Street Fighter 3 Third Strike is immortal

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Street Fighter 3 Third Strike is immortal

As a longtime fighting game enthusiast and someone who was there when EVO Moment 37 unfurled before our very eyes, I can attest to the profound impact that Street Fighter 3 Third Strike has had on both the competitive scene and my own personal journey. This latest anniversary tournament at EVO 2024 served as a poignant reminder of the game’s enduring legacy.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of EVO Moment 37 and the 25th anniversary of Street Fighter 3’s latest version. In celebration, organizers at EVO 2024 decided to host an additional tournament to honor this iconic game in the Fighting Game Community (FGC). Despite expectations, over 1,100 competitors joined the fray – a significant increase from the number that participated in the EVO Japan 2024 tournament earlier this year. The turnout was only 200 players shy of last year’s Marvel vs. Capcom 3 runback.

In North American fighting game culture (FGC), Marvel vs. Capcom 3 holds a special spot, but Street Fighter 3 Third Strike is such an integral part of the lore of fighting games that it’s hard to envision the scene or the players without it. This particular game, these specific players on that day, in that moment, significantly altered the course of competitive gaming history. It all traces back to EVO Moment 37. It all goes back to Sunday, August 1, 2004.

In the video, Daigo Umehara (playing Ken) skillfully dodges Justin Wong’s (Chun-Li) Super attack just in time, and then astoundingly recovers with a full combination and his own Super move. To perfectly dodge Chun-Li’s Houyoku-sen Super without taking damage, Daigo needed to execute an impressive 15 near-perfect inputs within the game’s 60 frames per second. This was no easy feat, considering the high stakes of a tournament setting. Additionally, to finish off his opponent, Daigo had to leap and parry the final hit, which is even more challenging due to the energy required to execute a Super move afterwards.

The Daigo Parry is more than just an impressive move; it encapsulates the competitive and entertaining essence of fighting games within a compact minute-long video. Regardless of your familiarity with fighting games, witnessing two skilled players go head-to-head in a nail-biting final round before a passionate crowd will leave you comprehending why individuals become deeply invested in these engaging pastimes.

1. Street Fighter 3 Third Strike was uniquely positioned to pave the way for this development. At that time, it struck an ideal balance between being user-friendly and offering rich gameplay depth, enabling players to showcase their skills on a grand scale – a feat only achieved by Street Fighter, the pioneer of fighting games.

20 years following EVO Moment 37 and 25 years since Street Fighter 3’s initial release, its most recent appearance at EVO was as thrilling as the legendary tournaments of yore. Remarkably, the game has not received any updates, adjustments, or new characters for over two decades, yet players continue to test the software to its maximum potential.

2021 saw the triumph of Hayao, a vibrant Japanese gaming professional, who captivated thousands of viewers with his entertaining actions and exceptional portrayal of Hugo against Ken, played by FrankieBFG. In an extraordinary display of skill, Hayao not only countered FrankieBFG’s airborne Super, which demanded nearly flawless timing, but also utilized Hugo’s dropkick, often considered one of the least effective moves in the game, to dodge another incoming Super barrage before clinching the victory.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve witnessed moments like the legendary Daigo Parry that leave us in awe. These instances breathe new life into fighting games, whether they’ve been long gone from store shelves or arcades. They inspire both veteran and novice players to reach new heights and push their skills further. Street Fighter 3 Third Strike paved the way for these incredible displays of gameplay, and if recent tournaments are any indication, we’re far from reaching the end of its legacy.

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2024-07-30 17:27