Which 1996 arcade game was the first sequel to Street Fighter Alpha?

Which 1996 arcade game was the first sequel to Street Fighter Alpha? Street Fighter Alpha 2 was the first sequel to Street Fighter Alpha.

Released in arcades in 1996, Alpha 2 followed 1995’s Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams. In Japan and several other regions, the game was titled Street Fighter Zero 2, reflecting the series’ alternate naming system. It was developed and published by Capcom.

Alpha 2 retained the original’s three-level Super Combo gauge, Alpha Counters, air blocking, and recovery mechanics, but introduced the Custom Combo system. Its expanded roster added characters including Sakura, Rolento, Gen, Dhalsim, and Zangief. The game also added new stages, attacks, endings, and rival encounters.

A common mix-up is Street Fighter Alpha 3, which is the later 1998 follow-up, not the first sequel. Alpha 2 was followed by regional updates such as Street Fighter Zero 2 Alpha and the console variant Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold.