Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Reviews
This is a strong start to this second collection. While some may bounce off it due to the relative lack of big-hitters available up front, it serves as a great reminder that many of our favourite video game developers and publishers from over the years are considerably more than just their most famous titles. Sure, those famous titles are great — and that’s why some of them are included here — but it can be incredibly rewarding to discover new experiences that you didn’t previously know existed. And that’s where the real value of this collection lies.
Double-dip on some of the best Capcom arcade games ever and enjoy some good surprises along the way with Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium.
With 30+ games, an embarrassment of customization options, and plenty of opportunities to play casually with local friends or seriously for online high scores, it's a rock solid collection both for arcade enthusiasts and old-school players.
If it’s not a classic Capcom title you’ve heard of before, downloading the free Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium pack is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with it — and it sets a solid expectation for the rest of the collection to also feature a variety of enjoyably lesser known titles. And, of course, several versions of Street Fighter, but you know how it is.
That doesn’t mean it’s not worth playing, mind; if you enjoy this sort of simple early ’80s shooter, Savage Bees is as good as any out there. Just don’t expect a particularly life-changing experience!
Don’t expect an easy ride — this was an arcade game, after all — but take the time to learn Gun.Smoke’s distinctive mechanics and overall feel, and there’s a really rewarding shoot ’em up experience to be had here, for sure.
Despite never having come across this game prior to trying it in Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium, I’m now very much convinced that this is a proper hidden Capcom gem. Like most arcade games from the era, it’s got a bit of a learning curve — but stick with it and you’ll find an interesting, rewarding and enjoyable game that is quite unlike anything else from this period in gaming!
While it’s not my favourite Capcom game to date, Hyper Dyne Side Arms is a historically significant one for the sheer number of times it’s been referenced in other titles from the company. And with that in mind, it’s worth giving a go at least once or twice — even if the difficulty spike ends up driving you away in frustration!
Hissatsu Buraiken is worth persevering with, though, because aside from its cumbersome boss fights, it’s an enjoyable game and an interesting twist on both the beat ’em up and top-down run and gun formulae. It’s presented well, has some catchy music and is a decent amount of fun in two-player — just don’t take it too seriously, particularly while you’re getting to grips with it, and there’s fun to be had for sure.
Capcom invites us to take another trip to the past with a compilation made up of some of its most beloved titles. If you were one of those people who lost massive amounts of coins in arcades between 1984 and 1998, you will surely find lots of good memories in this game, because that's what Capcom offers, nostalgia. Great games like Knights of the Round, King of Dragons or Three Wonders finally make an appearance. Improvable? Without a doubt, but it is also very worthwhile.
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