SSF4: 3D Edition is a very graphically impressive handheld title, putting the earlier iPhone version of SF4 to shame. The real-time 3D effect harmonizes with SF4's highly acclaimed graphics style and intense camera angles like a perfect-fitting glove. It works so well in fact, that it almost seems as if Super Street Fighter IV was specifically made for Nintendo 3DS to show off its capabilities. Turning on the 3D swiftly enhances stages and projectiles, giving them previously unseen depth, and brilliantly compliments those epic camera angles on SF4's famed Ultra Moves. Developers are going to be hard-pressed to top Capcom's beautiful incorporation of the 3DS's stereoscopic 3D effects anytime soon!
 
 
The downgrade in graphics quality from the console version isn't as bad as I originally expected. Character models look astonishingly close to their high-def console counterparts, and their shortcomings are hardly noticeable. On the other hand, the 3D background detail has been significantly compromised. Projectile lighting effects and environment animations have been removed entirely, leaving background characters lifeless. The good news is that all 22 stages are intact from the original! Overall, backgrounds still look decent enough and have considerable depth, especially when using the new "Dynamic Camera Angle".
  

  
There are two camera angles available: the traditional 2D fighting game view (with or without stereoscopic 3D effects enabled) and the new 3D "over the shoulder" angle, which was designed to make the 3D effects stand out even more. The Dynamic view is easily 3D Edition's most prominent new feature and presents a truly unique visual experience unlike any other 2D fighting game in history. I enjoy playing the game using the Dynamic angle simply because it gives you an entirely new look at SF4's charismatic animation. However, using Dynamic camera definitely makes it more difficult to judge distance during gameplay, so nitpicky players will probably stick to the traditional 2D view.
 
 
Now for the subject you've all been waiting for... the controls. First of all, if you must have arcade perfect controls and you have no desire to adapt to a slightly different control scheme, just keep playing on console and shut up. For the rest of us, the 3DS's analog stick or "circle pad" takes some getting used to. The good news is that the circle pad is very responsive and, in my opinion, is pretty substantial for a 2D fighting game. Hadokens, shoryukens and super moves can can be done with relative ease using the circle pad; while dashing, cancels and airborne special moves are trickier. As far as the traditional d-pad goes; it's kinda stiff for a fighting game and it's surface is a bit too "sticky" for my tastes, but I'm hoping it might loosen up over time.
 
 
Finally, the 3DS's bottom Touch Screen can be used to perform special moves instead of inputting them manually, which is a great option for beginner/casual players. There are 4 panels on the bottom screen that can be assigned to perform special inputs. For example, players can assign a panel to perform "LP+MP+HP" or "LK+MK+MK"... which definitely comes in handy considering the 3DS's compromised button layout. Two control types are available: "Pro" and "Lite". Pro Mode's 4 panels feature Throw, Focus Attack, LP+MP+HP and LK+MK+MK, while Lite Mode's panels offer 2 prominent Special Moves, a Super Move and an Ultra Move... all at the press of 1 button... err screen.
  

  
While some hardcore players will scoff at the simplified controls, it's actually a wise idea on Capcom's part to include this type of control scheme on a handheld. Why? For one, you definitely don't want to wear out the controls on your shiny new Nintendo 3DS playing Street Fighter. When you wear out your old fight stick or controller it's one thing, but nobody wants to have to send their 3DS to Nintendo to be repaired or have to buy a new one after a few months. Thus, there's no shame in enjoying the game casually using simpler controls. For the record, I definitely prefer using Pro Mode (although I'm definitely no pro at SSF4).
 
 
That said, for the casual Street Fighter fan, 3D Edition is a nice package overall. However, besides the new camera angle and the seizure-inducing 3D visuals, there isn't much that sets it apart from the console version. And unfortunately, it's lacking a few of the console version's features like the Japanese dialogue option. If you read my SSF4 review, you'd know that I despise a few of the English voices in the game (and I know I'm not the only one). Sadly, if you bought the localized version, you're stuck with English voices for all characters. The option of having character specific BGMs is also gone, but the catchy stage-specific themes are intact. Thankfully, the customization options are no disappointment, as each character has 3 costumes (former console DLC) to choose from: Original, Arrange and Super Arrange.
 
