14 DAY TRIAL // First believed to be a simple dowloadable content, Super Street Fighter IV proved to the world that it would be a stand-alone title and still get everyone just as excited about it, if not even more so. The consoles will get their hands on it next year, but whether or not the game will make it to the arcades is still under debate. The transition should, in theory, be extremely easy, so it's pretty unclear why exactly Capcom is still pondering the idea.
Capcom's Seth Killian said that upgrading the cabinets was as simple as installing new software and changing the artwork. If we think back to the days of Street Fighter II Turbo, the upgrade meant that the entire dedicated board had to be replaced, so, if they could do a more complex task in the past, it's a bit of a conundrum as to why they're not jumping at the opportunity now. Still, in Capcom we trust and hope that, if not by the time the game is announced, then soon after, when it should prove to be a success, it'll quickly get to work and provide the Super Street Fighter IV Arcade.
The discussion seems to mainly point at a possible release in Japan, since the arcade was never officially released for the US. Still, if it does get built in Japan, it will eventually make its way to America. Even if it will be in somewhat small amounts, American arcade halls are bound to import the machine, especially since it's bound to appeal to the public.
Super Street Fighter IV is the direct sequel to the latest reanimation of the Street Fighter franchise. The series started in 1987, when Capcom released the first game as an arcade cabinet. The success of the series is an unquestionable one and it's one of those names that are recognized by everyone. The 2009 edition proved to be a worthy addition to the series and one of the most acclaimed games of the year, so far. The next Street Fighter title, Super Street Fighter IV, will be released next year, on March 23, and it should prove to live up to the name it carries.