In 2009, the Street Fighter franchise made its return to consoles with Street Fighter IV, a modern yet very classical entry that delighted both new and old fans. It brought classic characters like Ryu, Chun-Li and more to a new dimension in gameplay while adding some new tricks of its own. As expected of Capcom, Street Fighter IV gained an updated version in the form of Super Street Fighter IV, which refined the fighting mechanics and added new characters to the mix. From the looks of things, the Nintendo 3DS version, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition might be the most feature-heavy of the 3DS’s first batch of games.

2D or 3D, Ryu is still a mighty warrior.

The gameplay will be the same as the console version, and was not compromised in the move to a handheld system. There are 3D stages and characters set in a 2D plane, emulating the gameplay of the classic Street Fighter games. The console version features 35 characters, including new characters not seen in the previous version of the game such as Juri and Hakan, and the 3D edition will have the same 35 characters. Special and ultra-attacks and finishers can be unleashed once the attack gauge is built up. These attacks can be chosen in the character select screen, along with your color, costume and taunt. The 3DS version includes alternate costumes one and two as part of the package, whereas these are purchasable DLC on the consoles. Bonus levels are featured if they are toggled on during single player mode, including the classic car and barrel stages that were present in Street Fighter II.

This version features Wi-Fi functionality that makes use of the 3DS’s expanded connectivity features. Download Play will allow players to connect wirelessly and partake in fights. If the game has been enabled in StreetPass mode, walking near another player with the feature on will cause battle figurines to duke it out. Figurines and move sets are preset in the game, and automatic battles take place that affect rankings. New figurines can be unlocked when battling against other players as well as in-game. Finally, a player can join an on-going match if the matchmaking mode is on, much like in its console brethren.

C.Viper is one of the new combatants that debuted in Street Fighter IV.

3DS owners who don't have the game can play via Download Play, which sends one level and one fighter (Ryu) to other players. The downloads are persistent so even if the original sender leaves, it is possible to continue playing with two downloaded versions only. Besides versus matches, a spectator mode lets players watch live battles, though features will be limited.

To make up for the 3DS’s button layout, Super Street Fighter IV will feature two control modes:  Light and Pro. In Light mode, moves can be performed by pressing the panels on the touch screen. In Pro modes the moves can be performed manually, but players can still set up moves on the screen should they desire it.

In terms of visual presentation, the 3DS game retains the painted look of the HD versions, though some elements such as background spectators and features have been scaled down. Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition also uses the 3DS’s glasses-free 3D feature for a 3D camera mode, placing the camera behind the shoulder of a fighter in order to give the illusion of depth on the stage. The 2D and 3D viewing modes work independently in multiplayer, and each player can use either mode.

Blanka is definitely not pleased with what he is seeing.

Regarding other original elements, downloadable content based on the recent arcade version of the game could be added to the game if there is sufficient demand and it is said that are no technical limitations that would prevent downloadable extras.

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition will be a launch title game in Japan and Europe. Japan will get the game on February 26, 2011 and Europe on March 25, 2011. A North America release date has yet been given, though it is a launch window title, which should see release before summer 2011.