Capcom Arcade Stadium Reviews
There’s no doubt that this is an incredibly fun way to play Capcom arcade classics - better than throwing all of your loose change at a game you’ll never actually finish, at least - but the selection available here hasn’t left me feeling inspired. The games in this collection feel like the last options, the games that could never be sold individually. Cult classics like Darkstalkers and every other version of Street Fighter are entirely missing - instead we have a bunch of Capcom arcade games that, for the most part, weren’t deserving of sequels, or any other recognition this far removed from their release. It sounds harsh, but these are the rejects, propped up by Street Fighter 2 and Ghosts ‘N Goblins. There’s fun to be had here, but without nostalgia you probably won’t find much to love.
Capcom Arcade Stadium is not the first (and likely not last) compilation of classic Capcom games, but this is one of the better ones they've put out.
Overall, Capcom Arcade Stadium is a very good package filled with brilliant games, each updated with modern functionality. It doesn't rival the quality of original hardware or the likes of M2's sublime individual ports of arcade masterworks as seen with the release of Esp.Ra.De Psi, but at £30 for 32 games, it is well worth the price, warts and all.
Capcom Arcade Stadium features 32 games that remind you just how good some of the old classics are. There's something for everyone, and although they're all relatively old, some still hold up today.
Capcom Arcade Stadium is a perfume soaked and kiss covered love letter to the arcade. Capcom really has set the benchmark for how iconic publishers should preserve their work for future generations. The pitch-perfect emulation is notable, but it's the courage to make the necessary changes to classic games and ensure accessibility for all that is truly genius. Sure, having to buy everything in packs is a pain but you're bound to uncover a few unexpected gems in the process. Now, how about that Rival Schools: United by Fate, eh Capcom?
One hell of a compilation, with new challenges and lots of customization options. But Capcom should let us buy the games one by one also.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Capcom Arcade Stadium is a nostalgic look at a time when stained space carpets and deafening cacophonies were all the rage, performing admirably in its role at offering classic thrills in portable form. The lack of online multiplayer is disappointing, and the package will never feel truly complete until certain titles break free from licensing limbo, but as a way to while away lazy afternoons or dull commutes, CAS is worth its weight in credits.
One of the best coin-op collections ever produced, not just in terms of the games included but the excellent presentation and range of options.
32 classic arcade games, improved witch rewind and save options, CRT filters and frames, and detailed menus. It is a great collection, but we miss some favourite Capcom games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
What keeps Capcom Arcade Stadium of having a perfect score, is the lack of Online Multiplayer and certain beloved games, that would otherwise elevate this title to new heights. That said, it's an excellent trip to the past, with a good amount of content and tons of replayability. Certainly, a way of reminding us old-schoolers why we loved Capcom in first place and how empty our wallets were due to their arcade dominance. The Nintendo Switch received another great entry to its already big roster.
A bundle of 32 retro games offers classic Street Fighter action, ghostly quests, air battles – with the added bonus of not having to stop when your pocket money runs out
Capcom Arcade Stadium is a solid mix of arcade classics and some lessor known titles. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Street Fighter games not included. Having one of the X-Men fighting games would have been awesome but the Marvel rights are probably too expensive to secure. Capcom certainly went beyond just straight porting of the games. The presentation of each game is solid with a ton of options. Another nice touch is that a manual for each game is included too. This will be a boon to newbies and veterans alike and will save players from making side trips to the internet looking for tips.
Viewed as a traditional 32 game retro collection, there's value in journeying through PS4 Capcom Arcade Stadium's history from 1984 to 2001. It's a pleasure to revel in the origins of CP System, as it evolved from CPS-1 to CPS-2. There's a celebratory feel in the balance between Pack 1 and 2's popular hits, alongside Pack 3's cult favourites, plus targeting leaderboards to achieve Timed and Score Challenges is addictive when earning CASPO to reach a higher Class. As Zac Zinger's infectious song, A Brand New Day, plays over Capcom Arcade Stadium's title screen, there's a party vibe to dancing between game selections, especially when discovering Pack 3's superb, less widely available shmups like CAVE's Progear.
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons of this collection by a wide margin. Players are fee to explore and re-learn all the features at their own speed and tailor each game in a way that encourages them to improve their skills. Whether an arcade veteran or exploring these classics for the first time, Capcom Arcade Stadium provides a nostalgic and enjoyable experience that will people coming back for more.
Ultimately, this is a fine lens with which to get stuck into the Capcom arcade classics of yesteryear and a muscular package that understands the old school score chasing that made those games so compelling in the first place. Until the PS6 comes around and we do all this again with a different set of features sprinkled on top, Capcom Arcade Stadium nonetheless stands tall as a delectable pick and mix buffet of Capcom's golden arcade era.
All in all the Capcom Arcade Stadium is a lovely little package. Whether you are an old-timer like me who reminisces over their mis-spent youth, or someone who would like to explore the earlier days of gaming, Capcom’s legacy as a maker of fine arcade games is here for all to see.
Capcom Arcade Stadium is an essential purchase for fans of retro gaming. Loaded with a ton of content, this game will keep newcomers and returning gamers entertained for hours. Although there are a few titles and features missing, this collection is still a fantastic addition to your Nintendo Switch library.
Capcom Arcade Stadium provides a generous bunch of golden-age arcade titles (with a little too much Street-Fighterism), paired with a vast assortment of options and gorgeous presentation.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Almost three dozen games, a trip into a bygone era, and plenty of reasons to have a pocket full of coins jangling away as you peruse the offerings. Depending on your fondness for the past, Capcom Arcade Stadium has a divisive collection of charming cult classic titles and time-wasting distractions, but it's all presented in a package that lures you in with bright lights, loud sounds, and plenty of nostalgia.
This compilation is a caress to nostalgia, but also the opportunity for many younger players to know the glory of other times, simpler in technical abilities but with a lot of soul and innovation. Thank you Capcom for taking us to the arcades once again, in another way, but with the same memories.
Review in Spanish | Read full review