So it's been over two years since I made a thread and figured I might as well start another.

I've liked fighting games for years but was always more of a 3D fighter fan. In the last year or so though I've been getting more and more interested in 2D fighters, and studying how they're balanced has become a bit of a recent obsession.

So, since the only 2D fighters I've played in the last six or seven years are Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix, and Street Fighter 4, I'm looking for some recommendations for some good fighters to check out in within the next few months so I can learn them and how they're balanced.

PS2, PS3 and PSP would be preferred as I'd have a better chance of finding titles for those. I'm already getting Blazblue for Christmas, and I won't bother with Marvel vs. Capcom 2 on the PSN since I've had it for the Dreamcast since release (and already realize that it's not only terribly balanced in a lot of ways, but is nothing short of a miracle for being as balanced as it is). Any other titles are fair game though. I've been giving some thought to the Street Fighter Alpha series since they're on the PSN now for the most part, and Guilty Gear XX is up there on my list, but I'm unsure of which version I should get.

Also, just feel free to chat about fighting games in general because they are quite awesome. Sadly my Street Fighter 4 game pad has apparently died today. I think I'll replace it with a full Arcade stick soon if I can.