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Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 35 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 11 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre(s): Fighting, Action
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: February 7, 2006
Summary
A direct conversion of the critically acclaimed arcade fighting game, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is enhanced with additional original content specifically designed for the portable system including Wi-Fi functionality and extra gameplay modes. Adding to an impressive roster of more than 30 renowned characters from the world famous Street Fighter universe, four additional fighters are joining the fierce competition. Utilizing the PSP system's superior performance and technology, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max features new content specifically designed for the system. A gameplay mode new to the Street Fighter Alpha series, Variable Battle Mode, has been implemented to allow real-time tag team brawls. Tag out and the second fighter enters performing a jump attack, a move useful for escaping tight situations. Yun, Maki and Eagle, from Capcom vs. SNK 2, as well as Ingrid from Capcom Fighting Evolution, enter the arena and are perfectly reproduced with all new original storylines. Versus battles heat up with the Wi-Fi League Battle Mode that allow a maximum of eight players to duke it out in round-robin mini tournaments. [Capcom]
Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats
Also On The Web: Official Game Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Detroit Free Press
Aside from the system's inherent shortcomings, "Alpha 3 Max" is still the best game ever made for fighting on the go.
Read Full Review >Computer and Video Games
It's pretty easy to see why Capcom added a MAX onto the title of this conversion of Street Fighter Alpha 3. There are a staggering 15 play modes available when the game first loads. Then four extra characters culled from Capcom vs. SNK 2 (Eagle, Maki and Yun) and Capcom Fighting Jam (Ingrid) to help make up a total of 37. [PSW]
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is Street Fighter Heroin. [Mar 2006, p.48]
ZTGameDomain
Street Fighter Alpha Max 3 isn’t going to win any awards for innovation, but what it will do is bring back some great memories and remind gamers that it isn’t all about bump mapping and resolutions anymore.
Read Full Review >Gaming Target
It keeps all the technicality of the original and spices things up with it’s handful of new features. It’s great to see portable fighting titles are nearly on par with their console brethren these days. It’s only too bad that the PSP just wasn’t designed with these sorts of games in mind.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
Despite some minor control quibbles, this truly is one of the best PSP titles money can buy.
Read Full Review >PSX Extreme
Every aspect of the game; the gameplay, the graphics, the audio, and all of the various play options; just oozes "arcade" quality, except that this version of the game outshines the original arcade release in every conceivable way.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
It's hard to believe that so much has been packing into such a small package. What once required a separate computer, monitor and cabinet the size of a refrigerator can now be played on a system the size of the pocketbook.
Read Full Review >Gaming Nexus
Forget Darkstalkers, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max is the must-own fighting game on the PSP. In many ways this is the best version of the game yet, despite having a few quirks associated with the system's D-pad.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Despite a questionable control system, Street Fighter: Alpha 3 Max has proven that the fighting genre still has some kick left in it, even in the portable world.
Read Full Review >Game Power Australia
Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX is vintage, but it’s extremely good looking even to this day, and for Street Fighter fans, the gameplay will never get old.
Read Full Review >Deeko
The gameplay remains true to the original, with fast-paced, juggle-savy fighting that provides some memorable action for fans and non-fans alike. Though "Guilty Gear" may be prettier, SFA gets the action down perfectly.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
This is the best version of Street Fighter Alpha 3 made. The control of the PSP however, hinders the title's gameplay and as such makes the game a must-buy only for those hardcore fighting game fans who must have every game available, or for those desperate for a fighting game fix on the PSP platform.
Read Full Review >GameShark
With the vast choice of characters to choose from and the huge number of gameplay modes, it is easily the best fighter for the PSP.
