Capcom Fighting Collection 2 hands-on preview: An essential piece of fighting game history
By Dave Aubrey
Capcom is at the top of the game when it comes to making retro titles available on modern platforms. 64 classic arcade games were made available across the two Capcom Arcade Stadium collections, and we are now looking at the third installment in the Capcom Fighting Collection series, each of which has bundled retro fighters that some fans claim to be the pinnacle of the genre. On the one hand, yes, it’s another collection of old games. On the other hand, releases like these are exactly what fans want from these classic collections.
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is an essential buy for a lot of fighting fans. This pack returns the legendary pair of Capcom vs. SNK games back with online multiplayer, in addition to the legendary Dreamcast Power Stone games, the fan-favorite Project Justice, the obscure Plasma Sword, the best arcade version of Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Capcom Fighting Evolution is here too.
The Capcom vs. SNK duo absolutely dominates this package. These are held in the very highest esteem by fighting fans, and the promise of these games making a return – with full online multiplayer – is the highlight of the collection. As the title implies, these bring together both Capcom fighters and SNK legends to duke it out in the same stage. While the first game allows you to play either in the style of a Capcom or an SNK title, the sequel allows for six unique styles, bringing an overwhelming number of potential combinations and tactics to the massive cast.
But something I truly appreciate about these collections is that there’s always something interesting in the package, and that’s exactly how I feel about Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein. Capcom isn’t known for 3D fighting games in the modern day – that’s the realm of Bandai Namco with Tekken and Soulcalibur – but the company still made some solid attempts. Plasma Sword’s characters aren’t what I’d call iconic – and in places they’re borderline plagiarising Star Wars – but the gameplay mechanics are solid with flashy animations. It’s a step behind where Tekken was at the time, but while playing it’s easy to imagine a current-day Capcom with a solid roster of 3D fighters.
Project Justice, part of the Rival Schools series, is far more original. These anime-inspired school kids are involved in gangs and have learned a fair few fighting techniques, from ninja arts to boxing stances, and it feels fantastic to play. It allows for ridiculous aerial combos and a surprising amount of improvisation and personality.
Dreamcast die-hards, meanwhile, will adore the return of four-player battles with Power Stone 2. This is still one of the best Super Smash Bros.-like multiplayer games of all time, and it’s great fun to play even now.
Recently Capcom confirmed that Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – in addition to the other fighting collections – will soon get options for higher resolutions, a better local versus mode for all games, and more. These are the final frustrations that come with playing authentic arcade versions of these titles, and with this upcoming update, playing locally should be just as simple and customizable as playing a modern fighter. Hopefully we’ll be able to go hands-on with that update and all of the games in the collection ahead of launch on May 16, 2025.