Street Fighter: The Movie (console video game)
Capcom released Street Fighter: The Movie for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1995. This title served as a North American launch title for the new console system. Unlike arcade versions that used hand-drawn sprites, this game utilized digitized video from the 1994 film. Actors Raúl Juliá and others appeared on screen as playable characters. The development team processed these images differently than their arcade counterparts. Backgrounds were entirely unique to each home version release. Critics noted that the visual style relied heavily on live-action footage rather than traditional animation techniques.
The combat system mirrored Super Street Fighter II Turbo more closely than the original arcade game. Players could execute Special Moves and Super Combos during matches. A new feature called Super Special Moves required the gauge to be at least half-full before activation. Pressing two attack buttons instead of one triggered these powerful attacks when conditions were met. When the gauge filled completely, players gained unlimited access to these moves until performing a standard Super Combo. Four distinct modes existed within the software package. The primary single-player mode followed the plot of the movie itself. A music video featuring the theme song Something There by Chage & Aska played after completion.
Players controlled Guile on a mission to infiltrate Bison's Lair in Shadaloo City. Branching points allowed fighters to choose different paths through the narrative structure. These choices determined how many opponents would appear before reaching the next major encounter. The final battles pitted the player against Sagat, Bison, and Final Bison. This story-based approach diverged from standard tournament formats found elsewhere. Characters had unique musical themes for this specific game version. The mode offered a linear progression through the film's events rather than an open arena experience.
Raúl Juliá was set to reprise his role as M. Bison for the video game version. He died in October 1994 while already very ill. Darko Tuscan, Julia's stunt double from the film, instead filled the role. Robert Mammone portrayed Blanka but did not return for the project. Stuntman Kim Repia performed Blanka's complicated moveset instead. Akuma appeared as a hidden character selectable only via secret code. Blade from the arcade game and palette-swapped Bison Troopers were absent from home versions. Dee Jay and Blanka joined the roster despite never appearing in the original arcade release.
The console versions released as Street Fighter: Real Battle on Film in Japan. This title distinguished it from an unrelated Street Fighter II Movie game based on anime. Voice samples differed significantly between Japanese and English releases. Three Grand Masters from Street Fighter II had names switched between regional versions. Balrog, Vega, and M. Bison received westernized names in the Japanese version. Akuma was referred to as Gouki within the Japanese text. Text translations varied across different territories during distribution. These changes created distinct experiences for players depending on their location.
The PlayStation version sold out in retail stores within a month of its North American release in September 1995. Critics complained about excessive slowdown and choppy animation throughout the experience. Radion Automatic of Sega Saturn Magazine noted that the game was not a conversion but another port with digitized graphics. Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewers criticized controls while praising FMV cinemas. GamePro gave the Saturn version a firmly negative review due to slow frame redraws. A reviewer for Maximum highlighted poor quality digitization and low frame rates. Bob Mackey of USgamer listed it among the worst launch games for the PlayStation system.
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Common questions
When was Street Fighter: The Movie released for PlayStation and Sega Saturn?
Capcom released Street Fighter: The Movie for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1995. This title served as a North American launch title for the new console system.
Who played M. Bison in the Street Fighter: The Movie video game?
Raúl Juliá was set to reprise his role as M. Bison for the video game version but died in October 1994 while already very ill. Darko Tuscan, Julia's stunt double from the film, instead filled the role.
What is the difference between the Japanese and English versions of Street Fighter: The Movie?
The console versions released as Street Fighter: Real Battle on Film in Japan with voice samples that differed significantly between regional releases. Balrog, Vega, and M. Bison received westernized names in the Japanese version while Akuma was referred to as Gouki within the Japanese text.
How many modes exist in the Street Fighter: The Movie video game software package?
Four distinct modes existed within the software package including a primary single-player mode that followed the plot of the movie itself. A music video featuring the theme song Something There by Chage & Aska played after completion.
Why did critics dislike the Street Fighter: The Movie video game upon release?
Critics complained about excessive slowdown and choppy animation throughout the experience during its North American release in September 1995. Reviewers cited poor quality digitization and low frame rates as major flaws in the PlayStation and Saturn versions.