Editing Soulcalibur (video game) (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| ARC = true
| SDC = true
| iOS = true
| X360 = true
| GR_SDC = 97%<ref name="gr DC" />
| GR_X360 = 79%<ref name="gr XBLA">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945861-soulcalibur/index.html |title=SoulCalibur for Xbox 360 |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2009-09-12 |archive-date=2009-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729104917/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/945861-soulcalibur/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_SDC = 98/100<ref name="MCDreamcast">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/soulcalibur/critic-reviews/?platform=dreamcast |title=SoulCalibur for Dreamcast Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2013-09-21 |archive-date=2013-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909001318/http://www.metacritic.com/game/dreamcast/soulcalibur |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_iOS = 73/100<ref name="mc iOS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/soulcalibur/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=SoulCalibur for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307171541/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/soulcalibur |url-status=live }}</ref>
| MC_X360 = 79/100<ref name="mc XBLA">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/soulcalibur/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=SoulCalibur for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311061158/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/soulcalibur |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP_X360 = B−<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3168525&p=4|title=Soul Calibur XBLA Review|website=1UP.com|access-date=2009-09-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010212357/http://www.1up.com/reviews/soul-calibur|archive-date=2012-10-10}}</ref>
| Allgame_ARC = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Brett Alan |title=Soul Calibur (Arcade) - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14230&tab=review |website=[[AllGame]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114183605/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14230&tab=review |access-date=27 October 2021 |archive-date=14 November 2014}}</ref>
| Allgame_SDC = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=Allgame>{{cite web|last=Nguyen |first=Cal |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=18936&tab=review |title=Soul Calibur - Review |publisher=Allgame.com |date=2010-10-03 |access-date=2013-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115020540/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=18936&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15}}</ref>
| EuroG_X360 = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/soulcalibur-review?page=2|page=2|title=SoulCalibur Review - Page 2|website=Eurogamer|date=4 July 2008|access-date=2009-09-10|archive-date=2011-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810063402/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/soulcalibur-review?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Fam_SDC = 40/40<ref>ドリームキャスト - ソウルキャリバー. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.36. 30 June 2006.</ref><ref name="Fam DC"/>
| GameFan_SDC = 98%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1250&t=r |title=GameFan - REVIEW for Soul Calibur |access-date=2013-07-22 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000615135816/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1250&t=r |archive-date=June 15, 2000 }}</ref>
| GI_SDC = 9.25/10<ref name="GI review">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4244 |title=Game Informer Magazine - Soulcalibur Review|magazine=Game Informer|date=October 28, 1999|access-date=2009-09-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20000527190742/http://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=4244 |archive-date = May 27, 2000}}</ref>
| GamePro_SDC = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/1709/soul-calibur/|title=Review Soul Calibur [Dreamcast]|magazine=GamePro|date=November 24, 2000|access-date=2009-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921215134/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/1709/soul-calibur/|archive-date=2008-09-21}}</ref>
| GSpot_SDC = 10/10<ref name="GSpot DC"/>
| GSpot_X360 = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/soulcalibur-2008/|title=Soul Calibur (2008) Review|website=GameSpot|date=2008-07-08|access-date=2014-01-19|archive-date=2014-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326182240/http://www.gamespot.com/soulcalibur-2008/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Hyper_ARC = 9/10<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Levy |first1=Tim |title=Arcade: SoulCalibur (Namco) |magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]] |date=November 1998 |issue=61 |pages=100–1 |url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-061/page/100/mode/2up}}</ref>
| IGN_SDC = 10/10<ref name="IGN DC"/>
| IGN_X360 = 8.1/10<ref name="IGN XBLA">{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/27/soulcalibur-review|title=IGN: Soulcalibur XBLA Review|website=IGN|date=2008-06-27|access-date=2020-06-08|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306125002/http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/885/885060p1.html|archive-date=2009-03-06}}</ref>
| NGen_SDC = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
| TA_iOS = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2012/01/19/soulcalibur-review/ |title='SoulCalibur' Review – A Solid Port of a Classic, If You Don't Mind Playing Solo |last=Nelson |first=Jared |date=2012-01-19 |website=[[TouchArcade]] |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043950/https://toucharcade.com/2012/01/19/soulcalibur-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''
| award1 = [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]]<ref name=egm128>''Electronic Gaming Monthly'', issue 128, March 2000, page 139</ref>
| award2Pub = [[GameRankings]]
| award2 = Game of the Year<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&cat=0&year=1998&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search= |title=1999 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=9 March 2016 |archive-date=7 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007001158/http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&cat=0&year=1998&numrev=0&sort=0&letter=&search= |url-status=live }}</ref>
| award3Pub = ''[[GameSpot]]''
| award3 = Game of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videogames.com/features/universal/game_year/p15_01.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818042635/http://www.videogames.com/features/universal/game_year/p15_01.html |archive-date=18 August 2000 |title=GameSpot Console Game of the Year 1999 – Archived from original videogames.com web site |date=18 August 2000 |access-date=31 July 2012}}</ref>
| award4Pub = ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]''
| award4 = Best Game of '99<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Hyper Reader Awards Results|magazine=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]|issue=79|date=May 2000|pages=40–5|url=https://archive.org/details/hyper-079/page/40/mode/2up}}</ref>
| award5Pub = ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]''
| award5 = Game of the Year (runner-up), <br> Graphical Achievement (runner-up)<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Edge Awards 2000 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |date=22 February 2000 |issue=82 (March 2000) |pages=54–63 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7a/Edge_UK_082.pdf#page=#page=54}}</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Soulcalibur'' on their September 1, 1998 issue as being the third most-successful arcade game of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)|magazine=Game Machine|issue=571|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|date=1 September 1998|page=21|lang=ja}}</ref>

