3SX: the open-source native port bringing Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike to Windows and macOS

The GitHub project 3SX, developed by the Crowded Street team, is an open-source effort that aims to bring the classic fighting game Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike to modern computers in a new and innovative way. Instead of running the game through traditional emulation, 3SX rebuilds the game so that it can run natively on modern operating systems such as Windows and macOS. This approach improves performance, makes the game easier to maintain and modify, and helps preserve one of the most respected fighting games ever created. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike is widely considered one of the greatest fighting games of all time. Released in the late 90s, it became famous for its deep mechanics, beautiful animation, and the iconic parry system, which allows players to block attacks with precise timing. Even decades after its release, the game continues to have a passionate competitive community. Traditionally, players have accessed the game through arcade hardware or through emulators such as MAME and Fightcade. While emulators are effective at recreating the original experience, they still simulate the original hardware environment. This can make development and long-term preservation more complicated.

The 3SX project takes a different approach by reconstructing the game so it can run directly on modern hardware. It is based on the PlayStation 2 version of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, which was included in the Street Fighter Anniversary Collection. The project builds on another effort called 3s-decomp, which focuses on reverse-engineering the original PlayStation 2 game code. Through a process known as decompilation, developers convert the compiled binary data of the original game into readable source code. Once this code is reconstructed, it can be compiled again using modern development tools, allowing the game to run as a standard application rather than through an emulator. To replace functions originally handled by PlayStation 2 hardware, the project relies on several modern libraries. SDL3 is used to handle graphics, audio, and controller input across different operating systems. Networking functionality is supported through SDL_net and GekkoNet, which enables rollback netcode for online matches. Rollback netcode is widely used in modern fighting games because it reduces latency and creates a smoother online experience. Other tools, such as FFmpeg, are used for audio playback, while compression and file-handling libraries manage the game’s data files and assets.

An important part of the project is its legal structure. The repository does not include the original game assets such as graphics, music, or other copyrighted content. Users must provide their own legally obtained copy of the PlayStation 2 version of the game in order to run it. The source code itself is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3. This license ensures that the project remains open source and that anyone who distributes modified versions must also share their changes with the public. Running the game natively opens many possibilities that are difficult to achieve through emulation alone. Developers can fix bugs, improve compatibility with modern systems, and add quality-of-life features. The open nature of the project also makes it easier for fans to experiment with modding, training tools, and other enhancements. Because the game code can be compiled for different platforms, it may also become possible to port the game to new devices or future hardware architectures.

Beyond its technical achievements, 3SX is an important example of game preservation. Many classic games no longer have accessible source code, which makes maintaining them over time increasingly difficult as technology evolves. By reconstructing the codebase and making it available in an open format, the project helps ensure that Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike can continue to be played and studied for many years to come. The project is community-driven and hosted on GitHub, where developers and enthusiasts collaborate on improving the codebase. Contributors work on refining the decompilation, fixing inaccuracies, optimizing performance, and expanding platform compatibility. This collaborative model allows the project to grow steadily while remaining transparent and accessible to anyone interested in contributing. Overall, 3SX demonstrates how modern development techniques and open-source collaboration can give new life to classic games. By transforming Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike into a native application for modern systems, the project not only improves the way the game can be played today but also helps preserve an important part of gaming history for future generations.

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