What are the real differences between the DC version and the Arcade Version? Mostly aesthetic/minor things or game-breaking glitches/frame lag type stuff?
I played a little MAME A3 at a friends house and it was pretty fun, just wanting to see if I should bother about the DC version or no.
Also, I did search, but there was hardly any info. Thanks!
Firstly, it should be noted that there are in fact two versions of the game for the Dreamcast.
The first release which came out in '99 in Japan, and then later worldwide, is the game which most of us in the west are familiar with. The second version - Street Fighter Zero 3 Saikyo Ryu Dojo for Matching Service, was only available in Japan. In terms of game-play, this version featured a significant change: the removal of crouch-cancelling.
Dreamcast Street Fighter Alpha 3 (first version) changes
General:
Gouki:
Different timing for OTG VC
Dhalsim:
Slower far standing Strong, far standing Fierce and far standing Roundhouse
Hit box for close standing Strong altered; will trade a lot more often against jump-ins
Zangief:
Kattobi VC behaves differently - less distance travelled
"Glitch-driver" VC removed
Rose:
Level 3 Aura Soul Spark can be rolled away from before the damaging throw part can connect. May also be true of the Level 2 version.
Chun Li:
Different hit box for crouching Roundhouse - will trade a lot more.
Less invincibility on Level 3 Senretsu Kyaku
Cody:
Akuma’s air fireball freezing bug removed.
Jab Criminal Upper behaves differently, so his corner trap/pressure game is greatly weakened
Karin:
Commands after her 360+K during a VC are now performed in the direction Karin faces after the move - as opposed to the direction she was facing before the move, like the arcade version.
I am willing to bet that there are a lot more severe changes to this version. The above information is based on observations of the glaringly obvious stuff many, many years ago.