365//365: Day 355 – Street Fighter Collection (PSX) [PP]

"Another collection, another several dozen hours gone."

The number of Street Fighter titles released over the years can be considered unnecessary. Some featured the most minute tweaks, while others were considerable evolutionary steps forward. Street Fighter Collection features the best of both worlds, now with load times! You have Super Street Fighter 2 and Super Street Fighter 2: Turbo on one disc, with Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold on another. With the two Super 2 titles, players are given the title that added four characters with very little fan appreciation (Cammy with the most appreciation, T. Hawk, Dee Jay and Fei Long) and Super Turbo features various tweaks, minor additions and the debut of super moves, which have become a staple in a majority of fighting games. Arguably the most solid title in the Street Fighter 2 line up, if not somewhat unoriginal in most of its presentation. Finally there’s Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold on disc 2, which is Alpha 2 with minor tweaks, hidden characters not needing obtuse commands to play as, and the introduction of Cammy to the Alpha franchise. From top to bottom Alpha 2 was already a standout success, and with Alpha 2 Gold,  nothing much has changed there….or anywhere else. Excellent gameplay, one of, if not the best soundtrack ever in a fighting game and a great time single or multiplayer. If you want a fix of two of the better titles in the Street Fighter franchise (Suoer Turbo and Alpha 2/Gold) hunt down a copy of Street Fighter Collection. Load times will annoy but the gameplay will more than satisfy fans of the genre.

While Super Street Fighter 2 will be the neglected title of this trio, it's still a good history lesson of the evolution of the franchise, or sometimes the lack thereof.

Rating: 8.4