Everyone’s favorite importer of Japanese games and somewhat-smutty statues of Mai, NCS, has opened up pre-orders for the arcade release of Street Fighter IV. It’ll ship out of Japan on August 20 and will include the Taito Type X-2 hardware and hard drive, four decals, a versus communication kit for networking two cabinets together (that’s how multiplayer arcade games are typically done in Japan), and 100 SFIV Network ID cards for stat tracking and whatnot.
All this can be yours for a mere $2,590, $880 of which NCS will get from you immediately as a deposit. Of course, you’d still have to have an arcade cabinet to put all this stuff in. I don’t have a cabinet that would suit it–I don’t think it would work so well in my Missile Command cabinet. But I have to admit… super-tempted over here. That’s a lot of money, and sure, the game will probably end up on the 360 and PS3 by year’s end, but… no, no, I can’t. That’s just crazy.
Or is it? Don’t mind me, I’m going to have to to do some soul-searching over here. Seeing El Fuerte’s rad lucha libre look at the top of this post sure isn’t helping. I’m going to stare at my wallet for a bit and think about it, you go on ahead.
[UPDATE] Unfortunately, there’s been some sort of miscommunication between NCS and its supplier. The kits are only available in sets of four, so NCS has withdrawn its pre-order offer. That’s probably for the best.
180 Comments
Maybe it is best to wait for the console versions, Jeff.
Do it. You’ll be all the happier for it.
Trust me.
dont do it! sure it sounds great but for that money you could buy the console versions multiple times!
think about it sf4 disk coasters,door knobs,earrings,dresses.just wait it out.
Think of all the Tiger you could buy with that money instead.
Just do it. You know you want to. What is the worst thing that could happen?
It would be sick to have that all set up and ready to play but the price is a little steep. I would wait for the console version, but that’s just me.
Do it.
Not a chance you will regret it. It’ll pay for itself it time. Not with money mind you, but with pure joy.
LoL I have better things to waste my money on. I’ll wait for the console version.
Jeff, all you have to do is ask yourself:
“How much do you really love Street Fighter?”
No Jeff don’t do it!!, It’s like you getting japanese xbox 360 all over again!
Jeff, you’re absolutely insane.
That sounds insane… but at the same time, super awesome. I say go for it Jeff. Give in.
DO IT! DO IT! BE A MAN AND DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahah! Woah! Nice to see the Street Fighter IV hype is up here! Well, in my own personal opinion i am going to say GET IT! Why? Because it is Street Fighter IV, and it actually PLAYS AS A STREET FIGHTER should! It may be expensive, however, no matter how we look at it, this is Street Fighter, and Street Fighter is legendary! So Jeff, why don’tcha throw in a Shoryuken for me?
Oh man, don’t waste the money. You could get a nice TV for the office, or something else less crazy.
However, nothing says video game business as much as a band new arcade machine does….
Perhaps a donation would be in place, I mean, if we gamers helped out to get you yours maybe you could post up some screnshots or videofootage of it? As for donations, i’m all in for it, I completely support GiantBomb, no matter what.
Dude, are you really that happy with the engine? No issues? How many games-worth is that two and a half grand, exactly?
Buy it for the office, a SFIV cabinet in the GiantBomb office would be super kick ass!
$2590 now, or $59.99 later. It all depends on how much your patience is worth.
DON’T DO IT! Have you told Alex and Ryan? This is money that could go into making the site better! Think about it…was the Japanese 360 worth it just for the points and bad candy? Wait…bad example…
Do it, if only for you to one day look back and say “Man, remember when I bought that SFIV arcade machine for thousands of dollars? Yeah.”
Dude. Don’t.
I say… do it. A videogame website office NEEDS some kind of arcade cabinet in it, so why not this one? It’s a business expense!!!
All the cool kids are doing it, Jeff…
We should all chip in and help him buy it guys. Start a fund or something… its for a more than noble cause.
Jeff, over the years, I’ve seen you as a pretty rational guy. For God’s sake don’t do it. Giant Bomb ain’t going to be cheap, and that 2,590 can be better spent.
I’m an economics major and the opportunity cost is quite high here. You have to determine the amount of utility you will receive from this transaction. If the utility is worth $2590 then do it. Sorry to bring in lingo, but Utility is a measure of satisfaction in economic terms.
