Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro

"CvS1 again? Same old story pretty much..."

Best Features: Its Capcom VS SNK, lively and stylish backgrounds, pretty good fighting engine

Worst Features: Just doesn't feel that interesting for such a good concept

If you've read my last review of Capcom VS SNK, you'll get the idea what I'm going to say and do here (http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/dreamcast/review/R21064.html if you haven't). I have matured a little since I wrote that review so I've had a chance to look at this game through more refined and seasoned eyes, but in the end it still fails to actually provide the excitement I like in my 2D fighters. Let's get to business, shall we?

Graphics: 8
The graphics in this game are almost top-notch for a 2D fighting game. Effects from moves are detailed and dynamic. Cool visual ambiance such as advanced shadows on walls or realistically flickering fire adds to the graphical appeal. The sprites are animated well and there's no breakup or choppiness. My only real complaint is that projectiles sometimes look rather bland when they hit an opponent or run their course (Dan's Gadouken just disappears rather than having some termination animation). Otherwise, the graphics are clean and generally just good.

Sound/Music: 8
The music in this game is a wonderful blend of old and new styles. The techno-like tunes that play during the match are orchestrated well and feel very modern and up-to-date. Yet, the music still retains a timeless and classic feel that goes back to the time when 2D fighters were the pride of the early to mid 90s. The sounds are the fighting game norm. You won't find anything new in that department. The quality is clear but sometimes the sound effects come out a bit washed-out and don't sound quite as good the music.

Control: 7
In my original review, I put a black mark on the game's control for being laggy and sluggish. In retrospect (and the difference of about 3 years), I find that statement to be mostly untrue. I still get a sensation of sluggishness and otherwise rough edged but its not as bad as I said in my original review. The control is responsive for the most part and does what you want it to. Some of the SNK camp's moves are a little hard to execute due to their complex motions. However, its not too terribly difficult with some practice and dedication. The game does move at a high pace so sometimes its hard to actually calculate how long it will take to execute a specific command and time it just right but that's just another skill-based remark (however, the timing curve seems to be a little sharper than other fighting titles by comparison). The 4 button complaint from the first game still lingers, however. I'll cover that in the gameplay section.

Gameplay: 6
Since this is a game for both Capcom and SNK players, the game does have some features from both companies to cater to the respective players for each series. In the game itself, players have the option of choosing a Capcom or SNK fighting type. This affects how super power is earned and adds other touches to the engine that emulates the respective company. Players also have the option of choosing if they want to use Dashing or Running for their double-forward tap command. Again, this plays to the styles of each of the 2 competing companies. The game is faster than your average Capcom-built fighter. Even at normal speed, the game seems to be a little on the spastic side in terms of movement. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (as it does help SNK players feel more at home) but it can disorient Capcom users who are giving this game a first run around. The button configuration factors into the gameplay. Unlike most Capcom titles, the game features a 4 button setup more akin to the King of Fighters series (LP, HP, LK, HK without the standard Capcom MK and MP). This doesn't feel like a true Capcom title without its basic button structure (for those that don't know, Capcom was the one charged with creating this game, not SNK). However, despite these facts, when added together, Capcom players will still feel more at home with the gameplay. Much of the engine feels like it was crafted by Capcom for Capcom players, even in the SNK style. SNK players will still find their niche (or "groove" if I'm going to use the game's terminology) but Capcom fans will adapt much quicker in the end.

Replay Value: 4
The original game had more replay value to it because the game had a mountain secrets to be unlocked. In the Pro rendition, Capcom decided to eliminate all the secret finding from the game by opening up all of the hidden options, characters, and stages from the get-go. Of course, this takes away a lot of the headache of the first game and its very convoluted secret unlocking process. However, for the more hardcore crowd who enjoyed the original's VS Point shop, this leaves a big dent on this category. Capcom also added an additional character for each side to the roster (Dan Hibiki for themselves and Joe Higashi for the SNK stable) but that still doesn't save this category. If Capcom had upped the roster for each side in a more considerable way (by adding about 5 characters all the way around) or increasing the stage count, this category would get a point higher or 2. With it the way it is now, I can't let it get by quite as much as it did in CvS.

Overall: 7
Having played this game in its original form and being rather cruel to its controls, I find that its updated version is lacking in replay value. True, the control complaints I had the first time may have been shortsighted as I wasn't into 2D fighting as I am now, but I'm fairly certain that the replay length of this game is terminally lacking. If given the chance, take Capcom VS SNK 2 (the far superior sequel) over this game and check this one out if you're curious what you missed the first time around. However, this game without its sequel complementing it just does not deliver the thrills of what make 2D fighting fun.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 09/10/04, Updated 11/29/07

Game Release: Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 Pro (JP, 06/14/01)