Street Fighter III
Encyclopedia
is a fighting game
in Capcom
's Street Fighter
series, originally released as coin-operated arcade game in . Street Fighter III was produced for the CD-ROM
-based CP System III hardware, which allowed for more elaborate 2D
graphics than the CPS II-based Street Fighter Alpha games (the previous incarnation of the Street Fighter series), while revamping many of the play mechanics. The game, which was designed as a direct sequel
to Street Fighter II
, initially discarded every previous character except for Ryu
and Ken
(hence the "New Generation" subtitle), introducing an all new character roster led by Alex. Likewise, a new antagonist named Gill took over M. Bison
s role from the previous games as the new boss
character.
Street Fighter III was followed by two updates: Street Fighter III 2nd Impact
in and Street Fighter III 3rd Strike
in . A single home version of the game was released for the Dreamcast in a two-in-one compilation titled Street Fighter III: Double Impact, which also included 2nd Impact. It remains the only home version of the first Street Fighter III ever released.
The gameplay of the original Street Fighter III has several new abilities and features introduced. Players can now dash or retreat like in the Darkstalkers series, as well as perform high jumps and do a quick standing after falling from an attack. The game also introduced "leap attacks", which are small jumping attacks used against crouching opponents. As well, the player cannot block in the air like in the Street Fighter Alpha series.
The main new feature is the ability to "parry" an opponents attack. Parrying (blocking in the Japanese version) is the ability to deflect an incoming attack without receiving damage. At the exact moment an opponent's attack is about to hit his or her character, the player can move the controller toward or down to Parry the attack without receiving damage, leaving the opponent vulnerable for a counterattack. Additionally, this also allows the player to defend against Special Moves and even Super Arts without sustaining the normal minor damage that blocking normally would incur. However, parrying requires precise timing.
The other new feature introduced in Street Fighter III is the inclusion of Super Arts. A Super Art in Street Fighter III is a powerful special move similar to a Super Combo in Super Turbo and the Alpha games. After selecting a character, the player will be prompted to select from one of three character-specific Super Arts to use in battle. Like the Super Combo gauge in previous games, the player has a Super Art gauge which will fill up as the player performs regular and special moves against an opponent. The player can only perform a Super Art once the gauge is filled. Depending on the Super Art chosen by the player, the length of the Super Art gauge will vary, as well as the amount of filled Super Art gauges the player can stock up.
Also, as this and the next two Street Fighter III games run on the CPS III engine, more elaborate 2D sprites were created. Among the elaborated sprites include multiple hit stun sprites, including a new "turned-around state," in which a character is turned around (his or her back faces the opponent) after being hit. Only certain attacks can put characters in a turned-around state, and grabs and throws can now be comboed, as it typically takes longer for an attacked character to recover from this new type of hit stun.
, with some jazz
, hip-hop, and techno
elements. While Yuki Iwai worked on the soundtracks for New Generation and 2nd Impact, Hideki Okugawa worked on all three games. The soundtrack to the first game in the series was released on CD by First Smile Entertainment in 1997, while the 3rd Strike original soundtrack was released by Mars Colony Music in 2000 with an arranged version afterwards. The soundtrack to 3rd Strike features three songs and announcer tracks by Canadian rapper Infinite
.
General resources
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
in Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
's Street Fighter
Street Fighter
, commonly abbreviated as SF, is a series of Fighting Games developed in Japan in which the players pit the video games' competitive fighters from around the world, each with his or her own unique fighting style, against one another...
series, originally released as coin-operated arcade game in . Street Fighter III was produced for the CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
-based CP System III hardware, which allowed for more elaborate 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
graphics than the CPS II-based Street Fighter Alpha games (the previous incarnation of the Street Fighter series), while revamping many of the play mechanics. The game, which was designed as a direct sequel
Sequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Street Fighter II
Street Fighter II
is a competitive fighting game originally released for the arcades in . It is the arcade sequel to the original Street Fighter released in and was Capcom's fourteenth title that ran on the CP System arcade hardware...
, initially discarded every previous character except for Ryu
Ryu (Street Fighter)
is a video game player character created by Capcom, the main protagonist of the Street Fighter series. Having premiered in the first Street Fighter in 1987, Ryu appears as the lead character from the game along with his best friend Ken Masters participating in the Street Fighter tournament...
and Ken
Ken Masters
, originally spelled in Japanese as , is a video game character created by Capcom. As a main character, he has appeared in all of the Street Fighter games along with his best friend and rival, Ryu...
(hence the "New Generation" subtitle), introducing an all new character roster led by Alex. Likewise, a new antagonist named Gill took over M. Bison
M. Bison
M. Bison, known in Japan as Vega, is a video game character created by Capcom. First introduced in Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, he is a recurring character in the Street Fighter series of fighting games, acting as the final boss and primary antagonist of the Street Fighter II and Street...
s role from the previous games as the new boss
Boss (video games)
A boss is an enemy-based challenge which is found in video games. A fight with a boss character is commonly referred to as a boss battle or boss fight...
character.