Or maybe you can just say fuck it and get it. What the hell do I know. I’m broke as shit and I can’t afford that. I play COD 4 as my entertainment, that game has lasted me 4 months. Well worth the $39.99 I paid for it. Sale at Best Buy
“Have you told Alex and Ryan?”
Alex is not part of Giant Bomb, buddy.
Id be so with you if it wasn’t half the price of a car… You know, im starting to wonder just how much money you and Ryan made when you where editors in the “other place”… New TVs, new systems, games, renting an office, buying drinks, web hosting, uhmmm, food? Id be broke just buying 3 games…
The words “Tax wright off” come to mind. I mean, it’s for work right? *wink wink*
I would wait for the console releases. You could always get a cabinet later if you end up really liking it.
Don’t think..just do it. That’s the American way right?
Throw caution to the wind! Buy it!
do it jeff. gaint bomb depends on it. you’d play it all day and get nothing done though so lets see what you would do.
Thats just too much…. Best just to dupe a friend into getting it lol…
dude Street Fighter owns
No, it’ll be released on the 360 without a doubt. How could Capcom hold out on such a thing?
Near on 3 G’s… A small price to pay for gaming nirvana.
To much money for a pre-order. Wait a few months before getting over hyped otherwise you will have trouble thinking about anything other then Street Fighter intill it comes out.
DO IT.
Man, you are the same kind of crazy I am.
I say go for it.
It’d be so worth it to have your own arcade cabinet of SFIV.
When everyone is arguing over which console version is better (as they will inevitably and stupidly do) you can just point to the cabinet and say you have the true version.
You can get some buttons and sticks pretty cheap to hook it up to it (it is JAMMA after all) and hook it all up to an LCD TV (those boards are all RGB, so they either have a VGA output or you can convert it to VGA very easily, since it is just converting the connection, not the signal).
GUS
Way to go Jeff. You just split the community in half. The rich and poor people are clearly at odds with each other over this one. I personally won’t be getting the arcade machine, but I look forward to finding out what your decision will be.
Oh, and one last thing. People, please stop comparing this to the console version. Now that’s just silly.
I’m sure you wouldn’t have posted this particular post if you weren’t keen on investing it, so trust you instinct and go for it man, you’ll ultimately end up enjoying it prior to its release for respective platform at the end of this year. Speaking of which we’ll probaby see another review based on its console counterparts if you’d buy the arcade version.
Go for it and post alot of pictures of it on here!
Take care sir!
Regards
I hope they bring Yun to the game…
I say go for it. Someday, you’ll look back at this and say: “God, was I an idiot back then.” It’ll give you and us something to laugh about, when were in the retirement home, asking for the nurse to change our diapers.
It’s your call though. It’s a still a shitload of money for what will probably be the biggest dissapointment of ‘08. *shrugs*
well ill just go and preorder that cheap equipment now
Do it Jeff! And while you’re at it, take a couple $100 dollar bills and make paper airplanes out of them!
Whoa, paying a little extra to play a game early from import is one thing…this is insane. If it was actually coin operated, you might get your money back in a few years though =P
You should do it. People will buy it.
i say its up to u on the plus side u will be the only guy in petaluma or wherever your guys scret bomb shelter is with a street fighter 4 arcade machine and u could charge people to play if u need extra cash plus u and ryan davis can play when your bored on the negative side that a lot of money u will never get back u can buy 2 50 inch hdtvs for bthat price or a ps3 or basically all the games that are coming out between this year and next year
Business expense. That’s what company cards are for. You do have a giantbomb.com company card, right? kay good.
I love Street Fighter and all, but how much use would that thing get in 8-10 months once the console versions arrive with extra features, characters, online multiplayer, (possible) downloadable content, and balancing tweaks? Probably not much.
Don’t do it.
Ah, that is a tad bit too pricey I’d say.
Although, an arcade cabinet would be a sweet addition to the new office (assuming you had the extra space). That way, when you’re sick and tired of reviewing the new Bratz and Hamsterz games, you can take a break and kill some time.
$2,590? That’s a lot of burritos.
Just do it! (I hope Nike don’t come after me)
If it will make you happy, and you are sure that you will not regret the shelling of that kind of money, do it, just like that! Man what an experience that will be, something to remember for the rest of your life!
arcade exclusive. never coming to consoles. get it Jeff
I say go for it. Sure, it’ll be out on the console, but nothing beats having an arcade cabinet! Not only will it be an awesome game, but an awesome piec e of furniture for years and years to come!
