Where to buy:
Get the best deal on all the latest video games on Amazon

Review:
After playing Street Fighter IV, I had some issues. Sure, it was a fun game, but something seemed to be missing. I don't mean characters, but something else. Something less tangible. To this day I am not really sure what was missing from the SFIV, but whatever it was found it's way on to SSFIV.

First off, I want to say that for the price this game is being offered for, it is very reasonable. I was like a lot of gamers out there when I heard that Super Street Fighter IV was coming out. My exact thoughts were "Wow, way to shaft us, Capcom!" In fact, I may have even said it out loud......in the store......in front of children.......but I digress.

This game is head and shoulders above the SFIV fans grew to love and, in fact, one of the best features is the fact that it seems easier to pull off the Ultra combos without the arcade stick. While arcade stick owners still seem to have an edge, the advantage is a lot more balanced this time around. Simply put, it has the arcade feel without NEEDING the arcade. However, if you are truly serious about this game and haven't splurged yet, pick up an arcade controller. I am not quite THAT gung ho about Street Fighter, but luckily I have a friend who is and I can say with some certainty, the Sony PS3 Street Fighter IV FightStick does help with the more difficult maneuvers. PS3 Street Fighter IV Round 2 FightPad - Cammy controllers are a cheaper way to go, but I can't attest to how helpful they are.

Secondly, the new characters are AMAZING. Juri has got to be, hands down, one of the best additions to the franchise period. I like how the various characters are balanced out and how everyone has two Ultras. It would have been nicer had everyone been given the choice to switch between the two on the fly, but I find that to be a nitpick if anything. Seth is still a pain in the @$$, but hey.....he's the boss. He wouldn't be much of a villain if he didn't resort to cheap moves and impossible counters. The new stages are pretty to see, but stages in games like this I tend to care less about. There is no real interaction with it so it is little more than some new wallpaper. The reintroduction of bonus stages is nostalgic gold. KUDOS!

Third, this is a NOT A FIGHTING GAME. This is practically a lifestyle. With the TREMENDOUS amount of characters to choose....many of which are unique....each requires a learning curve that can only be compared to the arts. Sure, novices can pick up and play, but to truly dominate in every facet; prepare to put some schoolwork in. This alone makes this game exceed where so many other fighting games fall flat.....longevity. If you haven't played Street Fighter in a few years.......or even if you have been playing Street Fighter IV for the last several months.....you will find yourself learning the skills all over again. This very thing can be seen as a negative, though. Some of us don't want so steep a learning curve. If that is the case, you are better off passing this up. This game requires practice.

Lastly, and probably the biggest plus of all: Everyone is unlocked at the start. My biggest gripe with Street Fighter IV was having to toil through to try out the new characters. In this game, they are all available to tinker with from the get-go. I really enjoy this aspect since, well.....I tend to be impatient.

Conclusion: If you are a fan of fighting games, this one should be a no-brainer. If you are only a pseudo-fan of fighting games (like I am), you will probably want to rent it, but do so with an open mind. You won't be awesome after a few fights. This game takes patience to master and yields some of the most satisfying results once you do. All in all, I still feel like this could have been handled as a cheaper add-on with some patches to SFIV, but when you compare the cost of admission with the massive improvements, even the most cynical of gamers out there should have a softened heart to Capcom. So long as they continue to produce quality like this, they'll keep on getting my money.

Where to buy:
Get the best deal on all the latest video games on Amazon