I like SFC 3, despite it's numerous annoying bugs. It's a much more fast paced game, with far less micro managing to worry about. I enjoy the era it takes place in quite a bit. I'll continue to play it, especially when the new patch comes out, fixing those annoying bugs.
But what really attracted me to the SFC series was it's focus on the SFB ruleset. Heck, I've never really played a single game of SFB, despite owning a 1979 Designer's Edition of the game. But that was due to the fact there just wasn't anyone I knew who played the game in my area. I now own a more recent Captain's Edition of the game, regardless of the fact I still don't have many gamers in the area. But, this game gave me the chance to play with anyone across the world.
Granted, I don't play online much, and in fact, I'd probably have my butt handed to me by just about anyone, but I want to do it just because it sticks to the original rules. I can do slightly better in SFC 3 where I have less to worry about, but that's not what I want. I'm still longing to get into one of the major serversfor SFC 3, such as TNZ(But I can't at this time since I tend to stick to Fed no matter what I'm playing, and it's currently full, lolol), but I still tend to lean towards the more true to the original controls. I'll get nuked beyond recoginition a few zillion times in the older games, but I'll still have a big flogging smile on my face when I do it.
I guess when push comes to shove, I really do understand that the new game does appeal to a broader audience with it's simplified interface, and how that is important. I just wish there was the original interface as well for us old farts...
<Edit>
Hehe, I can remember the first time I sat in front of my dad's computer, and decided to give SFC 1 a shot. I hadn't bought it yet myself, but thought "Hey! This looks cool." as I was babysitting the dogs. Not 24 hours had passed before I made a beeline for the software store and picked up SFC II, EAW. I was so hooked, I couldn't see straight. I spent hour upon hour playing until my eyes were beginning to melt from the electromagnetic radiation from my monitor. The only interruption was the birth of my son(Pretty scary, I should probably get out a bit more, lol). Took a break for while, bought SFC3, and that really started me going back into SFCII. But I still enjoy SFC3, regardless.
And, yet, with all those hours of playing, I stink at it more than anyone has stunk before... Go figure, eh?