Preview: Capcom Fighting Collection Preserves Cult Classics

The Capcom Fighting Collection is exactly what it implies. Several classic Capcom arcade titles are bundled together. While notable titles like Street Fighter II and entries in the Darkstalkers series are available, you also have more niche games like Red Earth appearing. However, after some hands-on time with a PC preview build, it seems another part of what may make this bundle worthwhile outside of its roster of fighting games is what is available via its extra features.

Perhaps one of the most significant of these features in the Capcom Fighting Collection is the Museum, a digital archive that not only features concept art, but also scans of Japan-exclusive pamphlets and other promotional materials. Some of these galleries in this build were quite extensive. A handful of these collections including upwards of 50 pieces of artwork. In some cases, there are even short animations that go over the conceptualization of certain moves and clean scans of game manuals.

From a preservation standpoint, these could end up proving to be really impressive and incredible additions. Especially when gallery features for specific games can sometimes tend to be sparse. That said, in this build certain titles were definitely lacking in that department. But based on this version, consumers may be pleasantly surprised to see just how dense the galleries for Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors and Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness are. Naturally, there is also an option to playback music from the games here.

The game also allows for players to pick which version of the game they would like to play, if the option is available. This feels significant for fighting game enthusiasts. However, there were generally only two options between each game in this PC build. There would be a Japanese and US version available to toggle between. Additionally, each version is given an accompanying code for players to completely understand what iteration they’re playing. Capcom has also outlined certain changes that will be appearing in the collection to fix known bugs or issues.

For example, for the Hyper Street Fighter II – Anniversary Edition – bundled in with the collection, changes have been made to Blanka and Guile. However, not every game had changes in the build of Capcom Fighting Collection I played. Titles like Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo virtually remained the same as their original releases. Another change is the final game will also feature rollback netcode. However, I was not able to test this, so milage may vary depending on where a player is located.

The artwork in the games also, potentially to the surprise of no one, remains fantastic. The animations were snappy in this PC build. Character designs and animations are distinct, and while not overly detailed at times, still bleed with an incredible amount of personality.

When all is said and done, the Capcom Fighting Collection seems like it will keep these classic titles alive. Especially through features like its Museum, which allow for access to pieces of hard to obtain concept art and promotional materials.

Capcom Fighting Collection will release for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on June 24, 2022.