Game Review: Capcom Classics Collection (Playstation 2)

Everyone seems to be making classic game collections for home consoles now. Not that this is a bad thing, quite the opposite: the game companies get to make a few bucks off games that have long since been forgotten and gamers get discs with dozens of games at bargain prices. Of course, not all is roses and nachos here. Many of these games, even when viewed through the rose colored glasses of nostalgia, simply do not stand the test of time very well. The Capcom Classics collection is a mixed bag, but overall is worth the $20 price tag - particularly for those of us who remember playing these in the arcades.

Playing Section Z brought back reflexes I'd forgotten I had.

Speaking of which, arcade games are the only thing you'll find here. This means that rather than the kick-ass NES version of Bionic Commando, we get the craptacular original arcade version. There are 22 games in all including 3 versions of alltime arcade classic Street Fighter as well as three games in the Ghosts 'n Goblins series. Some of my personal favorites such as Final Fight, 1943 and Section Z are here as well. Strider is conspicuous in its absence. Gunsmoke was a nice surprise as was Pirate Ship Higemaru. Some titles, however, are simply crap. I think I played Trojan, Vulgus and Exed Exes for a total of about 5 minutes. Some do not transition well to the home console controller setup. Forgotten Worlds, for example, requires the player to fly with the left analog stick and aim with the right while firing with the X button. Not fun.

Here we see huge badass Mike Haggar keeping the mean streets safe in Final Fight.

The other problem is that these games were made to be played in an arcade where you're expected to keep feeding quarters into the machine. Some areas of these games are made quite brutal so you'll have to keep paying to play. Here, where you're given unlimited continues, these areas are just frustrating. I like to be challenged, but I also like to be given a chance without relying on trial and error (I'm looking at you, Section Z.) Also, since you can continue as many times as it takes, these games can often turn into endurance trials. Your patience will run out long before your continues do.

Ghouls n' Ghosts: Hard like Chinese arithmetic.

Still, this collection is a decent value for the price. Each game also has some unlockables like art and music tracks, which is a nice touch. All in all, this is a good collection, particularly for fans of Street Fighter and Ghouls n' Ghosts (you finally get to finish it!)