Street Fighter Alpha 2

Street Fighter Alpha 2
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Platform(s)	Arcade PlayStation PlayStation 2 Sega Saturn SNES Windows
Release	Arcade February 27, 1996 March 6, 1996 PlayStation 1997 1997 Super Nintendo 1996 1996 Sega Saturn 1997 1997 PC 1998 1998
Genre(s)	Versus Fighting
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Arcade system	CPS-2

Street Fighter Alpha 2, known as Street Fighter Zero 2 (ストリートファイターZERO 2, Sutorito Faita Zero 2) in Japan, Asia, South America and Spain, is a fighting game by Capcom, seen as an overhaul of the first game rather than an actual sequel. The game featured a number of improvements over the original, such as new endings, stages, moves and gameplay systems.

New features

All characters from the first game return with all-new background stages and endings. The overall gameplay is more balanced while a new Custom Combo feature replaces Chain Combos (Custom Combos allow players to exchange super levels for a brief period of time where any attack they do can combo; the more levels used the more time gained). Each character now has their own unique stage as opposed to Alpha's small pool of stages shared amongst all characters as well as remixed theme music for everyone. Five more characters were also added to the roster, bringing the total number of characters to eighteen (although Cammy would eventually be added later on).

Characters

While five characters where added to the game, only one is an original character. Like Birdie and Adon before him, Gen returns from Street Fighter as a playable character for the first time. Rolento, another character from Final Fight makes his fighting game debut while Zangief and Dhalsim return from Street Fighter II. Sakura, schoolgirl who modeled her fighting style after her idol Ryu, is the only original character created specifically for the game. The game also makes Akuma, Dan and Bison into standard characters.

Street Fighter Zero 2 features an alternate version of Chun-Li as a hidden character wearing her original Street Fighter II outfit. When the game was released overseas, Evil Ryu (an alter-ego of Ryu that has mastered the same power as Akuma) was added as a hidden character as well, along with alternate versions of Zangief and Dhalsim that played like their counterparts from Street Fighter II': Champion Edition. All regional releases of the arcade game feature "Shin Akuma" as a hidden non-playable final boss.

Reception

Numerous game magazines at the time voted SFA2 one of the best arcade games of the year, the relatively minor changes to the fundamentals of the game and the extensive polishing of the same winning formula gained general approval from competitive fans also.

Ports

The game was ported to both the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. Unlike the previous game, the Saturn version was superior to it's PlayStation counterpart. The Saturn version featured fluid animation closer to the Arcade, featured all the hidden characters plus a special version of Sakura, and had faster loading times. A Windows version was also released, but was based on the PlayStation version of the game.

Surprisingly, Capcom ported the game onto the Super NES. This was possible thanks in part to the S-DD1 chip, a chip used for graphic decompression. Despite doubts from fans that it could be done, it is a competent port; featuring all 18 characters featured in the Arcade version. With the exception of Classic Chun-Li, no other secret characters are available. Shin Akuma, however, can be fought against. Also, some graphic down-scaling was done, making characters look smaller and the animations are less fluid. The gameplay, however, is in tact and the game is regarded as one of the best Super NES fighting games.

Updates

Street Fighter Zero 2 Alpha

Street Fighter Zero 2 Alpha was released in Japan, Asia, South America and Spain in 1996 due to the presence of the additional characters in the English localization of 'Street Fighter Alpha 2. The game features new moves for some characters, and includes an improved version of Dramatic Battle, a Shin Gouki Mode, and a Survival Mode. In addition Zangief and Dhalsim having alternate versions that played like their classic counterparts, the game also included classic versions of Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, Sagat, and M. Bison. Evil Ryu makes his Japanese debut in this game.

Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold

Street Fighter Zero 2 Alpha was soon ported over to home consoles under the name Street Fighter Zero 2 Dash in Japan. The game was eventually released North America and PAL versions as a part of the Street Fighter Collection as Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold for the PlayStation and Saturn. With the exception of Dramatic Battle, all the new features of the Arcade version made it onto the home consoles. Cammy was also added a playable character in Versus Mode.

Differences between versions

• The English localization of the Arcade was the first version of the game to feature Evil Ryu, EX Dhalsim and EX Zangief. These characters also made an appearance on the Saturn version. However, these characters originally did not appear in Street Fighter Zero 2 and the PlayStation version.
• Unlike the first game, the PlayStation and Saturn version of the game features all remixed music. These remixes would eventually be used as the main music on the Street Fighter Alpha Anthology version of Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold. The Arcade version of the opening theme is on the Saturn version of the game as Track 2 when put in a CD player.
• Although the PlayStation and Saturn versions of the game feature the same remixed music, Sakura's theme sounds slightly different when compared (The Saturn version of the theme is also used in Street Fighter Alpha Anthology).
• As with the previous game, the Windows version of Street Fighter Alpha 2 is based on the PlayStation version. This includes the lower animation framerate. The music, however, is taken straight from the Arcade.
• The Windows version of Street Fighter Alpha 2 also featured the same wav. file trick.
• Along with the lack of hidden characters, the Super NES version lacks the Venezuela stage.
• Because of graphical limitations, some characters feature modified or completely different introductions on the Super NES version (i.e. Dhalsim warps in rather than remove his turban; Zangief runs in and grunts rather than removing his cape; etc.).
• Cammy's Theme song in Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold differs between consoles. The Saturn version plays the Arcade version of her theme from X-Men vs. Street Fighter. The PlayStation version, on the other hand, is a remixed version of that same song.

External links

• Street Fighter Alpha 2 at the Killer List of Videogames
• Template:StrategyWiki