The main tournament of Japan's largest fighting game festival, EVO Japan 2024 presented by ROHTO (hereinafter, EVO Japan 2024), has shown great excitement both on-site and through streaming for every title, but wasn't Street Fighter III 3rd STRIKE Fight for the future (hereinafter, SFIII 3rd) the one that drew particular attention since its announcement?
Who was the winner of the tournament held on arcade cabinets...?
The Reiwa Champion Is Decided in SFIII 3rd
SFIII 3rd began operations in 1999.
While it has been ported to home consoles as the final form of Street Fighter III, it is an immortal masterpiece that is still played in game centers across Japan.
Marking the 20th anniversary of EVO 2004, where the legendary "Moment 37" (also known as the "Daigo Parry") occurred and became a Guinness World Record, it was selected as a main tournament title for EVO 2024.
The following six players advanced to the finals, with names based on the data from start.gg:
- Boss
- Ucc
- GS SHO (hereinafter, SHO)
- GamePlaza 21st Century Muteki Gollila (hereinafter, Muteki Gollila)
- Michael
- yakkun
The character selection among the six finalists consisted of four Yuns and two Chun-Lis.
Since the title is 25 years old and the meta is fully matured, this is just part of the charm.
The ones who kicked aside the veteran 3rd warriors to advance to the Grand Finals were SHO and Boss!
Speaking of the true appeal of SFIII 3rd, it is the Parry.
Since even a light set-up can give the opponent a chance to counter-attack via Parry, a psychological battle occurs with every single move.
#EvoJapan2024 STREET FIGHTER III 3rd STRIKE: Fight for the Future部門、優勝はGS|SHO選手(@3rdSHO)👑
優勝した瞬間を収めたのでご査収ください！ pic.twitter.com/WDptOH4gnj
— Saiga NAK (@saiganak) April 28, 2024
Incredibly, he only dropped one single set from the qualifiers to the Grand Finals.
SHO, who controlled the high-speed and intense offense and defense, brilliantly achieved victory!
The winner, SHO, was presented with a trophy, 1 million yen, and a one-year supply of Rohto V5, among other prizes!
Congratulations!
Saiga NAKThe following are translated from Japanese.
Q. Please tell us about your SFIII 3rd history, SHO.
SHO: I started around middle school or high school, so it’s been about 23 years.
Q. What has been your motivation for continuing for 23 years?
SHO: SFIII 3rd has the Parry system, so there’s no single correct answer to the mind games.
I think that kind of depth is the factor that has allowed me to keep going.
Q. What did you think when it was announced that SFIII 3rd would be a main title for EVO Japan 2024?
SHO: I thought, "What are they thinking?" (laughs).
While current fighting games are played mainly on home consoles, a game using 25-year-old arcade cabinets became a main title.
I directly asked the tournament committee chairman, Matsuda, on LINE, "Is this really happening!?" (laughs).
Q. Where do you usually practice?
SHO: I practice at three locations: Game Newton Oyama, Nishi-Nippori Game Spot Versus, and Shinjuku Sportland Main Building.
I often practiced with Boss and Michael as a trio.
Q. SFIII 3rd has been ported to home consoles, but you still practice at game centers.
SHO: As you’d expect, the CRT monitors in the cabinets have less delay compared to LCD monitors, so for serious practice, it ends up being at the game center.
実はEVOエントリーしてから本番までの練習日は全部SHOと対戦していた
他のメンバーの予定が付かず6時間2人だけで休みなく対戦した日もあった
SHOは優勝ある！って本人にもずっと話してて実際そうなったがファイナルに戦えて良かったわ
いつも通りスポランでまたやろう@3rdSHO https://t.co/pOQaKhIK3r— ボス (@neobosu7) April 29, 2024
Q. Have you decided how to use the prize money?
SHO: I love alcohol, but I had quit drinking for EVO Japan 2024.
I want to treat everyone who helped me practice to some good drinks!
Saiga NAKQ. Please tell us your future goals.
SHO: First is EVO 2024.
Naturally, I think the player pool will change completely in America.
I know many strong players who couldn't make it up this time, so I want to defeat such powerhouses and aim for the championship!
After that, since I received the hardware as a prize, I might try starting Street Fighter 6.
Q. You’ve never played it!
SHO: I haven't touched it at all.
People around me have been recommending it and I thought it looked interesting, so I’d like to give it a challenge.
EVO Japan 2024 3rd部門
優勝したぞーーー！
応援してくれた方々ありがとうございます！🙇♂️
これからも3rdは続きます！😤#EVOJ2024 #EVOJapan2024 pic.twitter.com/SD3KrTy44O
— SHO | LaVISION。 (@3rdSHO) April 28, 2024
