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Street Fighter Alpha

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Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams
Developer(s)
Capcom
Publisher(s)
Capcom[a]
Producer(s)Iyono Pon
Designer(s)Noritaka Funamizu
Haruo Murata
Hideaki Itsuno
Composer(s)Isao Abe
Syun Nishigaki
Setsuo Yamamoto
Yuko Takehara
Naoaki Iwami
Naoshi Mizuta
SeriesStreet Fighter
Platform(s)Arcade, CPS Changer, PlayStation, Saturn, Windows, Game Boy Color, Java ME
Release
June 1995
  • Arcade
    • JP: June 5, 1995
    • WW: 1995
    CPS Changer
    • JP: March 1996
    PlayStation
    • JP: December 22, 1995
    • NA: February 8, 1996[1]
    • UK: May 22, 1996[2]
    Saturn
    Windows
    Game Boy Color
    • EU: December 17, 1999
    • NA: March 24, 2000[6]
    • JP: March 30, 2001
    Java ME
    May 10, 2010[7][8]
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Up to 2 players simultaneously
Arcade systemCP System II

Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams, known as Street Fighter Zero[b] in Japan, Asia, South America, and Oceania, is a 2D arcade fighting game by Capcom originally released in 1995 for the CP System II hardware. It was the first all new Street Fighter game produced by Capcom since the release of Street Fighter II in 1991. Plotwise, it serves as a prequel to Street Fighter II and thus features younger versions of established characters, as well as characters from the original Street Fighter and Final Fight.

The game introduces several new features, expanding on the Super Combo system previously featured in Super Street Fighter II Turbo, with graphics drawn in a similar art style to the one Capcom employed in Darkstalkers and X-Men: Children of the Atom.[10][11] After its arcade release, it was ported to PlayStation and Sega Saturn home consoles. Street Fighter Alpha received a mainly positive reception; it was followed up by Street Fighter Alpha 2 in 1996 as part of the Alpha sub-series.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot of the arcade version, showing a Chun-Li vs. Sodom battle

Street Fighter Alpha revamps the Super Combo system introduced in Super Street Fighter II Turbo by adding a three-level Super Combo gauge. Like in Super Turbo, the Super Combo gauge fills in as the player performs regular and special techniques. When the gauge reaches Level 1 or higher, the player can perform a Super Combo technique. The number of punch or kick buttons pressed simultaneously when performing a Super Combo determines the amount that will be used. In addition to Super Combos, the player can also perform a special counterattacking technique called an Alpha Counter (Zero Counter in the Japanese version) after blocking an opponent's attack, which consumes a level of the Super Combo Gauge.[12]

There are two playing styles that can be selected after choosing a character: "Normal" and "Auto". Auto differs from Normal in that the character automatically guards against a limited number of attacks (provided the character is not in the middle of performing an attack). Auto also allows the player to perform an instant Super Combo by pressing a punch and kick of the same strength simultaneously, but at the expense of reducing the maximum level of the Super Combo gauge to one.[12]

There are also new basic techniques such as Air Blocking, the ability to guard in mid-air, and Chain Combos (also known as Alpha Combos, or Zero Combos in Japan), which are combos that are performed by interrupting the animation of one basic move by performing another of equal or greater strength. In addition to recovering from an opponent's throw, the player also has the ability to roll on the ground when they fall to the ground after an attack.

The single player mode consists of seven random computer-controlled opponents and a final opponent whose identity depends on the storyline of the player's selected character. M. Bison is the final boss for half of the characters. There are also two hidden characters: Akuma, who returns from Super Turbo as an alternate final boss only after certain in-game requirements are met, and a new character named Dan (a popular Capcom spoof character), who challenges the player during the course of the game if certain requirements are met.

The game also features a secret two-on-one Dramatic Battle mode in which two players as Ryu and Ken fight against a computer-controlled M. Bison, a match inspired by the final fight between the characters in Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie[13] (the Japanese arcade version of the game plays an instrumental rendition of the movie's battle theme, "Itoshisa to Setsunasa to Kokoro Zuyosa to", which was replaced by M. Bison's regular theme in the overseas releases, due to licensing issues).

Characters

The immediate character roster includes Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Sagat from the Street Fighter II series, along with Birdie and Adon (Sagat's former apprentice) from the original Street Fighter, who make their first appearances as playable characters in this game. Guy, one of the main playable characters from Final Fight, also appears along with Sodom, a boss character from the same game.[14] New to the series are Charlie, Guile's combat buddy who uses the same special techniques, and Rose, an Italian female fortune teller who uses an energy known as "Soul Power".

