Fighting Games on PSX

[bargora]

I've looked at the "top 25" fighting games classic discussion, but I am at a bit of a loss. I am wondering:

1) If I were to buy one "Street Fighter" game for PSX, which should it be?

2) What is the best 2D fighting game for PSX?

3) What is the best 3D fighting game for PSX?

and
4) What is "the deal" with the profusion of Street Fighter games? (Not the "Capcom likes money" deal, I mean, how are they related story-wise, and more importantly, what are the major gameplay differences?)

[Arcade Antics]

I've looked at the "top 25" fighting games classic discussion, but I am at a bit of a loss. I am wondering:

1) If I were to buy one "Street Fighter" game for PSX, which should it be?

SF Alpha is a good one.


2) What is the best 2D fighting game for PSX?

Dunno what the "best" one is, but my favorite is probably DarkStalkers.


3) What is the best 3D fighting game for PSX?

This one's easy: Tekken 3. :)


and
4) What is "the deal" with the profusion of Street Fighter games? (Not the "Capcom likes money" deal, I mean, how are they related story-wise, and more importantly, what are the major gameplay differences?)

Generally - as the series(es) went on they added a wider variety of fighting styles and counters/super moves. But I'll let someone who is much more versed in the SF universe handle this one. Jason Wilson - you out there today? ;)

[ubersaurus]

I've looked at the "top 25" fighting games classic discussion, but I am at a bit of a loss. I am wondering:

1) If I were to buy one "Street Fighter" game for PSX, which should it be?

2) What is the best 2D fighting game for PSX?

3) What is the best 3D fighting game for PSX?

and
4) What is "the deal" with the profusion of Street Fighter games? (Not the "Capcom likes money" deal, I mean, how are they related story-wise, and more importantly, what are the major gameplay differences?)

1)If you'll buy any of em for PSX I say SF Collection, 1 or 2. Also worthwile picks are Alpha 2 or 3(although 3 wasn't really a good port of the arcade version, and is kinda tricky to pick up).

2)Easy-SF2 Hyper Fighting on the SF collection 2 ;) Darkstalkers 3 is nice too though.

3)Tekken 3 I hear is good.

4) Well Storyline wise, it goes Street Fighter, Street Fighter Alpha 2, SF Alpha 3, Super SF 2 Turbo, and I believe SF3 Double Impact, SF3 3rd Strike.
Every time a new version of a particular game comes out, the storyline for that one is the one used. Gameplay wise, they release new version to put in new characters and add in new features to an existing game engine. Usually this means the only game in a series that gets serious competition is the last one, like SF2 Super Turbo, or 3rd Strike. There are exceptions-Hyper Fighting was better then its successor, Super SF2, and thus alot of players never bothered to make the jump. Alpha 2 and Alpha 3 are exceptions-both games are fairly popular (considering their age), and both are pretty good.

[BenT]

4) What is "the deal" with the profusion of Street Fighter games? (Not the "Capcom likes money" deal, I mean, how are they related story-wise, and more importantly, what are the major gameplay differences?)
I'm bored, so you win!

SF2 Series (1991 - 1994)

SF2 - The revolutionary classic. Introduced combos, two-in-ones (canceling) and numerous other fighting game basics.

SF2 Champion Edition - Could play as 4 bosses and both players could pick the same fighter.

SF2 Turbo: Hyper Fighting - Game sped up significantly, and many chars got new moves. Fan favorite.

Super SF2: The New Challengers - Four new fighters added. More new moves and tweaks all around. Speed back down to CE level. First SF to use the new CPS2 hardware, which made the music sound totally different (for the worse, IMO). With its decreased speed, it's considered the worst of the SF2 series.

Super SF2 Turbo (SSF2X: Grandmaster's Challenge in JPN) - "Super" meter added. Once filled, characters could execute very powerful super moves. Sped back up to HF levels; Many more tweaks. Akuma's first appearance, though his playable form was so overpowered that it was banned in tourneys. Considered by many to be the pinnacle of SF2 and early versus fighting games.

Alpha Series (1995 - 1998)

SF Alpha: Warriors' Dreams (SF Zero in JPN) - Supposed to be an anime-style prequel to the events of SF2. Much more cartoony looking, Alpha had a relatively small cast and each background was used for two characters. Annoying SF2 bonus stages were removed. Air blocking introduced. Super moves returned, and now each character had several, the super meters had three levels, and the super moves themselves had three power levels. Alpha counters introduced; These were attacks you could use when blocking, that sapped a level off your super meter. Chain combos were introduced: sequences of normal attacks that would combo automatically. Most hardcore types hated them. I really enjoyed SFA on PSX.

SF Alpha 2 (SF Zero 2 in JPN) - Much more finished-feeling than its predecessor, each character had a unique (and well-done) background and chain combos were mostly removed. The major new system was Custom Combos; If you wanted, you could drain your super meter to make all of your character's moves combo together for a short period. Fan favorite.

