Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro

"A major improvement over the original, but should've been better."

The very original Capcom vs SNK was released over 2 years ago on the Sega Dreamcast. This modified version of the game was released on the Sega Dreamcast 9 months after the original release in Japan.

Be aware that this game is Japan only, and is not found anywhere in the states. A Sony PS1 version of the game is available in the states though.

Let's get on with the game:

Gameplay/Features - 6/10
- There are two new characters, Joe Higashi from Fatal Fury and Dan Hibiki from Street Fighter Alpha 2, who were added to this game, making the game having a total of 35 characters.
- The Secret Store from the first CvS has been removed, considering the fact that all secrets are unlocked for you. From the hidden characters, EX characters, and other secrets are there for you. No more of those large amount of GPs that you are required to earn that takes months to get everything perfect.
- Most of the insane juggle combos that were present in the original game are removed, a primary example such as Ryu's Shin Shoryuken cheap juggle, which will not juggle for full damage after the trip, but in fact for air counter damage only. You can still juggle off after the db+k move, though.
- The Groove Point System is back. The glitches that raises the GP up quick have been fixed. You can still score a lot and fight Gouki if you constantly ram away with specials, with primary examples such as Morrigan Aensland, Nakoruru, and Joe Higashi.
- You can now fight Orochi Iori and Evil Ryu if you do enough super finishes and gain at least 71 GP. Depending the groove you're in, it coincides who you will fight. Playing on Capcom groove you'll fight Evil Ryu, while playing on SNK Groove you'll fight Orichi Iori.
- The Ratio System has changed. Lower Ratios will take more damage and inflict lesser damage on higher ratio characters, and vice versa. I personally think this kind of ratio system is much better to that of KoF2001.
- The AI isn't that hard. I think it was SNK that programmed the AI. I remember SNK 2D fighting games are much easier compared to Capcom's.
- There are also other changes such as green life bars rather than yellow previously. The SNK groove allows Desperation mode when you have 25% health left, unlike the KoF '97 & '98 Extra grooves, where it's only active at 10% health remaining. That doesn't mean that Capcom changed it.. it was also present in KoF'96 with a similar concept. The Capcom groove is the traditional SFA series groove.
- Most of the features in gameplay come from SNK. SNK invented the full use of rolling, running, dashing, SNK groove, color edit, all of which gave Capcom a huge boost.

Graphics/Visual Effects - 7/10
- Capcom characters may look nice, but the redrawn and new SNK sprites just look awful. This doesn't mean that Capcom does animation bad, it's just that SNK don't look SNK-ish.
- The background animations were the best part overall. Very nice animation and background intros. They were well-designed. Although, I think it would have been better if they kept some of the old school backgrounds, such as Ryu's stage from SF2, some stages from old KoF games... mixed in with the new CvS stages.
- The redesigned projectiles and flame effects are well done. Nothing bad here..

Sound/Music - 8/10
- This should deserve a good rating. Capcom characters seems to speak more now in CvS. I guess Capcom found a good group of voice actors... Ooo.. Chun-Li sounds good :)
- There is not enough original music present in the game. The music is only depending on which background you play in. Some of the music includes Esaka 94(my favorite of all, and the KoF'94 Japan Team theme), a remix version of Ryu's theme, the original Street Fighter 2 intro theme, and so on...

Controls - 8/10
- When it comes to the Sega DC, it always has flaws. For my hands, the controller is somewhat a little too huge. Plus I don't like the fact that you can add a little extra weight by placing the Visual Memory Unit on the controller.
- The controls weren't that bad. The d-pad is somewhat awful, so the Joystick is strongly recommended.

Stats
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Gameplay/Features - 6/10
Graphics/Visual Effects - 7/10
Sound/Music - 8/10
Controls - 8/10
Average - 7.1/10

Presentation/Overall - 7/10
- I lowered the 7.1 to a 7. This is also the best I'd give it. Ever since the first CvS was released, SNK fans were HUGELY disappointed with the game. Although CvS Pro is a decent upgrade from the CvS, it still needs more. SNK characters are less crappier, but still crap, primary example include Orochi Iori, Iori, and Kyo. They still don't have the Autoguard that Capcom confiscated from them. Capcom have less priority now with their specials and advantages they get in the first CvS, but could still slip past it.
- This game is only worth playing 2 player games. 1-player can get boring fast, since all the secrets are there for you!

Final Comments
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This is Capcom vs SNK.. Some people might say SF2 + Morrigan vs KoF + Nakoruru. Why does Ryu have so much priority compared to Kyo? I know why. Capcom focused more on Ryu and Terry too much, which is why I will have to change the name to SF2 vs Fatal Fury. But some SNK characters would just own Capcom in CvS. In CvS1, Nakoruru plays the unquestioned leader. In CvS Pro, from Joe Higashi to Kim Kap Hwan sliding to Nakoruru, coming down to Ryuji Yamazaki... these four could just own Capcom. You can say Terry, too, right?? I wouldn't.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/05/03, Updated 01/05/03