Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001

"The Best Out There!"

To state one thing before I get to the facts, I have only played fighting games when, by chance, I get a friend over who likes them. I felt compelled to give Capcom vrs SNK 2 a good reviewing after playing it with some good friends.

Graphics 6/10

I own Final Fantasy X okay? I can't marvel at ANY game that uses sprites, but of any fighting game using them this has to be the best. While some of the characters suck, you must admit that most of them have always sucked. Also the backgrounds were the most entertaining things happening in a few fights with a novice player. The sharp looks added to supers and to most of the moves in general is nice as well. The only time I've enjoyed watching a Hodouken hit home so well was when I had been playing for a half hour to beat an old SF game in ultra difficulty. Like I said I'm no master of fighting games. The menus are nice and are well styled, but one small complaint is that in character selection you can't even SEE a few of the characters faces.

Audio 10/10

This is most likely the ONLY fighting game not to ever upset me with the noises, background noise, or announcer. Everything from a barge pulling up in the atlantic background to the screech of a paticular fighters hawk sounds great in my ears. Also ANYONE who has ever played a SF game will adore the clarity when Ryu busts out with: SHINKU HODOUKEN! Spot on and beautiful!

Gameplay 10/10

The multiple players and grooves make for the most insane night going head to head I have ever seen, and if you ever get really good at playing survival mode you will appreciate it. The controls can be the least bit tricky using the generic analog pads on the PS2, but I can't blame Capcom for that. Also there was another factor that I found very nice to the game. No friggen trouble with the moves. I lent this to a friend and the first thing he asked me was how to use the moves for different characters. I just told him to pause the game during a match and the moves would be displayed for him under the appropriate menu. I have played a fighting game in a while now, so I don't know if this is a new feature or not. I sure like it though.

Story 1/10

Typical SF plot from what I can see. In other words none. This is a fighting game, and if I want a story I will go back to my RPGs. Like with the sprites it is something I accept, and don't hold it against the title.

Replay 10/10

Not only is this fun with friends now, but it will be a month from now. It will also be a blast a year later when you are looking for a head to head game and you pull it from your, now large, stack of PS2 games. This game is endless in it's fighting. You could get a REAL blackbet before a serious vet would give you a blackbelt in this game.

Fun 10/10

You have a million insane ways to bash the snot of you friends virtually in this game, and assuming you know the purpose of a fighting game this is the peak of fun mountain for you!

Overall 10/10

I can't diss this game for it's flaws. It suffers from less than half of the things other fighting games do, and it is far more fun. Even if you have only played a few SF games over the years (Guilty here.) you can pick this title up quickly and have a blast. Even people who hate fighting games because of the schooling a lame friend gave them a few years back will love this title. If you were looking for a fighting game right now this would be the first one I would hand you off of a shelf of any title. I love this game, and I will gladly give it a ten despite minor flaws. Also even if the massive styles and variety of the game don't grab you here is the clincher for a few people I know. This game is the cure for Hodoukenites! I have mainly played Ryu, Ken, Akuma, or Sakura (Go girl.) for my limited time in enjoying fighting games. Thanks to Capcom vrs SNK 2 I can say I am a fully cured player who now enjoys playing with a certain hawk girl far too much. (She does own.)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/09/02, Updated 01/09/02