Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2
Score: 75% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Arcade/ Classic/Retro/ Action
Graphics & Sound: I love to get a hold of the retro compilations whenever I can. Mostly because I actually was gaming before there was a consideration that they would be re-releasing any of these games. In this case, I got my hands on Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2. It contains 20 games from the hallowed halls of worldwide game producers Capcom. The main Japan office opened in 1982 with the U.S. offices opening in 1985 during the earliest days of mass gaming. You can find their games on Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast and Nintendo game consoles, Game Boy Color Systems and PC's. If you didn't know anything about them, the first name you would grab onto is the Street Fighter series that is still being fan-boyed to this day. Well it's time to talk about graphics, and I will make this short and sweet. They look exactly the way they did in the 80's. Some games offer what they refer to as "Advanced Graphics Mode", which displays more info on the screen depending on the title. But, it in no way really improves the look of the game overall. If you are an old school midi fan, then you are in for a real treat here. All the 80's loop track midi you can stand, and then a scoop of more for topping. All jokes aside, I am not bashing the music. I think it brings good perspective on the progress to today's standards.
Gameplay: As I mentioned before, you get 20 games with Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2: 1941: Counter Attack Avengers Black Tiger Block Block Captain Commando Eco Fighters The King of Dragons Knights of the Round Last Duel Magic Sword Mega Twins Quiz & Dragons Side Arms: Hyper Dyne Street Fighter Strider Super Street Fighter II Turbo The Speed Rumbler Three Wonders Tiger Road Varth I got curious about what was on Volume One and found out that there was a version released for PSP recently called Capcom Classics Collection Remixed that had almost the exact same games on it. In fact 15 of the 20 were the same. This aside, the biggest draw for me were, of course, the Street Fighter titles included, so I looked at what the Street Fighter Anthology was going for at GameStop. If this is your only reason to pick up this collection, then you are better off getting the anthology. If you are truly interested in the jaunt down amnesia lane like I was, then go ahead and pick this one up. Some of the titles may be a little more obscure than the one from the first collection.
Difficulty: I guess that after 20+ years of gaming, I am getting worse at gaming. Either that or the style of gaming has changed so much it is hard to revert back to pure timing games. Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2 kicked my butt many times. I also remember that they didn't make games just so you could feel this easy sense of accomplishment like today. Hell no, they made you earn it the old fashioned way. The games of the time were also very short. You didn't have the saves, so you had to push on. I remember leaving games on pause for a long time to do homework or eat dinner, praying the whole time it didn't lock up. Needless to say, it took me a while to get back in the groove. Jerking the controller up like you were catching a great white shark as you jumped made all the difference in the world.
Game Mechanics: Does "go forward, shoot what's moving, jump over the gap, and save the day" count as a mechanic? Well then, I am set in Capcom Classics Collection: Volume 2. Timing, timing and then a little good timing is what the games are all about. There are no real puzzles to solve... save Quiz & Dragons. Between the original Street Fighter and Strider (Ninjas still aren't as cool as Pirates, but they will do), I am going to be coming back to this one again and again. I just hope playing these games doesn't cause my acne to return. Sheeesh! Horrible thought. All of a sudden having trouble talking to girls again and my voice cracking. I am going to go back to Street Fighter II Turbo now. I was at least in college when that came out.
-WUMPUSJAGGER, GameVortex Communications AKA Bryon Lloyd
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