Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ultraman delivers a unique twist on the classic one-on-one fighting formula by weaving in the core narrative beats of the 1967 television series. Players step into the towering boots of the titular super-being, balancing standard punches, kicks, and grapples with a resource management system for special moves. Charging these powerful abilities adds a tactical layer to each encounter, forcing you to weigh the risk of missing an opening while building up energy against your foe.

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The six-minute combined time limit—four minutes of Ultraman’s power on Earth plus a strict three-minute limit per stage—introduces a thrilling sense of urgency. Each battle becomes a race against both your opponent’s recharging life bar and your dwindling flight time. On paper it’s simple, but in practice you’ll find yourself adjusting your playstyle constantly: sprinting in to land heavy hits before launching a Specium Beam, then backing off to conserve health and time.

Controls are responsive, with tight input recognition for combos and special moves. However, the game’s true challenge lies in adapting to enemy patterns and occasional evasive tricks that thwart even the mightiest beam attack. With only three lives and no continues, every mistake is punishing—whether you mistime a grappling throw or misread an enemy’s feint. This unforgiving design will thrill hardcore fans seeking an arcade-style trial by fire, but casual players may need several tries before mastering each monster’s quirks.

Graphics

Ultraman’s visuals are a love letter to 8- and 16-bit era arcade fighters, rendered in bold, colorful sprites that evoke the feel of vintage tokusatsu shows. Ultraman himself is faithfully realized, complete with the glowing color timer on his chest and dynamic animations for punches, kicks, and beam attacks. Environments range from crumbling cityscapes to alien landscapes, each background layered with parallax scrolling that adds depth to the battlefield.

While technical limitations prevent ultra-high fidelity, the art direction cleverly uses a bright palette and distinct character silhouettes to ensure clarity in the heat of combat. Special move effects—like the dazzling streak of the Specium Beam—cut through the on-screen chaos with satisfying clarity. Occasional frame rate dips can occur when multiple projectiles or particle effects appear, but these moments are brief and rarely disrupt the flow of battle.

Enemy designs pay tribute to classic Ultraman kaiju, sporting exaggerated proportions and unique color schemes. Even if you’re unfamiliar with Bemular, Red King, or Zetton, each monster feels like a memorable boss; their signature moves are animated with care, giving each matchup its own visual identity. The result is a vibrant package that stands out among retro-themed fighters without feeling dated or derivative.

Story

True to its source material, Ultraman’s narrative is straightforward but engaging: Earth’s finest defenders in the Science Special Search Party join forces with a stranded alien hero to fend off waves of menacing invaders. The simplicity of the plot allows the game to focus squarely on action, but brief in-game intros and victory messages sprinkle in enough flavor text to remind players of Ultraman’s ongoing mission.

Each stage essentially reprises an episode from the original 1967 series, pitting you against familiar adversaries who reappear with escalating difficulty. This structure creates a sense of progression, as you feel yourself rising to meet each monster’s growing arsenal of tricks. The narrative payoff arrives in the dramatic moment when you drain an enemy’s life bar and unleash the Specium Beam—an homage that fans of the show will appreciate.

Despite the absence of lengthy cutscenes or voiceovers, the game uses short animated transitions and expressive character sprites to convey urgency and atmosphere. Enemy introductions often feature a quick zoom or pose, capturing the spirit of episodic television. While hardcore story enthusiasts may crave deeper plot twists, the concise presentation keeps the pace brisk, ensuring you spend most of your time locked in combat rather than watching lengthy cinematics.

Overall Experience

Ultraman strikes a compelling balance between nostalgic fan service and tight, challenging fighting mechanics. The pressure of limited power-on-Earth time plus a ticking stage clock keeps matches feeling fresh and high-stakes. When you finally land that perfect combination of charged special moves and a Specium Beam knockout, the sense of accomplishment is undeniable.

That said, the steep difficulty curve and lack of continues will deter players used to modern leniency. You’ll need patience and memorization to get past certain monsters, especially those with unpredictable movement patterns. Casual gamers may find themselves hitting a brick wall, but for those who love mastering old-school arcade challenges, Ultraman delivers in spades.

Overall, Ultraman is more than just a simple TV tie-in; it’s a well-crafted fighting game that honors its roots while offering solid gameplay depth. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the tokusatsu hero or a retro fighter aficionado, this title provides hours of intense, time-sensitive action that will test your reflexes and strategy in equal measure. For seekers of tough, rewarding bouts wrapped in nostalgic presentation, Ultraman emerges as a standout choice.

Retro Replay Score

5.1/10