Street Fighter III was followed by two updates: Street Fighter III 2nd Impact
Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact
is a competitive fighting game produced by Capcom that was released as a coin-operated arcade game in . It is an update of Street Fighter III: New Generation. Like its predecessor, it runs on the CP System III hardware. 2nd Impact introduced new play mechanics, new characters, and new special moves...
in and Street Fighter III 3rd Strike
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
is a 2D competitive fighting game produced by Capcom originally released for the arcade in . It is the second follow-up to Street Fighter III, following Street Fighter III 2nd Impact. Like its predecessors, it runs on the CP System III hardware. 3rd Strike increased the character roster by adding...
in . A single home version of the game was released for the Dreamcast in a two-in-one compilation titled Street Fighter III: Double Impact, which also included 2nd Impact. It remains the only home version of the first Street Fighter III ever released.
Gameplay
Released in February 1997, the original Street Fighter III features ten unique selectable characters (not counting Yun and Yang separately) and a non-selectable computer-controlled character as the games final opponent. In the single-player mode, the player will face seven computer-controlled opponents, including Gill.The gameplay of the original Street Fighter III has several new abilities and features introduced. Players can now dash or retreat like in the Darkstalkers series, as well as perform high jumps and do a quick standing after falling from an attack. The game also introduced "leap attacks", which are small jumping attacks used against crouching opponents. As well, the player cannot block in the air like in the Street Fighter Alpha series.
The main new feature is the ability to "parry" an opponents attack. Parrying (blocking in the Japanese version) is the ability to deflect an incoming attack without receiving damage. At the exact moment an opponent's attack is about to hit his or her character, the player can move the controller toward or down to Parry the attack without receiving damage, leaving the opponent vulnerable for a counterattack. Additionally, this also allows the player to defend against Special Moves and even Super Arts without sustaining the normal minor damage that blocking normally would incur. However, parrying requires precise timing.
The other new feature introduced in Street Fighter III is the inclusion of Super Arts. A Super Art in Street Fighter III is a powerful special move similar to a Super Combo in Super Turbo and the Alpha games. After selecting a character, the player will be prompted to select from one of three character-specific Super Arts to use in battle. Like the Super Combo gauge in previous games, the player has a Super Art gauge which will fill up as the player performs regular and special moves against an opponent. The player can only perform a Super Art once the gauge is filled. Depending on the Super Art chosen by the player, the length of the Super Art gauge will vary, as well as the amount of filled Super Art gauges the player can stock up.
Also, as this and the next two Street Fighter III games run on the CPS III engine, more elaborate 2D sprites were created. Among the elaborated sprites include multiple hit stun sprites, including a new "turned-around state," in which a character is turned around (his or her back faces the opponent) after being hit. Only certain attacks can put characters in a turned-around state, and grabs and throws can now be comboed, as it typically takes longer for an attacked character to recover from this new type of hit stun.
Characters
- Alex - The lead character of the Street Fighter III series. He fights with close-range grappling techniques and powerful punches. His initial goal is to avenge the defeat of his friend Tom at the hands of Gill. Voiced by Michael Sommers in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and Patrick Gallagan in 3rd Strike.
- Dudley - A gentleman British boxer who seeks to recover his late father's antique Jaguar convertible from Gill. Voiced by Bruce Robertson in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Francis Diakowsky in 3rd Strike.
- ElenaElena (Street Fighter)is a fictional character in the Street Fighter series. She first appeared in the arcade game Street Fighter III: New Generation, and appeared in several revisions of it, including Street Fighter III, Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike...
- An African princess from Nairobi who uses the fighting style of capoeiraCapoeiraCapoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...
. She seeks to make new friends. All of her attacks are kicks, even the punch button attacks. Voiced by Hotaru Fujino in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and Mie Midori in 3rd Strike. - IbukiIbuki (Street Fighter)is a video game character from the Street Fighter fighting game series. She along with Elena were the lone female characters in the Street Fighter III series, until 3rd Strike, where they were joined by Makoto and Chun-Li...
- An aspiring ninja who is sent to retrieve the G File from Gill's organization. Voiced by Yuri AmanoYuri Amanois a Japanese voice actor. She was born .- Films :* Soreike! Anpanman: Baikinman no Gyakushuu , Akachanman* Mobile Suit Gundam F91 , Jessica* Tobé! Kujira no Peek...
in all three games. - Ken - As the current U.S. martial arts champion, Ken seeks to test his strength against his old friend and rival Ryu, once again. Voiced by Koji Tobe in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and Yuji Kishi in 3rd Strike.
- Necro - A Russian man who was kidnapped and experimented on by Gill's organization. Voiced by Michael X. Sommers in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Lawrence BayneLawrence BayneLawrence Bayne is a Canadian actor, born November 11, 1960 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He has appeared in various movies and television series, both live action and animated, and also sings/writes with his band The Lawrence Bayne Issue....
in 3rd Strike. - OroOro (Street Fighter)is a video game character created by Capcom. He appears in the Street Fighter III series of fighting games. Despite appearing only in the SFIII games, Oro gained significant notability due to his unusual and controversial character design....
