Super Street Fighter IV 2012 AE Version Differences, Flaws & The Reasons I'll Likely Not Buy the Ultra Version in 2014

Okay folks. I just got through playing the PS3 version of "SSFIVAE 2012", and I'm pissed. I'm pissed that I even spent a dime on the POS (Piece of Shit). I'm fit to rage, and rant all day long about it. Before I lose my cool though I'd like to go over the differences between the Xbox 360, and the PS3 versions of the game with you. I'd also like to go over the game's flaws in regards to my main character Vega as well as some in-game features that need to be fixed if the game is ever going to be worth a purchase on the PS3. Please bare with me as I may use some cuss words in this informative rant, because Capcom really screwed the pooch with this BS. I take back ever taking up for Capcom. I think that unless they can get their shit together, and create a proper gaming experience their company should belly up, and die out. As cold as that statement is I've come to the conclusion that it is a justified one. The Capcom of the 80's that produced amazing gaming experiences is no longer alive today. That's just how it is.

Everyone who is into the fighting game scene now has either heard of, or played the latest version of "Super Street Fighter IV". In this year alone it has transformed in many noticeable ways, because of the many different patches/updates that were issued. Capcom being the proper fighting game screw-ups that they are went in, and tweaked nearly every character in the roster. Some characters like my beloved Vega got nerfed to hell, and back while others got boosts to their overall performance. In the Xbox 360 version of the game you'll find the more pleasant experience regardless of the applied tweaking due to the fact that every feature in the game works as it should. Moves, special moves, and ultras are easy to pull off, especially if you know how to do them. Even the AI/CPU opponents act in a less abusive manner than their PS3 counterparts. The added fact that you can report hacking SOBs (Son of a Bitches) directly to Microsoft keeps the online environment fair for the most part. Sadly I cannot say the same for the PS3 version.

The Playstation 3 version of "SSFIVAE 2012" is flawed in some very significant ways. The characters, and things that were tweaked in this version of the game are all, but broken. My main man Vega for example cannot perform his "Sky High Claw", or his "Flying Barcelona/Izuna Drop" at all in an online match. I should also mention the fact that Vega's "Sky High Claw" button inputs can result in him performing the "Flying Barcelona" special instead of the move that was intended. Secondly the AI/CPU in the PS3 version is flawed to the extreme. The computer controlled characters can pull of EX specials without the proper meter to do so. Not only that, but they are also programmed to play cheaply. When I say cheaply I mean in an absolutely abusive/exploitative manner. Characters such as Hakan will repeatedly use the same grab, and slide combo to catch you in an endless, and mostly unavoidable loop. This has never once happened to me in the Xbox 360 version. Last, but not least we have the mini-game issue in which your hits/strikes will not always register properly. In the Barrel Breaking mini-game for example you'll find that certain seemingly direct hits, or kicks will pass right through the barrels causing you to score a miss. Speaking of missed hits, and kicks the same goes with certain offline, and online match-ups. You'll find that not all moves hit like they should in either mode of play.

This brings me to the final point of this rant/informative article, the reason why I will likely skip out on "Ultra Street Fighter IV". First, and foremost there's the issue that the PS3 version of the game remains in an unplayable state. The game is broken to a point that it is one of the most undesirable fighting games to play on the PS3 today. Hell, I'd rather go up against hackers in Tekken Revolution than play this BS. Unfortunately it is the PS3 version I'd be buying if I chose to do so, because I've about had it with forking over $60+ each year for XBL. Then of course there's the other issue that's bothering me. Sony has obviously already abandoned proper security measures on both the PS3, and PS4. Money talks, and bullshit walks in this particular situation. In fact gamers' PS4 PSN accounts were already compromised shortly after the PS4 console was released this very year. This in itself should be warning enough that Sony doesn't give enough of a damn about the online safety of it's gamers. They have yet to even get to a level of innovation that will allow gamers to properly report abusive, exploitative, and potentially harmful online activities so that something can be done about the problem. All they have to do is create a monitoring system with paid employees like Microsoft did with the Xbox 360, and they don't want to do it. I can promise you one thing I will NEVER trust Sony with my personal information, NEVER.

The bottom line is this. The only version of "Ultra Street Fighter IV" that I'd buy is not worth buying due to the already poorly crafted underlying version, and the fact that Playstation's gaming community is allowed to do as they please even if that is hacking the online infrastructure. Sony doesn't give a damn, and Capcom doesn't give a damn. Why should I give a damn about a product they support, or make? I think this time I will speak with my wallet, and avoid "Ultra Street Fighter IV" at all costs. Unless Capcom can patch the current version of the game to where it's at least an enjoyable/functional experience before the 2014 update I'm gonna pass. That's just the way it is.