Rediscovering Street Fighter 2 on the Sega Mega Drive with the Six-Button Controller

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I finally got my hands on Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition for the Sega Mega Drive, which I picked up today from CEX in Enniskillen. It was such a find! The game in such great condition. I’ve owned the console for more than 30 years, and I’ve been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever.

Street Fighter 2 was a phenomenon when it was first released in the early 90s, and it still holds up today as one of the greatest fighting games of all time.

One of the things that made Street Fighter 2 so special was its use of a six-button controller. While the standard Mega Drive controller had three buttons, the six-button controller added three more buttons that allowed for more complex and varied moves. For Street Fighter 2, this meant that players could execute special moves and combos more easily.

I remember seeing the six-button controller for the first time as a kid 30 years ago and being amazed by its design. It looked so futuristic and cool, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one. When I finally did, I was a little disappointed that there weren’t many games that used all six buttons. I thought it would bring the Mega Drive more in line with the SNES. But now, with Street Fighter 2, I can finally put the controller to good use.

Playing Street Fighter 2 on the Sega Mega Drive with the six-button controller is a joy. The controls are responsive and precise considering the age, the graphics and sound aren’t as impressive as I remember, but the gameplay is amazing, and the game still manages to be challenging and engaging even after all these years.

I also picked up Road Rash II just a couple of weeks ago from the same shop. It’s been a while since I last played Road Rash II, but I remembered it being a really fun racing game with some hilarious animations and a sprinkle of violence.

It’s always a great feeling when you find a hidden gem at a shop like CEX. The staff there are always helpful and knowledgeable about retro games, and it’s a great place to find rare titles at reasonable prices.