In addition to the ten regular characters, there are also three boss characters in the game. Street Fighter II antagonist M. Bison appears as a final opponent for many of the characters in the single-player mode, while Akuma from Super Street Fighter II Turbo once again appears as a secret final opponent. Another secret character, Dan, Capcom's parody of SNK characters Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia, makes his first appearance in this game. All three characters can be selected by the player by inputting a specific code for each.

Development

Production for the game started in October 1994, after the release of Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors.[15] The development team was given only three months to complete a game from scratch, but took six months to develop Street Fighter Alpha.[16]

Due to Capcom's practice of buying back CPS-1 boards from arcades (a tactic to help sell the CPS-2 model), Capcom had built up a stockpile of CPS-1 boards. The Street Fighter Alpha project was initiated in order to make use of the stockpiles of CPS-1.[16][17] However, Capcom later realized they also had excess stock of CPS-2 boards, so they created versions for both systems.[16] Creating a slightly downgraded CPS-1 version also enabled Capcom to sell the game to arcades which could not afford to upgrade to CPS-2.[18] The CPS-1 version features a different soundtrack with fewer sound effects, among other differences.[18]

The prototype name was Street Fighter Classic, since it was meant to take place between Street Fighter and Street Fighter II.[citation needed] The name eventually changed to Street Fighter Zero. Capcom Public Relations in North America disliked the name, as it sounded very negative. The title was announced in the U.S. market as Street Fighter Legends, and then renamed Street Fighter Alpha in western territories (except Brazil), to sound more like a new beginning.[16]

Release

Versions of Street Fighter Alpha were initially released for the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. Due to the small amount of character animation data in Street Fighter Alpha, Capcom was able to do a relatively straight port to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation; source code from the arcade version is incorporated into both home versions.[19] Both versions feature an arranged soundtrack with a choice between the Arranged and Original versions. In addition to a dedicated two-player "Versus Mode", these were also the first console Street Fighter games to feature a Training Mode, allowing players to practice their techniques and combos on a non-hostile character. As part of their Capcom licensing deal, the home versions were published in Europe by Virgin Interactive Entertainment instead of Capcom.[20] The PlayStation version of Street Fighter Alpha was re-released for the PSP and PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network on August 14, 2008 in North America.[21] A version for Capcom's CPS Changer was also released as a mail order release in 1996 in Japan. This was based on the CPS-1 version. A Windows PC version was released in 1998, based on the PlayStation version.

A Game Boy Color version (converted by Crawfish Interactive) was released in 1999, featuring downscaled graphics and sound. The Game Boy Color version has no link cable support and is single-player only. The Japanese version of the Game Boy Color version was released using the Alpha name, rather than the Zero name.

The original Street Fighter Alpha and its sequels are featured in Street Fighter Alpha Anthology for the PlayStation 2. The version of Alpha in this compilation features Arcade, Versus and Training modes like the previous PlayStation and Saturn versions, as well as Survival and Dramatic Battle modes. The Dramatic Battle on the main menu differs from the one in the original arcade game in that the player can select any pair of characters and face against a series of four computer-controlled opponents (Adon, Sagat, M. Bison and Akuma), not just Ryu and Ken against Bison. Furthermore, the player can turn on an option to allow Super Cancels, that is, canceling a special move into a Super Combo.

Street Fighter Alpha was one of the twelve games released as part of the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection in its emulated arcade form. This version is on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam with the feature of save states.

Reception

Commercial

In Japan, Game Machine listed Street Fighter Zero on their August 1, 1995 issue as being the second most-successful arcade game of the month.[22] It went on to be the second highest-grossing arcade game of 1995 in Japan, below Virtua Fighter 2.[23] In North America, RePlay reported Street Fighter Alpha was the most-popular arcade game in August 1995.[24]

In the United Kingdom, it was among the nineteen best-selling PlayStation games of 1996, according to HMV.[25]

Critical

Reviewing the arcade version, Computer and Video Games praised the improved sprite graphics and innovative gameplay features such as the revamped Super Combo system and the new Alpha Counter mechanic. The review said it is "fast, exciting, visually explosive and for our money a dead cert hit."[26] A critic for Next Generation criticized the game's lack of major changes from previous iterations of the series, but concluded, "Capcom's right, in a way. Street Fighter only needs subtle changes for now; it's already got the most important thing: great gameplay."[37]

