Street Fighter IV

[Velorath]

SF4 release date announced..  Feb 17th for NA, Feb 20th for Europe.

[Xuri]

This game is making me want to buy an XBOX360 and/or PS3. Also, I hear rumors about the NA collector's edition coming with an "authentic copy" of RYU'S HEADBAND! Must...resist....!!1!

[HAMMER FRENZY]

I've been playing this game at the arcade and it is awesome as hell. I am all over this when it comes out. Sunday I am back in the arcade, this game is just too damn hot.

[LK]

Release date draws near!

We have a custom arcade setup where we plan to run the PC version of the game like it was the arcade. I'm still picking this up for 360 though. The game feels way more solid than SF3 and I greatly appreciate not having to deal with super spam that has become a trademark of certain (top tier) characters in SF3.

[Jain Zar]

I could give a fuck about the game, but I might buy the cheaper arcade stick or the fighting game pad.

I have so many retrogame collections and XBLA arcade games that a nice USB controller with a decent directional pad/stick could be useful.

[Hindenburg]

Got this.

Fuck me, it's good. It's insanely good. Capcom did the right thing by giving it to another studio.
There are little lacks of polish here and there, like how El Fuerte's idle animation doesn't cycle properly, or how only the fighter's mouth moves while they deliver their line after getting locked locked into their victory pose, but it's an absolutely amazing product.

Suffers from having to unlock all the characters if you bring it to a mate's house, but even the standard rooster is varied enough to give you generous ammounts of fun.

Didn't have high hopes for this, since i'm a raving KoF'98 fanboy, but SF4 is great.

Do not play with the standard Xbox 2 controller.

[Moaner]

So the question is, is it really worth swapping out the stick and buttons on my Hori PS3 stick for Sanwa parts?  I haven't been to an arcade in so long I forgot what a real stick feels like. 

Or better yet, has anything been announced regarding the release of the Mad Catz Tournament Edition stick?  Is it a LE thing or will I be able to find one in a couple months?

[Margalis]

Sanwa parts are what they use in Japanese arcades.

I have an Arcade in a Box stick. It has concave buttons (pushed in) and a standard US-style clicky stick. Works great.

Japanese arcades use the sticks with the balls on the end that don't click and convex (raised) buttons. When I was in Japan I tried to play Anniversery Edition and I couldn't do shit on it. Definitely takes getting used to.

The main thing for me is how big and heavy the total package is. Arcade in a Box is huge and immobile, which is good.

[Moaner]

Whoa those look very nice Margalis.  Thanks for the link, I think I found my next stick.

[schild]

Sanwa parts are what they use in Japanese arcades.

Japanese arcades use the sticks with the balls on the end that don't click and convex (raised) buttons. When I was in Japan I tried to play Anniversery Edition and I couldn't do shit on it. Definitely takes getting used to.

Sanwa and Seimitsu ball tops do in fact click, there's just multiple varieties. I have clicking ones right here on the Egret 2 behind me. Also, a note on the Japanese sticks and buttons versus the american ones. The throw on both the stick and the buttons is shorter. That is to say, less is more. After having spent time on my cab, I don't even like HAPP Bat top sticks and concave american buttons.

[Big Gulp]

Sanwa parts are what they use in Japanese arcades.

Japanese arcades use the sticks with the balls on the end that don't click and convex (raised) buttons. When I was in Japan I tried to play Anniversery Edition and I couldn't do shit on it. Definitely takes getting used to.

Sanwa and Seimitsu ball tops do in fact click, there's just multiple varieties. I have clicking ones right here on the Egret 2 behind me. Also, a note on the Japanese sticks and buttons versus the american ones. The throw on both the stick and the buttons is shorter. That is to say, less is more. After having spent time on my cab, I don't even like HAPP Bat top sticks and concave american buttons.

Fighting game fans are crazy.  I'm almost tempted by SFIV just for memories of throwing away quarters when I was 16, but then I read threads like this and think, "Nah, I just don't have this level of obsession".

[HAMMER FRENZY]

Gulp: just play to the level you feel comfortable with. If you play with friends, your skill level will increase at a decent clip and you will still be having fun. SF is not the problem, jerky players are, but luckily there are some good players on this board that like to play and I am sure would show you some fun stuff. If you get it and you get the 360 version, get some games in with me!

[Big Gulp]

Gulp: just play to the level you feel comfortable with. If you play with friends, your skill level will increase at a decent clip and you will still be having fun.

My friends don't play fighting games except for the occasional 1-2 rounds of Fight Night or Soul Calibur.  You know why?  They're not crazy.

Seriously, though, thanks for the invite.  I just don't think I could justify $60 for SF4 when at most it can only hold my attention for 15 minutes.  Not when I've got gaming epics on my horizon like Empire: Total War.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

I hear ya man. Well if you ever decide to get into it when the game is in the bargin bin or whatever, I will most likely still be playing it. Margalis too. And I would be more than happy to show you why playing fighting games doesn't make you crazy, they just give you reasons to learn a little bit more about something you enjoy, till you realize you have learned a huge amount about them. Really, good fighting games age like good strategy games. There is usually a lot going on and there is almost always a new experience or strat/technique to learn.

sigh....fighting games...

monkey edit: I forgot to mention that the prima strat guide for sf4 is really good. It has a lot of information, really well put together and covers stuff from the simplest stuff to the really in depth (frame counting) silliness. It is a good buy and well worth the price. If anyone is lost and wants a good place to start, check that out and ALSO check out the SF4 for beginners/3rd strike players at gootecks.com and of course check our shoryuken.com

Today is the day suckas. I will be online after work, if you get sf4 for the 360 play with me! (see you there marg!)

napkinschematic (xbl)

[Moaner]

God damn, it looks like I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow evening to pick it up at which time I'll be too tired to play.  Torture...

