The Nintendo 3DS is now available worldwide, and if you've read our reviews of the top launch titles available, you'd know that Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is the stand-out game of the bunch. The game, on top of being one of the best fighters on the market, takes advantage of a handful of the 3DS's new features such as Street Pass. But in a recent interview with Street Fighter creator, Yoshinori Ono, he reveals that there may be more features being announced at E3. And though it's a stretch, he could be referring to compatibility with a new Nintendo console, being debuted for the first time at E3.
While speaking in an interview with Eurogamer, Ono was asked if there would be any 3DS to home console compatibility in the future that would allow you to transport your home profile to the 3DS and play on the go. Ono replied:
Yeah, I think we're probably three months too early to answer that question. But if you're going to be at E3, see you there.
Ono is all but confirming that the 3DS version of Super Street Fighter IV will be able to connect and communicate with a home console version of the game. The only problem is… there isn't a Wii version of Super Street Fighter IV.
In an old interview with Eurogamer back in February of 2008, Ono did state that he wasn't ruling out a Wii version:
Street Fighter IV, as it stands now, would be well-suited for the higher-level platforms. But the game doesn't have to have these visuals in order to be fun, We could go, potentially, to the Wii. We could make it on Game Boy, for all we know right now
…But we don't see that happening. Street Fighter IV has indeed been released in a variety of different versions on a number of different platforms – everything from the 3DS, to iOS, to PS3, to coin-op arcade machines. However, missing from the list of platforms which Street Fighter IV is available on, is the Nintendo Wii. And if Street Fighter IV wasn't released on the Wii all this time, then why do it now? Especially when there's been over 3 years to do so.
It's a common consensus that the Wii is old tech, and Nintendo needs a new console to compete with the 360 and PS3. Though, like Nintendo did with the Wii, they're likely going to bring something new to the table. Speculation points to Nintendo announcing an all-new home console at E3, one that works hand and hand with the 3DS, allowing you to play your games at home, but pick up and play from your 3DS when you're on the go. Nintendo recently mentioned that they were considering a 3D home console, which would further increase the possibility for 3DS/console compatibility.
One thing is for sure – something new will be announced at E3 (duh!). Whether it's a new Street Fighter for the Wii (Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition anyone?), a new version for a new Nintendo console, or just a new feature… well, we'll just have to wait and see.
Are we reading too much into this? Or are we right on the money? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
