Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Review – Edward Falcon Joins the Battle!

by

Enthusiasts of fighting games, get ready! The new Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is out now and it’s every bit as impressive as its previous releases. This compilation includes eight games: Capcom Vs. SNK 1 and 2, Capcom Fighting Evolution, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, Power Stone 1 and 2, Project Justice, and Plasma Sword, or Star Gladiator 2 in Japan. Just like the previous collections, each game here is based on its arcade version, with a few extra features and adjustments. You’ll also find a host of convenient features and bonus museum artwork, making for a well-rounded package that brings together cult classics and beloved titles from the early 2000s. Unlike the first Capcom Fighting Collection, this one offers a more balanced selection of games, rather than focusing heavily on one dormant franchise.

Let’s begin by discussing the fundamental aspects shared among all games in this collection, many of which were also present in the initial Capcom Fighting Collection. Each game now includes integrated training modes that demonstrate button presses and enable users to customize opponents with various settings. The most notable feature within these training modes is the hitbox indicators for each character. However, it’s important to note that only the four Street Fighter games offer hitboxes.

“The real highlight of training mode are the hitbox indicators on each fighter.”

This new collection shares the same set of user-friendly features found in its predecessor. Each game within the collection can be customized by adjusting the difficulty level up to eight points, making it accessible for beginners to complete even challenging games. Since all titles are arcade versions, they feature timers on character selection screens. Users have the option to choose between four different countdown speeds in settings, but it would’ve been more convenient to include a ‘no countdown’ option as well. Additional adjustable options include the maximum number of rounds, attack strength, game speed, secret characters, and other specific settings for each individual title.

One feature I found slightly frustrating upon my return is the quick save option. You’re limited to just one quick save across the entire game collection. So, if you wish to resume your Project Justice story mode while maintaining your single-player progress through other games at the same time, it’s not possible. However, a feature I’m pleased about is the one-button special moves. Except for the Power Stone 1 and 2, all titles include one-button specials and supers to simplify the complex combos. Since the Power Stone games don’t have a large move set compared to the other six in the collection, it’s understandable that they don’t benefit from the one-button special treatment. For competitive players, one-button specials are not available in ranked online play.

Let’s discuss now, and I must say, the revamped rollback netcode has made the online aspects of this collection quite impressive. In terms of online modes, you can choose from casual, ranked, and custom matches. There’s also a high score challenge where players can showcase their skills by climbing the leaderboards. Regrettably, one aspect that didn’t improve from the first collection is crossplay between platforms – something I hoped would be addressed in this sequel, but it seems the developers have yet to implement it. On a positive note, local multiplayer remains smooth and seamless, allowing for instant drop-in/drop-out gameplay on the same console.


 

“Extensive galleries return for each title in the collection within Museum mode.”

For devoted enthusiasts of fighting games, Museum mode in this compilation features an abundance of art galleries for every title. On average, there are around 100 pieces of artwork per game, varying from promotional posters to intricate design sketches and narrative scripts. I’m particularly fond of such legacy elements found in collections, but the presentation of the galleries could be enhanced a bit more. Adding textual explanations or commentary on the characters and design documents would have greatly enriched the experience. This is just one example among many reasons why Mega Man Legacy Collection stands out as my favorite collection from the past decade; the inclusion of historical context with each gallery piece really sparked my interest in the series.

One aspiration I harbor is the capability to save game music tracks onto a USB drive. The built-in music player within these games offers complete soundtracks, which is fantastic, but its power is somewhat restricted without a download option. Oh, well. It also adds to the nostalgia with the integration of eight diverse filters that can be applied to any of the games. These filters mimic various CRT monitor types along with pixel smoothing options and different resolution settings. To put it simply, this collection offers numerous legacy features that dedicated fans will find thrilling. I only wish there were more annotations and explanations to shed light on the game’s rich history.

Moving onto the games themselves, this compilation includes a slightly smaller number of niche titles compared to its predecessor. Notable additions include timeless favorites like Power Stone and Street Fighter Vs SNK making their debut on contemporary platforms for the first time. The initial collection boasted ten games, while this one offers eight. Regrettably, Street Fighter III is still missing from the lineup. However, there’s always Capcom Fighting Collection 3 to look forward to for those remaining bucket list games!

Each game in this compilation represents an arcade port version, with minimal or no console-exclusive additions and extras included. Some games fare better than others under these constraints; for instance, Project Justice retains its rich Story Mode, but most of the console modes have been eliminated entirely. Despite having fewer games compared to Capcom Fighting Collection 1, this compilation offers more substantial and beloved titles overall. For many fighting game enthusiasts, games like CvS and Power Stone are worth the price of admission alone!

What sets Capcom Vs SNK apart from other fighting games is its unique team-based ratio system.

The key feature that makes Capcom Vs SNK distinct from other fighting games is the way it handles teams using a ratio system.

The classic games Capcom Vs SNK 1 and 2, faithfully reproduced from their arcade origins, are now available. Unlike games such as Power Stone, the original arcade versions of CvS offer reduced input lag and loading times compared to their console counterparts. What sets Capcom Vs SNK apart from other fighting games is its unique team-based ratio system, which lets you tailor your team to your liking. Imagine ratios as a power ranking, with a maximum of four ratios representing the strength of a team. This feature enables players to engage in one-on-one battles by selecting a four-ratio character or field a team consisting of four low-ratio characters from both franchises.

