Capcom has released another collection of classic fighting games with the launch of Capcom Fighting Collection 2. This one stands out because, while earlier collections focused on more popular titles, this one highlights some of the lesser-known games. The collection includes a total of eight games, featuring titles like Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro, Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, Project Justice, and Power Stone. All of these are cult classics still enjoyed by dedicated fans, and now they can be played on modern platforms with rollback netcode and online multiplayer support.
What makes this collection special is the return of two beloved franchises: Project Justice and Power Stone. Even fans of versus fighters who recently got to revisit Marvel vs. Capcom classics can now dive into Capcom vs. SNK. These games are considered part of the golden era of arcade fighting games, and Capcom vs. SNK brought two rival companies together in a pair of unique games. They stand out for offering different gameplay systems and a strong roster of characters from both franchises.
Even though these games were released more than twenty years ago, they still play well and feel just as technical as they did back then. The addition of online multiplayer gives them even more replay value, but there is more to this collection. Alongside the English versions, players can also access the Japanese releases. Long-time fans know how different regional versions can be, especially now in the live service era, where developers can roll out patches that completely change a game after launch.
Earlier, I had the chance to preview the collection and play through several titles, including the Power Stone series. It is less of a traditional fighting game and more of a brawler, similar to Super Smash Bros. It is especially fun with four players on a stage at the same time, and the addition of online multiplayer has made it one of the standout titles in this collection.
In Power Stone 1 and 2, there is no real story mode. Instead, the focus is on fast-paced brawls across a variety of stages that gradually break apart as the match goes on. These stages include different objects that can be thrown or used against opponents, and items regularly appear to help deal damage. As mentioned earlier, it is not your typical fighting game but more of an arena-based brawler. Still, its inclusion in the collection makes sense, as it is widely regarded as a cult classic.
Power Stone supports up to four players online, and it can be a lot of fun when played with friends. I was able to test the game on both PC and PS5. While matchmaking was a bit slow at times, it worked reliably. One thing I appreciated about the game’s user interface is how easy it is to switch between online and offline modes. There is also a shortcut button that brings up options for quick tweaks, saving, loading data, and more.
There are also some strange omissions in these games. Project Justice, which was one of my most aniticated games in this collection, appears to lack its prequel. It was quite obvious when we started the game that this is more of a sequel to a game that was never included in this collection. The original Rival Schools is available on the PlayStation 1, and from what I remember, it always felt like a fun and unique game. Its absence from this collection is a bit disappointing. That said, this collection focuses on the arcade versions of these games, and while I would have liked to see the PS1 version with its visual novel-style story mode, that would not have been possible here.
The most technical and enjoyable game in the collection is Capcom vs. SNK. Not only does it bring together SNK’s heavy hitters with Capcom’s legendary fighters, but it also features several complex systems that make each match feel deep and rewarding. These games let players choose between different gameplay systems inspired by classics like Fatal Fury, Street Fighter, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, and others. Selecting one of these systems before a match lets you use unique mechanics such as Just Defense, parries, counters, and more. This adds a layer of strategy and variety to each fight. Combined with the ratio system, which allows players to build teams based on character strength, I believe this is one of the most ambitious fighting game crossovers Capcom has ever released.
Capcom Fighting Evolution is one of the lesser-known crossovers among Capcom’s fighting games released over the past two decades. It originally launched on the PlayStation 2, but its roster was fairly limited. The game features characters from series like Darkstalkers, Street Fighter II, Street Fighter III, Alpha, and the more obscure Red Earth. While it was mechanically a solid 2D fighter, it came out at a time when 3D fighters were gaining popularity, and 2D fighters were starting to fade from the spotlight. Still, it is nice to see this game brought to modern platforms, even if it is admittedly just okay, not anything particularly special.
The collection has a clean presentation and includes a lot of extras, such as promotional images of the arcade cabinets, marquees, artwork, and the option to quickly save and load your progress. This is especially useful for the Capcom vs. SNK games, which are known for their punishing difficulty and over-the-top boss fights.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Capcom
- Developer: Capcom
- Platform: PC, PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
