Street Fighter Alpha 2
Before Street Fighter II: younger fighters, an anime look and combos you build yourself.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1996
- Manufacturer
- Capcom
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Fighting games
- Decade
- '90s arcade games
Street Fighter Alpha 2 shows a different side of Capcom's series: anime-style art, bright colors and a story set before Street Fighter II, back when Ryu and Ken were still making a name for themselves. At mid-90s arcades it was the cabinet for players who already knew every combo and wanted something more.
Its big addition is the custom combo: for a few seconds your fighter moves with a trail of shadows and you string together hits however you want. Watching a good player pull one off could stop the whole arcade.
History
Capcom released Street Fighter Alpha 2 in 1996, only a year after the first Alpha. In Japan the series was called Street Fighter Zero. This entry beefed up the roster with characters brought back from other games, plus new faces like Sakura, a schoolgirl who idolizes Ryu and instantly became a fan favorite.
It ran on Capcom's CPS-2 hardware, and plenty of fans consider it the best of the Alpha games for its balance and pacing.
How to play
It plays with a joystick and six buttons: three punches and three kicks, light to heavy. Special moves use the classic series motions, like a quarter-circle for the fireball.
Your super meter fills as you fight and stocks up in levels. Spend it on supers of different strengths, on Alpha Counters that get you out of a tight defensive spot, or on custom combos, activated with a combination of punch and kick buttons. You can also block in the air and recover on your feet after getting hit, which really changes the pace compared to Street Fighter II.
Fun facts
- In Japan it was called Street Fighter Zero 2.
- Sakura made her debut in this game.
- The Alpha series story takes place before Street Fighter II.
In the arcade
Street Fighter Alpha 2 isn't on the UsuArcade floor yet, but it's on our wish list. If you want it in the arcade, hit Want to Play on this page. The most-voted games get added first.
Meanwhile, you can throw down in Street Fighter II, where it all started, and if you love that 90s Capcom style, team up in Final Fight or Cadillacs and Dinosaurs with your friends.
Once Street Fighter Alpha 2 lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Street Fighter Alpha 2 on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote for it with Want to Play. In the meantime, try Street Fighter II, Final Fight or Cadillacs and Dinosaurs in the arcade.
What year did Street Fighter Alpha 2 come out?
The arcade game came out in 1996, made by Capcom.
How many players is Street Fighter Alpha 2?
Two players at the same time, head-to-head, or one player against the CPU.
What's a custom combo in Street Fighter Alpha 2?
A mode you trigger by spending super meter: for a few seconds your fighter leaves a shadow trail and you can chain hits and specials however you like.
