Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ultraman Powered delivers a classic one-on-one fighting experience that immediately appeals to fans of arcade-style brawlers. Playing as the iconic Japanese superhero, you’ll square off against an array of bizarre and towering kaiju in fast-paced duels. Each fight feels tight and responsive, with Ultraman’s signature punches, kicks, and energy beams mapped intuitively to the controller. This allows new players to pick up the basics quickly, while offering veterans room to master combos and timing.

The game offers two main single-player avenues: a straightforward Versus Mode and a more narrative-driven Story Mode. Versus Mode lets you select from Ultraman and his adversaries to battle either the CPU or a second human player. This creates an accessible local multiplayer setup that’s perfect for couch co-op sessions. Story Mode, on the other hand, weaves in small cutscenes and mission objectives, giving context to each battle and gradually ramping up the difficulty.

Beyond the solo options, Ultraman Powered shines when you challenge a friend in the two-player mode. Matches here can become intense showdowns of strategic positioning, well-timed special attacks, and defensive counters. While the roster isn’t huge, each character—whether Ultraman or one of the giant dinosaur-like beasts—has unique reach, power, and move lists. The balance isn’t flawless, but it keeps multiplayer sessions unpredictable and fun.

Graphics

Graphically, Ultraman Powered captures the colorful, toy-like aesthetic of its source material. Character sprites are rendered in bright, primary colors with bold outlines, making Ultraman and his monstrous foes pop against the often-cluttered backdrops. Each arena features distinct environmental touches—from ruined city streets to volcanic wastelands—that reinforce the kaiju-battle atmosphere. While the palette leans toward primary hues, it never feels garish and maintains a cohesive visual identity.

Animation quality is remarkably smooth for a title of its era. Ultraman’s trademark Spacium Beam sequence shines as a highlight, complete with animated light streaks and a satisfying impact effect. Enemy roars and charge-up animations for special moves add a layer of spectacle, turning each super attack into a brief, thrilling showpiece. Even smaller details, like enemy recoil animations and dust clouds when you land a heavy blow, contribute to a more dynamic battlefield.

Despite the generally strong sprite work, character detail can appear blocky at times, especially when sprites move quickly or when several special effects overlap. Background elements occasionally flicker or exhibit minor graphical glitches during intense battles, but these rarely detract from the overall spectacle. For fans of retro fighters, the art style evokes nostalgia without feeling outdated or sloppy.

Story

Story Mode casts you in the role of Ultraman, Japan’s masked defender, as he faces an invasion of bizarre creatures from an unknown realm. Some adversaries tower like prehistoric dinosaurs, while others defy description—imagine bulbous, tentacled monstrosities or flying entities with glowing eyes. The narrative premise is simple yet effective: avert global destruction by defeating each kaiju one-on-one.

Progression through Story Mode is marked by brief cutscenes that establish the arrival of each new threat and the stakes at hand. While the dialogue is minimal and occasionally cheesy, it captures the campy charm of classic Ultraman episodes. You’ll get glimpses of civilian panic, military countermeasures, and Ultraman’s own heroic resolve. Though the plot doesn’t twist or turn dramatically, it provides enough framework to make each battle feel purposeful.

Character development is understandably light, given the focus on action. However, the game compensates with unlockable endings or variant epilogues based on your performance and fight order. These small rewards encourage replaying Story Mode to see every possible outcome. For fans invested in the Ultraman lore, the storyline serves as a fun homage rather than a deep narrative experience.

Overall Experience

Ultraman Powered stands out as a solid retro fighting game that blends kaiju spectacle with straightforward mechanics. Its appeal lies in the novelty of donning Ultraman’s mask and unleashing energy attacks on giant monsters in localized skirmishes. While it doesn’t reinvent the fighting genre, it offers enough variety in modes and characters to keep both solo and versus play engaging over multiple sessions.

Replayability comes from mastering each character’s move set, experimenting with stage hazards, and discovering all of Story Mode’s endings. Casual players may find the roster limited after extended play, but the two-player mode provides endless fun when facing human opponents. The local multiplayer emphasis makes it especially suited for gamers who enjoy shared-screen battles and laid-back competitive matches.

Ultimately, Ultraman Powered is a niche gem for fans of classic Japanese superheroes and sprite-based fighters. Its graphics, while dated by modern standards, convey a charming retro vibe. The controls are responsive, the combat is satisfying, and the overall package delivers a compact but memorable fighting experience. If you’re seeking a blast from the past with plenty of monster-smashing action, Ultraman Powered is well worth adding to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.5/10