The Dreamcast version of ''Soulcalibur'' sold in excess of one million copies by December 1999,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meristation.com/noticias/1999/diciembre/19991222-7.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001211133000/http://www.meristation.com/noticias/1999/diciembre/19991222-7.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2000|title=Soul Calibur ya es super|date=11 December 2000}}</ref> and 1.3 million by 2002.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021021105435/http://www.namcoarcade.com/nai_gamedisplay.asp?gam=soulcal2 |url=http://www.namcoarcade.com/nai_gamedisplay.asp?gam=soulcal2 |title=Game Info Display: Soul Calibur II |publisher=[[Namco]] |archive-date=October 21, 2002 |access-date=July 1, 2024}}</ref> It is the [[List of best-selling video games|second biggest selling game on the system]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Yukiyoshi Ike, Sato |url=http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/soulcalibur/news.html?sid=2447323 |title=Soul Calibur Sells 1 Million |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=2009-09-13 |date=1999-12-15 |archive-date=2011-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805083529/http://www.gamespot.com/dreamcast/action/soulcalibur/news.html?sid=2447323 |url-status=live }}</ref> It won the 1999 [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] [[Game Critics Awards|Game Critics Award]] for "Best Fighting Game". At the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] awarded ''Soulcalibur'' with "Console Game of the Year" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Fighting Game of the Year|Console Fighting Game of the Year]]" (along with a nomination for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Game of the Year]]").<ref name="IAA_GOTY">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Game of the Year |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011211428/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_titleofyear.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name="IAA_Console">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Console |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_console.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011155228/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_console.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref>

Blake Fischer reviewed the Dreamcast version of the game for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'', rating it five stars out of five, and stated that "Beautiful, deep, and far more compelling than any 3D fighter in recent memory, ''Soul Calibur'' is reason enough to own a Dreamcast."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|last=Fischer|first=Blake|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|volume=2|issue=3 (November 1999)|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=19 October 1999|pages=112–113|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/bc/NextGeneration_US_59.pdf#page=116}}</ref>

The game received universal critical acclaim, garnering perfect 10/10 scores from ''[[GameSpot]]''<ref name="GSpot DC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/soul-calibur-review/1900-2540664/|title=Soul Calibur Review|website=GameSpot|date=1999-08-09|access-date=2014-01-19|archive-date=2014-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122034738/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/soul-calibur-review/1900-2540664/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[IGN]]'',<ref name="IGN DC">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/21/soul-calibur|title=Soulcalibur Review|website=IGN|date=1999-09-20|access-date=2009-09-12|archive-date=2013-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222070925/http://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/21/soul-calibur|url-status=live}}</ref> and was for nearly a decade the last game to receive a perfect rating from ''IGN'', until the release of ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' in 2008. It is the second game ever to get a perfect 40/40 from Japanese gaming magazine ''[[Famitsu]]'' (the first being ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'').<ref name="Fam DC">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/29/soul-calibur-perfection|title=Soul Calibur Perfection|date=28 July 1999|website=IGN|access-date=8 June 2020|archive-date=8 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608164355/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/29/soul-calibur-perfection|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 2017, game review aggregator website [[GameRankings]] has the Dreamcast version ranked as the seventh best-reviewed game of all time, as well as being the highest-scoring title in the fighting game genre.<ref name="gr DC">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/198705-soulcalibur/index.html |title=SoulCalibur for Dreamcast |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2009-09-12 |archive-date=2009-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905035158/http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/198705-soulcalibur/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Dreamcast version of ''Soulcalibur'' also holds a score of 98, making it one of the highest-rated video games of all time across all consoles and platforms, on [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all/filtered?sort=desc |title=Best Video Games of All Time |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=5 March 2017 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630233521/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/all/all/filtered?sort=desc |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|''Soulcalibur'' shares its status as the second-highest-rated game on Metacritic with ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2]]'' (2000), and ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' (2008).}}

