Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001

"Live and let die!"

Capcom vs SNK gave us what we had dreamt about for years, but never thought would really happen. Until then it was unthinkable that these two giants of arcade fighting games would collide! I suppose we have learned to never say never (Sega games on a Nintendo console!).

While CvS is a very good game it had many shortcomings, the pre-determined ratio system being the most glaring of all. Some ratio 1 characters where too powerful, others where useless, etc. Fortunately that has all been fixed this time. It is now possible to set up your teams any way you want. Depending on how you decide to divide your ratio you can have between 1 and 3 characters, but none of that 4 on 4 stuff like before.

Capcom has ditched the 4-button configuration, in favor of a Street Fighter style 6-button layout. The end result of this is that Capcom characters like Blanka, Vega, etc., finally feel 'complete' again. The SNK crowd also adapts very well to the extra buttons. It doesn't change the fundaments that much, but does make it easier to poke, and use turtling techniques.

The next major change, the biggest change actually, is the addition of 4 new grooves, bringing the total to 6. You will have to adapt your play style dramatically based on which groove you select. Fortunately for beginners there is a table to the side of the ratio selects which gives a short rundown of the main features each groove offers. This is the single biggest factor that will determine weather or not you come out on top. So make certain you find the groove that best fits your play style. But don't be afraid to experiment.

Graphics: Very detailed, ultra smoothly animated 3d backgrounds. Unfortunately that's the only part of the graphics that are state of the art. The characters are still in a medium/low resolution, and look more pixilated than in last years CvS. Some of these sprites are getting really old as well; Morigan, Blanka, and Dhalsim immediately come to mind. Even Ryu and Ken, which where re-drawn for CvS look pixilated! Why I don't know. Most of the SNK crowd looks pretty smooth, as they have all been redrawn since there Neo-Geo debuts. Its been said before, but ill say it again, Capcom needs to take a clue from Guilty Gear X and start putting there 2d fighters into high resolution!

Sound: I was worried about what kind of music Capcom would throw at us this time. They've done some strange stuff in the past (MvC2's Jazz). But I was quite pleasantly surprised in this area. There are numerous jamming tracks, somewhat reminiscent of SF3 3rd Strikes tunes, which really add to the atmosphere of the game.

Gameplay: This is CvS2's biggest strength. Without a doubt this is the deepest, most customizable fighting game ever! And I mean EVER! Six grooves, a groove edit feature, 44 characters, a customizable ratio system, etc. There are two additional play modes to choose from if the Ratio style isn't your thing, there is 3 on 3 (KoF style), and Single player with rounds (SF style).

If you like fighting games and have PS2 this is the one you've been waiting for!

Shoryuken!

Graphics: 7
Sound: 8
Gameplay: 10
Value: 10

Overall rating (Not an average): 9

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/11/01, Updated 11/11/01