Darkstalkers 3

Some time ago, we reported that Capcom would be bringing some of its classic games back to arcades via Taito’s NESiCAxLive network. Today, the first of those games is finally out on the service – Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike.

This arcade re-release is an important event for fans of the game. Prior to this, 3rd Strike was available only on Capcom’s CPS-III board, which was notorious for eventually refusing to work due to how its security was tied to a battery that would eventually die after years of use. This effectively extends the game’s life in the arcade by allowing it to run on newer hardware.

In transitioning to the widescreen monitors of newer arcade cabinets, the game’s classic 4:3 aspect ratio is still maintained. The extra space is instead filled with the movelists for the selected characters – a touch that should help newcomers get into the classic title.

Other games such as Vampire Savior (Darkstalkers 3 in the west), Hyper Street Fighter II, and Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3) are expected to be released before the end of the year. In the meantime, check out how 3rd Strike looks on NESiCAxLive in the gallery below.