Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix has been in development for quite a while and even after a beta test we still don't have a firm release date. Capcom is secretive, that's just how they roll. So, when our Joystiq pals received a teaser email from team Capcom proclaiming that SSFIITHDR would be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade "very soon", our inner Street Fighter fanboy was tickled with excitement.
Exactly how soon is "very soon"? We dunno, but sooner or later we'll know what "very soon" means and will soon have SSFIITHDR ... soon.
Sticking to their word, Capcom has just released a patch for the recently extendedSuper Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta which should improve everyone's overall beta experience. The patch will insta-download once the beta is launched and, once applied, will fix various bugs and gameplay issues including a 50% improvement in the overall net code. Sadly, the patch doesn't treat us to any new fighters or ratchet up the re-playability quotient. Shucks to that.
All along we were under that the soon to be patched Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta would be wrapping up towards the end of August. Maybe that was the initial plan, but now Capcom has had a change of heart by extending the beta window. September 5th is the new beta end date which we suspect the promised patch has something to do with. Speaking of patch, if you haven't already checked it out, the Capcom folks outlined all the updates and changes that'll be implemented. Have a happy August.
Way back in June, Super Street Figher II Turbo HD Remix beta producer Rey Jimenez acknowledged that the beta was less than perfect and a bit unstable. But, since then, we've been informed by the Capcom peeps that a beta patch wouldn't be released due to various time and money constraints. The no-patch announcement made us uncontrollably cry for a few days, but we had not choice but to accept Capcom's decision. Well fanboys, now it sounds like the Capcom crew is changing their minds once again, because yesterday producer Jimenez confirmed via the Capcom Blog that they are indeed working on a beta patch that promises the "overall experience in the beta will be vastly improved". Patch specifics including its release will be coming soon and we hope soon means relatively soon. Because August 20th and the beta's end is quickly approaching.
Joystiq has posted their impressions of the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta. You may have heard that the beta has some rather serious issues, and Josytiq's experience has been no different (for what it's worth, we haven't experienced any problems just playing 1-on-1 quick matches). That said, once the game actually does work, it's a lot of fun. Make no mistake, this is just Super Street Fighter II with a new coat of pixels, but there isn't really anything wrong with that. One thing that needs to be made clear is that the game plays much better than Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, the iteration of the series that's already availble on XBLA. The lag found in Hyper Fighting seems to have been alleviated this time around (so far, we've only experienced lag one time). We just hope you have a better control option than the standard 360 controller.
Head over to Joystiq for their full impressions of the beta.
According to numerous posts over on the Capcom forums, the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta is a bit problematic. All kinds of beta participants are experiencing a few bugs, network issues and, even worse, complete lockups. Thankfully, Capcom hasn't turned a blind eye to unsatisfied Street Fighter beta participates, acknowledging the issues, but admitting that they will NOT be releasing a patch to fix the beta. The reason? It's a beta and the reason people are playing is to discover said bugs. The other main reason is because "resubmissions would cost a fortune and not go live for weeks", seeing that any new code changes would have to go through MS cert.
So, be happy with your SSFIITHDR fun, even if it isn't the most stable chunk of code in the world. To do our part in making unhappy Street Fighter fans smile, we've embedded the latest, bug free beta video footage above. You're welcome!
Hey kids, it's Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta go time! This morning Capcom flipped the switch on the special SSFIITHDR beta, allowing anyone who purchased the 800 MS point Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 to access the beta thus allowing fanboys' classic Street Fighter fists to fly. The sad news is that players can only choose from either Ryu or Ken (no Blanka? WTF!), but you'll just have to deal. Capcom also confirmed that the beta will last a few months, ending on August 20th. Have fun!
With today's release of Commando 3, we're sure eager Street Fighter fanboys are all wondering when the (super turbo HD long breath) Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta will begin. Yes, the beta download option is already listed under Commando 3's game menu, it's just that it isn't active meaning no beta love yet. But good news fanboys, your wondering can stop today, because the crew over at the Capcom Blog just announced that the SSFIITHDR beta will go live on Xbox Live in a few weeks on Wednesday, June 25th. Celebratory dances are permitted and completely encouraged.
True, buddies over on the Playstation Network already have it, but next week it'll be coming to the better online platform (that's fanboy humor, get it?)
Capcom just announced that Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 will be releasing to the Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday, June 11th for 800 Microsoft points. And with three player online or local co-op, fresh 3D visuals and enough "kaboom!" to throw a hand grenade stuffed puppy at, it may be worth your points. Remember too that those who purchase Commando 3 will also be granted access into the (deep breath) Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta which will launch in the days following. A beta that is exclusive to the XBLA. Like we said, the XBLA is the better online platform ... mwahahahaha!
