Custom MadCatz Tournament Edition Stick Bamboo Cover

Last week, I showed you a few pics of the my newly designed custom TE stick covers. I’m now testing to ensure fitment and quality of finish. If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that none of the edges of the bamboo cover are raw. They are completely finished to provide a nice blend into the TE stick panels.

I’ll have more pics next week, with different color and materials options.

SF4 New Warrior and Super Street Fighter IV

Rumors have been flying around the net that a new character will be released for Street Fighter IV and possibly new info on Super Street Fighter IV later today. The new character rumor has been confirmed with a teaser trailer released by Capcom Japan. No idea who it is, but the guesses have been aluding to Dee Jay, T. Hawk, Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto, Adon, Cody and Guy.

Update: Kotaku has what are supposedly leaked screens of the new Super Street Fighter IV.

Street Fighter IV Real Voice Cell Phone Action Strap

You know you’re an insane SF4 fanatic when you think a cell phone strap that plays Street Fighter 4 voices is cool! Japanese phone strap retailer Strapya has released four different (Ryu, Ken, Dhalsim, Chun Li) mini Street Fighter joysticks that play different Street Fighter 4 voice clips based on your button input combination. A hadouken movement (down, right, punch) will make Ryu say “Hadouken!”

They’re limited to 1,000 pieces and will be sold at the Ikebukuro Tokyu Hands shop for ¥1,260 (about $13 each).

Justin Wong Wins SFIV National Tournament and Daigo Wins International Title

It was pure pandemonium at the GameStop Street Fighter IV National Tournament finals tonight! Thousands of SF fans flooded Fort Mason Festival Pavilion in San Francisco to watch the best of the best fight for the title of top Street Fighter player in the country. After a series of GameStop tournaments the past few months, it came down to 16 very talented players, but only one could win.

(Justin Wong – SFIV National Tournament Winner)

The journey to the top definitely wasn’t easy. Littered through the list of finalists were legendary adversaries like Mike Ross (E.Honda), Antawn Ortiz (Balrog) and Jason “A-Dhalsim” Cole (Balrog). Matches we’re extremely close at times, but Justin Wong dominated with the pressure of a super offensive Rufus. Often finishing off opponents with his arms shooting up in the air on cue with the finishing hit of Rufus’s Ultra. The crowd loved it, and raised their hands to the roof as well.

(Street Fighter IV Producer Yoshinori Ono greets an amazingly enthusiastic crowd)

Immediately following the SFIV National Tournament was a shot at the International title. Battling it out round robin style, were Korea’s top player Poongko (Ryu), Japan’s top players Iyo (Dhalsim) and Daigo (Ryu), and Justin Wong (Rufus).

(Japan’s top player Iyo zoning opponents with Dhalsim’s long limbs)

After a series of very intense and exciting rounds (I’m talking crazya** ish like Focus Cancels to EX to another EX to Ultra finish combos without even flinching), Daigo and Justin remained on top. The two would battle it out in a much anticipated match.

(A disappointed Poongko after losing to Iyo, Daigo and Justin. )

Would Justin get redemption from the millions of people who have seen him get beat down by Daigo’s infamous Ken comeback on YouTube? Would the Rufus that he used to defeat all the best players in the U.S.A. be enough?

(Daigo and Justin Wong preparing for battle)

Not this time. Daigo’s godlike Street Fighter skills completely shut down Justin’s offensive strategy.

(Daigo punishes Justin with a focus dash cancel into Ryu’s Ultra)

Seth Killian did his absolute best to commentate during this final match, but Daigo’s attacks and counters were happening so fast, that even he couldn’t keep up with the craziness.

(SF Community Manager Seth Killian delivering excellent play-by-play commentary)

Final score 4-0. Best Street Fighter IV Player in the World — Daigo, better known as “The Beast.” He can rest easy and enjoy his victory for a few months, until he must defend his title at the Evo 2009 Championships in July at Las Vegas.

(Daigo holds down the International title for Japan)

Long live Street Fighter!

GameStop Street Fighter IV National Tournament Photo Gallery (videos below)

Tournament Videos
***More videos coming soon… be sure to check back this week***

Daigo vs. Justin Wong (International Finals)

Justin Wong vs. Mike Ross (National Finals)

Justin Wong vs. Poongko

Justin Wong vs. Iyo

Poonko vs. Daigo

Poongko vs Iyo

Iyo vs. Daigo

Is Daigo Umehara the Best Street Fighter IV Player?

Arcadia magazine organized a mini tournament with Japan’s top Street Fighter IV (SFIV) players and pitted them one by one against Daigo Umehara. Better known to most as the “Beast” or simple “Daigo,” he’s Capcom’s player of the decade, and few if any can survive against his flurry of combos, perfect zoning, and godlike timing.

Can anyone in Japan beat the Beast? Watch the videos below and see for yourself.

Arcadia Mini Tournament with Daigo Umehara – Part 1

Arcadia Mini Tournament with Daigo Umehara – Part 2

Arcadia Mini Tournament with Daigo Umehara – Part 3

Street Fighter IV Visa Card

Capcom USA isn’t holding back with their promotion of Street Fighter IV, which is already been called the Best Fighting Game of Year by all major gaming magazines and websites. They’ve held launch parties, released commercials and now their latest eye grabber is a Street Fighter IV Visa card.

The card will provide 15% discount on any purchases from the Capcom Online Store, exclusive invites to game launch parties, new game closed Beta tests, and line-cutting at major events such as Comic-con and others.