
Dead or Alive series.
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 3, 2014 at 13:46
Cant wait for Street Fighter SUPER MEGA ULTRA XY PRO ULTIMATE 7
aj_nator
June 3, 2014 at 13:54
Is Street Fighter better than BlazBlue? Cos i enjoy the hell of out bb but have never tried sf
Alm Dante
June 3, 2014 at 15:18
:v
Jon
June 5, 2014 at 16:47
I bought the upgrade to the game and downloaded it yesterday. Got through Arcade mode with Decapre. Her moves really take some getting used to; I thought it would be an easy transition from Cammy. Poison seems easy enough to handle though.