In the rematch between Capcom and SNK, version 2 stands out for its advanced implementation of ratio and rhythm mechanics, although it restricts teams to three fighters rather than four in the original. Unlike its predecessor, players in version 2 have complete control over how many points they assign to each fighter, offering a more flexible strategy. What sets version 2 apart is that it was the first fighting game to offer cross-platform online play between PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast systems using KDDI multi-matching. It’s hard to believe that cross-platform compatibility was achievable in 2001 but may seem outdated by 2025. One of the highlights of version 2’s inclusion in this collection is the addition of the EO (easy operation) standard version, as well as numerous EX settings for adjustment. Secret fighters like Evil Ryu and a reworked soundtrack are also included.

Moving forward, we find an unusual addition to our roster: “Capcom Fighting Evolution”. One issue that stands out is the extended loading times between fights, which seems slower compared to other games in this compilation. Additionally, there’s room for improvement with the uninspiring stage backdrops and music.

I must say, I find this game quite endearing, with each fighting style reflecting the unique franchises they represent. There are no fewer than six distinct styles in play, which can make matches unpredictable and sometimes a bit disorganized. However, it’s clear that the quality isn’t quite up to par with the exceptional stage design and acting seen in the Capcom Vs SNK series. This compilation introduces two new playable characters who were previously just bosses from Capcom Fighting Evolution, making this collection unique in that regard.

As a dedicated gamer, I’d say that among all these Street Fighter titles, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper feels closest to the essence of classic Street Fighter.

The title “Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper” might seem lengthy, but it’s actually the final installment in this collection of 2D fighting games. What sets it apart is its ‘ism’ combo styles, with X-ism being the simplest and most reminiscent of Street Fighter 2 among them. Unlike other versions, you won’t find double tap running or dodging here, which I must admit, affected my personal enjoyment a bit. As this is the arcade version, it doesn’t offer the World Tour mode that console versions did enjoy. However, for the first time, you can play Shin Akuma and Final M. Bison fighters. In essence, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper embodies classic Street Fighter most out of all the games here, so if you’re looking for some old-school one-on-one battles, this game will deliver.

For a change of pace, let’s talk about the two “Power Stone” games. If you haven’t played them before, imagine a 3D version of the popular game “Super Smash Bros.” You’ll get the idea! The original “Power Stone” is a blast that caters to gamers of all skill levels. What sets it apart from other fighting games is its engaging 3D stages where you can pick up various objects and throw them at opponents, or use an array of items ranging from rocket launchers to swords. The game gets its name from the transformations that occur when you collect three power stones within a stage. If you hit your opponent hard enough, their stone is ejected, bringing you closer to a powerful transformation. There’s not much complexity with combo chains or super meters here. Instead, the strategy lies in how you navigate the environment to acquire power stones. However, it’s worth noting that this version lacks the Adventure Mode found in the beloved Dreamcast version. But like other games in this collection, it introduces two new fighters who were previously boss characters.

As a devoted fan, I’m diving right into the sequel! Since this is the arcade rendition of Power Stone 2, the selection is limited to the four-player ‘castle-climb’ matches – a mode that, while exciting, doesn’t quite feel like a separate entity because the training settings are essentially overlaid on top of it. The console version’s item store and Adventure Mode are conspicuously absent here, which means all the in-game currency you gather through castle battles is rendered useless.

However, there are some non-arcade features that make an appearance, such as custom match rules and last man standing. Unfortunately, the four-player bouts from Power Stone 1 still persist, a drawback for me since the game doesn’t function as well with more than two players due to its attack system focusing on the nearest fighter, leading to frustrating team play because of friendly fire.

On the brighter side, the arenas in this version are more dynamic than the original, featuring auto-scroll stages and obstacles like boulders and bosses that add complexity to the progression. Overall, Power Stone 2 is a thrilling and chaotic game, but the lack of modes in the arcade version is definitely a letdown.

In this assortment, Project Justice stands out as the sole title with a comprehensive story mode and happens to be my preferred pick among them all. Each squad gets its unique narrative, presented via manga-style dialogue boxes set against scene backdrops, while the gameplay offers fast-paced 3v3 team battles that showcase some genuinely eccentric group attacks, tailored specifically for each team you select. The animations and controls are finely tuned in this game, making it a highly recommended title within the collection. To clarify, this edition doesn’t feature the fighter creator from the Dreamcast version, but it does include fighters created using those tools previously.

The Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein is the result when a fighter pushes the boundaries of science fiction with their 3D weapons.

The Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein is what occurs when a fighter transforms their 3D fighters into full-blown sci-fi creations.

The last game in this set is called Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein, another entertaining 3D fighting game. The use of plasma weapons in

In essence, the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 boasts an impressive assortment of classic fighting games that fans adore. Each title has been optimized thoughtfully and includes rollback netcode for smooth online gameplay, complemented by a range of user-friendly features. If you enjoyed the initial Capcom Fighting Collection, this sequel is definitely worth considering. The addition of the two Capcom V. SNK games and Project Justice provides an excellent team-based gaming experience, which somewhat compensates for any minor drawbacks in the collection.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Read More

2025-05-16 17:42