Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a strong grouping of Capcom fighters that could use more of the spotlight. The variety of games, which includes crossover titles, 2D, and 3D fighters, is a highlight, as are the various features that make playing them more customizable and accessible than ever. If you’ve ever wanted to try any of the included games, this is certainly the best way to do so.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Developer: Capcom
Price: $40
Platform: PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
MonsterVine was provided with a PS4 code for review
Two of the first fighting games that I played as a kid were Capcom vs. SNK 2 and Power Stone. When I saw that both games and a plethora of others were all included in Capcom Fighting Collection 2, I was immediately hyped beyond belief. The first collection and the recent Marvel vs. Capcom collection were both top-notch, so I assumed this one would follow suit, and indeed it did.
The first two games in the collection are Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro and Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001. These are two great crossover fighters, with Capcom vs. SNK 2 in particular standing out as a brilliant fighting game. The first entry does have a neat “groove” system that makes your meter more akin to a Capcom or SNK game, depending on whichever you’re more comfortable with. It’s a satisfying game, but the sequel really steps things up.
The different “Ism” play styles once again allow you to play the follow-up like a Capcom or SNK game, but I find Capcom vs. SNK 2 to be a smoother fighter overall. It has a varied roster with a couple of neat inclusions (like Kyosuke from Rival Schools, which we’ll talk about later) on both sides. The combination of 2D sprites and bombastic 3D backgrounds in Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is pleasant to look at, with the jazzy soundtrack going the extra mile to craft a title unlike any other.
One of the rougher inclusions is Capcom Fighting Evolution, which sees sprites from across various Capcom fighters combined into one less fun fighting game explosion. The original character Ingrid is neat, and it’s pleasant to see Red Earth get some representation in a crossover game, but I overall see Capcom Fighting Evolution as more of a nifty historical addition to Capcom Fighting Collection 2 than an especially worthwhile fighter.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper is one of my favorite Street Fighter games, so I was thrilled to see it on the roster. The roster is extremely varied, with inclusions like Final Fight characters as well as fighters from all across the Street Fighter franchise, though I wish the PSP-exclusive roster additions were present too. Still, there’s something really cool about how hard-hitting attacks feel in this game, and it has a certain energy from the excited narration and busy stages that just works really well.
Power Stone and Power Stone 2 are as frantic and fun as they ever were, still standing out as some of Capcom’s most colorful and unique titles ever. Using wacky weapons and stone-based super forms to decimate foes on wildly transforming stages never gets old, and the inspired 19th-century presentation still feels novel and makes for a memorable style. I can see myself playing these two titles a lot with friends, as, to this day, they’re simply some of the best 3D party fighters around.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 has some hidden gems
Then there’s Project Justice – the sequel to Rival Schools. It’s a 3-on-3 3D fighter with some of Capcom’s most distinct and memorable character designs. There’s a goofy story mode to take part in that follows different teams of characters as they deal with the mysterious Reverse Society, though there’s also a Free Mode for those looking for a more traditional arcade experience. Hits have a great impact in Project Justice, and the range of different diverse characters with their own crazy fighting styles (often based on their specialties in school) is impressive. It’s one of the best inclusions to Capcom Fighting Collection 2, and I hope it spreads the word of Rival Schools a bit more.
Finally, we have Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein. This is the game I was most curious about, having played as main character Hayato in Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for years with little knowledge of his source material. Though it is less visually appealing than Project Justice (likely in part due to it coming out a couple of years later), I found the gameplay loop of Plasma Sword to be decent enough, with the character designs standing out as intriguing. The melodramatic Star Wars-esque story was fun to follow, and it’s clear Capcom was trying out some new things with this one back in 1998. All-in-all, it’s a fascinating inclusion that I’m glad I could finally play.
The features available for each game in Capcom Fighting Collection 2 are solid inclusions. From difficulty changes to visual filters or adjusting the number of rounds, you can mess with all sorts of aspects to make playing a delight for players of any skill level. You can also choose whether to play Arcade or Versus mode right off the bat, making it easier than ever to play with friends from the get-go. There’s also the expected robust museum of content to look at, with things like music and images to browse for those interested in the details of each included game.
The Final Word
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a stellar collection of some of Capcom’s most acclaimed fighters, both the well-known and the overshadowed. The range of titles is diverse and exciting, the added features are useful, and the additional content is always a welcome bonus. Once again, Capcom has proven itself to be excellent at remastering its many unique titles.
MonsterVine Rating: 4.5 out of 5 – Great
