it was okay. a few of my guns magically upgraded (some how i had a maxed laser turret without investing a dime) and it got a little tiring. It was just a little too easy.
Helmut is the best one for 3 hit mode imh. He may seem a little slow, but every hit he lands does 3 dmg. Just don't try and use a special.
Also, a good conservative strategy is to block-hit-block. This pretty much guarantees you consistent stars. However, don't be afraid to throw in a few extra punches, especially when he tries taunting you.