Fighting game newbie needs advice

I bought the PS2 version of Capcom vs SNK 2 a very long time ago in an attempt to introduce myself to fighting games. I sucked at it and gave up, deciding that fighting games were too much work to learn how to play. Recently, however, a friend of mine and I ended up renting Super Smash Brothers and Soul Calibur II for the Gamecube, and I think my opinion might be changing. So I need some advice:

-What are some newbie-friendly fighting games? I have a PS2 and a Gamecube.

-Are there different types of fighting games? I know about 2d and 3d, obviously, but the thing that really struck me about the difference between Capcom vs SNK 2 and Soul Calibur 2 was that CvS2 seemed to be all about "Memorize the button combinations for the fireball attack" whereas SC2 was more about dodging/blocking/countering my friend's attacks and doing simple attacks. (Playing as Link, the most complicated moves I had to learn were throwing my opponent and using the bow stance. I'm sure if I played more often I'd learn more complicated stuff, but still, it seemed simple.)

-Should I get an arcade stick? I didn't feel like I needed one with Super Smash Bros or SCII, but with CvSNK2 it probably would have been useful. (I hate the PS2's d-pad.) If so, what should I get? I was thinking about the soul calibur one since it's compatible with both the cube and ps2.

Thanks, everyone.

- I would start with a 2d fighter like street fighter alpha 3 for psone. With 3d you have to worry about a whole new dimension which makes learning a bit harder

- memorizing is a big part of fighting games so if you don't like memorizing moves or combos don't bother

- Arcade sticks are expensive. I have been looking for one, but I ain't spending $30 or more. Don't get a stick unless you are really good or really like fighting games.

- try to find old fighting games cause they are easiest to learn since they usually don't have all of the new fancy gauges and combo moves to worry about.

- also try to start with a street fighter game cause they are the easiest to learn. I think there is a compilation coming out soon with all the old street fighter games - you may want to look into it.

For Soul Calibur 2 and the Capcom Games, the arcade stick isnt needed, but honestly once you start using one you wont want to stop.

hmm.. Good Fighting Games..

Ps2-
Guilty Gear X2
DOA2 (Dead or alive 2)
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance (also on cube)

Cube-
um...
Well, you have the good ones,

There are a few other ones out thier like Bloody Roar and even Street Fighter ex...which i suggest you rent first if anything

[quote name='Amanda the Red Mage']-Are there different types of fighting games? I know about 2d and 3d, obviously, but the thing that really struck me about the difference between Capcom vs SNK 2 and Soul Calibur 2 was that CvS2 seemed to be all about "Memorize the button combinations for the fireball attack" whereas SC2 was more about dodging/blocking/countering my friend's attacks and doing simple attacks. (Playing as Link, the most complicated moves I had to learn were throwing my opponent and using the bow stance. I'm sure if I played more often I'd learn more complicated stuff, but still, it seemed simple.)[/quote]

Yes there are. The question is, which style do you like better?

I can't really help with the SC2 type of game, but if you like the Capcom ones...well, they're basically all the same style. I personally like Street Fighter Alpha 3 (the GBA version is cheap AND a good game), but that's just my opinion.

I personally hate the gc controller for fighting games due to the position and size of the d-pad, although I actually like the analog stick for ssbm, I would elect for the ps2 controller in all other cases, even though I would probably hate the ps2 version of sc2 (which is why I get my spawn). If you're going to be purchasing as many of these for the 'cube as you can, I'd get the arcade stick.

sc2 and ssbm are great games for newbies I've found because just about anybody can pick one up and have a ball with it, it's not very complicated and you can do well as a button masher, also try tekken tag, or dead or alive 2, tekken should be a cheap one now

all fighting games have your button combination moves, it's just that some have bigger effects than others. Street fighter you're gonna be tossing fireballs and throw dragon punches where in sc2 you'll be pulling off more kicks and weapon techniques

PS2? Definitely DOA2 Harcore or any of the Tekken games. Easy to pickup, lots of technique once you've learned how to play. Virtua Fighter is for the hardcore elite.

