Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The “Street Fighter: Anniversary Collection” serves as a landmark compilation, blending two of the most celebrated arcade fighters—Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike—alongside the classic animated film. Hyper Street Fighter II brings back the frenetic 2D clash of 19 fighters, each plucked from different iterations of Street Fighter II. From the light-footed Ryu of the original World Warrior to the bullet-firing Charlie from Super Turbo, the sheer roster flexibility means endless matchups and trial-and-error mastery for both newcomers and seasoned veterans.

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike shifts the focus to precision and nuance. Its parry system rewards split-second timing, turning defense into an art form. Matches evolve into mind games as players bait opponents into unsafe moves and then exploit openings. The depth here is undeniable: each character’s moveset is brimming with unique cancels, EX attacks, and super arts that encourage exploratory play and combo discovery. Casual players might find the learning curve steep, but the sense of accomplishment when landing a perfectly timed parry or a multi-hit super combo is immensely satisfying.

Local multiplayer is where this collection truly shines. While no online play is included, the Xbox pad feels responsive, and local head-to-head bouts rekindle the arcade spirit. Training and versus modes let you fine-tune your skills, and adjustable difficulty settings cater to players of all levels. The compilation’s menu structure is straightforward, allowing you to switch between titles with a few button presses—perfect for late-night sessions with friends or solo practice runs.

Graphics

Visually, Hyper Street Fighter II holds up remarkably well on the Xbox. The sprites retain their sharpness, and character animations remain fluid—even when upscaled on modern HDTVs. Backgrounds are vibrant and packed with detail, from bustling marketplaces to shadowy temples, and the high-contrast color palette ensures that every fireball and dragon punch pops off the screen. You get the feeling that Capcom’s original artists carefully preserved each pixel, so the nostalgia factor is sky-high.

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike transitions to detailed hand-drawn sprites rendered in a more painterly style. Characters appear more lifelike, thanks to subtle shading and expressive postures. Special moves involve elaborate cut-ins and slow-motion effects that heighten drama. While some purists might lament the move away from the classic SFII aesthetic, 3rd Strike’s visuals stand on their own, presenting an almost watercolor-like quality that sets it apart.

The inclusion of Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie offers an unexpected graphical treat. The full-length feature retains its cel-animation charm, showcasing smooth character designs and dynamic action sequences. Watching Ryu’s pilgrimage or Chun-Li’s pursuit of Shadaloo with crisp DVD clarity adds a cinematic dimension to the package—an audiovisual bonus that complements the games perfectly.

Story

Fighting games rarely win accolades for narrative depth, yet this collection weaves a loose storyline thread through each component. In Hyper Street Fighter II, the plot is your classic world-tournament setup: fighters from around the globe converge to test their strength and face the evil M. Bison. It’s simple, almost archetypal, but serves as the perfect stage for character rivalries and signature exchanges.

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike continues these threads several years later, introducing a new generation of warriors while maintaining cameos from old favorites. The overarching theme revolves around the “Second Impact” and the Enforcer program, offering a darker, more introspective angle. Character intros and endings provide glimpses into motivations—Dudley’s pursuit of honor, Yun and Yang’s playful sibling dynamic—delivering enough context to care about each victory.

The Animated Movie fills in the gaps, dramatizing key plot points such as Ryu’s internal struggle with his darker impulses and Chun-Li’s quest for justice. It adds weight to the motivations you’ve already seen in the games, fleshing out moments that would otherwise be limited to brief arcade endings. Experiencing these narratives back-to-back underscores how Street Fighter’s world evolved over the years.

Overall Experience

For buyers eyeing a comprehensive taste of Street Fighter history on the Xbox, this collection is a must-have. You get the definitive II experience alongside one of the deepest 2D fighters ever made, all on a single disc. The nostalgic pull is powerful, but so is the enduring gameplay quality—matchups remain balanced, controls stay tight, and every round feels energized.

Some players may lament the lack of online lobbies, but the local multiplayer offerings and robust training modes more than compensate. The presentation is clean and functional, with quick load times and an intuitive menu. Bonus content like character bios, move lists, and art galleries (where available) serve as delightful Easter eggs for series aficionados.

Ultimately, “Street Fighter: Anniversary Collection” delivers both sentimental value and real combat depth. Whether you’re reliving arcade memories or discovering these classics for the first time, the compilation stands as a sterling tribute to 15 years of fighting-game evolution—an essential addition to any Xbox library.