Boomer: That's a definite negative. There are only 5 top level characters in 3s. Yun, Chun-Li, Ken, Urien, and Makoto. Everyone else has to work WAY too hard.
The parry system takes out a lof anti-airs in general, and you build meter by just pressing normals. Not sure why that is a good idea, but in terms of overall "balance" SF4 is way more balanced overall than 3s.
I mean, you're talking about how these characters can compete, but in tournaments it's really only those 5.
Yun Genei Jin?
. I mean, I can't think of anything in SF4 that is that overpowered.
Also, Alpha 3 Gief even combowise is nothing like SF4 Gief. That game require a completely different set of normals used, anti airs, not to mention even the glove.
EDIT: Everything G Boobie said I agree with. The game just has a lot of problems, and you can basically tech throws ALL day almost, way more than SF4. High level play 3s = not so much for balance.