Having played the new Capcom Fighting Collection 2 for a week, and loved all these games back when they released in the ’90s and Noughties, I’m reminded just how chaotic and energetic the art direction and graphic design for these classics was.
The games in the collection I’ve played on Nintendo Switch include Capcom vs SNK 2, Project Justice, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Capcom vs SNK, Power Stone 2, and Plasma Sword. They originally released on Dreamcast and found a home on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 (as well as PSP) between 1998 and 2004.
A Moment of Creative Chaos
These games represent a moment when Capcom cracked its artistic knuckles and exploded; playing them again now, remastered, is a reminder just how creative Capcom was back then.
Bold and Brash Graphic Identity
The graphic identity of these games is bold and brash, they perfectly echo the chaotic game design of fighters like Capcom vs SNK 2 and Street Fighter Alpha 3. This collection reiterates Capcom’s dominance of a ’90s and Noughties game art aesthetic that took the rules of UI, typography, and graphic design chewed them up and spat them out; there’s a colourful, brazen swagger to games of this Capcom era, and I love it.
Gameplay matches game art
Non of this would matter if the games didn’t play as well as the punchy ’90s art style they’re supporting; but after playing again for the last week I’ve found these games remain incredibly playable.
A Rewarding Anime Fighter
In the last week I’ve lost hours to the Capcom vs SNK duo, and forgot just how beautiful these pixel art masterpieces were, and still are. These two games in particular have incredible detail, both in the character animation and backgrounds, which were hallmarks of SNK’s series in particular. (It makes the upcoming Fatal Fury: City of Wolves an exciting prospect.)
A Fun and Weird Approach
Ultimately playing the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 on Switch has reminded my game art, and in particular graphic design in games, can and should be exciting. We’ve perhaps had a decade of restraint where games were chasing a mature, cinematic appeal – I’m reminded of The Last of Us and its minimalist window start screen that encourages a relaxed sense of safety. Capcom’s ’90s and Noughties identity was anything but relaxed.
Conclusion
Playing the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 on Switch has been a wild ride, and it’s a reminder that game art and design can be fun, weird, and messy. It’s too easily dismissed as a retro aesthetic when in fact this kind of approach could and should be more widely used, and in the right hands can feel perfectly modern.
FAQs
Q: What games are included in the Capcom Fighting Collection 2?
A: The games included in the collection are Capcom vs SNK 2, Project Justice, Street Fighter Alpha 3, Capcom vs SNK, Power Stone 2, and Plasma Sword.
Q: When will the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 be released?
A: The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 will be released on May 16th for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Q: Why should I play the Capcom Fighting Collection 2?
A: The Capcom Fighting Collection 2 is a remastered collection of classic games that showcase Capcom’s bold and brash graphic identity and chaotic game design. The games are still incredibly playable and offer a fun and weird approach to game art and design.
