Pixel-precise tribute to bedlam and imagination: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 appraisal showcases mayhem and resourcefulness.

Pixel-precise tribute to bedlam and imagination: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 appraisal showcases mayhem and resourcefulness.

Title: Capcom Fighting Collection 2: A Nostalgia Nostalgia Bomb

Vendor: Capcom

Providers: Nintendo Switch (reviewed), PS 4, PS 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, Mixed (including Sega NAOMI)

Take a seat, because prepare for a punch in the nostalgia - Capcom Fighting Collection 2 slams into the ring like a gleaming neon sign from a bygone era. As a kid who practically lived in the arcades during the '90s and early 2000s, and still hoards Street Fighter Alpha 3 on my Sega Saturn (one of the best retro consoles), this treasure trove of nostalgia isn't just a re-release, it's an invitation to re-live the golden days of CRT flicker, thundering rivalries, and unimaginably cool character designs.

But, nostalgia ain't all this collection is packing. What truly elevates this collection is Capcom's dedication to preserving and showcasing the visual artistry that once ruled the roost in fighting games. Ever since I jotted down my initial impressions of Capcom Fighting Collection 2's '90s aesthetics in my early hands-on, I've been utterly captivated. And, spending weeks with this collection for this review, the retro art style has me smitten.

Fact is, it's downright satisfying to see Capcom finally dipping its toes into uncharted waters, instead of sticking to the familiar retro games we've seen in other collections. These eight games include snippets of 3D, party gaming, and even a little SNK team-up (perfect timing with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves).

Revisiting the Innovative Fighters

You should have seen my jaw drop when I first booted up these games. They're still stunners, each game offering bold, expressive, and kinetic sprite animations regardless of which title I chose (there are four 2D and four 3D titles). Both Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper and Capcom Vs SNK are undisputed masterpieces of sprite animation, and playing them now, I'm blown away by the personality that oozes from every frame.

Even the relatively obscure picks like the giant horned T-Rex Huazer from Red Earth (found in the somewhat underwhelming Capcom Fighting Evolution) remind me of finely illustrated comic book heroes leaping onto the screen. Seriously, this beefy behemoth has an absurd flurry of chicken-punch animations that had me laughing out loud.

Each game offers filter options to help you recreate CRT scanlines or resize the screen format, depending on your taste. Personally, I went with CRT emulation and the original screen ratio - because, hey, that's what it was back in the day. It's the bare minimum you'd expect from a retro collection, but there's more.

The Museum mode lets you dive into the concept art and illustrations behind each game, and I couldn't help but spend an embarrassing amount of time peering at Capcom's art library.

Design that Outshines the Competition

Truth be told, not every title in the collection is a game-changer. For me, Capcom Fighting Evolution doesn't quite measure up, and while it's fun to have characters from SF3 and Darkstalkers rubbing shoulder pads, it's more of a novelty fighter that's hard to pry myself away from headliners like SF Alpha 3.

Taking a wider look at the collection, it's mesmerizing to watch Capcom's design language evolve over the years. Power Stone remains one of the most chaotic arena fighters from the era, and its bold character design still outshines most current games with an almost toy-like charm. The simple aesthetic, while early in 3D terms, holds up because it centered around strong visual silhouettes and vibrant palettes.

Capcom vs. SNK and its sequel, in my humble opinion, are the collection's crown jewels. The mix of fight systems allows you to customize your style, offering not just different super meter mechanics, but subtly different inputs (I've always found SNK's system more rhythmic than Capcom's). It's pure design brilliance, and one of the rare examples where deep strategy and flashy fun can co-exist. (C'mon, I gotta admit it—I may be a tad biased as a huge SNK fan.)

Moving into 3D, Project Justice is an over-designed explosion of early 2000s brawling, where every character looks like they sprang from a forgotten PlayStation-era anime. But that's exactly why I love it—it's gaudy, it's over-the-top, and it's an exuberant experiment in style that games of the era really ran with (take a peek at Bloody Roar and Fighting Bronx). Not every move lands cleanly, but, well...the attempt is never boring.

Animation that Speaks a Thousousand Words

When I replayed these games in the collection, I found myself constantly amazed by the detail of Capcom's hand-drawn animations. These sprites, especially in Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, aren't just technical showpieces—they're lessons in visual storytelling, with anticipation, squash-and-stretch, overlapping action, and all the classic animation principles on full display in every Hadoken and Shoryuken. It's even better when SNK joins the party in SNK Vs Capcom and its sequel, SNK Vs Capcom 2.

