'Street Fighter IV' video game review

(Credit: Capcom)

Rating:
Developer: Dimps (“Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit”) and Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Available On: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Reviewed On: Xbox 360

If you judge the “Street Fighter” franchise only on the appalling 1994 movie (freshly released on Blu-ray) and the rumored-to-be-as-bad “Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li” (due in theaters Feb. 27), no one would fault you for thinking the latest video game must be just as disappointing.

So it’s actually good news that, despite all the advances in technology over the years, “Street Fighter IV” is decidedly old school. Set up as a sequel to 1991’s “Street Fighter II” and 1994’s “Super Street Fighter II Turbo,” this brawler plays just like those old games did back in the day and doesn’t skimp on any of the classic characters (including a the reliably photogenic Chun-Li).

The game eschews the third-dimension, sticking to its 2D roots with ’80s-looking anime intros and characters who seem to think New Wave is actually still new. “SFIV” even has the same cheesy, keyboard-driven music and sound effects that drove fans crazy back in the day.

The only real modern touches are the ability to play online (including a geeky-cool arcade-style option to let players put down a virtual quarter and call next game), and the updated visuals, which are still cartoonish but have an artsier, almost watercolor-ish look about them.

It all adds up to a game ideal for longtime fans, not anyone who doesn’t know Chun-Li from Wang Chung. Even on a technical level, “SFIV” rewards fighting game veterans. A reliance on combos (including the usual “Super Combos” and the new three button Ultra Combos) virtually guarantees you won’t get far by just button mashing, even on the easiest difficult level.

Good thing Mad Catz is releasing two “Street Fighter IV” arcade stick controllers that will give you the perfect place to plant your quarters.

Bottom Line: Fans of nouveau brawlers need not apply (stick to the other fighting four-quel, “Soulcalibur IV”), but for old school fans of this series, “Street Fighter IV” is like finding a roll of quarters on a Friday night.