Capcom Fighting Collection 2 – Game Review

Six fierce fighting game characters clash with the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 title logo boldly displayed in the center.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 brings back another round of fighting games—some you probably remember, and a few you might not. Unlike the first collection, this one includes both 2D and 3D games, which makes it feel a little more complete.

If you’re picking this up, chances are it’s for Capcom vs. SNK and its sequel. Those two were huge back in the day, and it’s nice to finally have an easy way to play them again. The rest of the lineup includes Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, Power Stone 1 and 2, Project Justice, Plasma Sword, and Capcom Fighting Evolution.

All the games support online matches with rollback netcode. You’ve also got training modes, difficulty options, and even one-button specials to help you ease in. Plus, there’s extra stuff to unlock—like music, concept art, and arcade marquee designs—for those who like digging into that kind of thing.

Some games definitely hold up better than others, but that’s kind of the appeal here. Whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or checking out something you’ve never played before, there’s plenty to mess around with.

Arcade Royalty and a Few Duds

This collection pulls together eight games, and not all of them will hit the same. Some are essentials. Others are more of a curiosity.

The 2D side gives you Capcom vs. SNK, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper, and Capcom Fighting Evolution. Alpha 3 Upper includes a few balance tweaks and some extra characters, but it still plays like you remember. It’s one of the more reliable picks in the bunch.

Capcom vs. SNK and its sequel are the ones most people will gravitate toward, and for good reason. They still feel great. I hadn’t played Capcom vs. SNK 2 in forever, so I jumped in, picked a groove I barely understood, and got absolutely destroyed. Switched grooves, grabbed some old favourites, and had a much better time. Capcom Fighting Evolution didn’t hold my attention long. It mixes characters from different games, but the whole thing just feels uneven.

On the 3D side, you’ve got Power Stone, Power Stone 2, Project Justice, and Plasma Sword. Power Stone 2 is still a blast in multiplayer, and the first game has tighter one-on-one pacing. Project Justice surprised me. I wasn’t expecting much, but the tag mechanics and character variety pulled me in. Plasma Sword, on the other hand, looks cool but felt slow and clunky compared to the others.

There’s a lot of variety here. Even if something doesn’t land with you, there’s probably something else in the list that will.

Two anime-style characters battle in a colorful street market scene, reminiscent of classic arcade vibes—perfect for fans longing for the energy of Capcom Fighting Collection 2.

Fighting Styles All Over the Map

The way these games play really depends on what you’re loading up. The 2D stuff leans more technical. The 3D side? That’s where things get wild.

In the 2D games, you’ve got things like grooves, -isms, and ratio systems. These all change how your meter builds, how your specials work, and what kind of strategy you lean into. In Capcom vs. SNK 2, you can pick from six different grooves. Some reward defense, others push you to go all-in. It sounds like a lot, but once you mess around with it, it starts to make sense.

Street Fighter Alpha 3 Upper uses -isms instead. You pick between three styles, and each one changes how you move, attack, or use your super meter. It’s not as flexible as the grooves, but it keeps fights feeling focused.

Then there’s the 3D side. Power Stone throws items all over the place and lets you transform mid-match. Power Stone 2 adds even more chaos with four-player arenas and stage hazards. One round, I grabbed a random bazooka and launched someone off the screen—only to get hit by a crate two seconds later. It’s silly and fast, but in a good way.

Project Justice brings tag-based team fights, and Plasma Sword adds area-based plasma attacks that change positioning. Not every game goes for depth, but they all do something different. The collection includes training modes, one-button specials, and difficulty sliders, which helps a lot if you’re new or just easing back in.

Two animated characters battle in a vibrant, cobblestone plaza, collecting colorful gems in this thrilling Capcom Fighting Collection 2 experience.

Online Play and Extra Stuff That Matters

Online play works well across the board. Every game in the collection uses rollback netcode, and matches felt smooth on my end. I had a couple of weird sync moments after finishing rounds, but nothing that actually affected the fight itself.

There’s no crossplay, which might be a letdown if your friends are on a different system. That said, if you’ve got a go-to crew or plan to stick with quick matches, it’s not a dealbreaker. You can also jump into online training or versus, which gives the whole setup a bit more flexibility.

Each game has its own training mode, which is nice if you want to test combos, figure out how grooves work, or just try characters out without any pressure. You can also turn on one-button specials—great if you’re new, tired, or just don’t feel like pulling off strict inputs.

Outside of fighting, there’s a decent amount of bonus stuff packed in. You can flip through concept art, music, and arcade-style marquee displays for each game. It’s not going to keep you coming back every day, but it’s fun to poke through. One thing I noticed: some menus, especially in the Capcom vs. SNK games, look a little blurry compared to the rest of the collection. It’s not a huge deal, but it stands out when everything else looks so sharp.

Three anime-style characters battle in a vibrant video game scene, "PARTY UP TECHNIQUE" on screen—a dynamic moment inspired by Capcom Fighting Collection 2.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 Brings the Fun Back

This isn’t some flashy remake or reimagining. Capcom Fighting Collection 2 just gets these games back on modern systems—and it does that well.

Capcom vs. SNK and its sequel were the ones I kept going back to. I’d mess with different grooves, test out old favourites, and still get surprised by how deep those systems go. Project Justice and Power Stone added a totally different vibe. If you’re looking for fast, wild matches with a group, Power Stone 2 still delivers.

Some games didn’t really hold my attention. I dropped out of Capcom Fighting Evolution after a couple of matches, and Plasma Sword felt kind of clunky. But the variety across the whole package makes it easy to move on and find something else that clicks.

I liked being able to jump between games without any setup. One night I just bounced between Alpha 3, Power Stone 1, and Capcom vs. SNK 2 like I was flipping through a stack of old discs. It helped that the training tools and online matches were ready when I wanted them.

Sure, a sharper UI and crossplay would’ve been nice. But they didn’t ruin the experience. This collection shows why these games still matter and gives you an easy way to bring them back into rotation, without dusting off old hardware.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2

Review by @4ScarrsGaming

Six fierce fighting game characters clash with the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 title logo boldly displayed in the center.
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Summary

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 brings together eight fighting games from different corners of the arcade and Dreamcast era. The mix includes classics like Capcom vs. SNK 2 and oddballs like Plasma Sword, with online play and training tools to support both casual matches and deeper dives. Not every game holds up equally, and a few feel like filler, but the variety and ease of access make this a solid pick for fans of retro fighters. It’s not a flashy remake, but it does a good job bringing these games back—especially if you’ve been waiting to revisit them.

4.1

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Jon Scarr (4ScarrsGaming)

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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