Review: SoulCalibur II (GameCube) -So-Soon On Switch 2

With Nintendo Switch 2 introducing a collection of GameCube classics to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack members very shortly, we revisited our retro critiques and discovered that we lacked one for one of the finest fighting games ever made…until now. Savor!

Soulcalibur II, among the titles in this formidable series, truly solidified it in our memories as a franchise worthy of standing beside the likes of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken and the finest fighters of its time. And any prior era, to be frank.

Introducing weapons to the mix may not appear as significant now, but back in 1999 when the original Soulcalibur emerged, few games had successfully incorporated them effectively, let alone blend them with a game that conformed to the flashy, easy-to-master, super-move oriented combat that was so prevalent at the time – and still is!

Soulcalibur achieved this (building off Soul Edge‘s groundwork). Nevertheless, it was confined in a Dreamcast-shaped cell, making this bold, multiplatform sequel the first SC that many gamers experienced. The pre-release excitement was something remarkable as a result, and fortunately, the game proved to be an absolute gem that enhanced everything about its predecessor into something we would happily revisit and thoroughly relish even today. Soulcalibur II epitomizes an all-time great.

So, what exactly makes it so remarkable?

Let’s commence with the astonishing character lineup: the iconic Mitsurugi, Yoshimitsu, Ivy, Taki (this author’s favorite), Nightmare, Voldo, Cervantes… Honestly, the moment we start discussing these characters, we’re transported back to a splendid era when fighting games came as complete experiences, overflowing with extraordinary fighters and dazzling arenas, all of which we’d invest substantial time getting to know intimately. There’s even the exhilaration of unlocking a ton of fighters by conquering the arcade mode. Remember how delightful simple tasks like that were?

Soulcalibur’s roster remains one of the finest around, too. It caters to all preferences, featuring approachable beginner heroes like Mitsurugi, extending to quirky combatants like Voldo and Nightmare. This edition also arrived with Link as a special character and…well, he pales in comparison to the rest of the cast (brutally honest, no doubt), but hey, it’s a delightful bonus, an easy ‘gateway’ for Nintendo enthusiasts, and the standout of the platform-exclusive guest characters (Sony introduced Tekken’s Heihachi Mishima, Microsoft brought in Spawn).

Each combatant in the selection is meticulously crafted to engage players who have been nurtured on Street Fighter and its kin, ensuring that the fundamental movement — apart from the side-stepping 2.5D element and the execution of specials — comes naturally by design, allowing players to weave their weapon strategies into gameplay.

Instead of requiring pinpoint precision or risking complexity with overwhelming weapons, they adopt a hack-and-slash approach that delivers captivating and thrilling combat, massive combos, seamless transitions between weapon and limb strikes, and some exceptionally stylish throws to highly addictive outcomes. It is also welcoming to newcomers, making you feel like an absolute show-off who knows their stuff, even when you’re merely starting off and a bit intimidated.

Even in 2025, this remains an instantly engaging and remarkable experience. Transitioning into and out of the foreground with a quick double-tap on your D-pad still feels refreshingly innovative, and timing special moves triggered by dodging and weaving into the back and/or foreground remains captivating. There are innumerable ways to unleash an assault and shift momentum when you open the combat to three dimensions, even when it’s just slightly, as seen here.

Having a dedicated block button is always advantageous in this sort of weapon-based endeavor, too, providing you with greater control over defense and compelling you to sometimes root yourself in place, altering the pace and intensity of fights, and enabling you to take advantage of what weapons bring to the table. These encounters can become surprisingly (and enjoyably) strategic with all these dynamic elements at play.

With blocking, dodging across a 2.5D plane, and, not to forget, ring-outs, there are several approaches to either assert dominance by maintaining central territory, or to feign weakness and guide your opponent to their demise with a quick sidestep and, “Oops, you’ve just been thrown out of the arena while pressing the advantage. Fool.” There are clever fighters, and then there are clever fighters, mate; Soulcalibur II is a clever fighter. Combine this with weapons that genuinely matter, that truly enhance and expand the options available to an impressively diversified and technical fighting style, and you find yourself in the ideal realm for a fight enthusiast.

So, the combat is extraordinary – we can agree on that front. The character lineup is phenomenal. The stages remain stunning to behold. And it continues in this manner, even after all this time. There’s an extravagant style to how everything is showcased, right down to the commentary, which hasn’t aged a day either. It’s all so flamboyant, grand, and self-important. Absurdly enjoyable. We can’t turn it off.

Apart from all the usual modes you’d anticipate, including standard arcade, time attack, survival, team battles, and a practice mode, the game also features a stellar Weapons Master mode, where you traverse a vast map tackling foes and seizing their riches. The collectible weapons and gear aspect has caused us to invest an excessive number of hours into this game previously – and it will certainly happen again on Switch 2, believe us.

Weapons Master pays homage, of course, to 1996’s Soul Edge (or Soul Blade for us outside Japan) and its Edge Master mode, by again offering a narrative of sorts along the journey, as you traverse a map of Europe initiating combat with lesser-ranked adversaries, navigating through dungeons for boss encounters, and continuously enhancing your character into a formidable warrior.

This is a mode that possesses far more depth than you might assume from a brief inspection. Numerous challenges, match modifiers, and formidable hurdles await as you progress through its 15 chapters. There’s genuinely a wealth to immerse yourself in, and it also serves as an exceedingly comprehensive tutorial that guides you through everything necessary regarding the core combat mechanics.

In fact, we’d confidently argue that very few contemporary fighters, even with the arrival of the latest Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter releases, have managed to present a single-player mode as superb as this. It remains the finest the series has to offer in this aspect.

When Soulcalibur II initially launched, honestly, we had some doubts. With its flashy console-exclusive characters, incredibly appealing visuals, and seemingly extensive marketing campaign, would there be the depth necessary to match all the glitz? As it turns out, this is one of the truly great 3D fighters and a prime illustration of how the best games maintain their enjoyment over time.

Conclusion

Soulcalibur II is a masterpiece within the 3D fighting genre, a brilliant illustration of a game that continues to impress and is as enjoyable now as it was in 2003. With a vast roster of outstanding characters (including Link!), some beautiful arenas, the premier weapons-based combat in the industry, and a multitude of modes to explore, this one still retains everything that counts, in every significant way.