Street Fighter IV...

Street Fighter IV is closely approaching US Console release. It almost feels like it was yesterday when Street Fighter II made it's Super Nintendo debut. I still have calluses on my left hand thumb thanks to Street Fighter II and the SNES directional pad.

As the days get closer and closer to the release of Street Fighter IV, I feel the nerves getting tense. The anxiety is building. This isn't any fighting game release, this is Street Fighter IV. Not Super Duper Street Fighter II' Turbo the New Champions Edition, or Street Fighter Zero Max Double Upper Left Right Down Up Select Start, but a whole new digit in the Street Fighter saga.

I'm a huge fan of Capcom fighting games (Marvel Super Heroes, Street Fighter). I'm not a walking library like Marc, BigMex or even my friend John Yamamoto, but I am a Street Fighter purist. I remember evolving my game thanks to John. Throws used to be taboo untill I realized how easy it was to through, and even take sacrifice hits and throw on the recovery.

With the release of Street Fighter IV, I hope I'll be able to improve my game. Especially since the last time I played IV was at Super Arcade and Mr. Calipower himself (Alex Valle) got a perfect on me... I left the arcade with my head down, but not out.

Here comes a new challenger! Attack me if you dare, I will crush you!