But the Hold button can't counter throws. It's quite easy to get into the game. The first stages are easy. But later, the opponents get much tougher, and it really helps if you master the Hold button. It requires concentration and good timing to parry a Strike successfully.
Skilled players can parry each others attacks back and forth, and it's very cool to watch.
The intense gameplay makes the game really enjoyable. The CPU is not stupid. If you want to beat the game without using dozens of continues, you better master your character's moves. Each character has tons of special moves, more than what the manual says. Combos do a lot of damage, but the multi-part throws are quite useful as well.