Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta going Commando on XBLA

Capcom's Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting is widely heralded as one of the greatest fighting games of all time, and its addition to Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade had more than a few classic fighter fans returning to the dojo in preparation for online brawling. However, its arrival on Xbox Live Arcade was met with a bittersweet reception, as while the single-player component was a near-flawless emulation, the much-anticipated online features suffered from debilitating lag.

With Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Capcom has another chance to do right by its throng of faithful fans, and the publisher seems to have learned its lesson from its first outing. Capcom announced today that it will be offering free access to the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix beta to Xbox Live Gold members who purchase Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. A continuation of the high-octane action series with roots dating back to 1985, Commando 3 will run gamers 800 Microsoft points ($10). It will also be available for download on the PlayStation 3.

With Capcom touting the SSFII Turbo HD Remix beta as the first of its kind for a digitally distributed XBLA title, Xbox Live Gold members will be able to download an access key for the advanced trial alongside Commando 3 this spring. The beta is expected to be available for play shortly thereafter. The beta period will run for approximately eight weeks, and world warriors will be able to battle it out on a single stage as either Ken or Ryu. According to Capcom, the purpose of the beta is to stress-test the game's network code in anticipation of its full release on XBL and the PlayStation Network later this year.

Adapted for XBLA and PSN by Backbone Entertainment, SSFII Turbo HD Remix brings the classic fighter into the high-definition age, with completely redrawn visuals created by Udon Comics, publishers of the current Street Fighter comic book. Aside from its aesthetic enhancements, the game packs in a number of updated features under the hood, including online multiplayer matches, in-game voice chatting, and worldwide rankings.

Purists will be pleased to know the game is playable in all its old-school glory, but Capcom will also be packing in a "rebalanced mode" that promises "massive changes across the board to all Street Fighter characters as created and tested by some the world's top-ranked professional Street Fighter players." Gamers will also be able to choose between the game's original 4:3 resolution or a new widescreen mode, as well as the game's original tunes or a remixed soundtrack.