Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition Online Play: A First

The beating of my heart gradually crescendos until it feels like it's in my throat. I've just initiated an internet fight in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition. My excitement peaks when the battle finally begins. I start by flicking the circle pad upward to jump into the air. My character does nothing. I guess my thumb slipped? A split second later, my character jumps straight up. Something funny is going on here. But I keep at it.

Long story short, I don't stand a chance. I land one or two punches, but otherwise struggle to not get clobbered by repeated special attacks. The action that takes place in the game is about a second or two slower than my physical actions on the buttons and control pad are. It ends in total failure on my part.

Is this typical? Is this sluggishness the price to pay for online play? I'm genuinely curious, so if you're reading this and have played SSFIV over the internet, enlighten me, by all means. (Helpful note: I checked my internet connection, and it was perfectly fine, all bars filled.)

Needless to say, I won't be playing this game over the internet at all anymore. But that doesn't mean I can't rant about it a bit here. I've played Mario Kart Wii over the internet many times, and it runs as smoothly as if I were playing locally. Why can't SSFIV be the same? What's different about it? Please, feel free to comment, I'm asking for answers here!