One of the funniest things about SF4 feels like everyone's acute response to it, including my own. I can concede to SF4 being a resurgence, but I, like a lot of other people are willing to go only so far with praise is because of the game itself. It brought the crowd it brought because of it's brand-name and roster. Capcom played it as safe as it could and brought back the Street Fighter name, and every fighter that casuals and non-video game players knew on sight, plus new, Alpha, and III characters. Judging it then, it felt like an amazing 'meh'. Now it's a 'meh' 'meh', just by comparing it to it's peers this gen. Still good and fun to play, but not spectacular.
I would've wanted that kind of reception for SF3, where people would be happy that the series has changed things, that things at least looked to be moving forward. But, bad timing for III ('97 on I beleive people were getting tired of fighters), and a long haitus of the game simple and recognizable enough to most.
I wish someone could poll the FGC as is to see how much of the American fanbase or scene are playing more than just Capcom fighters; if Capcom games continue to get easier and unappealing, it could feel like Capcom giveth (the resurgenge) and Capcom taketh away.