Ultra Street Fighter IV review: take a brawl down memory lane

When it comes to fighting games, you don't get much more iconic than Street Fighter. The Capcom series is that games company's top performer, and the newest version, Ultra Street Fighter IV, shows exactly why it has managed to stay at the top.

Mix the traditional Street Fighter fun with new characters, new environments and tweaks for the gameplay inspired by feedback from players and you have one of the best versions of the game yet. New gameplay mechanics include red focus, which uses a super meter to allow players to deal with attacks better than before. You can also use both ultra combos in a fight too, though it means you sacrifice some of your ability to cause damage. You can also delay your character’s wake-up timing to mess with your opponents’ heads. It’s all designed to give you more tactical options , making you think a little more about your fighting style and your approach to each opponent.

The addition of new characters means you have more options for fighters too, with Poison, Hugo, Elena, Rolento, and Decapre bringing to 44 the number of fighters on the roster. They each have their own fighting style, so there’s something here for veteran players. Another new feature is the ability to select your favourite version of a character from the game’s history, so if the new characters don’t cut it, you can take a trip down memory lane .

Among the new modes is the team battle option, which pits players against each other in online teams. Health carries over from each match, so you have to watch the damage inflicted on your fighters if you want to emerge victorious. You can also train with friends in a new online training mode to boost your skills before stepping into the fighting arena. A game that really lives up to its name, this is a must- have for any fighting fan.