Information

• Released on 2000.09.06 (JP), 2000.11.09 (NA), 2000.12.15 (EU)
• Published by Capcom (Virgin Interactive for EU release); Developed by Capcom Production Studio 1
• Composed by Satoshi Ise
• Illustrators: Kinu Nishimura, Nakata Yosito, RB, Daichan, Harumaru, Takamasa Yamada (Capcom), Toshiaki “Shinkiro” Mori (SNK, prior to working at Capcom)
• 2 player versus fighting

Capcom vs. SNK utilizes a “ratio” system, in that the “ratio” is a rating of a character’s overall strength, ranging from 1 to 4. Teams of up to four can be assembled, but their combined ratios must equal and go no higher than 4. The gameplay uses the SNK-style four-button format. The player also has their choice of “groove”, or attack meter. The SNK-Groove is based on Extra mode from The King of Fighters ’94 to ’98, whereas the Capcom-Groove is based on the gameplay system from Street Fighter Alpha.

Characters

Ratio 1

Blanka, Dhalsim (both SF2), Cammy White (SSF2), Sakura Kasugano (SFA2), Benimaru Nikaido (KOF 94), King (AOF), Yuri Sakazaki (AOF2), Vice (KOF 96)

Ratio 2

Ryu, Ken Masters (both SF), Chun-Li, Guile, Zangief, E. Honda, M. Bison (JP)/Balrog (all SF2), Kyo Kusanagi (KOF 94), Iori Yagami (KOF 95), Mai Shiranui, Kim Kaphwan (both Fatal Fury 2), Terry Bogard, Raiden (both Fatal Fury), Ryo Sakazaki (AOF), Morrigan Aensland (Vampire/Darkstalkers; unlockable), Nakoruru (Samurai Spirits/Showdown; unlockable)

Ratio 3

Balrog (JP)/Vega, Vega (JP)/M. Bison (both SF2), Sagat (SF), Ryuji Yamazaki (Fatal Fury 3), Rugal Bernstein (KOF 94), Geese Howard (Fatal Fury)

Ratio 4

Evil Ryu (SFA2), Gouki (JP)/Akuma (SSF2T), Wild Iori (KOF 95)

When I first saw the game in the arcades, I did play that game on the Sega Dreamcast but didn’t own the actual game prior to burning a copy (before the ROM sites were shut down). An updated version of the original Capcom vs. SNK titled Capcom vs. SNK Pro was released on the Arcade Sega NAOMI GD-ROM hardware (2000), Dreamcast (2001), and PlayStation (2002), the latter suffering from slight load times between rounds and downgraded graphics and sound due to hardware limitations. New additions included Joe Higashi (from Fatal Fury) and Dan Hibiki (from Street Fighter Alpha), new moves for existing characters, and new modes of play.

Since the release of KOF XIV, many of the characters have been redesigned and have a huge recast (Yuri’s hair is cut short, though her long braided hair makes a return in KOF XV, and her red high-top sneakers of choice are now Vans SK8-Hi-inspired, possibly to avoid legal actions against Nike, who owns Converse as the Converse Company at the time, fell into bankruptcy — see below for her pre-XIV appearance).

To finish this off, we still have our 2D fighting games like these. Anyway, see you next review.

Samurai Cory