After 25 years, a new cheat code was discovered for Street Fighter Alpha 2 on the SNES

© Capcom

Street Fighter II is one of those games that will forever be linked to the SNES, thanks to the fact that Nintendo’s 16-bit console was the first home system to get a port of the arcade feel. Who knows how many players cut their teeth on this edition rather than the coin-op? It’s a pretty legendary conversion and one that ironically overshadows the fact that the SNES also has a port of the most advanced Street Fighter Alpha 2 later in life.

Released in 1996, Street Fighter Alpha 2 was arguably better suited to newer 32-bit consoles (at the time) like the Saturn and PlayStation, but the fact that the SNES got it was (and still is) impressive. What’s even more impressive is the fact that this oft-ridiculed port has covered up a cheat code for a quarter of a century.

Zeldix Forums programmer Gizaha reverse-engineered the game, and in the process, discovered previously unknown code that unlocks hidden boss Shin Akuma as a playable character.

The code has been verified by EventHub and requires you to complete the game’s Arcade mode and set a new high score. Once this is done, you must enter the initials KAJ in the high score table, return to the title screen, and hold down the L, X, Y, and Start buttons on a controller plugged into the second controller port of the console while the player’s pad is used to select “Versus” mode. From there, player one or two can select Shin Akuma by holding the Start button while selecting Ordinary Akuma. You will know you have succeeded because Akuma’s clothes will change color.

Did you achieve this trick personally? Remember that Street Fighter Alpha 2 is available on the Wii U Virtual Console, so it’s worth a try …