With the risk of sounding mean, Japanese companies rarely pay attention to their audience. At one point Sony execs refused to believe in social gaming and Nintendo thought online play was a fad but thankfully that mentality is changing. One company inparticular is attempting to reach out to gamers, in this age of social media, and that company is Capcom. Recent announcements make us think that Capcom's latest mission statement is to focus on community feedback. With polling consumers for the price-point of Bionic Commando: Rearmed and allowing gamers to beta test the hottly anticipated Street Fighter II HD Remix (SSFIITHDR that is), Capcom's focus is pointed at what their fans want and think. It's a refreshing approach and gamers are taking notice.
Today we noticed the insane amount of footage that came out of Capcom's recent event, Capcom Digital Day. At the event Capcom showcased the upcoming pseudo-expansion Lost Planet Colonies and their upcoming library of XBLA releases. While Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 and Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix were all known quantities, Capcom also showed of the HD remake of the classic top-down shooter 1942 which was recently announced.
Jump in for a breakdown of each of the XBLA games and a ton of video starting with the title Street Fighter fans will be clawing all over, for the beta that is, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3.
Street Fighter fans put away those shiny pennies in an effort to purchase a PlayStation 3. Game producer, Rey Jimenez, put fears of a "gimped" Xbox 360 version of the upcoming Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix to rest with the latest blog post on Capcom's official site. "I can officially say that the filesize will not be an issue," Jimenez said. "With great help from the guys at Microsoft, we will be able to offer the same features on both platforms to the same quality as each other. To use the term I've been reading on the forums, neither console version will be "gimped" due to any kind of limitation."
All we can say is phew. This news comes at a perfect time for fans of the series who have recently been told about a beta test program that will be rolling out this Spring. The last thing we can hope for is that the "compression ninjas" at Microsoft will help with that Bionic Commando: Rearmedissue as well.
When the Halo 3 beta was announced gamers were perplexed at the notion that they'd only be able to enjoy online Halo-hyjinx if they threw down the money for Crackdown. Eventually the "Halo 3 beta with a free copy of Crackdown" jokes out when Crackdown turned out to be a solid title. While we didn't think anyone would be brave enough to force another purchase on us in hopes to test an anticipated title, we were wrong.
Today GameSpot is reporting that Capcom has outlined plans to follow in Microsoft's shoes by offering a free beta key for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix to gold Xbox Live members who purchase, the recently renamed, Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. Upon spending 800 MS Points ($10) for Commando 3, eligible gamers will be able to take part in the stress test for approximately eight-weeks with access to two classic characters, Ryu and Ken.
The test is scheduled to begin shortly after the release of Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3, which hits this Spring. According to Capcom, tests are required to test latency issues for the upcoming XBLA fighting game. Based on Capcom's past of online fighting issues, we think this test is warranted.
Following a little artwork leakage, the Capcom Blog has lifted the curtain on the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix creative process by showing off some of their art assets.
Producer Rey Jimenez posted a bundle of two month old SSFIITHDR artwork assets to show how the art process is moving ahead and some of the challenges they're facing. The artwork can be downloaded in PSD form here (zipped up) and shows each fighter's art in various stages of development. In his blog post Jimenez also uses art samples to illustrate what changes have yet to be made and how their quality control works. So, give the art a download and be the little nit picky QA grinch you've always wanted to be, but remember that this is all work-in-progress stuff ... be tough though.
New screenshots from (deep breath) Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix were posted on the Capcom Digital blog yesterday, showing off what we can expect in terms of visuals. These three (plus one off-screen) screenshots are work-in-progress (something Capcom is quite adamant at pointing out) showing off a few of the sprites we've grown to love and a few environments too. It really looks like they've taken classic Street Fighter, cleaned it up, put a new pair of jeans on it and brushed its hair, because it's looking darn spiffy. Check out all three work-in-progress screens in the gallery below and be sure to make the jump for developer commentary. And before you get riled up into a tizzy, the character selection screen's map dots are not accurate. Good catch though.
Well, the first shaky-cam video anyway. The folks over at Capcom Digital have posted a cell phone video of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix being played by a pair of employees. It's a classic Ken vs. Ryu match, and even with though it's low quality footage, it looks like the game is coming along nicely. In short, it's Street Fighter alright. Capcom Digital notes that this is the remix mode, in which characters have received a few tweaks, though only hardcore players are likely to notice them. Also, note the (optional) remixed music in the background. There really isn't that much more to say, as the whole HD part is sort of the most important piece of the puzzle. Without a high resolution video, all of that is lost. Still, footage is footage. Enjoy.
Sticking to 
Following a little artwork leakage, the Capcom Blog has lifted the curtain on the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix creative process by showing off some of their art assets.
