During my senior year of high school, the first Marvel vs. Capcom game hit the arcades. I had already been somewhat of an arcade rat before then due to Tekken 3, but I’d always held on to a belief that 2D fighters were superior to any in 3D. Oh sure, I’ve soaked more quarters into Tekken Tag Tournament than I care to admit, but there’s just something fundamental and pure about a 2D fighter that takes me back to when I was a kid, sitting in my bedroom, playing Street Fighter 2 on the Super Nintendo. I can’t get that feeling with a 3D brawler.

As I’ve said before in the post regarding my stick, I helped justify the money I spent on the arcade peripheral partly because of Marvel vs. Capcom 3. I’ve been hoping we’d see another mash up of superheroes and game legends someday, and it seems that Capcom is prepared to ride the wave of success created Street Fighter IV splashing into the gaming waters by obliging us with a third in the epic series. It was immediately assumed by some (including me) that they would utilize the same engine and appearance that has graced SFIV but it was stated later that the game would see a new graphical look. I was somewhat concerned, but hopeful. Now, there are screenshots available that wipe away that concern.