As Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike turns 20, we remember why it's one of the greatest fighting games of all time Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. As Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike turns 20, we remember why it's one of the greatest fighting games of all time Twelve reasons why. News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 11 May 2019 36 comments Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike turns 20 tomorrow, 12th May, but since it is tomorrow, 12th May in Japan, where it first launched in arcades, it seems appropriate to now remember why it's considered one of - if not the - greatest fighting games of all time. Third Strike is the third and final and unquestionably best iteration of Street Fighter 3. 3rd Strike was notable for being complex, with tricky systems and, well, a lot going on for a Street Fighter game. But once it clicked, the satisfaction that came from outwitting your opponent was incredible. It just felt good to play - responsive, silky smooth and bristling with energy. 3rd Strike added the Red Parry, which was, basically, parrying for showoffs, but it wasn't just the parry system that set the game apart. It also looked and sounded better than any previous Street Fighter. The gorgeous and vibrant 2D sprites were a joy to behold. They still are. The animation work is impeccable and the character design is up there with Capcom's best. And the stages! Well, just look at the way everything moves. Speaking of character design, 3rd Strike brought back Chun-Li after a hiatus during the previous Street Fighter 3 games, and added four new characters: Makoto, Remy, Q and Twelve. Makoto is a personal favourite. I was delighted to see her return for Street Fighter 4 and I retain a probably senseless hope Capcom will add her to Street Fighter 5 one day. While many in the fighting game community remember 3rd Strike for the wonderful fighting game it is, it's perhaps best-known as being the video game played during Evo moment 37, aka the greatest competitive video game event of all time. Here, legendary fighting game players Daigo Umehara and Justin Wong played a dramatic semi-final match in which Daigo nailed an incredible comeback by parrying 15 consecutive hits of Wong's Super Art move while having just a slither of health left himself. While most fighting game fans have long since moved on to more modern fighting games, and with the likes of Street Fighter 5 now the focus at tournaments, it's easy to forget Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike. But it's impossible to deny its influence on a generation of fighting game fans - and for so many, it'll never be beaten. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store