Street Fighter III: Third Strike

Download Street Fighter III: Third Strike and enter the iconic fighting tournament with even more characters and challenges! Master each fighter's unique moves and prove you're the world's greatest warrior. It's time to strike and play now!
a game by Capcom
Platforms: Dreamcast (2000), Playstation 3 (2011)
Editor Rating: 8.3/10, based on 4 reviews, 3 reviews are shown
User Rating: 7.2/10 - 13 votes
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See also: Download Fighting Games, Arcade Games, Street Fighter Games
Street Fighter III: Third Strike
Street Fighter III: Third Strike
Street Fighter III: Third Strike

What we have here with Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike is the third game to be released bearing the Street Fighter 3 name. I will admit that out of all the various incarnations of Street Fighter, Street Fighter 3 is easily my least favorite. I am not saying it is bad or anything like that and for years I wanted a Street Fighter 3. However, Capcom went above and beyond with this to make it its own thing away from Street Fighter II and Alpha, but it was not what I was looking for.

Here Comes A New Challenger

For this series, they introduced a new final boss. Gone is M. Bison and in his place, we have a new threat in, Gill. In the arcade mode, you pick your chosen fighter, and then you need to defeat 10 other opponents. This includes one rival battle and the boss battle against Gill. I am sorry to say, but I really do not like Gill. I find his design kind of lame and he is rather annoying to fight as well. One thing that they added, well brought back was the car smashing mini-game which is always a lot of fun.

The New Class

One of the things I did not like about Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike is the roster. I know this is a dumb thing to be mad about. I hated how Capcom created a pretty much brand-new roster for this game. A couple of the characters I did like such as Sean, but I hated how the cast from Street Fighter II apart from Ryu, Ken, and added to this game Chun-Li were just cast aside.

I will say that the new cast does look fantastic. This is one great looking game and while I may not have clicked with any of the new rosters like I did in the previous Street Fighter games. I can say that they look great and are animated with incredible fluidity.

Parry Fighter 3

The gameplay of Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike is very deep. I get the impression that Capcom made this game to be played by people who were serious about fighting games. A parry system was introduced to the game which took a while to master, but once you did it could often make or break a fight with a skilled rival. The super meter which had been a staple since Super Street Fighter II Turbo is here, but it is very different from what we got with the Alpha games. You can only use one Super Art move per match! I do not like this, but some people say it makes you fight more strategically. You can also do more powerful EX moves by pressing two buttons at once. These do take a chunk of your meter, but they can lead to some very heavy damage combos.

I know plenty of people who love this series and that is cool. I have had fun over the years with Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike and the Street Fighter 3 series in general. However, if I am going to play a Street Fighter game, 99/100 it is either Street Fighter II or one of the Alpha games. That does not make this a bad game, it is still a very well made and highly-polished fighting game. It just did not click for me as the other Street Fighter games have.

7.5

Final Score

Pros:

  • The characters all look fantastic
  • I like how they put Chun-Li in the game
  • The parrying system adds a lot of depth to the fighting
  • Playing against a friend is always a fun time
  • It is a game designed for people who take their Street Fighter seriously

Cons:

  • This was the 3rd game in the SF3 series and the new characters still did nothing for me
  • Only one Super Art move!!!!

Download Street Fighter III: Third Strike

Dreamcast

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 3

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Street Fighter III: Third Strike comes as the third wave, where its franchise stands as a timeless gem in the fighting game genre, captivating players with its deep mechanics, robust roster, and masterful gameplay. This classic installment in the legendary Street Fighter series has etched its name as a gaming history benchmark for excellence. And now, it has to prove itself once again.

Can the developers continue their winning streak and deliver another fantastic entry to this acclaimed fighting franchise? Or will the steam finally run out, and we'll see another rinse-and-repeat fighter that so many players are starting to see in arcades and on consoles? There's only one way to find out - get engaged with Street Fighter III: Third Strike.

Striking Back the Street

At its core, Street Fighter III: Third Strike is a fighter's dream come true. The game's mechanics are a delicate balance of accessibility and depth, offering a high skill ceiling that rewards dedicated players while still welcoming newcomers to the franchise. The precise controls and responsive inputs delight in executing moves and combos, creating a smooth and satisfying fighting experience.