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version their "Game of the Month" award, and reviewers for Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro, and Maximum all hailed it as being virtually identical to the arcade version,[28][41][45] though some of them complained about the load times.[28][41] GamePro called it "easily the best argument that the PlayStation is not just a polygon-based system",[45] while Maximum deemed it "the next logical evolvement of the most popular fighting game of all time."[41] Reviewers were also pleased with Alpha's new gameplay mechanics such as alpha counters.[28][41][45]

Reviewing the Saturn version, Sega Saturn Magazine commented: "The graphics are great, the sound's great, it plays very well indeed and it's tough enough to keep you going for ages even without a second player to hand." However, they also remarked that the game was outclassed by the recently released X-Men: Children of the Atom and that most gamers should get that one instead.[43] GamePro criticized that some of the game's new characters were not as powerful or fun to play as the series regulars, but praised the gameplay additions and deemed the Saturn version "a near-perfect arcade conversion."[46] Maximum argued that while the game has fewer characters and backgrounds than Super Street Fighter II Turbo and makes few innovations to the series, it is refined to the point where "Everything that Street Fighter does so well has been taken to new levels in Alpha." They commented on the accuracy of the Saturn version[42] and gave it their "Maximum Game of the Month" award.[47] Both GamePro and Maximum particularly applauded the coloration of the Super Move shadows in the Saturn version.[46][42] In 1996, GamesMaster ranked the game 43rd on their "Top 100 Games of All Time."[48]

Accolades

The Game Boy Color version was a runner-up for GameSpot's annual "Best Game Boy Color Game" and "Best Fighting Game" awards, losing to Dragon Warrior I & II and Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000, respectively.[49]

Legacy

Sequels

Street Fighter Alpha was followed by two sequels: Street Fighter Alpha 2 in 1996 and Street Fighter Alpha 3 in 1998. Like Alpha, the two games were originally released for the arcades, followed by a few upgraded editions and home versions. All three games in the series and their variations were included in the PlayStation 2 compilation Street Fighter Alpha Anthology, released in 2006.

A manga adaptation based on the original Alpha and Alpha 2 by Masahiko Nakahira was published in Gamest game from 1995 to 1996, and was later adapted into English by UDON in 2007. Two different animated adaptations were also produced: Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation in 1999 and Street Fighter Alpha: Generations in 2005.

Notes

  1. ^ Mobile version published by Gameloft.[9]
  2. ^ Japanese: ストリートファイター ZERO(ゼロ)

