Capcom's CPS2 hardware was singing by 1996 and Street Fighter Alpha 2 is some of the best proof. Sakura's theme is instantly infectious, this bright, bouncy track that somehow captures the energy of a high schooler throwing hadoukens before class.
Read more
Then you hit Nash's stage and the mood shifts into something cooler, almost jazzy. The Sagat vs Ryu theme carries real dramatic weight, like the composers knew this rivalry deserved its own gravity. Rose's theme floats in with this mysterious, elegant vibe that stands apart from everything else on the roster.
Every character stage feels hand-tailored rather than templated. If you grew up in arcades and never gave these tracks a proper isolated listen, fix that tonight.