There’s a thing these days with all things from the past. Be it TV shows from the 80’s or fashion from the 70’s, we Americans have a thing for nostalgia. Along with the love of all things retro comes the inevitable desire to own all that you threw away, or never managed to have. Gaming companies are not stupid and have realized over the past few years that along with nostalgia comes the pocketbook. So as a result, we’ve had a bit of an onslaught of collections from various developers with varying success. Some, like Namco, have dished out a new or rehashed version of their “collections” every year or so. Making this genre turn tired and hashed like so many Madden games is the inevitable result and some could argue that this is already happening. So it is with great joy that I pronounce Capcom Classics Collection to be a shining gem in this wasteland of Pac-Man inspired gatherings.

Not content to sit on their 1980’s properties, Capcom went ahead and threw in much of what helped make the 90’s such a good time to be a gamer. Filling out this wonder of a game disc is such classics as 1942, 1943, 1943 Kai, Ghost and Goblins, Ghouls and Ghosts, Super Ghouls and Ghosts, Forgotten Worlds, Gunsmoke, Mercs, Legendary Warriors, Commando, Final Fight, Street Fighter 2, Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition, Trojan to name a few.

With a collection of games like this and a love of arcade games from the late 80’s and early 90’s, it’s hard to find fault. All of these games are recreated in their entire arcade splendor. From the graphics you know and love to the various sounds that filled your favorite arcade of choice, it’s all here for you. Everything has been recreated for you and it truly is like playing the arcade game again, only without the cabinet. All the games control quite well using the analog stick on the Xbox controller, but if you have an arcade stick, than this is the time to pull it out. There is nothing like playing 1942 the way God intended it, using a big arcade stick and two large colorful buttons.

The menu screen is easy to read and designed well. It really gives off the impression that Capcom really loves these games and has put them together in a nice package for you to enjoy. It doesn’t feel like they just slammed them into a disk to make a quick buck. It feels like a nice library of arcade history that you get to enjoy at home.

A few downers do take the shine off this great collection. One, the inclusion of the arcade version of Bionic Commando is among the games that I really didn’t need to revisit. In my opinion, they could have used that disc space to include the classic Strider which is noticeably missing in a collection like this. But a few clunkers are to be expected and if that’s the worst, I’ll take it. The fact that this game gives you unlimited continues is another fact I consider to be a detriment. If there were some sort of system to allow you to buy/earn continues, it would do much to help make this game last longer. As it stands, you can blow through many of them with a friend in about 10-15 minutes, tops. It would have been nice to find a way to regulate those continues. With the unlimited continue option, the game becomes something you pick up and slam through every now and again. That’s more of a personal preference, I suppose, but one that does hinder the replay value a bit.

Still, CCC is a fantastic way to spend some time with friends and revisit some of you favorite arcade games. Crack open a beer and some snacks, break out the arcade stick and you have a great time in the making.

Overall, Capcom Classics Collection is a fantastic game that should be in any gamer’s collection. With a price tag of $20.00, it’s an absolute must buy.






Article By: Hilden