Super Street Fighter IV 3D
Review
Is that a Hadoken in your pocket?
by Keaton Arksey
reviewed on 3DS
Modes (cntd)
Only the tournament mode and the ability to re-watch the anime intros and endings do not return. One of the largest new additions is Figures. By using the pedometer built into the 3DS or getting Fighting Points gained by playing the game, you can play a randomized slot game that dispenses a figure of a character. Each figure has certain stats, which correlate to its level, from 1 to 7. Level 4 figures, while more rare than level 1s, also are stronger and have more hit points. After assembling a team of five figures that exceeds no larger than level 20 (so no teams of five level 7s), the 3DS can be put into sleep mode.
Using the StreetPass mode, should you pass another Super Street Fighter IV player on the street, regardless of whether they the game card is in the system or not, each person’s team of figures will duke it out, determining a winner, who receives more Fighter Points to buy more figures. With 500 figures to collect, it definitely has a Pokemon-esque feel to it as you strive to collect the figures of your favourites and form the best team possible. Should you be looking for a specific figure, trading is also an option, though that is unfortunately only through local Wi-Fi. Being early in the system’s life span, the amount of people encountered with a 3DS in StreetPass mode who you wake by might not be a large amount, and entirely dependent on the population density of where you live. It certainly is a neat idea, however and a great pleasure to see that you passed someone during the day and defeated him or her without even knowing it.
3D
Graphically Super Street Fighter IV 3D is definitely one of the best-looking games in the 3DS launch line-up. The fighters are incredibly detailed and it can be hard to differentiate between console and handheld character models at times. Even the hilarious facial expressions that occur after someone is hit cross over. The only real downside to this is that the background environments suffer, since they consist solely of static images. The 3D effect is quite impressive, adding depth to the screen and positioning the Heads-Up Display so it seems to be in front of the action. The fighters themselves look good in 3D, though angles do become a bit more pronounced. A 3D versus mode is included as well, changing the camera to an isometric view while retaining the 2D gameplay.
While the 3D effect is more dramatic, it is also more difficult to gauge distances between fighters. Sadly, the 3D effect does have a slight effect on the frame rate, as it does slow down a bit, but not enough to hamper enjoyment. All of the characters are fully voiced by their respective voice actors, and their themes return as well. Music is a tricky thing to judge, but I enjoy the soundtrack for Street Fighter, and the voice actors do a good job.
Considering the issues Nintendo has had with online gameplay, the ease of use and lag-free nature of Super Street Fighter IV 3D’s online modes is quite surprising. Matches rarely took more than a few seconds to find, and on only one occasion was there any slowdown. Just like in the console version, players can set titles and icons that they unlock through play to create a player card that all opponents will see. Standard Versus and 3D Versus modes are included, as well as a Spectator Mode so you can watch others fight and pick up some tips on how to better your skills. As you play online and gain victories, you collect player points that rank you up and develop a skill ranking which is used to create better matches. There is a fair bit of customization, from match length and number of rounds to shutting off Touch Screen Controls.
Must buy
Super Street Fighter IV 3D is one of the stalwarts of Nintendo’s launch line-up, and for good reason. Capcom’s efforts to faithfully recreate one of the best fighting games in years on a handheld have created the best portable Street Fighter yet. The controls can be iffy at times, and the static backgrounds seem odd, but it would be a shame to ignore this title. With the full Super Street Fighter IV experience on the go, a nifty 3D effect and amazing online play, Super Street Fighter IV 3D edition is a must buy for any fighting game fan who owns a 3DS.
9.0
fun score
Pros
Controls work fine most of the time, best Street Fighter handheld game yet, great online play.
Cons
- When the controls don’t work, static backgrounds.