Read Full Review >IGN
Hands-down the best 2D fighter on the PSP. It's not perfect, but it beats the competition by offering a slew of addictive modes, refined fighting mechanics and wicked cool visuals.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
One of Capcom's last great fighting games is now fully intact on the PSP, right down to the last pixel. It even boasts some extras not found in previous versions.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max tales everything the PS version of “Street Fighter Alpha 3” had, miniaturizes it, and adds a couple of new features. [Mar 2006,p.86]
GamerFeed
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max kind of reminds me of a Ferrari Testarossa with a somewhat sluggish steering wheel. It's jam-packed with features and a damn fine product to look at, but its handling takes a little bit of getting used to.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
In all other ways besides control, Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX is a 2D fight fan's dream come true. It's more than worth the struggle with the d-pad, as there's so much to love and immerse yourself in with this game.
Read Full Review >Games Radar (in-house)
In Japan there's a miniature control pad that slots over PSP and includes 'proper' diagonals, but until it comes out over here, this is simply a slightly-too-tricky version of one of the greatest fighters ever.
Read Full Review >GamePro
The game is essentially a port of a decade old fighter and it can be hard as hell, but all the horsepower the PSP brings to the table can't keep this game from being at times mind-numbing frustrating when it comes to control. Put simply, the D-pad the PSP has just isn't cut out to be used for a fighting game, where fast fingers and accurate directional control is paramount.
Read Full Review >Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Not only is it just an excellent port of an arcade game, but it also has one of the best rosters of any fighting game to date, along with enough extras to keep any sort of fighting fan busy for hours on end. [Apr 2006, p.90]
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Fights are brisk so you can dip in and out in ten-minute bursts or batter your way through the entire arcade mode without getting bored. [Mar 2006, p.85]
Pelit (Finland)
Looks great but plays a little sloppily because of the PSP control system. Otherwise a solid effort all around. [June 2006]
Game Informer
There may be nothing revolutionary here, but putting an arcade classic in the palm off your hands is never something to scoff at, especially when you consider the less-than-glowing history of handheld fighters. [Mar 2006, p.115]
Game Revolution
Its fluid gameplay, loads of content and decent multiplayer makes for a pretty solid fighter. It's still a port of the most rehashed franchise ever, but at least this old student has learned some new techniques.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
As anyone who's played "Darkstalkers" on the handheld can attest to, the PSP's stock D-pad simply isn't up to the task of a 2D fighting game with all its traditional "fireball" and "dragon punch" motions. [Mar 2006, p.113]
GameSpy
One of the best-made games you can get on your PSP, far better than a simple port of an arcade game, yet hindered quite significantly by the handheld's design flaws.
Read Full Review >Play UK
If you can get around the awkwardness of using the nub this score will seem a little harsh, if not it's more than fair. [Apr 2006, p.90]
PALGN
A perfect port of one of the most popular in the Street Fighter series, sadly let down by the PSP hardware, slow loading times and an unforgiving AI.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
The sheen that Alpha 3 gains by being thrown onto a handheld is just a fresh coat and it didn't take long for us to remember why we put down the hadokens after its original 1998 release.
Read Full Review >netjak
Sure you can play 3-player ad-hoc, but why pay for 3 copies of what basically amounts to each one of you getting the side of the cabinet with the busted controller?
Read Full Review >G4 TV
It’s a real shame that the only down side to this game is basically the system Capcom chose to release it on.
Read Full Review >NTSC-uk
Even putting the d-pad issues aside, the console’s button layout does not lend itself to Capcom’s ever-present ‘six button’ system. Fighting games are all about split-second timing and fluid control, and any sacrifice in these areas is going to impact on the player’s enjoyment of the game.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Cracker J. gave it a10:
I voted it from a 6 to a 9 to a 10 cause I thought about it for a second.....tried to think of all of the problems with the game, couldn't find any! This game is for anyone, but if u really had lower gen. Games its not for you.
Eyd A. gave it a10:
Best fighting game in the PSP beter than tekken... Anyway I have both and I like the great arcade feel of the game, the controls are perfect I can execute the commands perfectly using the analog cause I've been using my analog for every single game that has that option so it's quite loose. Control wise definetely better than tekken.
Brian gave it an8:
Good game, wrong console. The PSP does not have the ergonomic design needed for a fighting game. The game itself is great, albeit old, but on the PSP you wouldn't know it unless you played it in the arcade.
