Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platforms: Switch, Playstation 4 (Reviewed), Xbox One, PC
Release Date: 16th May, 2025
Price: $39.99 – Available Here
Overview
Capcom really have found a groove when it comes to re-releases, and is back with more with Capcom Fighting Collection 2 across a number of modern platforms. This isn’t your usual grouping of hits by far, as this collection features more obscure offerings, looking to fill some gaps that fans have hinted at for the last decade. Does this pack do the job, or was it a better idea to leave these relics in the past? Let’s find out!
Story
Go through a castle and defeat monsters. Participate in tournaments to be the best. I mean, what are the “stories” here really worth? The narratives in this collection come light, but still are enjoyable enough to guide progression. We have the very different but welcome Power Stone and Power Stone 2, packing a punch with their unique progression systems. We also have Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 and its follow-up, Mark of the Millennium, which acts as your basic ladder climb to the top combatant. Plasma Sword is a very off-beat title with some creative characters, while Project Justice feels a bit more serious in the genre. Finally, we have Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper and the critically challenged Capcom Fighting Evolution, rounding out the set.
Sure, there is a lot going on here in terms of genre, but these are not Capcom’s best of the best, and they’re not meant to be. These are all titles with niche followings for one reason or another, some good and some not so much. That is kind of the charm of this collection. It’s a break from the norm, and looks outside the mainstream, and a breath of fresh air away from the usual fighters we see bundled together. Sure, the narratives may not be in sync with each other or even make much sense on their own, but there is a lot of charm to be found under this hood.
Gameplay
This is where things get interesting. I am not going to spend a ton of time talking about Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper as it is Street Fighter and while the balance changes and extra characters could probably be put in an hours-long documentary when it comes to the genre’s hardcore fans, I personally just “enjoyed” the game and didn’t spend a ton of excess time with it. It’s Street Fighter 3, it’s good, and that really is all I have for it. Capcom Fighting Evolution is interesting, but also a mess, as it just feels a bit bland and rushed. I suppose it’s nice to have it playable for archive purposes, but don’t expect an absolute winner here.
I think Power Stone was where I really started to get excited about this collection. I have played Power Stone before, but this is a different type of fighting game. First, the original is very difficult. That doesn’t mean it’s bad; it’s just different. This is an arena-style fighter, where players pick a unique character and fight in a 3D environment, where weapons and upgrades really control the flow of battle. I definitely felt a bit out of my element here, but there is something certainly novel about this title that was really ahead of its time. Power Stone 2 abandons a lot of these ambitions to just be a fun multiplayer experience. It almost feels like a Smash Bros. clone, where players have to get to the end of a castle, fight bosses, and simply stay alive as they are eliminated one by one. It’s a ton of fun and easily the most time I spent throughout this whole collection.
Capcom vs SNK has aged exceptionally well. Sure, it took me a bit to understand the “Groove” changes and variances of challenge based on character selection, but once I got the hang of things, it actually made me wonder why we haven’t gotten another one of these titles in a good bit. The follow-up is equally as impressive, with more characters and balances that make it feel like a proper upgrade. I never played Plasma Sword before this. I have heard of it, but that was about it. You basically get overpowered aliens that do combat in a small arena here with humans, and that is really the concept. From the unique abilities and techniques, I was really impressed with the whole thing as it was easy to get the hang of and even more fun to play, even if the difficulty is rather low for a newcomer like myself.
Project Justice destroyed me. While the story-based game is polished and unique, it kind of reminded me of Virtua Fighter 2. A little stiff, but still quite accessible. The characters are interesting enough, and while I don’t think the gameplay ever clicked, I can say I am happy I gave this one a whirl. The collection here, despite popular opinion, comes with no real duds. Capcom Fighting Evolution isn’t great, but it’s still a competent fighter, and I do like the roster enough to give it a pass. There are also perks that let you see the soundtracks, galleries, and the usual extras that really complete the package. This may not be the most replayable collection Capcom has released, but it is one of the most refreshing in terms of how varied the game selection comes across.
Audio
This is top tier. You know most of the music here, and while Capcom Fighting Evolution isn’t exceptional in terms of its own presentation, I found myself rather impressed with the rest of the music within the collection. Power Stone 2’s soundtrack is just so much fun, and the revolving door of music for both Capcom vs SNK titles really does hit that sweet spot and makes for some wonderful beats to bash to. The audio can be a bit mixed as some games have that natural grit, but I think there is charm to those effects, and I imagine most will as well.
Overall
Ultimately, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is kind of wonderful. It may not celebrate the mainstream success of the brand, but instead offers a different stream of games outside that scope, giving us a welcome treat of obscurity. Not every game is perfect here, but I found myself having a ton of fun with Power Stone 2, and Plasma Sword made me an instant fan with its oddness. There is a lot to enjoy within this collection, and if you are looking for a set of games with something for everyone, you can’t go wrong here.
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