Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Review

Capcom continues its tour through its storied fighting game legacy with Capcom Fighting Collection 2. The previous compilation took players on a journey through the origins of Capcom’s landmark partnership with Marvel Comics, culminating in one of the most celebrated crossovers in gaming history. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics delivered a compilation of truly unforgettable titles, as highlighted in our review.

Naturally, anticipation was high for the next collection. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 spotlights the long-standing rivalry turned collaboration between Capcom and SNK, alongside other notable titles from Capcom’s experimental phase. But does it capture the magic once more? The answer is both yes and no.

A Match to Remember

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 features eight titles, marking key milestones in the company’s history. Among them are two titles born from Capcom’s legendary collaboration with its longtime industry rival, SNK, while another is a group of games that could be considered as Capcom’s early ventures into the 3D fighting game scene.

Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 was the first collaboration between the two companies, pitting their respective fighter rosters against each other. This title introduced two distinct mechanics, like the Groove system, which allows players to choose between Capcom’s three-tiered Super Meter buildup or SNK’s manual meter charging, and the Ratio system, which assigns each fighter a designated power level.

Iconic characters like Ryu, Kyo, and Terry are classified as Ratio 2, striking a balance between power and versatility. Meanwhile, fighters such as King and Blanka sit at Ratio 1, making them slightly weaker, while bosses like Sagat, M. Bison, Geese, and Rugal occupy Ratio 3. The strongest characters, including Evil Ryu and Akuma, are Ratio 4 fighters. This system forces players to consider strategic team compositions, whether opting for a full four-man lineup of Ratio 1 fighters or a more balanced two-man team of Ratio 2 characters.

Capcom displayed a solid effort in adapting SNK’s fighters to its ecosystem while integrating compelling mechanics. Facing high-level opponents, such as Akuma demands precision, with Groove Points determining access to the most formidable foes. To earn the right to challenge them, players must excel by avoiding damage, executing combos, and maintaining dominance in their matches.

The crossover expanded further with Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, featuring an expanded roster, a six-button control scheme, and six Groove systems inspired by both companies’ fighting games. Capcom’s A-Groove enables custom combos, while P-Groove allows for Street Fighter III-style parrying. SNK’s N-Groove lets fighters store energy for supers or temporary buffs, while K-Groove channels Samurai Shodown’s Rage Meter mechanics.

These entries remain standout highlights of Capcom Fighting Collection 2, commemorating Capcom and SNK’s first official collaboration while maintaining their reputation as timeless fighters. Players can also explore multiple game versions, allowing them to experience subtle gameplay variations between home and arcade editions.

Stepping Into the Third Dimension

Following the collaboration titles, Capcom entered into the 3D fighting game scene during the rise of titles like Virtua Fighter, Tekken, and Soul Calibur. Seeking to carve out its space in the pie, Capcom introduced Star Gladiator, a futuristic, Star Wars-inspired fighter that introduced players to Hayato, later featured in Marvel vs. Capcom 2.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 includes Plasma Sword, the sequel to Star Gladiator, which refines its mechanics with more technical elements like Plasma Reflects. It replaces the original Plasma Combo System with Plasma Fields, allowing players to trap opponents in a confined space and unleash special attacks within a time limit.

Capcom’s early 3D fighting efforts paved the way for the Rival Schools series. While the original Rival Schools: United by Fate is absent, its sequel, Project Justice, takes center stage. This title pits students from various high schools against each other, featuring a unique tag system where players switch turns after each round. The game introduces Tag Team Supers with distinct animations based on character pairings.

Unlike Rival Schools’ duo-based combat, Project Justice expands team dynamics by allowing players to form three-person squads, each with exclusive school-based super moves. A unique interrupt system lets the third character interfere in a Tag Team attack, stopping the opponent’s combo if they land a hit within the time limit.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 also highlights Capcom’s arena-based fighters. Power Stone transports players into a vibrant fantasy world where combatants battle for mystical Power Stones, granting immense power. Fights unfold in expansive 3D arenas where players can pick up weapons and objects to gain an advantage. Collecting three Power Stones transforms characters into powerful forms capable of devastating attacks.

Power Stone 2 amplifies the chaos with four-player battles and dynamic, shifting environments. Players brawl across various stages, including a Japanese castle, a temple with a rolling boulder, and an aircraft carrier that explodes mid-fight, forcing combatants to scramble for umbrellas as they fall. The sequel introduces additional weapons and items, ensuring that even unpowered fighters have a fighting chance.

And the Rest…

The final two titles in Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper and the unexpected inclusion of Capcom Fighting Evolution, round out the lineup with contrasting results.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 is as a strong third entry in the Alpha series, introducing the ISM system, which allows players to tailor their fighting style, similar to the Custom Combo mechanics seen in Capcom vs. SNK 2. The version featured here is Alpha 3 Upper, incorporating all additions from the game’s various re-releases, including T. Hawk, Dee Jay, Fei Long, and Guile, as well as making Balrog, Juni, and Juli playable

On the other hand, Capcom Fighting Evolution is a surprising addition, given its lukewarm reception. Originally conceived as Capcom Fighting All-Stars before its cancellation, the final product became a crossover featuring characters from Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, and Red Earth.

However, compared to the other titles in Capcom Fighting Collection 2, it feels underwhelming due to its limited roster, simplistic mechanics, and inconsistent visuals.

The backgrounds lack color, and while the Red Earth characters are well-animated, the rest of the roster appears to be directly lifted from their respective series without much refinement. Even newcomer Ingrid fails to leave a lasting impression, making Capcom Fighting Evolution feel like a missed opportunity rather than a standout inclusion in Capcom Fighting Collection 2.

What Could Have Been

While Capcom Fighting Collection 2 isn’t without flaws, it successfully compiles two historic moments in the company’s fighting game history. The same quality-of-life features from Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection return, along with the inclusion of galleries, Marquee Cards, and gameplay awards, which adds to the appeal.

However, the decision to include Capcom Fighting Evolution while omitting Star Gladiator and Rival Schools: United by Fate is questionable. While Plasma Sword and Project Justice are refined sequels, their predecessors still had unique mechanics worth preserving, such as Star Gladiator’s Plasma Combo system, which was removed in the sequel. Rival Schools also stood out with its duo-based team system and engaging storyline.

If there was a valid reason for excluding these titles in Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Capcom could have made stronger choices to replace Capcom Fighting Evolution. Alternatives like Tech Romancer, Capcom’s mecha fighter, or the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fighting game would have been more compelling additions. Compared to the rest of Capcom Fighting Collection 2, Capcom Fighting Evolution simply feels like the weakest link.

Verdict: Buy it!

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 remains a worthwhile purchase, particularly for its standout Capcom and SNK collaboration titles. The inclusion of 3D fighters like Power Stone and Power Stone 2 adds variety, with the latter serving as an excellent party game. Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper also holds its own as a strong entry in the collection.

For fans of Capcom’s fighting game legacy, this compilation, like Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, is a fantastic purchase. While Capcom Fighting Evolution may not be the most celebrated entry, its presence allows players to experience it firsthand and determine whether it deserves a spot.

*Capcom Fighting Collection 2 was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.