Gaming Target - Dreamcast: Street Fighter Alpha 3

Written by Matt Swider on July 03, 2000

Review: ...But will Street Fighter Ultra EX plus Mega 369.5 be better?

When going to pick up a game, I wasn't looking Street Fighter or any fighting game for that matter. However, I soon realized that Tony Hawk was out of stock and the only new game I haven't picked up yet was...Street Fighter Alpha 3? What a bummer, right? Well, that's what I thought at first until I got home and started playing the game.

All right, we all know the visuals look like something dating back to SNES or Genesis. Here we are in the year 2000 and we have the newest console on the U.S. market with ancient looking graphics. But, does this really matter? To some people, it may in fact make a difference, but once you get down to the wire, Street Fighter Alpha 3 really focuses on the gameplay department. Now, If you haven't played the Street Fighter series in a while, the visuals have improved, but there are in no means very much a change represented. The cartoon-ish graphics seem to be the best that 2D can possibly offer. New animations were put into the game and it plays at a speedy pace, whereas if Capcom went with the 3D look, you would probably see some slow down, something we can't have in a Street Fighter game. I personally, don't think 2D graphics can get better then this, and Capcom is the company that raises the bar and always breaks their own barriers here.

The audio is done well, but when you compare it to the other features offered in this game, it won't seem as if it is up to speed. Capcom has put together a pretty sweet soundtrack though. Although they might not be the classics that we all remember hearing, you will still enjoy the new tunes. The announcers voice may be a bit annoying to most people, but that's that way it in with most commentary in other games. At least the music isn't annoying, that's all that's important here.

Whatever other areas SF titles lack in, the gameplay always picks up the pieces and scores high points with players. This Street Fighter game is no different. With the outrageous combos and the flashy moves, Street Fighter Alpha 3 goes to show everyone that the 2D age may be struggling, but remains alive and for the most part, in Capcom's hands. Is the gameplay the best to come over every other Street Fighter game? One would have to say yes after being asked this question. Sure, you can button mash through the game, but what happens when you play an opponent who knows their moves and has the controls down? Their going to kick you ass, that's what happens.

Along with great controls, SF Alpha 3 has tons of modes available to suit any gamer. These include Arcade and Versus, Team Battle, Training mode, World Tour, Entry mode, Survival mode, Dramatic Battle, vs. Dramatic Battle, Final Battle and the score rankings. One thing is for sure; you are going to want to purchase some sort of 6-button arcade stick if you get this game also. Then you will really have the edge on your opponent.

SF Alpha 3 features both the Jump Pack and the VMU memory pack. The game supports up to 3 players and even has some net support, but if you think that means you can play multiplayer games over the net, think again. It simply is used to access Capcom's where you can download a Master Character to add to the fun. The real feature to get for this game is the Arcade stick, one thing you definitely want to think about purchasing.

Finally, we come to the replay replay of Street Fighter Alpha 3 and boy does it do well in the category. With so many modes and characters involved in this game, you'll have trouble putting the controller down. The feature to download master characters was a nice touch that should also heighten SF Alpha 3. Capcom has done an excellent job in keeping the game fresh and including many different modes of play.