References

  1. ^ "Available Titles Released in 1996 (172) (222 total)". The PlayStation Galleria. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Lomas, Ed (June 1996). "Checkpoint - EVENTS AND SOFTWARE RELEASES". Computer and Video Games. No. 175. p. 61. Archived from the original on 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  3. ^ "Getting the Fighter Back on the Street". Evening Telegraph. January 10, 1996. p. 16. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024. Street Fighter Alpha//by: Capcom//for: Saturn/PSX//out: February
  4. ^ "Street Fighter Zero & Zero2 好評発売中！". Capcom. Archived from the original on December 6, 1998. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "Street Fighter Alpha: Warrior's Dreams (Windows, USA)". Internet Archive. 1997. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Street Fighter Alpha". IGN. Archived from the original on June 8, 2001. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Mundy, Jon (May 11, 2010). "Street Fighter Alpha limbers up on mobile". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Willson, Will (May 17, 2010). "Street Fighter Alpha". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "Street Fighter Alpha". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on May 19, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  10. ^ "The History of Street Fighter: The Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  11. ^ "Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 1. October 1995. pp. 48–58.
  12. ^ a b Street Fighter Alpha Anthology - Instruction Manual
  13. ^ "Two Players Can Now Challenge M Bison!! His Psycho Power Can Utterly Destroy You!!". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 2. November 1995. p. 55.
  14. ^ Harrod, Gus and Gary (February 1996). "Capcom Speak". Mean Machines Sega. No. 40. p. 23.
  15. ^ All About Series Vol. 11 – Street Fighter Alpha. Interview with several Capcom staff members about the recently released Street Fighter Alpha/Zero. October 25, 1995.
  16. ^ a b c d Leone, Matt (November 23, 2020). Street Fighter Alpha: An oral history Archived 2022-06-26 at the Wayback Machine. Polygon. Retrieved 2022-06-25
  17. ^ Okamoto, Yoshiki (July 02, 2021). (ENG SUB) What is a serious problem about Street Fighter Alpha? (known as Street Fighter Zero) Archived 2023-07-30 at the Wayback Machine. YouTube. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-07-30
  18. ^ a b "Street Fighter Producer Yoshinori Ono on His Love Affair With the Games". Wired.com. 2015-12-10. Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  19. ^ "The Maximum Street Fighter Alpha R&D Interview". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 4. March 1996. pp. 68–69.
  20. ^ "PlayStation Version Confirmed". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 2. November 1995. p. 51.
  21. ^ "Grant > Manage Blog". Capcom-unity.com. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  22. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - TVゲーム機ーソフトウェア (Video Game Software)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 500. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 August 1995. p. 25.
  23. ^ 第９回 ゲーメスト大賞 [9th Gamest Awards]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 162 (January 1995). December 27, 1995. pp. 36–53. alternate url Archived 2022-12-19 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ "Player's Choice - Top Games Now in Operation, Based on Earnings-Opinion Poll of Operators: Best Video Software". RePlay. Vol. 20, no. 10. RePlay Publishing, Inc. August 1995. p. 6.
  25. ^ "Editorial". Computer and Video Games. No. 183 (February 1997). United Kingdom: EMAP. 10 January 1997. pp. 6–7.
  26. ^ a b "Déjà Vu? Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams" (PDF). Computer and Video Games. No. 165 (August 1995). United Kingdom: EMAP. 12 July 1995. pp. 72–3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Computer and Video Games - Issue 173 (1996-04)(EMAP Images)(GB)". Archive.org. April 1996. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Review Crew: Street Fighter Alpha". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 79. Ziff Davis. February 1996. p. 30.
  29. ^ "ストリートファイターZERO まとめ [PS] / ファミ通.com". Famitsu.com. 2014-12-03. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  30. ^ "ストリートファイターZERO まとめ [セガサターン] / ファミ通.com". Famitsu.com. 2014-02-22. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  31. ^ a b GameFan, volume 4, issue 2 (February 1996), page 16
  32. ^ GameFan, volume 4, issue 3 (March 1996), page 11
  33. ^ "Review: Street Fighter Alpha". Game Informer. 1997-01-17. Archived from the original on 1997-01-17. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  34. ^ GamesMaster, issue 40 (March 1996), pages 42-43
  35. ^ GamesMaster, issue 42 (May 1996), pages 50-51
  36. ^ Mean Machines Sega, issue 43, pages 74-77
  37. ^ a b "Street Fighter Alpha: Warrior Dreams". Next Generation. No. 10. October 1995. p. 130.
  38. ^ Play, issue 5 (March 1996), pages 32-34, published 21 February 1996
  39. ^ Play, issue 7 (May 1996), pages 64-65, published 25 April 1996
  40. ^ Review, PSM, Issue 5, April 1998
  41. ^ a b c d e "Maximum Reviews: Street Fighter Alpha". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 4. 1996. pp. 146–7.
  42. ^ a b c Maximum, issue 5, April 1996, EMAP, pages 146-147
  43. ^ a b Automatic, Rad (April 1996). "Review: Street Fighter Alpha". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 6. pp. 74–75.
  44. ^ Gamest, The Best Game 2: Gamest Mook Vol. 112, pp. 6-26
  45. ^ a b c "ProReview: Street Fighter Alpha". GamePro. No. 90. IDG. March 1996. p. 46.
  46. ^ a b GamePro, issue 91 (April 1996), page 74
  47. ^ "The Essential Buyers Guide Reviews". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 5. April 1996. p. 145.
  48. ^ "Top 100 Games of All Time" (PDF). GamesMaster (44): 76. July 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-07-09.
  49. ^ GameSpot Staff (January 5, 2001). "Best and Worst of 2000". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 13, 2002.

Sources

  • Erik Suzuki; Matt Taylor; Graham Wolfe (1996). Street Fighter Alpha Strategy Guide. Dimension Publishing.
  • Studio Bent Stuff (Sep 2000). All About Capcom Head-to-Head Fighting Games 1987-2000. A.A. Game History Series (Vol. 1) (in Japanese). Dempa Publications, Inc. ISBN 4-88554-676-1.
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