Best version of Street Fighter Alpha 3? (home ports)

[evil_ash_xero]

I have the Street Fighter Alpha collection on the PS2, but it looks to be interlaced. (did you guys ever find a way to de-interlace that game?)

I was always annoyed by the load times in the first 2 games, on the PS and the Saturn.
But it seems like with the extra RAM, that the SS version of SFA3 loads super quick.

How does the SS version compare to the Dreamcast version? And how do they compare to the arcade version itself?

[Aguilar]

I have the PS2 port as well and do not enjoy it. However if it can be de-interlaced that'd be sweet.

In the description of the video it says some stuff about the saturn versions superiority. Load times seem to be quick too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTjKD-XK1dY

Would get this immediately if it didn't demand such a high price. Will get it eventually though. =p

[ACSeraph]

I don't know whether it's arcade perfect or not, but I have the DC version and it loads fast, looks great, and plays great. It's my favorite of the home versions.

[Xyga]

Saturn got the best port yes, expensive now and requiring the RAM cart iirc...
I can't remember what the issue was with the DC port but heh, in the end it all comes down to how much you love the game.
Love = money.

[Jonst]

Yeah,can't go wrong with the saturn or dc ports.they're both awesome! Avoid the ps 2 anthology if you can...

[Ganelon]

Street Fighter Alpha Anthology supports 480p so you can just use component cables for a progressive picture. Unfortunately, there's no good way yet to get scanlines with no in-game options and where the SLG HD converter (at least the current model) can't sync properly with US Sony systems.

As far as I've heard from tourney players, the SFAA versions are the most accurate to the arcade. The big knock is that it doesn't have the other consumer versions' World Tour mode. Double Upper (Max) on PSP has the most characters, features, and everything else from the Sega Saturn version, including reverse dramatic battle mode. I probably don't have to mention the lacking control options though.

That video has a lot of inaccuracies. The SS version has more characters than the arcade version, same number as other console versions, and less than the portable versions. SS version did have additional animation at the time but those frames were added back to Zero 3 Upper (included in the PS2 anthology). Never counted the shadow clones. And the SS version definitely doesn't run at arcade resolution; the edges are slightly chopped off due to the difference in resolution, same with other CPS2 conversions. And the load times—while reasonable—certainly aren't trivial, especially compared to the PS2 version. The SS version does have a special RGB output option but the only difference I could ever tell was that the HUD gauges sparkled a bit more.

DC version made a lot of rebalances that upset arcade fans. World Tour mode is different from the other console versions. The PSP version incorporated these DC changes. The benefit of the DC version is that with the Hanzo (or other scanline device), you can play the game on 480p with scanlines to simulate a 240p look. The default displayed resolution also makes the characters look too thin without some tweaking.

I don't think you need convincing that the PS1 and GBA versions are practically obsolete at this point.

Honestly, unless you're a big fan of Street Fighter Zero 3 (probably not the case since you're asking about a 15-year old game), the PS2 versions (A3 and A3U) should be more than enough. It seems to get a lot of needless flack for running at 480i default and probably because the PS2 has so many other questionable ports. The PSP version offers the kitchen sink (including 3 more characters) at the cheapest price. If you need a console version with more 1-player features, then either the SS or DC version should be fine with today's display options. I think the SS version gets more credit than it deserves because the system has so many great arcade conversions but it was certainly the one I recommended for a long time (until the PS2 version's release) for accuracy to the arcade version.

[Mortificator]

I've been pretty happy with the PS2 Alpha Anthology as well, and I'm someone who thinks the PS2 Accent Core is virtually unplayable.

[Limbrooke]

Use the search function: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13852

Going from memory it is indeed that SFAA/SFZFG is the best next to arcade. Saturn would be next in line.

[evil_ash_xero]

The Saturn version is looking good to me. Is the difference in resolution(and the chopped off sides or whatever) a big deal? Any comparison pics?

[SuperDeadite]

The only real negative with the Saturn version imo is getting the damn 4mb cart to work. Though that's not really the game's fault.

[Limbrooke]

The Saturn version is looking good to me. Is the difference in resolution(and the chopped off sides or whatever) a big deal? Any comparison pics?

I took some (albeit dark) pictures of all the versions I had access to several years ago. Initially, I was going to make comparison videos of all games but my camera proved insufficient to do the task properly. I still haven't gotten a better camera. Here you go.
Screenshots

[drauch]

How much is the board for this game? I just can't see spending that much on the Saturn port, but different strokes, and all.

[Limbrooke]

How much is the board for this game? I just can't see spending that much on the Saturn port, but different strokes, and all.

A few years eariler and the Saturn version could be had for $50 as I sold several copies at that price. Looking now, yeesh, like other Saturn games the price has nearly doubled. Meanwhile Alpha Anthology is less than 1/4 of the Saturn price and you get many other games/versions too. It seems to be an easy call nowadays.

[brokenhalo]

How much is the board for this game? I just can't see spending that much on the Saturn port, but different strokes, and all.

You should be able to find one for around $125-150. There are usually one or two on ebay at any given time (except for right now, go figure).

[shmuppyLove]

It's ok sweetie, don't listen to the mean people, I still love you (*snuggles*)

[Jonathan Ingram]

^
And what a shockingly good port it was. Without a doubt, one of the most technically accomplished games on the PSX.

[evil_ash_xero]

Wow, the price for the Saturn version is quite high.

It seems like games in general are just shooting through the roof lately. Makes it hard to pick up older titles.