Retro|Spective 127R: Street Fighter

[dataDave]

After first seeing Alpha in one of the American mags (and easily confirming that it wasn't yet another hoax) I remember having to wait so long for the PAL PSX release. It was torture, but the wait was well worth it. I remember that day vividly.

I'd like to say the game was also my first ever sample of proper CPS-II action outside of SSF2/T, but I do remember playing COTA and Darkstalkers briefly in the arcades prior.

[fuse]

I actually missed out on really getting to grips with Zero; I still only had a SNES at that point, and I don't think any of my good friends had a 32 bit system until at least the time when Zero 2 released. Heck, even then I was playing the SNES port of that rather than a shiny Saturn/PS1 version. That said, I played it in arcades a bunch, and I remember being near a Virgin Megastore around release day where I near had to be dragged away from the demo setup by my parents. Not to detract from its quality at all - because it is still very bloody good, and was an excellent reinvention of the game - but it is my least favourite of the three games in this series.

Also I'm glossing over USF2, as despite playing it a little, I find it a very odd little thing that borrows ideas from all over the shop (Udon's graphics, Violent Ken, VERY BAD motion control mini-games) but doesn't really add up to anything worth thinking about. That you got the Anniversary collection shortly thereafter pushed it even further into irrelevance.

[Cassius_Smoke]

Super Turbo was my first taste of Street Fighter. But the Alpha series is were I learned the trade. Loved those games. I still have the Ps1 alpha 3 from back then because I loved it so much.
Playing it now it's a little slow and absolutely rock hard, but its lovely to look at and the Supers have a good level of stank. Alpha 2 is probably the better one for atmosphere and setting , but 3 really nailed the gameplay.

[Neon Ignition]

Game 11 - Street Fighter Alpha 2
Capcom followed up the groundwork Alpha has set just one year before with this sequel that expanded in every possible direction. More fighters, more moves, more modes, more stages - Alpha 2 also added a custom combo system and a couple more nods to the animated movie such as the grass field stage. The game hit arcades and current consoles but also notably had the novelty of Capcom deciding to attempt a SNES port late in the systems life. Drastic cuts were made to fit the game onto the system leading to a compromised but fascinating end product. An update of the game also appeared under the Gold monikor but this was a very minor update adding Cammy to some modes.







Where does Alpha 2 stack?

[Asura]

Game 11 - Street Fighter Alpha 2
Where does Alpha 2 stack?

Finally, we're here.

This was the first Street Fighter game I ever really got into.

Like everyone else here, I'd played most of the prior ones to some degree. However, I was never all that good at them, and didn't really understand them (I was pretty young). The first fighting game I ever properly enjoyed was Virtua Fighter, as something about its 3D nature, that I did Karate as a child and the martial arts in it were more recognisable, and MAXIMUM's coverage of some of the nuances of the game - those things all contributed to make it a real watershed moment.

At the time, generally, 2D games didn't interest me. I felt that I'd left those behind with the Megadrive and whilst I was never the sort that would dismiss them as crap, money was tight and there was no way I was getting 2D titles when we were seeing the first big wave of exciting 3D games. The game which changed that attitude the most was actually Guardian Heroes (but that's a story for another day).

But a friend had Alpha 2 and for a bit, I swapped it with my copy of Virtua Fighter 2, leading to the first time I'd ever had a Street Fighter title in my own home. That massively changed my perspective on it. I immediately took to it, learning the characters, combos, understanding the systems. So much stuff floods back whenever I see it; trying to do the custom combo stuff with Guy, doing the code for Evil Ryu, rinsing the game as Sakura...

Alpha 2 will always, for me, be one of the high points of the franchise as a result.

I think that when it comes down to it, while I preferred 2 in style and tone, 3's additional characters and options make it the game I go back to. But I have a fondness for Alpha 2 that is similar to my fondness for Sonic 3, and that is high praise.

[Nu-Eclipse]

Presentation-wise, it's the best of the Alpha/Zero trilogy by far. Eliza's yacht Birthday party (Ken's stage) providing a brilliant bit of Capcom fanservice with cameo appearances from characters of other Capcom titles and even the Capcom founder Kenzo Tsujimoto!

https://media.eventhubs.com/images/2017/12/30_ken.jpg

[Dogg Thang]

Street Fighter Alpha 2 is easily my favourite SF game and it's also probably the game I have bought the most times. Basically any system that I've owned that this came out for, I bought it. I love the game.

