The Parrying system from the previous installments is still intact and impressively more solid than before. Parrying is a skillful way to defend against your opponent's incoming attacks (by tapping forward in time with your opponent's attack), instead of just holding back to block. By parrying, you can quickly counter-attack your opponent with a priority attack, special move, or even right into a combo or super move if you have such skills. The fluid pace of SFIII's animation makes it easier for the eyes to anticipate incoming attacks, which is why parrying works so well with this game. You can of course parry while standing, parry low attacks by tapping down and parry in the air (with more punishable outcomes this time around since fighters aren't "pushed back" like in New Generation).


The commands for air parries, throws and leap attacks were changed from 2nd Impact. Additionally, the player can perform a "guard parry" or a parry during a guard stun if the timing is right. A guard parry is also known as a "red parry" due to the fact that the character turns red while performing it. The game also introduces the "judgment system," where the winning player is given a letter grade based on their performance in several different categories: offense, defense, techniques and extra points... pretty cool!
   

 

Parrying also adds power to the super combo gauge, which of course allows players to perform a devastating super art (or two) against their opponent. The super combo gauge can also be used to perform "EX specials" which enhance regular special moves by making them faster or more damaging (This mechanic was introduced in the prequel, 2nd Impact). Characters have a great selection of priority attacks, command attacks, special moves and a choice of three hard-hitting super moves. Overall, the characters are represented incredibly well and are some of the "deepest" 2D fighting game characters to date. Thanks to the updated character roster, SFIII is definitely more fun than ever, but that's not all that's changed...

  
3rd Strike also features a brand new soundtrack which can be summed up as a "mix" of techno, jazz and hip-hop... an interesting choice that takes some getting used to, but the end result is a win! BGMs are particularly well done... each song actually has three different remixes, which kick in during the beginning of each round and brilliantly flow with the "pace" of the fight. The new tunes also do a superb job at creating the feeling of "unique atmosphere" in each location. The 2D backgrounds themselves are also completely new to the Street Fighter series and look excellent for the most part.

 

 
Also updated from the prequel was the character voice acting. All voiceovers for each and every character were completely re-done and sound spot-on for the most part. However, I must say that I prefer 2nd Impact's voice acting (and music) over 3rd Strike's... but I was still glad to see that they actually took the time to update the sound in this installment. Capcom definitely paid close attention to presentation this time around, which some of us more "nitpicky" fans really appreciate.
   

 

In closing, 3rd Strike's overall presentation is expertly done; from the flashy (yet simple) introduction, to the awesome music & sound, to the slick game menu & options. Visually, it stands out as one of the best looking 2D video games ever made... 3rd Strike is also one of those fighting games that "looks good" regardless of the skill level of the people playing the game. It's literally a "work of art" in motion. And this game is definitely not all about looks, because (if you didn't know) Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike is one of the deepest 2D fighting game experiences in existence. It's a timeless fighting game, and you'd be a fool not to play it and like it.
 

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Page Updated: April 9th, 2025 Developer(s): Capcom Publisher(s): Capcom Designer(s): Tomoshi Sadamoto      Producer Hidetoshi Ishizawa      Planner Obata Shinichiro          Planner Yasuhiro Seto Tomonori Ohmura Halachie du Harais Artwork by: Daigo Ikeno      Character Art Harumaru          Soundtrack & Covers Akiman                Poster Art Platform(s): Arcade, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 PS2, Xbox   (in Street Fighter: Anniversary Collection) PS3 / PSN   (as SF3: 3rd Strike Online Edition) Xbox Live   (as SF3: 3rd Strike Online Edition) Release Date(s): May 12th, 1999               Arcade June 29th, 2000              Dreamcast Oct. 4th, 2000                  Dreamcast July 22nd, 2004               PS2 Oct. 28th, 2004               Xbox Oct. 29th, 2004               Xbox Feb. 22nd, 2005              Xbox Aug. 23rd, 2011             PSN - as SFIII: 3rd Strike Online Edition Aug. 24th, 2011             XBLA - as SFIII: 3rd Strike Online Edition Characters:  Alex, Ryu, Ken Masters, Chun-Li, Remy, Makoto, Q, Twelve, Yun, Yang, Ibuki, Dudley, Necro, Sean Matsuda, Oro, Elena, Hugo, Urien, Akuma, Gill News Links:  May 2022: Canadian Rapper INFINITE on Creating 3rd Strike Songs April 2022: 3rd Strike Used Voice Sample from 1996 Batman Series June 2021: Early SFIII: 3rd Strike Portraits by Daigo Ikeno Featured Video: Related Games: Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition, Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, SFIII: New Generation, Street Fighter, Street Fighter 2, SF2: CE, SF2 Turbo, Super SF2, SSF2T, SSF2T: Revival, SSF2T HD Remix, Ultra SF2, Street Fighter 4, Super SF4, SSF4: 3D Edition, SSF4: AE, Ultra SF4, Street Fighter V, SFV: Arcade Edition, SFV: Champion Edition, Street Fighter 6, Street Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3, SFA3 Upper, SFA3 Max, SFA Anthology, SF Anniversary Collection, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter EX, SFEX2, SFEX3, SF: The Movie, Pocket Fighter, Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo, Capcom Fighting Evolution, Capcom Fighting All Stars, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The King of Fighters '99, KOF 2000, KOF 2001, KOF 2002, Martial Masters    Gameplay Engine  10 / 10 Story / Theme  9.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  10 / 10 Animation  10 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  9.0 / 10 Innovation  8.5 / 10 Art Direction  9.5 / 10 Customization  9.5 / 10 Options / Extras  9.5 / 10 Intro / Presentation  9.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  10 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  10 / 10 Characters  10 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  9.8 / 10  Review based on Dreamcast version       Final Words: As far as traditional 2D fighting games go, it really doesn't get much better than Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. You're simply not a fan of 2D fighting games if you haven't at least attempted to "learn" how to play 3rd Strike in some form. Very few will ever master the game, and I know I haven't... but 3rd Strike is the type of fighting game that demands respect for its depth and quality. Flawless animation, awesomely memorable characters, and breathtaking martial arts action. In retrospect, considering some of the "silly" things added to 2D fighting games in the modern era (even in future iterations of the series like SFV), you have to respect the characters of 3rd Strike for actually... Fighting. Y'know, actually using martial arts. The impact and "follow-through" behind kicks and strikes. 3rd Strike features a typical amount of projectiles for a 2D fighter, but is mostly fighting. Also, parrying is so much fun... all thanks to the excellent martial arts animation. The character roster of 3rd Strike isn't huge, but this time it's about quality not quantity. The gameplay & parry system is spot-on, and while imperfect in terms of certain balance issues, 3rd Strike is fun to pick up and play for players of all levels, but an incredibly tough and satisfying game to master. SFIII: 3rd Strike is timeless, one of the most technically sound, and one of the most beautiful 2D fighting games ever made. Masterpiece. Honorable mention to the stepping stones that truly made SFIII: 3rd Strike great. The foundation, artistry, and brilliance of SFIII: New Generation and SFIII: 2nd Impact surely paved the way for this "based" 2D fighter — a game that didn't need to change very much from its earlier versions. While I miss the crispy hand-drawn stages, brilliantly composed music (and even voices) of New Generation and 2nd Impact, 3rd Strike's streamlined, polished gameplay is where it's at. "Yeah, that makes sense!" ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen    Click Here for all Posters / Box Artwork! Click Here for all Concept Artwork!                                       Click Here for all Character Artwork! Click Here for all Character Selection Art! Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES