Street Fighter Zero 3, the Video Game by Capcom Co., Ltd. [Japan]

Type of the machine : Video Game
Street Fighter Zero 3 © 1998 Capcom.

25 fighters mix it up to have a shot at Shin Vega in the height of his power! Featuring 3 fighting styles for each character.

Capcom Play System II hardware (CPS II)
Game ID : CP-S II No. 29

Main CPU : 68000 (@ 11.8 Mhz), Z80 (@ 8 Mhz)
Sound Chips : Q-Sound (@ 4 Mhz)

Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 384 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh : 59.63 Hz
Palette colors : 4096

Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 6
= > [1] LP, [2] MP, [3] HP
= > [4] LK, [5] MK, [6] HK

Released in June 1998.

This game is known as "Street Fighter Zero 3" in Japan and southeast Asia, and as "Street Fighter Alpha 3" in all other locations.

Guy, Cody, Sodom and Rolento are from Capcom's "Final Fight". Guy and Cody as selectable characters, Sodom as the second boss and Rolento as the fourth boss in "Final Fight". "Final Fight" boss 'Edi E' makes appearances in some of Cody's finishing poses.

The reason for Mike Haggar's (the third selectable character in "Final Fight") non-appearance in "Street Fighter" was that he was too similar to Zangief. Furthermore, it could be because during the "Street Fighter Zero" storyline, Mike Haggar was assumed to be the mayor of Metro City (a part of New York) at the time.

In Guy's stage there is a group from "Final Fight" cheering Guy on. They consist of : Mike Haggar, Andorre Jr., Axl and poison. Also in the background against one of the buildings there is a advert for a Megaman Drink just under the Capcom Logo.

Karin Kanzuki is the first Street Fighter to have originated from a comic book (actually, a manga). She first appeared in a girls' manga that had Sakura Kasugano as the main character.

The three ISMs have some symbolic meaning :
* X represents "Super Street Fighter II X - Grand Master Challenge" (or "Super Street Fighter II Turbo" for non-Japanese audiences). That is, this ISM matches closely to the gameplay style found therein. There are, however, a few differences between X-ISM in Zero 3 and SSFII X, mainly because of the Zero 3 game engine.
* Z represents Zero. That is, it is closest to the style of the previous Zero games.
* V stands for Variable, as in 'Variable Combination', meaning 'Custom Combo'. This merely represents how you can use your super bar.

Attack of the Vega Dolls : Each Vega doll is named after a month of the year in the language of their supposed origin. It is said that they wield different tools, but generally share the same style. It is said that they generally worked as a team.
1) Enero (January) from Spain uses a microphone.
2) Fevrier (February) from France uses a gun.
3) Marz (March) from Germany uses a laptop and dyes her hair. Enero and Marz are the information and recon members of the team.
4) Aprile (April) from Italy is the medical member of the team. At the beginning of SFZ3, Aprile's brother had asked Rose to find her whereabouts.
5) Satsuki (May) is Japanese and wields a sword. Some say Sakura was supposed to be kidnapped instead of Satsuki, but Sakura evaded capture. This belief is consistent with the fact that all 12 dolls (and Cammy) were 16 at the time of SFZ3.
6) Juni (June) is German and fights unarmed.
7) Juli (July) is also German and also fights unarmed. Despite the claims of some sources, Juni and Juli are not related (none of the Vega dolls are).
8) Santamu (August) is Vietnamese, but of African heritage. She wields a spear and can also unleash a small monkey to attack for her.
9) Xiayu (September) is Chinese and wields the nunchaku.
10) Jianyu (October) is also Chinese and wields a staff.
11) Noembelu (November) is Mexican and is a member of T. Hawk's tribe (thus T. Hawk was looking for her and not Juli as the story implied). She wields a pair of hatchets on ropes.
12) Decapre (December) is Russian and her appearance is similar to that of Cammy.

Cammy had tried to save the Vega dolls in her SFZ3 ending because, due to the extent of their brainwashing, they would have died with Vega otherwise. It is said that the inspiration of the Vega dolls was Yuka Minakawa's novels named collectively as 'Cammy History'. Before the fight, Cammy throws a red coat, this comes from Street Fighter 2 the Animated Movie.

Various characters of the game make a cameo in a marvel comic-book of Deadpool, the Merc with a mouth, vol.1 number 8. They appear in the shadows like mercenaries of the infernal house, the place where Deadpool obtains his merc jobs. We can recognize Adon, Dhalsim and Gouki as shadows, Sagat appears drawn and coloured. There are two more fighters, one appears to be Cammy. The artist of this Deadpool issue is Ed McGuiness.
In number 27 of Deadpool's comic, the author Joe Kelly, makes a homage to the Street Fighter series. In this comic Deadpool does a "Shoryuken" to Kitty Pride to make Wolverine attack him.

Suleputer released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Street Fighter Zero 3 Original Soundtrack - CPCA-1012, 1013) on 21/09/1998.

An upgraded version of the game appeared for Sony PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast (see Ports below). This upgrade was later released in arcades exclusively in Japan under the title "Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper" after the first release of "Street Fighter Zero 3". Previously hidden characters M. Bison, Juni and Juli are playable from the start. In addition past Street Fighter legends Guile, Dee Jay, Fei Long and T. Hawk are now playable as well. This brings the total number of playable characters to 34!

An even further upgraded version of "Street Fighter Zero 3", called "Street Fighter Zero 3 Double Upper" (called "Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max" outside Japan) appeared for the Sony PlayStation Portable (again, see Ports below) in 2006, and adds Eagle (from the original "Street Fighter"), Yun (from "Street Fighter III") and newcomers Maki and Ingrid. This now brings the total count of playable characters to 38!

In all non-Japanese versions:
Balrog is named 'Vega'.
Gouki is named 'Akuma'.
Mike Bison is named 'Balrog'.
Nash is named 'Charlie'.
Vega is named 'Major Bison'.

The early revision (06/98) had two bugs involving Karin : First, she could do her Kanzuki-ryuu Kou'ou Ken super in X-ISM (which she shouldn't be able to do, as it was her second super). Second, Karin's normal throw in Mazi Mode could do 99% damage.

In the Japanese version, specific locations were given for each stage (in Japanese) along with the name of the country (in English). Only the country name is given in all non-Japanese revisions, with the more specific info being removed instead of being translated. Here is the list :
Adon : Khmer Historic Ruins, Thailand
Balrog : Requena Spiral Tower, Spain
M. Bison, Vega, Juni & Juli : Secret Point 48106 (since there was no country given for 'Secret Point 48106', its name is left completely blank in the American version)
Birdie : Train Cemetery, England
Blanka : Madeira River branch - swampland, Brazil
Cammy : Mikonos Island, Greece
Chun-Li : Zhidan Plaza, China
Cody : Metro City - City Police Detention Center, U.S.A.
Dan : Hinode Park (translated from Japanese as 'Sunrise Park'), Japan
Dhalsim : In front of Jaunpur Monument, India
E. Honda : Higashikomagata - Katomi kontou, Japan
Gen : Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong
Gouki : Oni Fang Cave, Japan
Guy : Under 22nd Street overhead, U.S.A.
Karin, Sakura : Flower Shoutengai (translated from Japanese as Flower Shopping Street), Japan
Ken : Hotel Masters, U.S.A.
Nash : Frankfort Hangar, U.S.A.
R. Mika : Sardine Beach Special Ring, Japan
Rolento : New York Camouflagued Subway, U.S.A.
Rose : Palazzo Mistero (Translated from Italian as Palace of Mystery), Italy
Ryu : Genbugahara (translated from Japanese as 'Genbu Plain'), Japan
Sagat : Nagpa Resting Shakyamuni the Buddha Statue, Thailand
Sodom : Manhattan Building 49 F, U.S.A.
Zangief : Akademu Gorodowa blast furnace, U.S.S.R.

* Title Color Chart : The color of the title screen denotes what secrets are currently available. After a few weeks of play, the title screen will change color, so in a few months after your SFZ3 machine has been installed, it should reach the final color (light blue). The explanation of the colors is shown below...
Cream - (default color)
Green - Classical Mode
Red - M. Bison, Juni and Juli become playable
Dark Blue - Mazi Mode
Purple - Saikyou Mode
Light Blue - Can select one of the three Battle Modes

* Random Select : The Random Select squares are normally invisible. But, there are two for the first player and two for the second. The 1P squares are located in the upper-right corner of the diamond and the lower-right. The 2P squares are in the upper-left corner and the lower-left corners.

* Hidden Characters : The three hidden characters are Mike Bison, the boxer and Juni and Juli, two prototype 'dolls' created by Vega's Shadowloo organization. Once the game's title screen has become the proper color (see 'Title Color Chart', above), their score listing will show up in the High Score listing and they become playable...
1) To choose M. Bison, pause on Karin for five seconds, then move to any Random Select square, hold the Start button and press any button.
2) To use Juli, pause on Karin for five seconds, then move to any Random Select square. If the square is on the left side of the screen, choose her by holding Left and pressing any button. If the square is on the right side, then hold Right and press any button instead.
3) To use Juni, pause on Karin for five seconds, then move to any Random Select square. If the square is on the top of the screen, choose her by holding Up and pressing any button. If the square is on the bottom, then hold Down and press any button instead.

* Hidden Modes Of Play : There are three secret modes that affect basic gameplay. Once the game's title screen has become the proper color (see 'Title Color Chart', above), you can select a hidden mode to use...
1) To use Classical Mode, insert your coin, hold down HP+HK and press Start. You can release HP+HK once you're at the Player Select Screen. Then, pick your character. When you start the round your super power bar will be gone and you will have Street Fighter 2 moves.
2) To use Mazi Mode, insert your coin, hold down MP+MK and press Start. You can release HP+HK once you're at the Player Select Screen. Then, pick your character.
3) To use Saikyou Mode, insert your coin, hold down LP+LK and press Start. You can release HP+HK once you're at the Player Select Screen. Then, pick your character.

* Hidden Battle Mode : Once the game's title screen has become the proper color (see 'Title Color Chart', above), you can select a hidden battle mode...
1) Final battle mode : After picking your ISM, hold Start+LP+MK+HP. You'll fight Shin Vega for one battle only. It's just like the last battle; win and you get your ending, lose and you get the bad ending.
2) Dramatic battle mode : Hold LK+MK+HK, then press Start. Keep holding those buttons at Player Select Screen for a moment. You'll fight a 2 on 1 battle for 6 rounds, in which you face two CPU-controlled opponents.
3) Survival mode : Insert your coin(s), hold LP+MP+HP and press Start. Keep holding those buttons at Player Select Screen. You'll get to fight all 27 characters in continuous one-round battles.

* Secret Messages (This trick only works on Japanese SFZ3 machines) : After winning a battle, press and hold Start as well as any other button. Between battles, a message will appear on the screen, depending on the button you're holding.

* Sari In Every Stage : In Dhalsim's stage you may have noticed a girl who cheers for him. That is Sari, his wife. When you play as Dhalsim, its possible to make her appear on every fight by holding down LP+HK before the fight starts (You must do this at the begining of every round).

* Alternate Sodom BGM : When fighting against Sodom (VS o CPU, you'll get to hear a different tune if it is on X-ism mode. Apparently the tune is inspired on his boss tune in Final Fight.