One of the standout features of Third Strike is its diverse roster of characters. While it initially introduced new faces to the Street Fighter universe, beloved veterans like Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Akuma make a triumphant return. Each fighter boasts a unique move set and playstyle, allowing players to find a character that resonates with their preferred combat approach. The varied roster ensures a wealth of matchups, ensuring countless hours of engaging and strategic battles.

Visually, Third Strike is a visual feast for the eyes. The character sprites are beautifully animated, showcasing intricate details and fluid movements. The backgrounds are vibrant, immersing players in diverse locales that reflect the game's global tournament setting. Combined with an outstanding soundtrack that perfectly captures the energetic spirit of Street Fighter, the audio-visual presentation of Third Strike is a testament to the game's overall quality.

As with any game, there are a few minor drawbacks to consider. The absence of some fan-favorite characters from earlier Street Fighter titles may disappoint long-time series fans. Additionally, the single-player content, while solid, may feel limited compared to more recent fighting games. However, the enduring appeal of Third Strike lies in its multiplayer experience, where it truly shines.

Third Time's the Charm

Street Fighter III: Third Strike remains essential in the fighting game genre. Its deep mechanics, diverse roster, and timeless gameplay set the bar for what a fighting game should strive to achieve. Whether you're a seasoned competitive player or a casual enthusiast, Third Strike's enduring legacy and continued presence in the fighting game community speak volumes about its enduring appeal.

9

Despite their reverence, rival series like Tekken or Mortal Kombat still find themselves trailing behind the greatness that is Street Fighter III: Third Strike. Yes, a couple of frustrations may niggle a couple of players. But it's hard to deny the game can be a canon on the eternal fighting title roster.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • A refined fighting mechanic set for new and seasoned players alike
  • A diverse character roster that spices up the gameplay
  • Still one of the best multiplayer fighters around

Cons:

  • The lack of fan-favorite characters may annoy some players

People say:

8

Anyone who picked up Double Impact (the first two SF3 games bundled on one disc) for the DC might be a little timid about shelling out another 50 bones for the next revision of Street Fighter III. While I'd like to say that owning either release is sufficient for people who really appreciate the subtleties of the series, Third Strike is different enough from its predecessors that it's worth having in a true fan's game arsenal. Aside from boasting an additional six very worthwhile stock fighters, the souped-up sound and graphical superiority help make Third Strike a more solid gaming experience. Other additions include a new parrying style, though directional parrying has been dropped, and a revised combo system (some Second Impact combos won't work under the new system, however). If you've played it in the arcade, you can expect a perfect port, outside of the slightly smaller characters. SF2 players looking to get into the new series can expect a relatively high entry barrier--Third Strike has a very serious feel to it, and learning how to parry effectively can take a while. SF3 lovers already know they're gonna buy this when it hits stores, but the casual gamer is not going to notice a huge difference from Second Impact. Already have Double Impact and felt so-so about it? Make this one a rental. If you don't have Double Impact, get Third Strike first and pick up DI for a new perspective if you like the SF3 style.

7

The appeal behind Street Fighter III: Third Strike can be summed up in two words: Chun-Li. Yes, it's cheap the way Capcom released this title separate from the last SF III package (which contained the first two versions). But, on the other hand, Third Strike is much more than just a series of smalt upgrades like the ones that differentiated Second Impact from the original game. For one it's got Chun-Li, and she's got more animation than I've seen in any 2D game. Ever. To see her in motion is simply stunning. I've spent too much time with MvC2 lately though, so SF ill feels a bit slow and deliberate for my tastes, but it's still damn beautiful to look at.

8

May I say that this should really have come as a trilogy with Double Impact, but it didn't, so what's different? There are a bunch more characters, including Chun-Li. There's a deep fighting-system customization feature, which is cool (although there are no turbo settings). Backgrounds and characters aren't as vibrant or animated as those in Second Impact, but the soundtrack rocks (or "hip-hops" rather) beyond belief. If I were forced to pick one, I'd have to give the edge to Third Strike, as it is truly a hardcore gamer's game (but it's definitely missing a couple of things that only Second Impact can boast), still a keeper in any case.

Snapshots and Media

Dreamcast Screenshots

Playstation 3 Screenshots

See Also

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