The character mix is perfect. The new characters added, such as Sakura and Rolento, were great and so overall the roster is really interesting and yet not so large that anyone gets lost or becomes redundant.

The look, sound and feel all build on the previous game and it's wonderful. The backgrounds look amazing and the whole vibe of the game and the full package is great.

The custom combo system didn't really add anything for me and Guy got a bit nerfed and felt less fun to play but those are small things for me. Overall, this is an incredible SF. My favourite by far.

[Neon Ignition]

Whatever we cover from here on out, this one is it for me. This is the moment Street Fighter peaked. I just love Alpha 2. There are several entries where various elements can be pointed as as better but this was the moment where every single element came together to form an installment that just evoked admiration. If I picture SF at the point I most like it, this is what pops into mind every time. Even in its worst form with the SNES version it remains admirable simply by the sheer fact it even exists and is functionally playable and fun enough.

*chef's kiss*

[Neon Ignition]

Game 12 - Street Fighter Alpha 3
With 28 fighters, SFA3 expanded the roster by 10 and introduced the Ism system which shaped the playstyle of your character between each incarnations style. The styling of the games presentation was altered to try and widen its appeal as a prominent 2D fighter releasing in an increasingly aggressive 3D age. The game was very well received as the series continued to build on its new foundation with two updates yet to follow.








Was Alpha 3 a solid step forward?

[Asura]

Game 12 - Street Fighter Alpha 3
Was Alpha 3 a solid step forward?

I got Alpha 3 from Dixons, for PS1, for about a tenner... And it wasn't even that old at the time.

Regardless of what that says about the game or Dixons, I absolutely loved it. I know the PS1 version is a bit compromised, but then, conversions of SF were always a compromise back then, in some-way-shape-or-form.

I get why people prefer 2, and in truth, I probably prefer the background art and general tone. Alpha 3's more contrasty, "rendered" backdrops and weird UX decisions (like the verbal announcer) date it a bit, but I just feel it plays fantastically well and edges it out. It has such a good roster and tons of options, expanded further in the PS1 version with the World Tour mode.

Also, as the roster included every character from Super Street Fighter II, it meant the game had wide appeal as your football-playing mate who only ever wanted to play as Guile could play it

It also helps that the PS2 and PS3 play PS1 games, so I had my copy of Alpha 3 for many years. I might still have it? I'll need to check that.

[Dogg Thang]

CAN YOU FIGHT YOUR WAY TO GLORY?!

SFA3 is a huge amount of fun. For me, the change in presentation, especially in the music, is a big step down from 2 but I guess that’s dressing. It still counts for a lot.

Otherwise the game has a lot going for it. But weirdly I think maybe it almost has too much. I don’t know if I like what the isms system brought to it. And the balance of the roster really shifted. Related, I don’t feel quite the same effort was put into adapting the remaining SF2 characters as there had been previously, probably due to the amount of content the added here. Impressive but I felt previous characters got a bit more love.

Cody was superb though and I like Karen and R Mika too. Great additions to the series.

But then the messiness of the game is compounded by some characters not having been in the arcade version and so now are missing from collections. It feels incomplete where the early hone versions didn’t.

And the endings took a real hit too.

I’m kind of wandering all over the place. Anyway, the amount in this game is really impressive and it’s loads of fun but I prefer SFA2.

[Nu-Eclipse]

SFA3 has the worst presentation of the trilogy but by far the most comprehensive gameplay mechanics of the trilogy that allow you to play however you want to.

On gameplay depth and scope it is the best of the three.

[Baseley09]

I can appreciate the amount of stuff in SFA3 but for me the game is a no for me. Crap music and worse art design.

[fuse]

Zero 2 is a wonderful, wonderful game, but Zero 3 is my favourite. Mostly owing to character additions, but also the range of character configuration. Not super consequential in the long-term, but I also really dug World Tour mode at the time.

My SF collection is fairly comprehensive in general, but Zero 3 I think is the game I own most distinct copies of. I should try and get a family photo at some point.

[Baseley09]

Zero 2 is a wonderful, wonderful game, but Zero 3 is my favourite. Mostly owing to character additions, but also the range of character configuration. Not super consequential in the long-term, but I also really dug World Tour mode at the time.

My SF collection is fairly comprehensive in general, but Zero 3 I think is the game I own most distinct copies of. I should try and get a family photo at some point.

What's your favorite or go to version ?