At this point, the gaming community probably entertains a pretty clean split on Street Fighter; either you grew up with it consider the series to be the pinnacle of fighting games, or can’t understand why everyone goes so crazy over "basic" 2D gameplay. That being said, if you’re not a fan of Street Fighter as a series, Street Fighter Alpha Anthology isn’t a title you should look at. There’s nothing new here; the disc collects the entire arcade Alpha series (the first up to the third), throws in Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix (better known to those in the US as Pocket Fighter, and does nothing at all for nay-sayers or sprite haters.
It is, however, a totally different story for Street Fighter fans. Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is more than just a trip down memory lane – it’s a pixel perfect reproduction of the series. In terms of the games, it’s everything a fan of the Alpha series could ask for short of a new installment. Capcom might have dropped the ball in terms of extras, but fans of the Street Fighter Alpha games will still find everything they could hope for on this disc.
Street Fighter Alpha hit in 1995, four years after Street Fighter II. Alpha added elements that might not have reinvented the 2D fighting genre, but these elements were so well implemented that the Alpha games developed a following of their own. Power gauges were one of the more prolific additions to the Street Fighter formula, bringing custom combos and super moves into the mix.
The game is represented in all of its first entry glory, with its paltry number of characters and stages in tact. Also, it’s interesting to see where the series began visually and aurally. It’s an obvious step up from Street Fighter II, but the games clearly received better attention as the fanbase grew. While the original Alpha might not have been well received, it laid the groundwork for the series future entries.
"No Alpha fan should overlook this compilation."
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Street Fighter Alpha 2 wasn’t more than an update of the original, but already things were looking better for the series. The controls were cleaned up, more stages and characters were added, plus the graphics and sound took a positive bump as well. Also included is Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold, which was a home console update to Alpha 2 that added even more characters and stages, also bringing us the first appearance of fan-favorite female brawler Cammy.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 is easily the best reason to own this compilation, and is still considered by some today to be one of the greatest fighting games ever created. The jump from Alpha 2 to Alpha 3 is pretty big on almost every level. Audio-visually the game is miles ahead of it’s predecessors (though it doesn’t look as good as the Capcom Vs. SNK titles), and the announcer is equipped with some of the funniest lines this side of Zero Wing.
Alpha 3’s gameplay is some of the cleanest 2D fighting programmed. A huge number of playable characters and stages grace the roster, some from non-Street Fighter games. All of the elements introduced in the first Alpha were perfected in the third installment, from combos to super moves. The game even allowed players to create their fighting "ism," giving players the chance to really add style to their skills.
"Street Fighter Alpha 3 is easily the best reason to own this compilation"
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Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix is a nice bonus, but is really more of a distraction when compared to the Alpha games. For those not in the know, Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix’s characters are represented in the "chibi" style of anime, and mostly plays like an Alpha game. The twist is that when attacks are landed, gems shoot out of the characters. These gems charge your attacks, so collecting them is just as important as landing blows. Either way, the gameplay isn’t really all that balanced and it’s just nice to have for the sake of having.
In terms of extras, there isn’t much to be had. It’s especially disappointing after Capcom did such a bang up job with Capcom Classics Collection. After completing each game, a bonus title is opened up, but I won’t spoil what it is here. It’s nothing supremely crucial, but fans will be pleased to see it included. There’s also another bonus title, though this one is more of a "mode" for an existing title rather than a completely separate game. Sadly though, that’s pretty much it. There’s no artwork, or videos, interviews or movie theatres. Nothing. It’s just a good thing the core games have stood the test of time so well.
"Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is more than just a trip down memory lane – it’s a pixel perfect reproduction of the series."
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Street Fighter Alpha Anthology does exactly what it set out to do and little else. Fans looking for something new or extra will be sorely disappointed, but that’s not what the Anthology is all about. There’s something to be said about arcade perfect ports of an entire arcade fighting series, especially one as acclaimed as this. No Alpha fan should overlook this compilation.
To check out our Street Fighter Alpha Anthology giveaway contest, click on the following link:
http://forums.gamersmark.com/index.php?topic=5095.0
