Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors' Dreams
[ Release: 1995 - Console: Arcade ]
By 1995 gamers the world over were starting to get impatient about the release of Street Fighter III, so Capcom wisely gave in and delivered ... Street Fighter Alpha? That's right; they gave us Street Fighter Alpha INSTEAD OF Street Fighter III. Looking back at it now it was a wise move; the Street Fighter Alpha series proved to be one of Capcom's best, while Street Fighter III required a bit more time to get right. Billed as a prequel, Street Fighter Alpha (or Street Fighter Zero in Japan) rewound the clock and brought in a few new characters (Rose and Charlie), some returning characters (Ryu and Ken) and some popular names from Final Fight (Guy and Sodom). The game also featured a brand new art style that gave off a less serious, more comic book feel to the presentation. While there's certainly nothing wrong with this first Street Fighter Alpha, the problem with it is that it has since been surpassed by two superior sequels. At this point there's no reason to go back and play this game, unless you're looking for nostalgia and want to see all of the old backgrounds. This is a perfectly fine game, but your best bet is to just pick up one of the more recent Street Fighter Alpha titles.
Final Fight 3
[ Release: 1995 - Console: Super NES ]
Now this is more like it. After two disappointing Final Fight games on the Super NES, Capcom finally delivers the goods with Final Fight 3 (also known as Final Fight Tough in Japan). Instead of just giving us more of the same, Final Fight 3 adds a lot to the formula to become a spectacular 2D brawler. Unfortunately it has been criminally overlooked. It's easy to understand why gamers would be skeptical of this release; after all, Capcom managed to screw up both Final Fight and Final Fight 2, so why would they sudden get everything right? The truth is that it doesn't matter why they would get it right, just as long as they are capable of righting the sinking ship. Final Fight 3 finally adds some technique to the otherwise simplistic combat, allowing for some cool running attacks. Better yet, the game received some Street Fighter-influenced special moves, which really add to the depth of the gameplay. What's more, the graphics and music have been considerably improved this time around. I know it's hard to believe given Capcom's track record, but Final Fight 3 is easily one of the best 2D brawlers ever made. It gives you everything you wanted from the first two games, plus a few extras you never knew you wanted.
Street Fighter Alpha 2
[ Release: 1996 - Console: Arcade ]
While the first Street Fighter Alpha was a solid fighting game with a lot of potential, Street Fighter Alpha 2 took that promise and really fleshed it out. Street Fighter Alpha 2 added a number of major improvements, including better graphics, improved controls, more moves and better (more balanced) characters. The game retained both of the Final Fight characters from the first game (Guy and Sodom), while also adding Rolento (a boss from the first Final Fight that was later cut from some home console ports) to the roster. Thanks to the game's balance and amazing roster, there are plenty of hardcore fighting game fans that claim that this was the peak of the Street Fighter Alpha franchise. I tend to disagree with that assessment; I feel that the third game is the best. But both versions are different enough to warrant a play through. The game was later squeezed to fit on the Super NES; however it's definitely the weakest of the home console ports.
Street Fighter Alpha 3
[ Release: 1998 - Console: Arcade ]
After gamers' apathy for Street Fighter III died down, Capcom decided to release one more Street Fighter Alpha game. Street Fighter Alpha III is largely the same as the two games that came before it. It still featured comic book-inspired graphics and offered a weird cast of characters from all sorts of Capcom titles. It also added another Final Fight character, Cody. While the arcade game was a moderate hit, it was the PlayStation port that really wowed the judges. Not only was Capcom able to find a way to mask the console's RAM problem, but they were also able to include a number of exciting single-player modes and included six brand new characters to the mix. Better yet, the game featured three different types of fighting styles (known as the A-ism, V-ism and X-ism), new stages, and brand new music. The fighting game purists can argue whether part 2 or 3 is the best, but I suggest giving both a chance.
Final Fight Revenge
[ Release: 1999 - Console: Sega Saturn ]
Made by the team that brought you Maximo, Final Fight Revenge is a one-on-one 3D fighting game. That's right; it's a traditional fighting game, in the same tradition as Star Gladiator and all of those crummy 3D Street Fighter games. Final Fight Revenge was only released in Japan, which is probably for the best. Otherwise fans of the original game would find themselves much less excited about the future of this franchise. The good news is that most of Final Fight's greatest characters are found in the game, including the original cast (Haggar, Cody and Guy), Andore, Damnd, Sodom and so on. And did I mention that the end boss of the original (which you push out a window) comes back ... as a zombie? That's right, this Final Fight game features a zombie! If that didn't turn you off of this game then the terrible controls and the cheesy graphics will. I'm not saying that Final Fight couldn't be turned into a spectacular fighting game, but when you have most of the best characters already in fighting games (Street Fighter Alpha, Saturday Night Slam Masters) it makes me wonder if this game is really necessary. If you absolutely must own every Final Fight game then go ahead and waste your money, but I say stick with Street Fighter Alpha for your one-on-one fighting game needs.
SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash & Card Fighters Clash 2: Expanded Edition
[ Release: 1999/2001 - Console: Neo Geo Pocket Color ]
Usually I would separate these two games, but everything I have to say about one applies to the other. SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash is easily one of the greatest card fighting games ever made. How do I know this? Because it's the first time I have ever sat up and found myself re-examining my disdain for traditional card battling games. First released in 1999 on the Neo Geo Pocket Color, Card Fighters Clash came in two flavors - Capcom and SNK. The Capcom side featured a number of Final Fight characters, including Guy, Sodom, Rolento, Haggar and Damnd. Two years later SNK released a slightly updated version of the game featuring brand new cards, including the Final Fight 2 character, Maki. Both games are fantastic, though only one of them is in English. The biggest problem with this game is how impractical it is to play it these days. It's hard enough to find one person who owns a Neo Geo Pocket Color, let alone a second, third or fourth. This is one of those games that really requires a community, but if you're the only one playing it can get mighty boring. Still, Card Fighters Clash is worth checking out, even if you're going to be the only person that enjoys it.
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