Stay faaaar away from Virtua Fighter. I say that because I don't like it, but also because its freakin' hard!

Soul Caliber 2 is about as good as fighting games get. Guilty Gear XX is cool for the PS2 with quirky character designs but is also a bitch to try and fight through. I'm pretty decent at the genre and had problems with it. Oh well, its still alot of fun.

I'm a big Darkstalkers fan too, if you can find that for the PSone go for it, its an underrated fighting gem.

The gamecube has the worst D Pad ever. Its so flimsy, tiny and cheap looking. My Gameboy has a better D pad than this thing.. The entire controller looks like a playschool toy. Very comfortable otherwise but... oh well.

You know what I always thought was a simple yet great fighter? Tobal #1 really cool fighing game with grappling manuevers that were simple a reversals that didnt require 15 button presses.

Any Tekken after 2 got rediculous. If you think its simple and the combos are easy to learn you probably arnt playing it right. Hard to believe it was in response to DOA being so user friendly But I have a feeling DOA may have started over doing it once it got to the xbox in order to compete with the coplexity of the later Tekkens (can confirm though since I dont one it.) DOA 2 Hardcore is one of the more easy to pick up games but some spcial attacks are a bit hard to remember. still its a bit easier than SC2... I still can't understand the reversal system in SC2 hell sice I dont read the instructions for the first month of owning most games I didn't even know it had any.

Virtua Fighter, I feel is like learning ACTUAL martial arts, in order toplay it you have to know how to perform the routine combinations of your chosen art in order to string a continous kata.

Guilty Gear is also a great simple game with simplicity on par with the SF alpha games, GGX continued its greatness but added a few countering moves and scaled back the insta-kill move to have only a single round effect. GGXX unfortunatly added extra character modes similar to the Isms in Cap vs Snk where some moves do different things, this hurt the game's simplicity.

Said before, start with Something from Capcom (Street Fighter Alpha 3 for the PSX) preferably.
And no Street Fighter EX3 does not count as "fun".

Oh yeah, before trying a bit more complicated titles like SNK vs. Capcom (i personally think grooves arent a good idea, it should've just been a system like KoF97 or something), get used to the games that made this game get made, Street Fighter III 3rd Strike, Double Impact, Street Fighter Alpha 3, etc.

Also, if you wanna get into fighting games the best system is close to a tie with the PS2 (Tekkens, Virtua Fighter, Capcom titles) and the DreamCast (Street Fighter Series, Marvel vs. Series, Soul Calibur 1, DOA, mmm, etc.)
Dont worry, soon all the other consoles will have much more titles than my precious little Sega will, so dont worry about it to much.

Oh yeah, dust off your SNES or Genesis, grab a buddie and look for Super Street Fighter II, ahh DeeJay, you always did know howto make my friend think i cheated.


BTW: How could i forget my favorite franchise of all, King of Fighters! With the release of KoF2k+KoF2k1, no one should have an excuse not to play these gems. I personally have always thought that despite being based on technology that is about as old as the genesis, Neo Geo fighting games have always been a step above others.

Or maybe thats just the 13 year old in me who liked to goto Wal-Mart way back when they got a brand spankin' new KoF97 Machine that stayed there for years. Mmmm. Billy+Yashiro+Iori = Unstoppable.

Hey, This I my frist post here but if fighting games are involved it won't be my last.

First off. you must MUST start at the roots, the one that started the ENTIRE fighting genre. Street Fighter II. play the first one if you can find it

Second Console fighters, The D-pad is the only way to go. unless you fork out 200plus for a good arcade stick you are going to be trying to balance it on your lap or chair or bed or what ever. and you won't be fighting the compter you'll be fighting the stick.

Third STAY AWAY from Marvel vs Capcom 1, 2, or anything with more then 10 hit combos. People will kill you with a gay endless combo before you even press a button and you'll NEVER want to play again!

