This game is incredible. I think a lot of reviewers have given it a lower score because there are other versions of Street Fighter III (Double Impact) out there for the DC. Or perhaps the score is a result of the DC's awful (for fighting games anyway) controller. It is sad that this game has been downplayed for these points, as they are no fault of the game itself. I think a game like this should be rated on its own individual merit. And Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike is everything you need in a fighter! First off, the graphics: I have never seen a 2D fighter with smoother animation or more fitting graphics. It's true that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 has better backgrounds that utilize the power of the Naomi Board, but it just doesn't seem to fit in with a 2D fighting game. With Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike the backgrounds look great with the 2D theme of the fighter, resulting in a much better game to look at. The characters are all big and detailed on the screen and they animate beautifully (especially Elena). Each move is fluid and befitting of the character. All this along with 12 possible colors per character and you have an impressive looking fighter. Next, Gameplay: In a word, WOW! The hit detection is better than most fighters out there. Even besting 3D fighters like Tekken or the Dead or Alive series. When you land a punch, kick, or special move, it looks like you were supposed to hit when you did. I have yet to shout out "I WAS BLOCKING!" or "That fireball went right through him!" while playing. If you kick and are supposed to hit, then you land the blow. I know this seems like a given with a fighting game, but believe me when I say SF III: 3rd Strike does it about as good as any game could. Also, the parrying has been tweaked from the last installation and seems a lot more useful and easier to execute. But at the same time it doesn't become an easy way to just cheat and destroy your opponent like in the first incarnation of Street Fighter III. Another thing, the System Direction option is outstanding. If you have played Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution for the PS2, then you have some idea of deep gameplay. The System Direction option doesn't allow for the same customization or items collection, but it offers a gameplay depth equal to VF4: Evo. It basically allows you to turn on/off anything you don't like about the play mechanics of the game. Think of it this way...let's say you wanted to play the game without being able to jump, simply turn it off. Do you like the Parrying from SFIII: 2nd better than SFIII: 3rd? If so, then switch it. There is really nothing you can't modify about the gameplay of SFIII: 3rd Strike in System Direction. This makes for some very fun matches against friends or the computer, along with eliminating something you don't like about the game. Difficulty is also very balanced in the game. It is a great challenge, but not something you can’t beat. And the incentive to keep playing is there as well. The more you beat the game, the more options open up with the System Direction. All of this brings you to a very rewarding experience. SFIII: 3rd Strike is just pure fighting game fun. As said before, the Dreamcast controller is not suited for this game. If you can find it, get either an arcade stick or import the Ascii Pad FT for Dreamcast (which is what I use). The Ascii pad is shaped like a Saturn controller, has built in rumble, and a place for the VMU. It is also a licensed Dreamcast product in Japan and just reeks of quality. It is the best way to play this game. A few characters have been added to Street Fighter:3rd Strike, such as Chun Li, Remy, Q, and Twelve. Gill, the game's final boss is now playable, but you have to earn him after beating the game with all the other characters first. With this updated cast, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike has a well rounded and enjoyable choice of characters. It took a while to get used to (at first you will miss favorites like Guile and Blanka) but once you give these newbys a chance, you'll find that they are great to play with. Also, with Ken, Ryu, Chun Li, and Akuma, it still feels like good ol' Street Fighter. Sound is where the game is lacking. It's not that the music is bad, it's just your typical background fighting game music. I'd say only a few tracks really stand out. Hugo's stage has a good track that makes you feel like you are watching a wrestling match. The Japanese music tracks on the stages for characters like Ibuki or Ryu and Makoto are very fitting. But overall the music is fine, not outstanding. What does add to the sound category is the impact sounds of punches and kicks. You can almost feel that punch landing you in the face when your opponent hits you. Every swing, hit, kick, fireball, is crisp and sounds natural. It really adds to the game in a big way. Also the voice over is great. Each character that you know from other Street Fighter games sounds like you'd expect. The announcer sounds mean and tough like he should, not like the pansy sounding Super Street Fighter II (Turbo) announcer, which is a good thing! All in all, this game is outstanding. I have played other versions of this game on other machines (Street Fighter Collection on PS2 and also the Arcade counterpart). I have to say this is the best version of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike you can own. Graphically, the PS2 version of the game falls short of the crisp visuals of the Dreamcast. Also, the DC version offers better quality sound, which was a surprise to me. The Arcade version was great, but it didn't allow for all the customization that comes with the System Direction. So you might say the DC version is even BETTER than arcade perfect. If you are out for the ultimate Street Fighter Experience, find a copy of this and either an arcade stick or an Ascii Pad FT. You'll be happy you did.
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