 
The Figure Collecting Mode allows players to collect a variety of figures per character, each in different poses and/or colors. Figures can also be obtained using the "Chance Encounter Communication" where players face off against each other automatically via StreetPass. Battles commence between each player's figures, and the more you fight the more figures you earn. Unfortunately, the in-game figurines are quite tiny on screen and there's no option to zoom in to check out the details, which for me, greatly diminishes any motivation to "collect" them. It would be cooler if they were viewable in 3D via "AR Cards" or something... but at the moment, I don't have much motivation to collect these virtual figurines (and I collect Street Fighter toys in real life)!
 
 
Though bare bones, 3D Edition's Online Mode is surprisingly solid for a handheld fighting game, and replicates the console version's basic online experience fairly well. "Arcade Standby" also returns, which allows players to join in at any time during your run through Arcade Mode, local or over the internet. Also, if you happen to pass by another player in real life while playing and your Arcade Standby option is turned on, you'll enter a match with the other player via StreetPass. Nintendo's new friend code system allows for quick and easy online or local matches with friends. Unlike on the Wii and the DS, friend codes are now universal, meaning there is just one code per system rather than per game.

Page Updated: January 5th, 2020 Developer(s): Dimps, Capcom Publisher(s): Capcom Designer(s): Yoshinori Ono        Producer Daigo Ikeno             Character Design Artwork by: Daigo Ikeno Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS Release Date(s): Feb. 26th, 2011       Mar. 27th, 2011      Characters:  Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Dhalsim, Zangief, E. Honda, Blanka, Guile, Sagat, Bison, Balrog, Vega, C. Viper, El Fuerte, Abel, Rufus, Seth, Akuma, Gouken, Cammy, Rose, Gen, Fei Long, Dan, Sakura, T. Hawk, Dee Jay, Cody, Guy, Adon, Juri, Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto, Hakan Featured Video: Related Games: Super Street Fighter 4, Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition, Ultra Street Fighter 4, Street Fighter 4, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max, Tekken 3D: Prime Edition, TEKKEN: Dark Resurrection, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, Street Fighter X Tekken, Street Fighter V, Street Fighter 6    Gameplay Engine  8.0 / 10 Story / Theme  7.5 / 10 Overall Graphics  8.0 / 10 Animation  8.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  6.5 / 10 Innovation  8.5 / 10 Art Direction  7.5 / 10 Customization  9.5 / 10 Options / Extras  7.0 / 10 Intro / Presentation  8.5 / 10 Replayability / Fun  8.5 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  9.0 / 10 Characters  9.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  8.8 / 10     Final Words: The Nintendo 3DS port of Super Street Fighter IV is a strong launch title for the Nintendo 3DS, easily the best game available for the system at launch (which isn't saying much, but hey)! If you've put some quality time into SF4 or SSF4, you know what to expect out of the gameplay, but 3D Edition offers a truly unique visual experience that simply has to be seen in person. The screenshots don't do it much justice at all! The overall visuals aren't exactly what I'd call jaw-dropping, but the 3D effects integrate brilliantly with SSF4's graphics engine and epic camera angles. Unfortunately, having the 3D effect turned on (by default) compromises the frame rate significantly (30 FPS). However, if you turn off "3D Display" from Game Settings, the game will run at a smooth 60 FPS! Before I knew about this little "trick" I criticized the 3DS for not being able to run the game at 60 FPS... my mistake! (Although it would've been nice if Capcom included such info in the options menu or manual. ) For the record, I raised the game's overall score by .4 points once I found out 3D Edition can run at 60 FPS! If you're a hardcore SSF4 player and you want your 17-hit cancel-happy combo to work flawlessly in 3D Edition, you better pass on this one... or stop whining and learn how to enjoy the game casually. If you're a casual player and want to throw around some hadokens and super combos with some friends, you'll have a lot of fun with 3D Edition. It's a shame that the Arcade Edition characters (Yun, Yang, Evil Ryu & Oni Akuma) couldn't make the cut to the 3DS version, but Capcom explained the timing of the development cycles for these two games didn't match up. Even so, 35 great characters is nothing to sneer at, especially for a portable fighting game. SSF4: 3D Edition proudly represents this era of fighting games on Nintendo's shiny new handheld console and, at the least, should hold you over until the next big 3DS fighting game release! ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen                                                    Click Here for all character art!   Click Here for all box artwork / etc. FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES