Street Fighter EX added a new dimension. SFIII was a step up in graphics. Street Fighter Alpha 3... step up in pretty much everything.

This version of the Alpha series has the largest cast of all, and each varies quite differently. If you experiment enough, you are bound to find a character matching your fighting style. Graphics are good-looking, what you would expect from a 2-D fighter, although nowhere near SFIII.

3 Special Meter Styles are available for choice, called X-ism, A-ism, and V-ism. X-ism is meant for beginners, giving them more power but reduced special abilities. V-ism is for those who've mastered the game, giving them a slight handicap but possibly is the best one. Each one is balanced, but certain characters do much better in certain categories.

Gameplay is general 2 out of 3. The game encourages striking right after blocking, and actually gives a small damage bonus. Throwing is somewhat confusing, as it is now all punch buttons or all kick buttons. That makes it more complicated and less fluid than before. But some of the characters have amusing throws (like Rolento who straps a grenade to the foe and jumps away).

Street Fighter Alpha 3 is every bit as challenging and fun as the SFII games, living up to it's name.