CAPCOM vs. SNK 2

by  wagesofsyn

Capcom vs SNK 2

What happens when you throw characters from the two biggest fighting game franchises in the world together (with the notable exceptions of Billy Kane and K')? ... Well, I would say Capcom vs SNK 3, but I don't know if that'll be made, so in the meantime, feel free to stick with Capcom vs SNK 2 on the PS2. For those of you wondering about the nature of that comment, read on.

Graphics

Most gamers today are in it for the eye candy, and Capcom vs SNK 2 has it in spades. Gorgeous 3D stages adorn every location, and add up to some darn impressive effects. Special moves look every bit as impressive and polished as they should. Cameos of veteran SNK and Capcom fighters in those nice backgrounds adds to the overall effect. he only downside to the graphics is the characters themselves. While they are animated just as fluidly as in the arcades, they look pixilated compared to the 3D backgrounds. Why weren't they put in high res, like Guilty Gear X? 

Gameplay

This is my second biggest grievance against Capcom vs SNK 2 (the first being the omission of Billy and K'). While it does have a very solid fighting engine, it's no longer based on the King of Fighters series as Capcom vs SNK was; now, it runs off the traditional Capcom engine, with an uncanny resemblance to Street Fighter 3 Third Strike. Perhaps this is a better move on Capcom's part, since more people in America play the SF series than SNK fighters, but in my opinion, it doesn't play as well as the first one because of this change.

Sound

This is my bias, but Capcom music always sucks. It's uninspired and doesn't ever fit the stages or the characters, and it's not catchy in the least. The voices are all decent, even thought you might want to turn off the announcer after the first 5 matches or so. Even though it's not worth writing home about, it's got good, clean quality that can't be insulted.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Capcom vs SNK 2 is an impressive piece of work. Not only are the stupid RAM limitations of the original PSX gone, but the game plays just as seamlessly as it does on the DC, and even looks a tad bit better. A perfect arcade port, and defiantly worth a purchase. The main thing that kept me from giving it a 10?  The Street Fighter Engine being used, and the fact that Billy Kane and K' STILL aren't in this game! 

- John Gillerlain
Overall: 8.0 / 10

Japanese Cover

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