I have many friends in the pump it up community (game like DDR) that have bought cabinets to play at home.. And none of them have regretted it!
What a Dilema…and looking at El Fuerte over there makes ME wanna do that!
That is hella lot of money, but if the drive for the game is there then do what your hart tells you.
Build your own cab!
Then if SFIV turns out to be… not so great, you can always swap it out for a MAME PC and all that entails.
-Dante
http://www.gamestache.com
Just get a sponsor to buy it for you
That’s a lot of moneyz. Decisions, decisions…
Yes, that is crazy jeff
WAIT. Please wait and don’t waste your money. And plus, SF4 might flop.
Do it. You know you want to. All the cool kids are doing it.
Come on man, that’s way too much money, especially as it will most probably be on 360 and PS3 in the future!
Just wait for the console version and fight me mwhaha. And then spend the money you would have spent on this awesome site.
If I had a ridiculous wad of cash… I might just throw it all away on pre-ording nex-gen arcade machines.
That’s a little to much money for me.Cool package though.
I am sorry bout KOF XII will blow SF4 out of water
Sounds like such a solid deal.
Do want… but you know, I’m at a serious lack of cash.
LOL! Seriously, don’t do it! This is going way too far!
Just get a SF2 arcade machine if you don’t already have one and play SF4 on a console later on.
If you’re still not sure, think about this; Flying all the way to Japan, playing it over there and then comming all the way back would be cheaper than actually buying one of those acrade machines.
You would probably be the only gaming site with an imported SFIV arcade! YARRRR go for it!
The only arcade cabinet Ive ever wanted was The Speed Rumbler…
Someday The Speed Rumbler will be mine!!!
That would probably be the greatest Arcade cabinet to put in the new office
Invest in the website first. Then think about it.
Dude. It’s two and a half grand. I haven’t played SFIV yet, obviously, but is it really THAT good? I can’t see it being worth it man.
Also, If you’re really going to do it; Find someone insane enough (Ryan D) to chip in and split the cost between you both. 1000$ makes alot more semi-insane sense than 2000$
Resist the temptation, man! That’s really a lot of money for a game that still has to prove itself. Even for a Street Fighter nut, that’s a bit extreme. Or is it?
Jeff my man you are very crazy, but still an inspiration lol.
Go for it, I’m sure you could say it was an important ‘investment’ for the buisness lol
already have mine pre-ordered for shipment.
I bought a fedora, there is no arguing against the fedora, you must purchase it.
-I am the guy with the previous nickname of Servantes just to keep my identity.-
You should buy that with the company money, as you are a gaming website and you need to review that game.
Yeah, buy it.
Buy it
Way too expensive. Would a normal fighting game like Tekken or DoA not satisfy you? :S
dude…. we TOTALLY freakin’ need one for the office! can’t we write that sh!t off?
Jeff
Speaking as an arcade collector…you gotta pull the trigger and DO IT.
Jeff, if you buy this thing, man, you would officially became the coolest, baddest, most hard-core dude on the planet. Go for it!!
Um, why do you want to play street fighter so bad in the first place? Though I guess I’d have to say, no don’t pay that much, you can wait a while, spend that money on all the games that may or may not come out in december, or even an upgraded gaming pc (though I think you may need to wait a little longer before graphics cards can possibly get any bigger).
Dude no, don’t buy it, it’s not worth 2600$ dude. Plus, do you really find yourself standing around in your apartment playing that thing, exactly no, you don’t. Though if you’re thinking of buying it for the office(obviously space is an issue) than it would be cool considering multiplayer is a big part of it.
Dude no, don’t buy it, it’s not worth 2600$ dude. Plus, do you really find yourself standing around in your apartment playing that thing, exactly no, you don’t. Though if you’re thinking of buying it for the office(obviously space is an issue) than it would be cool considering multiplayer is a big part of it.
qwertyuioplkjhgfdsazxcvbnm
Better idea, Jeff. Take that $2600 and buy 40 copies of the game when it’s out for the 360 or Ps3 or whatever. Then give all those copies out to us as prizes on your podcast. Spread the love.
what Adam said makes more sense. But if you do get it, You have to have ALL of us over to have a huge SFIV tournament!
WTF!? That price is totally out of bounds… with that money, you’ll be able to buy more than i don’t know how many copies(but i’m sure that’d be a lot) when it comes out for ps3 or 360.
it’s your decision, but that price’s still whack.