- A seclusive hermit who seeks a fighter worthy to inherit his fighting style. He binds one arm while fighting, to keep from accidentally killing his opponent (except when performing specific special techniques). Voiced by Kan Tokumaru in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Takashi MatsuyamaTakashi Matsuyama (actor)is a Japanese actor and voice actor.- Filmography :*The Grudge as Takeo Saeki *Arcade Gamer Fubuki as Referee*Battle Programmer SHIRASE as Principal Miura...
in 3rd Strike. - RyuRyu (Street Fighter)is a video game player character created by Capcom, the main protagonist of the Street Fighter series. Having premiered in the first Street Fighter in 1987, Ryu appears as the lead character from the game along with his best friend Ken Masters participating in the Street Fighter tournament...
- As usual, Ryu seeks to better his skills and find worthy opponents. Voiced by Wataru TakagiWataru Takagiis a Japanese seiyū and stage actor from Chiba Prefecture. He is currently affiliated with Arts Vision.He is best known for his roles in Detective Conan , After War Gundam X , Slayers Try , the Beast Wars: Transformers series , GTO , Hajime no Ippo (July 25, 1966 - ) is a Japanese seiyū and stage...
in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Toru Okawa in 3rd Strike. - Sean - A young Brazilian-Japanese fighter who becomes Ken's self-appointed apprentice. Voice by Isshin ChibaIsshin Chibais a Japanese voice actor who currently works for Arts Vision. He is best known for doing the voice of Jin Kazama from the Tekken series.-Anime:*Aoki Densetsu Shoot *.hack//SIGN *Bleach *Chobits...
in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and Mitsuo IwataMitsuo IwataMitsuo Iwata is a seiyū who was born in Tokorozawa, Saitama. He is married to fellow seiyū Rikako Aikawa. Mania.com praised him as "truly one of the greatest seiyū". Otakunews.com complimented him for the role of Tetsuya from Outlanders...
in 3rd Strike. - Yun and Yang - Twin Kung Fu experts from Hong Kong who are guardians of their hometown. While the two brothers are head-swaps, their move sets are identical and they share the same slot in the player select screen. Yun was voiced by Wataru Takagi in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Kentaro ItoKentaro Itois a seiyū who was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan. He has been affiliated with Mediarte since May 2009.- Notable anime roles :* Ai No Kusabi - Riki* Ao no Exorcist - Shiratori/Astaroth* Bakusō Kyōdai Let's & Go!! WGP - Brett Astaire...
in 3rd Strike. Yang was voiced by Koji Tobe in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and by Masakazu SuzukiMasakazu Suzukiis a retired Japanese football player and manager.-References:...
in 3rd Strike. - Gill - The leader of a secret organization which seeks to turn the Earth into a utopia. He can manipulate fire and ice. He is the final opponent for all the characters in New Generation and 3rd Strike, and for most of the characters in 2nd Impact. Gill is only playable in the console versions of the series. Voiced by Bruce Robertson in New Generation and 2nd Impact, and Lawrence Bayne in 3rd Strike.
Home versions
- In 1999, Capcom released Street Fighter III: Double Impact (Street Fighter III: W Impact in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
) for the Dreamcast, a compilation containing the original game and 2nd Impact. The compilation features an Arcade, Versus, Training and Option Mode for both games, as well as a "Parry Attack Mode" in 2nd Impact, where the player gets to test his or her parrying skills in the games bonus round. This compilation also allows players to use Gill (in both games) and Shin Akuma (in 2nd Impact only), who were exclusively computer-controlled characters in the arcade version.
Music
The themes for the games are predominantly drum and bassDrum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
, with some jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, hip-hop, and techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
elements. While Yuki Iwai worked on the soundtracks for New Generation and 2nd Impact, Hideki Okugawa worked on all three games. The soundtrack to the first game in the series was released on CD by First Smile Entertainment in 1997, while the 3rd Strike original soundtrack was released by Mars Colony Music in 2000 with an arranged version afterwards. The soundtrack to 3rd Strike features three songs and announcer tracks by Canadian rapper Infinite
Ghetto Concept
Ghetto Concept is a Canadian hip-hop duo from Toronto, Ontario, composed of Kwajo Cinqo and Dolo. Infinite, who is currently a solo artist, is a former member of Ghetto Concept.-History:...
.
| Character | Theme |
|---|---|
| Alex | Jazzy NYC (Underground edit) |
| Dudley | Leave Alone |
| Elena | Tomboy |
| Ibuki | Sharp Eyes |
| Ken | Good Fighter |
| Necro | Get On a Train |
| Oro | Cave Man |
| Ryu Ryu (Street Fighter) is a video game player character created by Capcom, the main protagonist of the Street Fighter series. Having premiered in the first Street Fighter in 1987, Ryu appears as the lead character from the game along with his best friend Ken Masters participating in the Street Fighter tournament... |
Good Fighter |
| Sean | Jazzy NYC (Street edit) |
| Yun and Yang | Crowded Street |
| Gill | The Judgment Day |
External links
Official sitesGeneral resources