2D Fighting Game Player Skills in Japan

[ShadowSpirit]

For the most part, games of the Street Fighter series, King of the Fighters, or even games like Guilty Gear and Melty Blood. I'm curious as to how strong the 'average' competition is like in local Japanese arcades for these titles? Such as, is the average player just about what you'd expect of American players that play in larger areas of California or New York? Else does the average Japanese gamer tend to be some sort of super human 2D-fighter god that has memorized every possible string combo, can seemingly predict your next move, and effortlessly lays to waste your tokens before you even knew what hit you? Keep in mind, I'm asking about the average game player, not those gaming prodigies that seem to be infused with super human gaming powers.

Also. For those willing to share, what is your favorite 2D fighter and what do you think of Street Fighter 4 in terms of appearance, gameplay modifications, character list, and other little quirks they put into the game?

[akakaze]

In my experience? A LOT stronger than US competition overall. Then again, I wasn't used to playing with the JP-style arcade button layout and smaller joystick (my big Gaijin hands made it difficult to pull off the moves I wanted to do with any sort of finesse), so that may be why I was trounced. That was last year and I've since gotten a couple of JP-style sticks to practice with and have gotten better with them, so I'll be able to gauge pretty well where the competition stacks up next time I go over to Japan.

I wouldn't consider myself a "good" player, I'm about average for the Midwest, which doesn't say too much... XD

As for SFIV...it took a little bit but really began to grow on me over time. I like the new gameplay system, but hate the fact that it's hard as hell to charge your super meter as opposed to your ultra meter. The art style took a bit of getting used to, and I hate...HATE the new characters, but the classic cast plays just as well as I would have expected.

[ShadowSpirit]

As for SFIV...it took a little bit but really began to grow on me over time. I like the new gameplay system, but hate the fact that it's hard as hell to charge your super meter as opposed to your ultra meter. The art style took a bit of getting used to, and I hate...HATE the new characters, but the classic cast plays just as well as I would have expected.

I haven't had a chance to play SF IV yet cause I've been on a combat deployment (I'm military.) Yet that is going to change in a few days. What is it about the new characters that you don't like in SF IV?

[lazykite]

konichwa

i have been living japan since june 2008.
i have been playing SF4 since i arrived, i was totally addicted to this game, but latly i have moved onto other games. partly because i get my butt wholloped most times i play real people in SF4.

so i would consider most dude hanging in arcades pretty good at their chosen games. these days i keep coming up against people playing SF4 who are linking their combos untill im dead dead dead. im fairly decent player too...;-P

their some other very good and epic fighting games here.
their is one game that has the best graphics i have ever seen for a 2d fighter, its called bluezblaze or something.
its a cool game, i really love it, soo many moves and drooling SFX.
im pretty sure its brand spanking new,
also there is a new capcom vs (japanese charecters), alot of fun and the last 3 or bosses are imppisble!!

i love the arcades here...

[BloodyBandage]

I know that the arcades in the states are all but disappearing...I bet it's different in Asian countries where video gaming is thriving more than ever. I use to play fighting games all the time by the major mall by me; now its shutdown.

[Quailboy]

For the most part, games of the Street Fighter series, King of the Fighters, or even games like Guilty Gear and Melty Blood. I'm curious as to how strong the 'average' competition is like in local Japanese arcades for these titles? Such as, is the average player just about what you'd expect of American players that play in larger areas of California or New York? Else does the average Japanese gamer tend to be some sort of super human 2D-fighter god that has memorized every possible string combo, can seemingly predict your next move, and effortlessly lays to waste your tokens before you even knew what hit you? Keep in mind, I'm asking about the average game player, not those gaming prodigies that seem to be infused with super human gaming powers.
Also. For those willing to share, what is your favorite 2D fighter and what do you think of Street Fighter 4 in terms of appearance, gameplay modifications, character list, and other little quirks they put into the game?

It seems like Japan gets to destroy us in almost every fighter besides Marvel vs Capcom 2..I'd say that the average Japanese player would be on the level of most upper-mid tier players here in the US..personally i wouldn't know. but from countless videos of matches, its a pretty safe assumtion.

I think that my faveorite 2d Fighter would have to be SFIII:3s. Its just a fast paced game, not so fast paced its hard to follow though.
SF4 looks and plays amazingly, but they really did a crappy job on the console characters. If we are speaking of only the arcade version..its amazing. The only character that I think needs help is Chun. She just takes too much damage for how much she gives..I play Boxer and Chun myself, I'm very happy with how they made him play.
Overall though..I play it very competitivly but, only because its the big game right now. I really think it's a little too slow for my taste. :relief: