Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

If there's a peak that 2D fighters spent decades striving toward, then Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike embodies it perhaps more purely than any other. On the Dreamcast, this game reached households in a port that managed to carry over practically all the beauty and fluidity of the arcade original, making it one of the most faithful conversions of its time.

Visually, it's one of the most gorgeous 2D games ever made. The character animation is admirably rich and fluid, every strike and movement carrying its own weight and personality. Capcom took the hand-drawn fighter to an absolute peak here, and the result hasn't aged a day — many consider it the aesthetic pinnacle of the entire genre.

In terms of gameplay, 3rd Strike is best known for its parry system. Instead of passive blocking, you can deflect a strike with a precise movement at just the right moment, which completely changes the dynamic of the duels and raises the skill ceiling to dizzying heights. It was this very mechanic that gave rise to perhaps the most famous moment in fighting-game history — the legendary comeback by player Daigo, still talked about to this day.

This depth means 3rd Strike isn't about memorizing a few combos, but about reading your opponent, timing and risk. Every match unfolds like a game of chess at high speed, where a single well-executed parry can turn a losing duel into victory. No wonder the game maintained a solid competitive scene for many years.

On the Dreamcast, which was practically made for 2D fighters, 3rd Strike represents one of the absolute peaks of the library. For lovers of the genre it's a mandatory stop — a game you have to experience to understand just how far 2D fighters were able to go.

Why play it: One of the most beautiful and deepest 2D fighters ever, renowned for its parry system and legendary moments — a peak of the genre in an excellent Dreamcast port.