We’ve already been waiting for nearly a decade for a legitimate Street Fighter sequel, what is another 6 months or so?
I cracked my head and broke my eye, I crack my head and broke my EYE, Oh whoah is me, woaaah is me…
blow that wallet up jeff
This makes “Sophie`s Choice” seem straight forward… Serious soul searching required.
That’s a lot of money and ZERO gamerscore.
That’s interesting that they aren’t being released at the same time. I’m commenting on a flaky wireless out at a state park. haha
If it included a cabinet I’d say go for it but that seems way to much for just the guts. Wait for the console versions, remember, arcades are dead so online multiplayer is the only way to have anything close to that experience these days.
Getting a SFIV arcade setup would frankly be an awesome way to mark the beginning of this website. Sure its expensive but god knows how much cash you just laid down for all that other gear. I think I would totally go for it if I was in your position. It’s something to look across the office towards in five years time and recall all of the promise, ambition and excitement of starting out; then you can hit up that kind of rush and really continue to rock it! Giant Bomb for me is already a religion and Street Fighter IV looks like it will be the shit!
in the words of Swargenager …”Do It”
So much encouragement here. It’s not healthy.
dude jeff I couldnt consider myself a fan of yours if I said go for it. Im not sure what business is like for you right now, but I’m guessing this purchase wouldnt help any.
Jeff, for once in your life, don’t succumb to the temptation
I have fallen into traps like this before and let me tell you, they have all been worth it in the end.
It’s Jack Black behind that mask I just know it!
By DKJR: “Getting a SFIV arcade setup would frankly be an awesome way to mark the beginning of this website. Sure its expensive but god knows how much cash you just laid down for all that other gear. I think I would totally go for it if I was in your position. It’s something to look across the office towards in five years time and recall all of the promise, ambition and excitement of starting out; then you can hit up that kind of rush and really continue to rock it! Giant Bomb for me is already a religion and Street Fighter IV looks like it will be the shit!”
This.
That’s pretty gross if you buy it.
Here’s what you’re thinking:
Maybe I should?
Maybe I shouldn’t?
I know I shouldn’t!
That’s a terrible waste.
You then realize that you spent $2,590 on a PCB kit.
dude?
wait for the console,
Console version = insane online action
Arcade version= -$2590
Open up a donation drive for an arcade full of street fighters!!!
Only one life man.
dude, dont wait for the console version. nothing beats pwning a full upright arcade game. and it’ll definitely be a showcase piece to your new office. do it. now that you’ve reported on it, i’m going to friggin do it. see you online b!tch3z!
Don’t do it on your own; talk it over with the guys and see what they think. Then if you can split it into several parts; then it’d be worth it.
I’ll pledge a Lincoln to the fund, do it!
dont get it is just a 3d/2d/old sf2 game
Dude all that money for SF4 are you insane!!!…But if it was Tekken 6 I would say youre insane not to. I would love to own the arcade machine of T6 but dont have the funds, so ill be paying just under $1000NZD for the ps3 and tekken. So me telling you that SF4 isnt worth that much money and Tekken 6 is, is like a crack addict and a herion addict arguing over which drug is better. Dude GO FOR IT!!! nothing beats a arcade joystick anyway, plus Beat em Ups have the best replay value.
Were im from youre not good at a beat’em’up game unless you bring it to the arcade. Nothing beats the intensity and pressure of fighting someone sitting (or standing) next to you. Console versions can never compare. Heres a tip Capcom release a standard edition and a special collectors edition with a wireless arcade joystick with the big arcade buttons, like the namco joystick with the PSX and online you can have special “hardcore” rooms were you can only join if you have the Capcom Arcarde Stick.
Just do your very best to imagine yourself a few years from now, staring at that arcade cabinet that you spent so much money on. Do you think you would feel remorse, or joy?
It’s not crazy Jeff. It’s pure gold. Do it man, do it.
JEFF DUDE!
Yes, that IS crazy. I understand the ‘got to have it now’ feeling. Hell, that’s why I own an Elite. This is crossing the line though. Think of how many PS3 slims you could buy instead with that money when they come out !!!
Jeff, I read this on their page:
Update: March 14, 2008 at 10:30PM EST
After a receiving a slew of inquiries concerning the Street Fighter IV kit, we called our Japanese distributor to make sure they had the pricing correct. Unfortunately, there was an error in their offer. Please note that Japanese distributors are only allowed to sell the entire network kit which consists of four complete Type-X2 + HDD sets, the VS Communication Kit, four control panels, and 100 Network I.D. cards. Our supplier assumed they would be able to split the kits up and parcel them out one-by-one. Due to the change in terms, we have closed this preorder offer for the time being. If a true single-user kit is made available for preorder, we’ll update accordingly. Thanks.
So, the decision is already made for you it seems
Jeff, you owe it to yourself to purchase the dream. Its priceless, hell im so behind giantbomb and everything you and Ryan stand for i’ll donate
I’d do it if I had the money. Are you a millionaire, Jeff?
Eh, Well if it was me and I had the money I would get it. Thinking about it, it really would be awesome to have that sort of thing in your home.
But after some more thinking there is better things you could buy with that sort of money
Save yourself the buyers remorse and just wait for the console version buddy.
Do it. It would surely fit nicely into the GiantBomb office-space.
AND it would definitely be a great motivator for your (future) co-workers.
We need to know that someone did it. We need to know that the good gamer madness is out there. DO IT!
might as well get a 360 laptop as well
It isn’t worth it. There’ll be extra characters in the console versions, the gameplay will be tweaked and knowing Capcom, they’ll be re-releasing this game about four times before settling on a ‘definitive’ version.
Just think Jeff, you could be the one shamed in three years because you own the World Warriors to the Hyper Fighting/Turbo equivalent of SF4!
Consider that IF you do it, GiantBomb will probably be the first gamingsite in USA to have a review up for it!
I’d wait for it. When it comes out on console, it might have added features, since they’re going to be putting it out so early after the cabinet PCB’s release.
It is very tempting though. I’m going to wait till its properly emulated for my cabinet. (;
Seriously. Don’t do it. Once the novelty wears off you’re 3k down the hole with what you could get later for 60 bucks, and much the same experience with a pair of arcade sticks.
To paraphrase Seth Rogen, with that kinda money you could get a decent used car or an AMAZINGLY thorough prostitute…
I think that you should save your money Jeff and wait until the console version comes out.
That’s not cheap …
Unless he’s going to buy 4 of them, I doubt Jeff is gonna do it guys.
Go to the site, they took pre-orders down.
It’s clear that a lot of people don’t read the other comments because Joris just pointed out that the preorder has been taken down.
In case you guys haven’t noticed, they got that “Arcade” button at the top of the screen for a reason. He’s gonna do it. But he might be too late, i just went to the site, and guess what? “This item is currently sold out.” You mean there are other crazy dudes out there besides Jeff?!!!!!!?
Do it for the fans!
The site took it down because they apparently can not sell them individually as they originally thought.
Do it Jeff. Hell, this is probably the last big arcade release in the history of gaming. Enjoy the end of an era. You could also do all kinds of features on SFIV for us that other sites won’t be able to do, probably cause they don’t have the time…
If you enjoy Street Fighter so much that you would even think about spending that much money on an arcade machine, that must mean you really want it. You should get the machine if you think your going to have that much fun with it.
But with the site launch and such, will you have time to play it?(Im sure you would make time lol)
the only thing that comes to my head is that annoying voice whispering ” if you build it, it would come”
if it was 1999 i would say do it but its 2008 it will be a perfect port you know this game was made with 360 in mind
There’s nothing else coming out this summer, so get it!
We are talking about a man who bought an actual Garou: Mark of Wolves Neo Geo cart….. DOOO IT
Damn I was excited till I read the update. But like you said it’s probably for the better of my wallet especially if the game is coming to consoles by years end. I was just dreaming of the profit I could make.. it would pay for itself in a month or two if I put one of those in a bowling alley. But my question is.. would it still run on a low res arcade monitor?! My guess would be even if I got it it wouldn’t work in my windy city cabinet.
It would have been cool to have in your house or at the office but it’s really not worth it IMO.
dont do it….
Can the arcade machine play other games? No. Can you get achievements? Nope. Do you have 3000 bucks?… Hmmm, nope I don’t. Better to just hold out for the 360 version then
Wow 7500 for 3 arcade machines to play SF4 early… I am guessing this is not directed towards and American audience which has trouble paying 500 for a video card.
See it as an investment for the office and use the “office wallet”. Its at least as nessesary as the Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive, only a bit more expensive.
Why would you pre order this, buy the console version with online and dlc. LOL