Fourth and the most important of all. BUY A GOD DAMN DREAMCAST! The Dreamcast is a fighting game console! it has more fighting games to play on it then ANY other game system out to DATE. the graphics are great and hell. for $30 used at your local gamestop or EB. you can't go wrong.


"FOR GREAT JUSTICE TAKE OFF EVERY ZIG"

Biggest tip: Get a Dreamcast.

aww crap, the guy before me got to it first. My personal favorite, and most user friendly fighter, that I've played is Street Fighter 3: Third strike. Can't go wrong with quality. Street Fighter Alpha 2 is widely acclaimed as the best in the series, and alas, one of the best 2Ds around. Another tip is to stay away from the PS2 fighters if you're using a dual shock--the analog is so annoying to use that you'll wind up getting into the bad habbit of using the d-pad. Which leads me to disagree with the guy above me--I recommend always using the analog, as the d-pad makes moves near impossible without practice, and even still, sometimes unresponsive. I mean, you're using a xy axis to do diagonal moves and all. The analog gives you control...even if you need to practice to not jump after a 180 rotation. I think it's best for a newbie to start with 2D fighters, as they're much easier to get a handle on...or I just love traditional games, you pick.

Well pretty much all the great fighting games have been mentioned. Its a good idea to pick up and try Street Fighter II at some point. I know that Hyper Street Fighter II is coming out soon. But for the GC try Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO. Doing special attacks is a cinch when playing G-ism, the only thing is it robs the game of most of depth. Also try DOA 2 Hardcore before trying your hand at Virtua Fighter. My other suggestions would be Mortal Kombat and Onimusha Blade Warriors. I heard that Blade Warriors will be similar to SSMB.

If you do get a Dreamcast I would suggest some of the last SNK games that were made for that system. Some include Last Blade 2, Fatal Fury: MotW, King of Fighters, etc. These kinda have a steep learning curve if you're new to the DC controller or 2D fighting games, but nothing that you shouldn't be able to pick up after the first 4 or 5 bouts. Personally, I liked these games more than Capcom's games because their weren't as flashy and more about using the right moves. You can learn alot from these games about 2D fighters. Also, if you just want a quick and easy button masher that everyone can pick up and play Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 is certainly a good one for that.

Yeah and if you get a Dreamcast i recommend Powerstone 1 & 2, those games are great...more like super smash bros than other fighters. I like them better though.

Two words: Tekken Tag. Team up with your friend against the computer...you'll learn together, and have fun together.

Thanks, everyone.

VF4 is as hard as you make it be. trying to use goh could take months, were as if you use somone like pai you could learn her in under 15 min.

As for a fighting game thats easy to get into Bloody Roar 3 (or the NGC ver, whose name escapes me at the moment) for the PS2> easy to learn, but not very deep.

Pocket Fighter 2 for PS1!

Its just Street Fighter Super-Deformed style. I don't think its very deep playwise, but its fun to play and will get you accustomed to 2D 'Capcom style' fighting in general.

I hate the Dead or Alive series, but I think out of all the 3D fighters its the easiest to get in to and there's not that many 'moves' to learn. My friends and I would play it on Dreamcast and they would have fun (I kept complaining that we should play SC). Its more Soul Calibur than Soul Calibur in that its attack, then block or counterattack, without having to memorize any special attacks.

You don't really need an arcade stick, those are just for hardcore fighters. Plus I think this generation of consoles have perfect controllers for fighters i.e. analog and digital control for those who prefer one or the other.

EDIT: I didn't realize so many people were suggesting Dreamcast. I guess I unintentionally supported that opinion in my post. It definitely is worth the $19.99 (or less!) you pay for it, and there's many many many good games for it, not only fighting games.

i think it's funny that games like Soul Caliber and Tekken classify "moves" such as:

P
PP
PPP
PPPK

As four different moves, with four different names!

It makes their movelists look mad long, but they're really not.

Technically they are different move combos, as pressing it in a certain rhythm will make your character go into a different animation. But since most people who play SC or Tekken just mash all the buttons at once its hard to notice.

Street Fighter II got the move thing right the first time. Button Rhythm is important for 3d fighters though.