Hamster is dropping two versions of SNK's Street Smart tomorrow

Hamster Corporation is releasing both standard and enhanced "Arcade Archives 2" versions of the 1989 SNK arcade game Street Smart tomorrow, April 23.

A lot of SNK news lately! It is interesting to see Hamster dig back into the company's pre-Neo Geo catalog right now. Street Smart is a clunky missing link between traditional scrolling beat-'em-ups and the dedicated 1-on-1 fighting games that would eventually define SNK's entire business model.

Life before the Neo Geo

Released in 1989, Street Smart puts you in a closed arena where you can move freely in eight directions. You pick either a karate expert or a pro wrestler and fight a series of opponents. It feels a bit like a precursor to the Fatal Fury series, just without the strict 2D plane mechanics or complex joystick motions for special moves.

The control scheme is simple. You have three buttons for punching, kicking, and jumping. While the Genesis/Mega Drive port features a desperation attack that drains a portion of your own health when all three buttons are pressed, the original arcade version includes special moves that drain health performed by pressing two buttons. This specific mechanic became a genre standard shortly after, showing up in massive hits like Final Fight and Streets of Rage. The game also includes a rudimentary combo system and the ability to juggle opponents in the air. Winning a match grants a cash bonus that you can spend on stat upgrades like increased power or defense, a feature present in the Genesis/Mega Drive port rather than the original arcade game.

Time attack and online matchmaking

Hamster is taking an unusual approach by releasing two distinct versions at the same time. The standard Arcade Archives release gives you the barebones emulation of the original coin-op. The Arcade Archives 2 version adds a Time Attack mode and Network Mode for online multiplayer. There is no local split screen mode here. You just get the standard shared-screen local co-op of the original arcade cabinet alongside the new online functionality.

Hamster recently introduced this second tier of releases to add modern quality-of-life updates to their massive catalog of emulated arcade games. The original Arcade Archives line focuses purely on replicating the coin-op experience with basic save states and display options. The new tier attempts to build actual modern video game structures around those old ROMs.

The eight dollar question

While the standard Arcade Archives releases typically hit the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 storefronts for around $7.99, the enhanced Arcade Archives 2 versions are generally priced higher, with examples like $9.99 for 'Arcade Archives 2 TOP SPEED' or $16.99 for 'Arcade Archives 2 RIDGE RACER'. Buying both versions seems redundant for most players. The choice comes down to whether you want the online matchmaking of the sequel label or just the basic archival release.

I am glad to see the pre-1990 SNK library getting some attention. Before the Neo Geo MVS hardware took over arcades, SNK experimented heavily with different genres and control schemes. Street Smart is a prime example of a company trying to figure out what competitive fighting games should look like before Street Fighter II laid down the permanent rules. You can see the DNA transferring over to their later hits. The blonde martial artist in Street Smart has been compared by fans to Takuma Sakazaki or Ryo Sakazaki from other SNK fighting games, though SNK has not officially confirmed any connection. The overall tournament structure mirrors the King of Fighters setup. It is a tough game that eats quarters fast, but it holds a neat spot in arcade history.