1. Street Fighter (1987)
2. Street Fighter II - The World Warrior (1991)
3. Street Fighter II' - Champion Edition (1992)
4. Street Fighter II' Turbo - Hyper Fighting (1992)
5. Super Street Fighter II - The New Challengers (1993)
6. Super Street Fighter II X - Grand Master Challenge (1994)
7. Street Fighter Zero (1995)
8. Street Fighter Zero 2 (1996)
9. Street Fighter Zero 2 Alpha (1996)
10. Street Fighter III - New Generation (1997)
11. Street Fighter Zero 3 (1998)
12. Street Fighter III - 2nd Impact : Giant Attack (1998)
13. Street Fighter III - 3rd Strike : Fight For The Future (1999)
14. Hyper Street Fighter II - The Anniversary Edition (2003)
15. Street Fighter IV (2008)
16. Super Street Fighter IV (2010)

Planner : Noritaka Funamizu
Directors : Maoto Ohta, Mamoru, Buruma, Ohko Zero05
Visual planner : Haruo Murata
Programmers : Cham Cho Choy, Hard.Yas (~?-ISM~), Pon, Shinchan (as 'Hyper Shinchan'), 24 ~Nishi~, Minomi, Reiko Toh, Sen?Knight Rider Giu, Ittetsu
Character designers : Akiman, Osusi
Title designer : Shoei
Object designers : Eripyon.N (Eri-N), Fujihara, Mizuho, Takemoto, Hitoshi Igarashi, Mizupyon, Kimo Kimo (Jinzin), Ball boy, Yuesuke, D-Kurita, A. Iwasaki, Kaname, Fuzii & Peliko, Chimorin Shogun, Sagata, Ikusan Z, Kitasan, You-Ten Nakano, Tomohiro Ohsumi, Hiro, Rumichan, Reiko Komatsu, Kozuchi Tamura, Youichi Matsuo, Makoto Ishii
Scroll designers : Asae Nisituji-Ba, S. Mukai (Jijii), Hirokazu Yonezuka, Kohama Ake&kuro, Yoichi Tanoue (Tanopu), Ryo Uno, Yoko.Fukumoto, Takako Nakamura, Kazu.T, A. Ohnishi, N. Niiyama, C. Iwai, Sawatch, K. Yamahashi, H. Yamahashi, Hiroki Ohnishi
Main music composer : Takayuki Iwai (Anarchy Takapon)
Sub music composer : Yuki Iwai, Isao Abe, Hideki Okugawa, Tetsuya Shibata
Sound direction : Hiroaki Kondo (X68K)
Sound designers : Moe.T, Satoshi Ise
Test players : Nuki, M.P Oni-Suzuki, Skill Smith-Bug, Skill Smith-TTK, M. Kunishige, Miura.F.Katsusuke, Tomita Yoshihiro, Murata Akimori
Market producer : Kouji Nakajima
General producers : Noritaka Funamizu, Yoshiki Okamoto

* Voice Actors :
Ryu : Toshiyuki Morikawa
Edmund Honda : Masashi Sugahara
Cody : Koichi Yamadera
Karin Kanzuki : Miho Yamada
Balrog, Blanka : Yuji Ueda
Ken Masters : Tetsuya Iwanaga
Dhalsim : Yoshiharu Yamada
Sodom, Zangief, Adon, Gen, Birdie : Wataru Takagi
Cammy, Juli, Juni : Akiko Koumoto
Rolento Schugerg : Jin Yamanoi
Sakura Kasugano : Yuko Sasamoto
Rose : Neya Michiko
Dan Hibiki : Osamu Hosoi
Guy : Tetsuya Iwanaga
Rainbow Mika Nanakawa : Junko Takeuchi
Gouki, Vega : Tomomichi Nishimura
Chun-Li : Yuko Miyamura
Nash : Toshiyuki Morikawa
Sagat : Miki Shinichiro
Mike Bison : Koichi Yamadera
Narrator : Greg Irwin

Consoles :

Sony PlayStation (1998) : Home version of what would later be released in Japanese arcades under the title "Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper".
Sega Dreamcast (1999) : Home version of what would later be released in Japanese arcades under the title "Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper".
Sega Saturn (1999)
Nintendo Game Boy Advance (2002, "Street Fighter Zero 3 Upper") : allows to play with all the bosses.
Sony PSP (2006, "Street Fighter Zero 3 Double Upper") : allows to play with Eagle, Yun, Maki and Ingrid. Also adds new game modes such as Variable Battle Mode.
Sony PlayStation 2 (2006, "Street Fighter Zero - Fighters Generation")

Game's rom.