Street Fighter EX

A few months after the original version of Street Fighter EX was released, an upgraded version titled Street Fighter EX Plus was released in arcades on March 31, 1997. In this version, all of the hidden time-released characters are available by default. This version also adds four new hidden characters, increasing the total number of characters to 21: Evil Ryu from Street Fighter Alpha 2, an alternate version of Hokuto named Bloody Hokuto, and two cyborgs named Cycloid-β and Cycloid-γ.

The PlayStation version of the game, titled Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha and promoted as Street Fighter EX Plus α, was released on July 17, 1997. All of the characters from the arcade version of EX Plus are included, along with two characters exclusive to this version, increasing the total number of characters to 23: Dhalsim from Street Fighter II and Sakura from Street Fighter Alpha 2.[7] In addition, there is a hidden bonus stage where the player has to smash barrels, similar to one of the three bonus stages from Street Fighter II.[8]

The PlayStation version also includes several game modes in addition to the Arcade mode: a dedicated two-player Versus mode, Practice mode, Team Battle mode, Survival mode, Time Attack mode, and Watch mode where the player witnesses a match between two computer-controlled characters. The PlayStation version also includes an arranged soundtrack and CG animated endings for all of the characters.

A bootleg was ported on Super Nintendo. This version is more like a port of the original Street Fighter EX since eight of its characters were in the first and only one was not who happens to be Sakura. Also, M. Bison and Akuma are default characters. It includes two gameplay modes: Arcade and Versus.

The Japanese versions of both EX and EX Plus contain text-only epilogues which are displayed on-screen after the player defeats M. Bison in single-player mode. The PlayStation version features new epilogues (different from the ones featured in the arcade versions) in addition to FMV endings.

A reviewer for Next Generation commended Capcom for bringing the Street Fighter series into 3D, but judged Street Fighter EX to be an ultimately failed attempt. He remarked that while the characters are evenly balanced and have a handful of innovative moves, "The game plays more like a distant cousin to the Street Fighter series" and is simply not as fun. He also found the animations and backgrounds to not be up to Street Fighter standards.[15]

The expanded PlayStation version was much more positively received. Next Generation explained that it had far exceeded the arcade version by adding new characters and new gameplay modes, as well as correcting the feel, and called it "an outstanding title even non-SF devotees will enjoy."[16] Both Next Generation and GameSpot assured readers that the look of the old characters had been faithfully translated to polygonal form,[13][16] and critics generally approved of the series' transition to polygonal graphics.[12][14][16][19] Dan Hsu of Electronic Gaming Monthly said it was "What should've been called Street Fighter III" rather than the sprite-based game released under that name, and co-reviewer Howard Grossman said it "has the attraction of 3-D looks, 2-D playability and great options!"[12] GameSpot described it as "a fun game with great gameplay, better than average aesthetics, and a large number of characters" and "a 3D Street Fighter game worthy of its heritage."[13] The Official UK PlayStation Magazine said that the "gameplay is as recognisable as the Taj Mahal", and that it was "the most fun we've ever had with Streetfighting since Turbo", rating the lifespan as 10/10. They concluded "this is like a second honeymoon. The true master of martial arts games remains unrivalled." IGN's Jason Boor stated "this is one of the best Street Fighters I've ever played, and I think it's a good switch. It's still a 2D fighter, but it looks a whole lot better."[14] GamePro similarly said that it "adds a cool polygonal 3D look to the classic game while keeping the fun, basic gameplay that's made the series one of the fighting genre's all-time best."[19]

Critics also overwhelmingly liked the new characters the game introduced,[11][12][14][16][19] with Next Generation describing them as "very playable and distinct"[16] and Ed Lomas writing in Computer and Video Games that they "start to grow on you before long - especially Skullo."[11] The most common reservation critics had was that the game did not do quite enough to change up the technique from previous Street Fighter games. Hsu said that while there were enough changes in the moves and timing to challenge Street Fighter veterans, he was disappointed that the new characters all used the traditional fireball and dragon punch joypad motions,[12] and GamePro likewise opined that it made them feel like "Ken and Ryu clones."[19]

The PlayStation version was a runner-up for "Fighting Game of the Year" (behind Street Fighter Collection) at Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1997 Editors' Choice Awards.[20] In 1998 PlayStation: The Official Magazine listed it as number 9 on their "best PlayStation games of all time".[21] The PlayStation version also received a nomination for "Console Fighting Game of the Year" during the AIAS' inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards.[22]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Street Fighter EX on their February 15, 1997 issue as being the second most-successful arcade game of the month.[23] Game Machine also listed Street Fighter EX Plus on their May 15, 1997 issue as being the sixth most-successful arcade game of the month.[24] In North America, the arcade version saw limited distribution.[25]

The PlayStation version sold over 400,000 total copies worldwide after its first year on sale, qualifying for the Platinum Range.