Capcom VS SNK 2 Millionaire Fight 2001
Format: ARCADE/DC/PS2/GAMECUBE/XBOX
Developer: Capcom
Players: 1 - 2

NB: Capcom VS SNK 2 is also available on the GameCube and XBOX and has the EO [easy operation] additional mode which will not be represented in this review.

A year later and we get a the sequel - So why did we wait so long for the first instalment? New SNK and Capcom characters have joined the Capcom VS SNK Pro line up. Highlights from SNK are; Athena and Haohmaru, whilst from the Capcom side Eagle proves a positive throwback to SF1, and Maki [final fight] also proves a positive addition to the game.

Graphics wise Capcom have upped the ante, all the backgrounds are now 3D and are far more developed than they were in Marvel VS Capcom 2. The best stage is London, the big red bus constantly driving around is a real site to behold. Also the London stage has one of the best video game songs ever, the lyrics "..is this true love were making.." are sung to perfection and you will be forgiven for turning the sound up really loud and dancing around your television. Well maybe not, but you get the idea. Another sound point is Cammy's voice. For some reason Capcom have decided to change it, Cammy now sounds Japanese. I don't know why they changed it, it is not as if she says anything new.

Most of the SF line up are cast off's from the SFA series, small improvements have been made to them. However Chun-li has been promoted to her SF3:3S sprite, unfortunately she has been scaled down, and been given a palette decrease. But she still looks better than she did in CVS1. Yun another SF3 character has had the same process applied to him, but he suffers more, this is a shame. The SNK cast look their best ever and put many of the Capcom stars to shame. Returning again are the pyrotechnic effects attached to all special moves and supers, however they seem more at home this time.

Gameplay wise you get a total of 6 grooves reflecting the various SF/KOF/CVS1 setups, thankfully the ratio system has been changed. Now you select a maximum of 3 characters and apply your own ratio points to them to make a total of 4. This is a better system as now there will be no arguments over why characters like King and Cammy were a ratio 1 characters. However the ratio system is still not perfect, my ratio 1 Cammy still managed to beat a ratio 3 Ryu with ease. It could be my superior playing skill, but I am dubious. The differences between ratios 1,2, and 3 are very slight, but ratio 4 characters are incredibly tough. Less of a learning curve, more of a learning right angle. All the normal, VS, Survival, and Training modes are included. The colour edit mode returns again so you can create naked versions of the female cast!

The game has got easier to play than the first version, this is partly due to the additions to the the various groove modes, but the game is still not as tactical and rewarding as Street Fighter 3 third strike, but is a definite improvement over the alpha series.

People who resort to using repetitive techniques can be punished now with all the counters and offensive blocks available, and of course the return of the SNK dodge move. The dodge move brings new life into the tired Ryu vs Ryu match up as now the overused fireball dragon punch combo can be seriously tamed. So all in all not a change for the worse, but the game is less technical but strangely far more accesable and enjoyable to play. Street Fighter 3 third strike is still the better game, but Capcom VS SNK 2 is the pinnacle [so far] of the VS series.

So the game is amazing, it plays better that CVS1, it has more characters, improved graphics, but what about all the secret features?

A question that could be asked of Capcom, let me explain. The point system has been removed, and now to play as the 2 'hidden' characters - Shin Gouki and God Rugal you have to get enough G[roove] P[oints]. GP the mysterious calculations from the first game have been corrected and now you have proper on-screen GP recognition. Now you know what you have to do to get more GP's. To reach the 'hidden' characters you have to have 1000+ GP. Now in CVS1 that was tough to get too, but in CVS2 all the combos that CVS1 used to penalise you for, now give you lots of GP. Groove Edit mode is one of the first secrets you will be rewarded with. Basically it works like the SF3:3S system direction mode, here you can create your own groove selecting what you want access to, be it air blocking; dash; run etc. You get 2 of these 'EX' grooves to edit, so there is no reason why you can not find your perfect Capcom VS SNK 2 setup.

Lastly the game follows SNK's KOF plan, by which I refer to the fact that each time you think the game has ended, another fight happens. If you are good you will fight Gouki or Rugal, the loser will then fight his Capcom/SNK equivalent, there is a twist though. If Gouki wins, then he becomes Shin Gouki and fights with the power of the dark hadou and the Blood of Orochi. If Rugal wins, then he becomes God Rugal and has access to the dark hadou. If that excites you, then this game is for you.