Capcom Fighting Collection 2: Are Memories Enough?

I’m someone who loves trying new things, but my heart is always attached to the old, especially when it’s something respectful and tangible like Capcom’s fighting games from the 90s. So when I heard they released a new collection called Capcom Fighting Collection 2, with Power Stone, Project Justice, Capcom vs SNK, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Plasma Sword, I told myself this was going to awaken many old memories.

But then I asked myself, will this collection really be as fun as I imagine? Can such an old collection bring me the same feelings I had back when I sat in front of the TV? Did Capcom really create something that honors its history, or is this just a quick attempt to grab the attention of those who remember the old days?

Story

The nice thing about this collection is that it doesn’t focus on one story or expect you to follow a certain sequence.
Each game has its own world, characters, and storytelling style, but most of the stories are just backgrounds for the fights, not the main focus.

In Street Fighter Alpha 3, for example, the story revolves around the ongoing battles between Ryu, Shadow Law, Bison, Cammy, and others. But the game doesn’t dive deep into details. It wants you to feel the action right away, making each fight more important than any dialogue.

In Capcom vs SNK 1 and 2, it feels more like a massive tournament featuring characters from both Capcom and SNK. What I loved most here wasn’t the story, but the groove system, where you choose your fighting style based on either Capcom or SNK mechanics. Each groove changes how you charge power and defend, keeping the experience fresh and encouraging you to try different characters.

Project Justice was a surprise for me because it’s a direct sequel to Rival Schools, but on a bigger and more mature level. The game is about Japanese schools, where students fight to defend their school’s honor in 3 vs 3 battles. Each team has its own scenario and creative group moves, making it one of the highlights of the collection for me.

Plasma Sword is the second game in the Star Gladiator series. I used to see it long ago but didn’t really understand it. Now it feels a bit clearer. It takes place in a sci-fi world with plasma sword-wielding characters, with a strong sci-fi vibe. The villain returns in a new form and tries to take over the galaxy, and you have to stop him. Personally, I didn’t get too immersed in its story, but I appreciated its unique style.

Power Stone is a special case. The first game is simple — 1v1 where you collect stones to transform and unleash powerful moves. But the second game is the real gem: 4-player chaos on large maps full of surprise weapons and boxes, with everyone scrambling for gems while fighting each other.

It feels like a fun party game where you can laugh and compete, even if you don’t understand everything happening on screen.
Capcom Fighting Evolution, for me, was the weakest in the collection. Not because it’s bad, but because it simply throws characters from Street Fighter 2, 3, Alpha, and Red Earth together without much polish. It feels like they were just dropped into one game without much effort.

Gameplay

For me, it’s not just about graphics or nostalgia — I want to enjoy playing the game now. And here I have to admit that Capcom did a great job enhancing the experience without changing the core.

Each game retains its original style, but they’ve added a few modern touches that make a difference.
First is the training mode, which was very important for me to practice moves, check hitboxes, and relearn combos I used to forget back in the day.

They also added an option for single-button special moves, which really helped my friends who were playing for the first time to join in and have fun — without me having to explain quarter circles, half circles, and complex motions.
But in my opinion, the best addition is online play. All the games feature rollback netcode, meaning even when playing against someone from another country, the matches feel smooth with no lag or delayed hits. It really preserves the old-school spirit but modernizes it for today’s world.
The games I enjoyed the most today were Project Justice and Power Stone 2 because they rely on team play, movement, and map dynamics — they feel like modern games, not 20-year-old ones.

Capcom vs SNK, on the other hand, still feels like the ultimate game for pros. It demands focus, understanding of the systems, and offers real depth for those who love technical fighting games.

Plasma Sword impressed me with its concept, but the controls felt a bit heavy, and the character movement wasn’t as fluid — so I switched to other games pretty quickly.

Graphics

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting HD graphics or huge remakes because the collection is clearly aimed at fans of the classic look — and that’s exactly what they delivered. All games preserve their original 2D or early 3D visuals.

But the nice addition is the image filters — you can increase resolution or apply a CRT screen effect to recreate that old-school vibe. The modern UI is clean and easy to navigate between games and settings.

Final Verdict

8.5/10

For me, Capcom Fighting Collection 2 isn’t just a collection — it’s a visit to a time when every fight mattered, and I didn’t want to lose a single round. Each game offers a unique experience, and every button press reminds you of a moment from 20 years ago. If you lived through that era, you’ll really enjoy it — it’s like opening an old window to the past without the stress. If you’re new to these kinds of games, this collection is a great entry point to one of Capcom’s most fun worlds.

If I had to point out a downside, it’s that not all games are on the same level — some are weaker than others. But the variety and the complete experience you get for the price make it a great deal for any fighting game fan or anyone wanting to relive some of the past with today’s comforts.