New to fighters

[Flake]

I left those out since learning 3rd Strike really only lends itself to playing 3rd Strike and 2002 is import only for the DC.

And playing say... MVC2 leads to something else!!??

KOF is import yeah but you can always grab the iso. No biggie there.

People are still playing MvC2.

Since he listed the game systems he has, I am assuming he is only collecting legit software. If emulation or burnt games were his goal, it'd make more sense to go Mame for fighters/

[mugenmidget]

You could start with Street Fighter on almost any platform, but I say to pick a game that interests you. Don't think about character tier lists and what games people push on you. I believe any character can be played effectively and you can actually play better with a character you like versus picking someone top tier for advantages. Since you have an xbox 360, Super Street Fighter 4 is cheap and there is always someone to play against online if that interests you. The 2012 update is around the corner with character changes for the entire cast.

This is great advice, I'd also add that finding a game or set of games that your friends will also enjoy is key. The single player options in these games can vary from mundane to awesome, but nothing beats versus play with another human.

Dreamcast is an awesome place to start, every game Flake mentioned is fantastic. PS2 is another excellent place to find fighting games, but honestly every system you've mentioned has good ones. I'll try to throw out some that I've played and enjoyed for your systems.

Sega Genesis:
-Yu Yu Hakusho: Makyo Toitsusen (one of the best, supports 4 players)
-Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
-Power Rangers
-Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (kind of interesting 2P co-op mode and a fun 3P versus except for the fact that everyone has to be Bruce Lee LOL)

Super Nintendo:
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters (AWESOME game)
-Power Rangers: The Fighting Game
-Gundam Wing: Endless Duel (this is actually like a sequel to Power Rangers: TFG, similar engine and same company, so go with this if you can)
-Sailor Moon S
-Killer Instinct
-Dragonball Z: Super Butoden 2
-Dragonball Z: Hyper Dimension
-If you get a Super Gameboy, you can enjoy 2 player versus mode on fighters like Samurai Shodown, Power Quest, Super Chinese Fighter GB, King of Fighters 95, and others with just one copy of the game.

Playstation 2:
-King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match
-King of Fighters 2006 (or Maximum Impact 2)
-Hokuto no Ken
-Vampire: Darkstalkers Collection
-Street Fighter Alpha Anthology
-Street Fighter EX 3

Playstation 1:
-Street Fighter EX series
-Tobal 2

Gamecube
-Bloody Roar: Primal Fury
-Soul Calibur II
-If you have a Gameboy Player AND another GBA AND a link-up cable AND two copies of DBZ: Supersonic Warriors, then that game is pretty cool.
-Def Jam: Fight for NY is more of a brawler/wrestling game, but has quite a few fighting game elements to it, might be worth trying if you want another 4P game (and in the same vein, Ultimate Muscle: Legends vs. New Generation provides similar fun).

Xbox 360:
-King of Fighters 13
-Guardian Heroes (12 player versus, you can't beat that!)
-WWE All Stars (obviously a wrestling game before anything else, but this one has a lot of fighting game elements going for it too and is really fast paced)

Dreamcast:
-Psychic Force 2012
-Mortal Kombat Gold
-Do the Power Stone games count?
-Marvel vs. Capcom 1 is also pretty great in its own way

I'm sure I've left plenty of my favorites out, might have to chime in again if they don't get mentioned. There's A LOT to choose from, play as many as you can until you find one (or many) that you and your friends can enjoy!

[CD AGES]

People are still playing MvC2.

Since he listed the game systems he has, I am assuming he is only collecting legit software. If emulation or burnt games were his goal, it'd make more sense to go Mame for fighters

I never said the game wasn't relevant, and people are STILL playing 3rd Strike as much or maybe more now than Marvel 2! The guy is asking to level up his game in the genre, not how to build a collection.

[zxqdms]

I would pick Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition. It is one of the most popular games, so there will be plenty of information to help you along. It also has decent support for online play, so you can play against humans. Don't base your opinion of fighting games on playing the cpu. Single player is pretty bad in fighting games. Don't get discouraged if you try online play and get stomped. That's normal when you first start out.

Here's a video tutorial that should help with SSF4: AE: http://www.youtube.com/user/VesperArcad ... _nS5Jj3pHY

[Bradtemple87]

Also, if playing on a stick interests you than just start with one right away. You would have to start over if you switched from a pad, so you may as well save the time.

[ExedExes]

^
Word! The Dreamcast in an amazing platform to get into fighters. You got some of the best titles in fighting history under one console

ABSO FRICKIN LUTLEY!

Here's what I got on DC -- fighting

Marvel vs Capcom
Marvel vs Capcom 2
Street Fighter Alpha 3
Project Justice
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
Tech Romancer
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
Soul Calibur
King of Fighters 99
Power Stone
Capcom vs SNK

Other games to look for on DC are the Street Fighter 3 series (3rd Strike did get a non-import DC release here) and the awesome GAROU: Mark of The Wolves!

[Flake]

I never said the game wasn't relevant, and people are STILL playing 3rd Strike as much or maybe more now than Marvel 2! The guy is asking to level up his game in the genre, not how to build a collection.

But my point was that Street Fighter III is so technical that it does not lend itself to mastering a broad skill base as much as other fighters. To be good at Street Fighter III takes a lot more work and dedication than to be good at most other fighters since Street Fighter III's mechanics are way more subtle.

Street Fighter III is a bad ass game but it sets the barrier to entry much higher than most fighters do. If the guy wants to pick a couple of games that will broaden his skill set fast and give him a taste of the entire spectrum of the genre, there are better choices, in my opinion, than Street Fighter III.

[GameMasterGuy]

Or as I said, Super Street Fighter 2 (non-turbo).

[wip3outguy7]

I would recommend picking up Street Fighter Alpha 2. Stay away from the PS1 release, but any other port should suffice.

SFA2 is a brilliant fighting game that can be as technical or as basic as you want it to be. It was also probably the last game in the series that didn't make a sharp climb into overly technical land, but still contains many of the features and gimmicks that dominate the genre today.

[Flake]

I would recommend picking up Street Fighter Alpha 2. Stay away from the PS1 release, but any other port should suffice.

SFA2 is a brilliant fighting game that can be as technical or as basic as you want it to be. It was also probably the last game in the series that didn't make a sharp climb into overly technical land, but still contains many of the features and gimmicks that dominate the genre today.

Really? I thought SFA2 was more technical than SFA3, to be honest. By the way, Jon and I missed you yesterday.