If you don’t know the history of the video game Street Fighter, you’re missing out on the greatest years in arcade history. There was a time…way back in the 90’s…when you didn’t have these amazing video game consoles and the ability to play online with both friends and random strangers. Back then, when you wanted to play against someone, you had to go to the local arcade. And there was no bigger game than Street Fighter 2.

SF2 revolutionized the arcade. In the history of video games, no other game had successfully combined the 2-D fighting genre with sucking money out of every kid in the world. Seriously, everyone was playing SF2. You’d go to the arcade and kids would be wrapped around the machine, with quarters littered across the top to get the next game. And there was always one kid who was better than everyone else. He’d dominate the machine for hours, and every challenger would come close, but never beat him. Back then I must have spent hundreds of dollars on Street Fighter. And you know what…it was worth it. I’d argue it’s one of the greatest games of all time and something that’s the benchmark for all 2-D fighting games.

So while many games have tried to take the title away from Street Fighter, it might take a new version of the game to revolutionize the genre. I’m not saying it will, but I’ll admit that I’m quite excited to play Street Fighter 4…especially after looking at these just released screenshots.

The only thing I’m curious about is…will Capcom release a special 6 button Street Fighter controller? Because no matter how amazing the graphics are, without a special fighting controller the game just won’t work.  

Thus far I haven’t heard if they will, but I’d imagine someone will make one as there is too much opportunity to make money.

According to Capcom, the characters and environments will be rendered in "stylized 3D computer graphics while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes." Some of the key features are:
• 2D/3D fighting environments
• Classic Street Fighter characters re-imagined for a new generation of gamers
• New special moves that go beyond any Street Fighter fan's wildest imagination
• Amazing locations never seen before in a Street Fighter game
• New gameplay elements provide new challenges for both newcomers and the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

So if you’re like me and grew up with Street Fighter…enjoy these brand new images of SF4. The game will be coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 this summer.

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