Street Fighter Alpha 3 (USA) Gameboy Advance game

Street Fighter Alpha 3, also known as Street Fighter Zero 3 in certain regions, is a seminal 2D fighting game developed by Capcom and released initially in arcades in 1998. Serving as the final chapter in the Street Fighter Alpha series, it built upon the foundation laid by its predecessors, particularly Street Fighter Alpha 2, while introducing new gameplay mechanics and expanding the roster of playable characters.

The game offers players a choice between three distinct playing styles called "isms": A-ism, X-ism, and V-ism, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. A-ism retains the three-level Super Combo gauge from previous Alpha games, while X-ism simplifies gameplay with a single-level Super Combo gauge and powerful moves. V-ism introduces custom combos reminiscent of Street Fighter Alpha 2.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 features a diverse cast of characters, including returning favorites like Ryu and Chun-Li, along with newcomers such as R. Mika, Karin, and Cody. The game was later ported to various home platforms, each version adding its own unique features and characters. The PlayStation version, for example, introduced a World Tour mode and additional characters like Dee Jay and T. Hawk.

Subsequent releases on platforms like the Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation Portable further enhanced the game with new modes, characters, and improvements to gameplay. The Dreamcast version, titled Street Fighter Alpha 3: Saikyo Dojo, included an online mode and a Saikyo Dojo mode where players could challenge strong opponents downloaded from the internet.

In 2001, Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper was released for arcade cabinets, addressing balance issues and glitches present in previous versions. The Game Boy Advance saw a version titled Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper in 2002, adding characters from Capcom vs. SNK 2 and refining gameplay for the handheld console.

The PSP version, Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX, released in 2006, offered a near-arcade experience with reduced loading times and additional characters like Ingrid. The game's popularity endured, with subsequent releases such as the Street Fighter Alpha Anthology for the PlayStation 2 and inclusion in the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, which introduced online play with rollback netcode.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 received critical acclaim upon release, praised for its gameplay depth, diverse character roster, and innovative mechanics. It remains a beloved title in the fighting game community and continues to be celebrated as one of the genre's classics.