Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers

Also known as: N/A

Developer: Capcom

I was really excited for Ultra Street Fighter II...and while I'm not necessarily disappointed with what this game delivered, it shows how far we've come in terms of what we expect out of game content. If Ultra Street Fighter II was released back in '95 or '96, this would have been absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, a fighting game without a lot of modes beyond an "Arcade mode" these days is kind of a disappointment. Also, the two new characters to the Street Fighter II games, Evil Ryu and Violent Ken, aren't new characters in terms of other games...and since they're just alternate versions of characters already in the game, I felt that they were a bit of a letdown. Keeping them in, but including some brand new characters, or even including a few characters from the first Street Fighter, Street Fighter III or IV, the Alpha and/or EX series would have been great...anything else would have been more exciting for this player. But more powerful variations of two folks already in the game was a bit of a groaner for me. But anyway, lack of game modes aside, and lack of legitimately new fighters aside, the actual combat is just as enjoyable as it always was, so if nothing else, Ultra Street Fighter II provides a nice trip down memory lane. It’s really only going to appeal to the most hardcore Street Fighter II fans, though.

Review added: 08/28/2019

Untitled Goose Game

Also known as: Untitled Goose Game: Itazura Gachou ga Yattekita! (Japan)

Developer: 22nd Century Toys

Untitled Goose Game was a game that I picked up, fully expecting it to be like Goat Simulator – good for a few laughs, but not much beyond that. Thankfully, I was wrong. Untitled Goose Game is definitely good for a few laughs, but it’s more than that. Being a jerk to everyone in town seemingly never gets old – my personal favorite is stealing the keys from the groundskeeper in the first area, closing him inside the gate, then turning the sprinkler on when he has no way of getting outside to turn it back off….then strutting around like only a goose can with the keys in hand…er, mouth…just taunting him while honking in joy. Along with the laughs that this game provides, there are interesting stealth-based puzzles and simple, yet solid graphics and sounds to be found. The game itself is very short – maybe an hour in length when you know what to do, with some extra stuff to do after you beat it – but while it lasts, it is absolutely mesmerizing. I’m hoping that a sequel comes out down the road, because I would absolutely love another small town (or maybe even big city) to terrorize.

Review added: 10/13/2019