Polygon has a great making of feature on the creation of street fighter 2 arcade done with nothing but quotes even talking about the pirated versions, taking data east to court and even how the upgrades came about as well as some insight on the home versions. Probably biggest reveal is that the beta version of championship edition for mega drive/genesis was outsourced and when capcom japan reviewed it they were appalled by it and decided to do it themselves. Really good read I highly recommend it. http://www.polygon.com/a/street-fighter-2-oral-history
It's a really great read, though I wish there was more of a narrator's perspective than being mostly dependent on interviews. Then again, it would've sounded more technical-like. Wow, fired for making Time Pilot.
Polygon? Great read? has the world gone MAD? Retrogamer had a good FIghting game retrospective a few issues back that's worth reading and the last issue had a really good write up about Killer Instinct.
They've had some very good articles, example: http://www.polygon.com/features/2013/8/15/4528228/missile-command-dave-theurer
I'm extra harsh on Polygon becuase I'm in a fued with one of their reviewers for his unfounded Hatred of all things Sega. But that was a pretty good read I wish it got more into the making of Super and why it took so goddamn long to get to SF III
...... And the search for the "black bordered" Genesis SFII Champion Edition prototype continues...... Although the article gives an idea that the "black border" SF II Genesis is actually outsourced. Then Capcom of Japan saw it, was very much appalled by it and then made a new version inhouse?
Amazing read. Wish there were more articles like this for other important games. Getting the artist that did the american covers of the games for the illustrations on the articles was a nice touch.
Thanks for the link, I've been playing Street Fighter my whole life it seems, always happy to add to my knowledge of the game.
Street Fighter is finally at an age where I can tell people "I was playing Street Fighter before you were born." And " Overrated? you were shitting in dipars during Street Fighter Mania, you just don't understand." I've used both recently.
I actually do remember playing SF1. It was a really nice Arcade the Dream machine, I'm playing it and suddenly I have to go to the bathroom so I left the machine at Geki. SO yeah I did play SF1 back in the day, just once.
If youre interested in the player perspective history of U.S. Street Fighter 2, starting with location test of SF2 to the early tournament scene and SF2 in Japan, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5t8fa_kKjg Audio starts at 1 min mark. Very cool to hear how people "Discovered" combos and special moves and the crowds at arcades.