SF Zero 2 Alpha - Asia-only (?) upgrade of SFA2 that made a few minor changes and tweaks. This is included in the US Street Fighter Collection (SAT / PSX) as Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold.

SF Alpha 3 - Capcom went apeshit and brought in just about every prior SF2 character, at least for the home versions. The combo system is much expanded, leading to some craziness. The "ism" system let you choose between three different fighting styles for each character: One reminiscent of SSF2T, one like SFA2, and so on. The import-only 4 Meg Saturn version is the most accurate port. This game is too out there for my tastes; The announcer alone is intolerable.

SF Alpha 3 Upper - Arcade release that added the home version-exclusive characters.

Street Fighter III series (1997 - 1999)

SF III: New Generation - The series leaped to Capcom's CPS3 hardware, and the increase in character animation seemed mind-blowing. As a sequel to the events of SSF2T, this was a sort of return to basics; Air blocking was nixed, and parrying was introduced. Pressing forward (for high attacks) or down (for low) caused characters to repel incoming attacks, setting them up to start their own. With a bizarre-looking cast and some balance issues, this game joins SSF2 as one of the most disliked official SF games. Still, the foundation was there for future greatness.

SF III 2nd Impact: Giant Attack - Numerous tweaks and changes made for a much improved sequel. Newcomers Hugo and Urien proved fun to play. Akuma was in there too. SF III: Double Impact for DC (SF III: W Impact in JPN) has both this game and its predecessor.

SF III 3rd Strike: Fight for the Future - Five new characters and yet more system tweaks equaled a seriously great game. Lots of variety, much to master, relatively balanced. Throw command changed to LK+LP, which greatly increased their usefulness. Hardcore / rap soundtrack a turn off to some, including me. But overall, a high point in the SF series, and one which will hopefully see another port beyond the DC version.

Edit: Btw, that's ignoring the mediocre 3D games. Maybe someone else would like to explain those. :)

[buttasuperb]

2D, Alpha 2, or one of the SF Collections. Get Alpha 3 on Saturn or DC.

3D, Tekken 3.

[ubersaurus]

DON'T get Alpha 3 on Dreamcast. It's the worst port of the game PERIOD. Lots of move properties changed (moreso then the Saturn and PSX ports), toned down V ism and beefed up A ism, just utter crap.

PSX port may be missing more frames but its closer to the arcade original. The Saturn one was the closest, but even it fell short. A3 home ports were pretty miserable in general, but if you gotta get one, get the saturn one. Hell the state of ports drove my friend to pay 500 bucks to buy an A3 cabinet just so he could play the game right.

[buttasuperb]

Ah, didn't know the DC one was so crappy, I figured it would at least be better than the PSX one. :hmm:

[Kid Fenris]

I've looked at the "top 25" fighting games classic discussion, but I am at a bit of a loss. I am wondering:
1) If I were to buy one "Street Fighter" game for PSX, which should it be?


Either Alpha 2 or 3. Three is the deeper game as far as technique goes, but Alpha 2 just has superior aesthetics, possibly became, unlike Alpha 3, some cheeseball announcer isn't bellowing in your ear before each fight.


2) What is the best 2D fighting game for PSX?

Guilty Gear. Yeah, that's right. Okay, so it ain't that deep, but it's damn fun, what with its anime overkill and exaggerated play.


3) What is the best 3D fighting game for PSX?

Tekken 3 is the crowd-pleaser, but I prefer Soul Blade. It has a better sense of style, and it's more fun in the one-player mode. Of course, you could always pick up the import-only Tobal 2 . . .

[Mr Mort]

For 2D, I would have to go with Guilty Gear or Street Fighter Alpha 3.
While the Saturn version of Alpha 3 is the best of all (V-ism isn't butchered, and the DC version is actually missing some animation), the PSX port stands up pretty well given the system's memory constraints. Guilty Gear on the other hand, is a pretty unique and exciting game with some truly bizarre characters.

As for 3D, I'd also go with either Tekken 3 (my fave in the series) or Soul Blade.

[Tetsu]

I've had Alpha 3 for PSX, DC, and Saturn. The Saturn one is best, keeps most of the good stuff in. The PSX version has crap animation, annoying load times, and a lot of the cooler features (Dramatic battle, where 2 human players simultaneously took on one computer opponent) had to be toned down because of the PSX's hardware limitations. The DC version has zero loading time but seems rushed and unpolished. Also, the DC game lacks VGA support, a big no-no.

[bargora]

OK--I picked up Alpha 2 from the GAME @_@ CRAZY!!1! down the street. I also cruised the Babbage's and grabbed Pocket Fighter, which is a delightful bit of confection. I didn't realize that Morrigan had a nurturing nurse side that spurs her to inject opponents with a giant hypodermic and then run them over with a wheelchair.