Ahh just ran across this. Have been addicted and set smash aside mostly since it came out. I main Ryu, Zangief, Abel, and sometimes use Ken, Fei Long, Akuma, Rose, Vega. Ryu or Zangief is my best.
Zangief is so powerful/cheap in this game. The xbox controller joystick makes his 360s so easy (though I would like to get a stick some time). On snes/psx controllers I could never consistently do them. He's just broken to be honest. Grabbing people out of a punch/kick/move is just ridiculous. Then top it off with his EX moves... wow. I've gotten furthest with the combo trials w/Ryu. Think I finished all but the last one on hard but that'll take me some practice to get down. I can do two of his others fairly consistently. I was surprised at how much doing the trials actually helps your game.
The only thing that sucks about SF4 is the announcer and some of the horrible sayings (Fei Long losing). This announcer is terrible, wtf were they thinking? We need, "BEAT'EM UP GUYS! GO FOR BROKE!" Best announcer ever. The only good thing he says is, "I don't care what the critics say; violence is a beautiful thing!"
I need to get xbox live so I can play some of you guys!