[HAMMER FRENZY]

I picked it up during lunch today. I will be playing it during my next break!!! 

[Draegan]

I don't feel like spending the money right now and I don't have the time, but I almost forgot how crazy you fighting game players are.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

 

SFIV owns my fucking ass.

That is all.

PS: 

[Moaner]

I better get out of work in time to pick it up.  16 hour days suck.  BLAH!

PS:  Screw you jerks :p

[Ookii]

We got it and two of the joysticks yesterday but our roommate wouldn't give up the TV as he was playing Halo.

I hear it's fun.   

[Cyrrex]

I was fairly well chomping at the bit to go out and nab this motherfucker, and then I considered a huge, huge problem.  WHICH VERSION?  All things being equal, I'd prefer the 360 version, but the control is shit for this kind of game...and I'm just not sure I want to invest in a stick (or DO I?).  OTOH, the PS3 controller would be smooth and dreamy, but I don't really know anyone who plays on that machine.

ARGH!

[schild]

I was fairly well chomping at the bit to go out and nab this motherfucker, and then I considered a huge, huge problem.  WHICH VERSION?  All things being equal, I'd prefer the 360 version, but the control is shit for this kind of game...and I'm just not sure I want to invest in a stick (or DO I?).  OTOH, the PS3 controller would be smooth and dreamy, but I don't really know anyone who plays on that machine.

ARGH!

Should I be able to get the game, it will be the PS3 version.

[Hindenburg]

I was fairly well chomping at the bit to go out and nab this motherfucker, and then I considered a huge, huge problem.  WHICH VERSION?  All things being equal, I'd prefer the 360 version, but the control is shit for this kind of game...and I'm just not sure I want to invest in a stick (or DO I?).  OTOH, the PS3 controller would be smooth and dreamy, but I don't really know anyone who plays on that machine.

ARGH!

Since EX moves require triple button presses, and factoring that having to press the shoulder buttons while your thumb is located atop the face buttons is discomforting, you'll have to buy an arcade stick either way. I'd go with the ps3 version simply because there's no LIVE fee.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

I was fairly well chomping at the bit to go out and nab this motherfucker, and then I considered a huge, huge problem.  WHICH VERSION?  All things being equal, I'd prefer the 360 version, but the control is shit for this kind of game...and I'm just not sure I want to invest in a stick (or DO I?).  OTOH, the PS3 controller would be smooth and dreamy, but I don't really know anyone who plays on that machine.

ARGH!

The versions are near identical, with the 360 one being a hair brighter. They look pretty much identical though. If you get one, get an arcade stick either way, or at least a fight pad. The game will be unfun on a regular 360/ps3 pad.

The netcode for this game bottles the mind. It is great. It runs the same on both systems with the typical stability/larger playerbase on the 360 side, but either is just fine. Get the version that will allow you to play with your friends. Playing online is all fine but playing in person is awesome. That being said if none of your friends will be playing it, get the version that you will play online with most. fighting games are all about comp. gotta go where the playerbase that you want to play with is at.

I am using the hori ex2 stick. I recently used the $80 madcatz stick and am not feeling it. IF you can find the le stick ($150) that stick is freaking awesome. A hori ex 2 will be more than sufficient though.

[Morfiend]

The netcode for this game bottles the mind.

Ohhh Bottled Mind. Is that like Red Bull?

[HAMMER FRENZY]

Yeah, like an anchorman reference. 

[Velorath]

Picked it up for the 360.  Still need to get a stick though.

[Moaner]

So much fun.  I really want one of those Arcade-In-A-Box sticks now!  Next month I guess.

I'm using the Hori PS3 stick.  It's certainly better than the ps3 controller but I really want an honest to god arcade stick.  I have for years now.

[Jobu]

I bought one of these back in the day for the Dreamcast version of SF3. It was nice because it has an adapter to use on other consoles, so you don't have to worry about buying new ones for each system. Alas, it won't work for the 360 because Microsoft are raging assholes but those of you with PS3's might like them. The parts were pretty good quality, my favorite part was the heft of the device. You can plant it on the floor or a table and it doesn't move or wobble around at all. A little bulky for your lap though.

[Margalis]

Got my copy, forgot to pick up a wireless headset though. I'll be on late nights if anyone wants to play. I don't really know anything about the game at all, been avoiding info.

[HAMMER FRENZY]

marg: I will be playing later tonight. Man this game is soooo damn fun. Get a damn mic you weenie!

[Big Gulp]

$60 for a 2D fighting game, $60 and up for a fighting stick.  You people are fucking nuts.

I was willing to plonk down $15 for the HD remix, but this is where sane people draw the line.

[Moaner]

But $199 for Rock Band is perfectly ok.  Different strokes.

Considering I'll still be playing this next year and probably the one after that, plunking down on the game and a nice controller doesn't seem that silly.

[RUiN 427]

This is the first game in a while that i will not be reading any reviews for. It's that fun to me, and thats all that matters. So well executed, well designed, good art. I know I'm gushing but, it's pure and simple fun.

[Valmorian]

But $199 for Rock Band is perfectly ok.  Different strokes.

SO true.  I mean really, what hobby CAN'T you spend lots of money on that someone else doesn't go "you're nuts!" when you do?