Street Fighter III: New Generation (Europe 970204)

Street Fighter III: New Generation presents a fresh cast of characters and refined gameplay within the familiar versus fighting formula. Two players select from a diverse roster – including returning favorites alongside entirely new warriors – and engage in head-to-head battles across detailed stages. The game distinguishes itself with noticeably larger character sprites and exceptionally fluid animation, pushing the boundaries of 2D graphics for its time. Players control their chosen fighters using an eight-way joystick and six attack buttons mapping light punches, strong punches, light kicks, medium kicks, forward kicks, and roundhouse kicks; mastering combinations and strategic blocking is key to victory. While packed with detailed animations, some players may find the pace feels slightly slower than previous Street Fighter titles due to the increased complexity of each character's moveset. Hidden within the game’s code are intriguing remnants of development—like early versions of characters such as Hugo and even a mysterious hoax fighter named Shen Long—adding layers of discovery for dedicated fans. The soundtrack, notably Alex’s stage music, incorporates unexpected samples like James Brown’s “Think (About It),” creating an unexpectedly vibrant audio experience.