Capcom vs. SNK

"Great fighting game for your DC"

Several years ago in a board meeting somewhere in Japan, someone probably cracked an analogously similar joke to the one that got Jason vs. Freddy a green light in Hollywood. ''How 'bout Capcom vs. SNK?'' Yes, we've had Marvel vs. Capcom, X-Men vs. Street Fighter and the like. Until this game, we really have not seen any companies come together like this. Some could say that this could be a triumph for fans of both companies; to see Ryu and Terry square off... To see M. Bison and Geese Howard bust into each other's chops. However, the name almost creates a misleading notion. Why not highlight Mega Man vs. Genan? Because neither of them are in the game. You'd think for a name like Capcom vs. SNK, you'd see more than just people from Street Fighter and King of Fighters or Fatal Fury. Despite the absence of many other heroes of the industry, the game still manages to keep a decent fighting atmosphere while providing unlockables for those who enjoy obtaining those extras.

The music strikes up. The graphics hit the screen. The first impression of this game could well sell the rest. The first thing you hear musically is the techno-esque sounds of the lovely soundtrack this game has in store for you. Sure, the opening theme does not really sound like much, but you may find in the game that it's fairly impressive (this is coming from someone who's really not crazy about techno). As we get past the title screen, we are seen racing down a tunnel with a plethora of TV screens. Already, we can tell the graphics are very well rendered as the background seen here is very clear and very solidly put together. Ahh, time to select characters. You are given up to 4 ''points'' when building your characters. Characters range from 1-4 points (I believe there are only about two 4 pointers). Using whatever combination you like, you can build your party as you see fit. This expands a bit on the basic concept of character selection. Quite a few fighting games out there allow you to select multiple character, sure. This game, however, ranks those characters for you.

What exactly are we fighting for? Well, no, there isn't a fighting tournament. It seems both M. Bison and Geese Howard have plans for world domination. Not like that's a shock. M. Bison, not take over the world? I'm sure if he could do it the same way Anna Nicole Smith got rich, he'd find himself the nearest almost-dead old man he could find and propose on the spot. No matter how many times he gets laid to waste by [insert character here], he just keeps popping up again like Fred Savage.

The first question that could have raced across everyone's minds when this game was released was probably along the lines of whether this game plays like Street Fighter or King of Fighters. Put succinctly, both (in some ways). At the beginning of the game, you are asked to select a ''groove.'' The grooves determine the different style in which you build up your combo meter. Under Capcom, it increases with damage on either sides. Under SNK, your meter increases as you power up. Now, seeing the insane combos that MvC created, you would almost expect these to be as explosive. As it turns out, the combos in this game really aren't that impressive. They are useful, sure. But they're far from dazzling.

The gameplay is fast and intense. Not only are you trying to knock the other poor sap out, you've also got quite a bit of dodging and blocking to do. The game thus becomes a symphony of acting and reacting to various given situations at high speed. This game is visually captivating during gameplay. While we are not given much splendor in the special combo department, the backgrounds and game animation make up for that flaw in the graphical department. The game almost gives us a look almost as though we are playing a fighting animé without being a cel-shaded game. This gives a fair portion to the action factor of the game, but not nearly as much as the sound. As you finish the game over and over again, you get more and more money. The in-game money can then be taken to a shop to unlock some special features. These features can range from clothes to gaining the opportunity to face some hidden characters and even opening new levels in Vs. Mode.

The only thing to really dampen such a feeling of exhilaration is the Dreamcast controller. The controller itself just doesn't feel proper for a game like this. For some reason while using the D-pad, the game will register motions that were never input. For example, pushing back might also cause the person to crouch at first. It seems the controls can be a bit too sensitive. However, it shouldn't take anyone too long to adjust to this game. Just stick to using the controls and you should adjust eventually.

Atmospherically, we can give our biggest thanks to the audio abilities of the game. We are first treated to a great mix of techno and dance music to add to the heat of battle. Each song on the soundtrack, particularly the Final Round music, is geared to pump you up for each battle, giving that extra ebb of triumph, despair, and rage as you play through each battle. Let us not forget that sound is more than just music in each game. Sound effects also add graciously to the game. Think if you were in the heat of battle with one of the final bosses and you had basic pits and pats. It just wouldn't be as exciting. The biffs and similar sound effects in this game seem to have a brutal edge about them. You aren't just fighting with your opponent, you beating each other to a bloody pulp. Voices give depth to the characters in battle and sell their fighting styles and personalities in an authentic way. Thankfully, Japanese voices were kept in.

To add more on graphics beyond just adding to the action factor of the game, the graphics also add aesthetic beauty to the game. The backgrounds and characters are very well rendered and drawn. There are quite a few levels out in the street that are alive with beautiful mixes of red, blue, and green; Brights and bolds mixing to make a gorgeous atmosphere behind all the blood and glamor of battle.

The unfortunate part to this game, and the biggest downer, has to be the lack of depth. Sure, you get unlockables, but that' s about it. What about new modes of gameplay? Essentially, you could just be playing any old Capcom game that's come out in the last few years with a few different concepts and different characters. Sure, you can record your battles and replay them. Quite a number of games have that feature now. It really just is not enough to keep the interest of the savvy gamer.

This is a common complaint for many Capcom games and it's a general rule for many game series: Innovate or die. Capcom has managed to innovate on a few of their games in the past. However, as of late, they've been taking losses. Many people just don't rave over the new Street Fighter games like they used to. The biggest reason is that we seldom get anything new. For Pete's sake, why not just add some new options to the game? Despite the lack of extra modes, Capcom vs. SNK does seem to hold up as a decent fighting title. It seems the gaming world may just have to tighten their belts until Capcom decides they really need to innovate the next 2D fighter.

Thankfully, through its gracious use of graphics and sound to sell the action, Capcom is able to keep this one from the flame pit. The game does hold some level of suspense whie playing, adding to the addictive components. You almost have to wonder how this game would have turned out with lower quality graphics and sound. Many people do say that graphics are not important in a game. It has been said many times, and it will be restated here. Graphics can be beneficial enough to a game as to make it or break it. This is not to say that all games with poor or dated graphics are horrid and all games with elite realistic graphics are the greatest. It's all in utilization. KNowing which graphical style to use and how to use it; How something should be rendered. A good example is The Mark of Kri. The game contains graphics like the type you would see in a Don Bluth film. However, their rendering and animation give you the feeling of a rather violent animated action film. The fact that they are Don Bluth-esque graphics does not give us the that atmosphere; The design of the graphics- its utilization and how the graphical design applies- gives us that feeling. Capcom vs. SNK did a great job in that department both visually and audibly.

FINAL JUDGMENT
Graphics: Add to the game's action and aesthetics 9/10
Sounds: The strongest part of the game 10/10
Controls: A bit too sensitive. Loves to process moves you didn't ask for. 6/10
Plot/Storyline: Yes, another basic world domination story 5/10
Gameplay: Fun and exciting, but you could tire of it after a while 8/10
All Together: 8/10

Perks
*Superlative sounds
*Great graphics
*Loaded with action
*Very fast paced
*Unlockables

Downers
*Control issues
*Lack of depth
*Needs more characters than just Street Figther and King of Fighters (sure, you can unlock Morrigan, but we still need more).

Recommendations
For diehard 2D fighting fans mainly. Anyone else looking for an action packed game or just looking for another 2D fighter for their DC library should look into this as well.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/09/01, Updated 03/25/03