JOYSTICKLER: Street Fighter IV may be the jolt Nintendo 3DS needs

Our new video game reviewer Shawn Proctor reviews Street Fighter IV on Nintendo 3DS

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JOYSTICKLER: Street Fighter IV may be the jolt Nintendo 3DS needs

POSTED: Thursday, August 18, 2011, 10:00 AM

Filed Under: Video Games

Shawn Proctor sets his controller aside to hash out the goods, bads and uglies of the latest games and gadgets.

BACKGROUND: When Nintendo 3DS hit the shelves in March it carried a price that threw most gamers into sticker coma: $249. With the promise of handheld 3D gaming without clunky glasses and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time aside, there just wasn't much incentive to fork over that much cash when other gaming thrills were available at cheaper prices. So to boost lackluster sales, Nintendo dropped the price to $169.99 and released the much-anticipated Street Fighter IV.

REVIEW: While not a handheld Batman: Arkham City, I figured Street Fighter IV on 3DS could be that kind of game-changer. At the suggestion of a friend, I tested it out with the 3D at half-depth and found, at times, it was like a magic eye image — only 3D when my eyes were almost crossed. After a few minutes, I adjusted and finally felt the same kind of wonder I experienced when playing its predecessor. Except this time I had access to 35 characters and cinema sequences I used to have to beat the game to see.

TIPS: Everyone I spoke to agreed the left button, which is the default heavy punch, was a pain to reach during game play. Instead, I suggest altering the button configuration so it's a jab instead. Not a perfect solution, especially when playing a character that uses rapid punches.

COMPARISONS: Two features in the game put it way ahead of other 3DS competitors: ultra combos and dynamic mode. The former allows your character to achieve a multi-hit attack simply by pressing the touch screen at the right time. The latter changes the game’s perspective from side-scrolling to a three-quarter, over-the-shoulder view. I worried it would be distracting and obscure the depth, but it felt completely natural and put me in the center of the fight.

FINAL SAY: The game allows for Internet play with a WiFi connection or player vs. player with two consoles and games. If Nintendo can bring more of these kinds of games out within six months, it may be able to pull the 3DS back from the brink and convince gamers that 3D isn’t the cheap gimmick Hollywood has made it out to be.

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