Japanese or USA version of Street Fighter IV?

[Inazuma]

I was going to buy the Japanese version of SF4 for PS3 but the USA version is much cheaper. However, I like to have everything in Japanese so I'm wondering about the USA version's Japanese options.

I heard that you can change all the voices to Japanese, but what about all the text like menus/option/move names/etc? When you go to play online, is everything still in Japanese there?

Speaking of online play, if I am using the Japanese version in the USA, would I be able to play against other Americans? I don't want to get the Japanese version if I am stuck playing laggy matches against the Japanese players only. Ideally, regardless of version, it should match me up with players I have good ping with.

[FreshChurros]

I've had the game for a few days, and as far as I know, only the voices can be changed to Japanese. I'll double-check that real quick...

[Krooner]

All in game voice over and cutscene stuff can be changed to Japanese with or without English subtitles, Vega is still called M. Bison though...

I have a Japanese copy and play in England against English, American and Japanese players with little lag if any at all.

Is having the proper names a big deal for you? it was for me but i bought on launch so didn't worry about the price.

[Inazuma]

Oh, I forgot all about the messed up character names! Yeah, that stuff really bothers me. If I can buy the Japanese version and play it well online in the USA, I will just have to give in and buy the more expensive version. You get what you pay for...

I have another question about the online play. How do players communicate on the PS3? Do I need to use a keyboard or headset? I've never played any game online on the PS3 yet, so I'm clueless.

[IcKy99]

Oh, I forgot all about the messed up character names! Yeah, that stuff really bothers me. If I can buy the Japanese version and play it well online in the USA, I will just have to give in and buy the more expensive version. You get what you pay for...

I have another question about the online play. How do players communicate on the PS3? Do I need to use a keyboard or headset? I've never played any game online on the PS3 yet, so I'm clueless.

its headset only for SFIV

[Inazuma]

Thanks for all your help, everyone. Looks like I'll be shopping around for a nice PS3 headset for the Japanese version of SF4. Believe it or not, but this will be my first time really getting into a "traditional" fighter. Hopefully I can stand a chance against the many seasoned fighting game veterans out there...

[Krooner]

Gettin' your ass kicked is the best way to learn brother! Won't be long before you're destroying the over abundant Ken fighters (Jump kick > Foot sweep > Shoryuken)

There's a bit of a soft ban on Sagat so don't main him as no one will play you if you get any good.

[Inazuma]

I plan on using Crimson Viper for my main and possibly Cammy as a backup.

[equalsign]

Unless I'm mistaken you can use just about any blue tooth headset with the PS3, so don't feel that you have to get the official one or anything.

[Inazuma]

Whenever I do something, I go all out, so official headset it is. I ordered the Madcatz TE stick as well. When I finally start playing SF, I will play with the mindset of becoming the best in the world. That could very well be extremely impossible but it's worked wonders for me in the past. It's the constant strive for improvement and playing the game by its own rules that makes me a good gamer.

The only fighting game that I'm really good at is Power Stone. I was lucky to have one in an arcade near me years ago, and I went from being totally pathetic and getting my ass kicked, to the best player there after months of hard work. I would be extremely thrilled if Capcom put the original Power Stone on PSN.

By the way, I became fluent in Japanese after 2 years of playing Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Japanese version. The English version of PSO was horrible so I decided to learn Japanese so I could play the best version of it