The frame rates aren't up to modern standards, but the artists knew exactly when to hold a pose or delay a few frames to emphasize impact, making the fights feel lively and dynamic.

Capcom's updated the gameplay with new features, like online play that makes use of rollback netcode, and enhanced training modes that let you experiment. While I've never been a huge fan, the ever-helpful one-button special moves ensure everyone can join in on the mayhem.

Finally, the treasure trove of archival art found in the collection's Museum is a sight to behold. Concept art, sprite sheets, and over 400 tracks of remastered music form an interactive art book, and I spent a disgraceful amount of time poring over the galleries in this collection.

A Pixelated Love Letter to the Golden Age of Fighting Games

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 isn't perfect—there are a couple of filler games in Plasma Sword and Capcom Fighting Evolution, and the titles are straight-up arcade fare, so they lack modern needs for storytelling or extended play modes. But, damn it, the beauty of fighters like SF Alpha 3, Capcom Vs SNK, and the SNK team-ups is that you'll spend weeks simply perfecting combos and testing your mettle against the CPU and friends.

From a design standpoint, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is invaluable for understanding how color, motion, and character design can communicate so much, so fast. As a gamer, I'm simply thrilled to be able to play these retro game classics again, particularly Power Stone duo that've been neglected for far too long and feel perfectly suited for the Nintendo Switch.

Enrichment Data:

• Overall: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a compilation of eight iconic arcade fighting games, offering a mix of 2D and 3D titles with significant features across each game. Here are some standout games from the collection, along with their key features:
• Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro
  • Groove System: Allows players to choose between different playstyles inspired by Capcom and SNK fighting games.
  • Ratio System: Enables players to form teams with up to four characters, each with a strength ratio.
• Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001
  • Groove Systems: Offers six different styles to choose from, allowing for diverse gameplay experiences.
  • Free Ratio System: Allows players to set strength ratios for team members, enhancing strategy.
• Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper
  • Additional Characters: Includes characters from the home console versions, providing a comprehensive version of the arcade original.
  • Enhanced Content: Marks the first re-release of the arcade version outside Japan.
• Power Stone and Power Stone 2
  • 3D Fighting: Known for their 3D gameplay and interactive environments.
  • Collectible Items: During fights, players can use items, adding a strategic layer to combat.
• Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein
  • Star Wars Inspiration: A sci-fi themed game with a unique blend of sword fighting and special moves.
  • Sequel to Star Gladiator: Offers a distinct gameplay experience with futuristic settings.
• Project Justice: Rival Schools 2
  • High School Setting: A team-based fighting game set in a high school environment.
  • Sequel to Rival Schools: Features engaging storylines and diverse characters.
• Capcom Fighting Evolution
  • Crossover Fighting: Combines characters from various Capcom franchises, such as Street Fighter and Darkstalkers.
  • Unique Gameplay Mechanics: Features a blend of fighting styles from different Capcom series.

These games deliver a rich experience with diverse gameplay mechanics, making Capcom Fighting Collection 2 a valuable addition for fans of classic fighting games.[1][3][5]

1. The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 transported me back to the '90s, a nostalgia bomb in the gaming world, available on various platforms including the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Steam, and Sega NAOMI.
2. This collection showcases the visual artistry that once reigned in fighting games, with intricate sprite animations in each of the eight games, from the classic Street Fighter Alpha 3 to the lesser-known Red Earth featuring the giant horned T-Rex Huazer.
3. The Museum mode offers a deep dive into the concept art and illustrations behind each game, bearing witness to Capcom's creative process over the years.
4. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 features a variety of titles, from the innovation of the 2D fighters to the chaotic 3D arena fighters like Power Stone and Project Justice, exhibiting an evolution in design over the decades.
5. SNK Vs Capcom and its sequel, SNK Vs Capcom 2, stand out for their well-balanced fight systems, offering distinct super meter mechanics and subtly different inputs.
6. The collection offers enhancements, such as online play with rollback netcode and improved training modes, ensuring new and old players can enjoy the classic gameplay.
7. The treasure trove of archival art found in the collection's Museum forms an interactive art book, displaying concept art, sprite sheets, and over 400 tracks of remastered music.
8. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a loving homage to the golden age of fighting games, offering long-lasting entertainment value, particularly on the Nintendo Switch, for fans of classic arcade fighting games, home-and-garden enthusiasts, sports-betting aficionados, and technology and gadget enthusiasts alike.

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