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Capcom Fighting Collection 2: Unleashing Arcade Legends with Online Flair

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In about a month, “Capcom Fighting Collection 2” will deliver a heaping serving of nostalgic fighting game action, gathering eight games that once illuminated arcades in the late ’90s and early 2000s. These titles were also ported to home consoles like PS2 and Dreamcast. The versions offered here appear to be nearly identical to their arcade counterparts (though the Dreamcast version came incredibly close), featuring online multiplayer with rollback netcode and a wealth of bonus historical materials in a museum-like section. While it may not be as generous as the first collection, which included ten games, its quality certainly shines through.

Among the eight games showcased, I have tried six of them, four being highly anticipated sequels that some might not be well-versed in. These include “Power Stone 2”, which I happen to own for Dreamcast and is widely recognized as one of the console’s top games. In this new version, it shines in high definition and plays wonderfully just like before. Invite friends who share your interest for a thrilling local multiplayer battle, and it’s an exhilarating experience, though you may find it equally chaotic when playing online. “Power Stone 2” is always enjoyable against the CPU, but it truly comes alive when played with other human opponents.

In my experience, this sentiment applies particularly well to “Power Stone 2”, and I must say that each game I’ve explored so far offers a rich solo gaming experience as well. Games like “Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro” and its successor “Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001” are real gems, with their distinctive sprites and smooth animations ranking among the best in the 2D fighting genre. Having them featured here is truly beneficial – they’re some of the finest fighters developed during the early 2000s. Plus, with Training mode, move lists, and simple one-button special moves, these games are suitable for players of all skill levels.

Unlike the earlier “Capcom Fighting Collection”, unlike the more recent “Marvel vs. Capcom Collection”, this new version includes arcade-original marquee cards that can be consulted at any time, detailing special move mechanics and finishers for easy reference. Quick saves return, but you’ll only have one save state across the entire collection, so you’ll need to decide carefully when to save your progress data. These are useful quality-of-life improvements we’ve come to expect from Capcom’s high-quality retro gaming collections, including various visual filters.

Regarding the other games I’ve tried out, it’s great to see “Project Justice: Rival Schools 2” added as well. Given that original Dreamcast versions are becoming increasingly expensive, this is definitely a plus. Among Capcom’s small collection of 3D fighters, “Project Justice” stands out, much like the 1998 game “Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein”. This game takes inspiration from “Star Wars”, featuring a weapon-based brawler with a villain named Bilstein who resembles an intimidating, eye-glowing Darth Vader. I’m particularly eager to dive deep into the Story Mode of “Project Justice”, where you fight against the wicked Kurow Kirishima and thwart his evil plans. Similarly, “Plasma Sword” is a peculiar curiosity that I can’t wait to explore further.

One standout piece from the collection is the arcade edition of “Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper” (from 2001), which was an improvement on the original 1998 game. Although it included six new characters from the home version of “Street Fighter Alpha 3” (such as Dee Jay, Fei Long, T. Hawk, Guile, Evil Ryu, and Shin Akuma), and made balance adjustments, it might have been even better if they had added “Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX,” released for the PSP in 2006. This version offered the I-ISM style, as well as the addition of Ingrid from “Capcom Fighting Evolution” as a playable character. Regrettably, neither of these versions are present here.

In 2025, the 2D artwork and sprites in this game are still impressive, making it a welcome alternative to the PS1 or Saturn version of Alpha 3 that many of us may already own. The game is outstanding, with its unique A-ISM, V-ISM, and X-ISM fighting styles adding depth beyond the extensive character roster. While Alpha 3 MAX (or Street Fighter Zero 3 Double Upper in Japan) might have been a better choice, it would have been great to have both versions available instead.

Despite Capcom’s distinctive clean and vibrant visuals adding the finishing touch, it appears this collection will be exactly what we need. The games inside are what make it potentially indispensable, much like the first Fighting Collection. The release date for Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is set for May 30th, and we’ll be among the first to get our hands on it, eagerly holding our controllers in readiness.

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2025-04-15 18:14

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