===Retrospective===
''Soulcalibur'' was named as the number one best Dreamcast game by ''[[Game Informer]]''.<ref>Game Informer, Issue 166, February 2007. Page 116</ref> In 2009, ''IGN'' ranked ''Soulcalibur'' as the fifth best Dreamcast game,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/11/the-top-25-dreamcast-games|title=The Top 25 Dreamcast Games|page=5|website=IGN|date=2009-09-11|access-date=2020-06-08|archive-date=2020-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602113250/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/09/11/the-top-25-dreamcast-games|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[ScrewAttack]] ranked it sixth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/hxewna/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-10-dreamcast-games |title=ScrewAttack's Top Ten Video - Top 10 Dreamcast Games |series=''[[ScrewAttack's Top 10]]'' |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=2013-07-22 |archive-date=2014-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720135044/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/hxewna/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-10-dreamcast-games |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[GamesRadar]]'' named ''Soulcalibur'' the best Dreamcast game of all time on their list.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=February 4, 2013 | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-dreamcast-games-all-time/ | title=Best Dreamcast games of all time | publisher=[[GamesRadar]] | author=GamesRadar staff | date=April 19, 2012 | archive-date=July 26, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726142519/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-dreamcast-games-all-time/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2005, ''GameSpot'' ranked ''Soulcalibur'' as the sixth best launch title yet, calling it "not only one of the greatest launch games or one of the greatest fighters, but one of the greatest games ever. Period."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/best-launch-titles-6134761/?page=2|title=Best Launch Titles, Page 2|publisher=GameSpot|date=October 25, 2005|access-date=June 8, 2020|archive-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710062622/http://www.gamespot.com/features/best-launch-titles-6134761/?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Cultured Vultures ranked ''Soulcalibur'' as the best Dreamcast game of all time. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Leon |date=2022-11-16 |title=20 Best Dreamcast Games of All Time |url=https://culturedvultures.com/best-dreamcast-games/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Cultured Vultures |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505161459/https://culturedvultures.com/best-dreamcast-games/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition, it is often considered to be one of the greatest games on all platforms, including:

*''[[Game Informer]]'' (2001): "The Top 100 Games of All Time" (74th place).<ref>{{cite magazine|author=''Game Informer'' staff|title=The Top 100 Games of All Time|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=Game Informer Magazine|date=August 2001|url=https://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119071214/http://gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=November 19, 2009|access-date=2010-03-13}}</ref> 
*''[[IGN]]'' (2003): "Top 100 Games" (38th place).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2003/31-40.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031131309/http://top100.ign.com/2003/31-40.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 31, 2005|title=IGN's Top 100 Games 40-31|website=IGN.com|access-date=2009-09-20}}</ref>
*''[[Retro Gamer]]'' (2004): "Top 100 Games" (75th place).<ref>''Retro Gamer'' 8, page 65.</ref>
*''IGN'' (2005): "Top 100 Games" (43rd place).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/041-050.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050715234218/http://top100.ign.com/2005/041-050.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2005|title=IGN's Top 100 Games|website=IGN|access-date=2009-09-19}}</ref> 
*''IGN'' (2006): "Readers' Choice The Top 100 Games Ever" (sixth place).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2006/001-010.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022001105/http://top100.ign.com/2006/001-010.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2006|title=IGN Readers' Choice 2006 - The Top 100 Games Ever|website=IGN|access-date=2009-09-19}}</ref> 
*''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (2006): "The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time" (22nd place).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames|title=The Greatest 200 Videogames of Their Time|page=9|website=1UP.com|date=2006-02-02|access-date=2009-09-20|archive-date=2017-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103102415/http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames|url-status=live}}</ref> 
*[[ScrewAttack]] (2007): "Top Ten Fighting Games" (seventh place).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/08a9zk/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-ten-fighting-games |title=ScrewAttack's Top Ten Video - Top Ten Fighting Games |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=2013-07-22 |archive-date=2014-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222060028/http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/08a9zk/screwattack-s-top-ten-top-ten-fighting-games |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Cinema Blend'' (2008): "Top 10 Best Fighting Games of All Time" (fourth place).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Top-10-Best-Fighting-Games-Of-All-Time-13864.html|title = Top 10 Best Fighting Games Of All Time|date = December 7, 2008|access-date = April 3, 2013|archive-date = July 26, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130726100835/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Top-10-Best-Fighting-Games-Of-All-Time-13864.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>
*[[UGO.com]] (2010): "Top 25 Fighting Games of All Time" (second place).<ref name=ref4>{{cite web|first=Marissa|last=Meli|title=Top 25 Fighting Games of All Time|date=2010-07-08|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/top-25-fighting-games-of-all-time?page=5|publisher=UGO.com|access-date=2010-07-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225103928/http://www.ugo.com/games/top-25-fighting-games-of-all-time?page=5|archive-date=2013-02-25}}</ref> 
*''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' (2011): "The 50 Best Fighting Games of All Time" (fifth place).<ref>Peter Rubin, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/03/50-best-fighting-games/soulcalibur The 50 Best Fighting Games of All Time] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918133729/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/03/50-best-fighting-games/soulcalibur |date=2012-09-18 }}, Complex.com, March 15, 2011</ref> 
*''Game Informer'' (2019): "30 best fighting game of all time" (third place)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/apr/19/what-are-top-30-fighting-games-all-time-game-informer-offers-their-full-list/|title=What are the top 30 fighting games of all time? Game Informer offers their full list|first=John 'Velociraptor'|last=Guerrero|date=19 April 2019|website=EventHubs|access-date=22 April 2019|archive-date=22 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422082151/https://www.eventhubs.com/news/2019/apr/19/what-are-top-30-fighting-games-all-time-game-informer-offers-their-full-list/|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Clear}}