Armchair pugilists rejoice! The first-ever gameplay videos of Capcom's highly-anticipated sequel to the legendary series, Street Fighter IV, have just surfaced, and in them we see Ryu and Ken tearing it up 2D-style. Sure, the characters themselves are rendered lovingly into muscle-bulging 3D, but you have to admit the guys over at Capcom have done a pretty neat job of preserving the art of throwing fireballs and spinning kicks.

Looking at the video, the action in Street Fighter IV is fast and furious. The two Shotokan fighters throwing dragon punches and fireballs in a pace and clip that can only be described as ridiculously fluid. One thing we like in particular is how the characters display realistic, if not exaggerated faces of pain whenever they receive a particularly nasty-looking punch or attack. Then again, if your opponent puts enough force in an uppercut that it makes him jump six feet into the air in a blazing tower of fire, then it really should hurt.

No more spoilers from us, enjoy the video! Stay tuned for more Street Fighter IV goodies and news.