If arcade classics and neat retro aesthetics are your kind of vibe then look no further than Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium. Developed and published By Capcom, this collection of Capcom’s arcade classics is exactly what it sounds like. While there's no big surprises here, we definitely get a really solid lineup of both good and bad arcade games, perfect for any arcade enthusiast.

Story

As an arcade collection title, the story isn’t really what you come for here and Capcom knows this. There is no story outside of the minute and little elements of worldbuilding of the individual arcade games. There are definitely interesting ones amongst the large number of games here but nothing that's truly captivating or any that particularly stands out from the crowd. 

It is a bit of a missed opportunity to not include something to do with a player character playing the arcades essentially putting some games within a game. This would've been a great way to seamlessly link the two while innovating on the genre but we, unfortunately, do not get this. Similarly, there are no new story additions to any of the titles featured in the collection which is another big missed opportunity but an understandable one from a preservation point of view.

Gameplay

Each game handles uniquely as it should. But one thing Capcom really nailed with this collection is the general controls. While each title is unique, the controls generally stay the same and are mapped perfectly to the controller. I never once had an issue with trying to figure out how a game controlled because it all blended so nicely. The newly added function to slow down and rewind game time was something I never personally enjoyed using but I can definitely see how this would make some very frustrating gameplay moments trivial.

Every title here is a great emulation of the original and delivers an experience very similar to what the original arcade would, albeit with the modern enhancements and quality of life changes we’ve come to expect from collection titles like this. While some hold up to that golden standard that Capcom is known for, with a lineup this big it was inevitable that we would get some pretty rough games in here. Some are slow, some are super difficult and a rare few are downright just not fun. On the flip side, some of these games are amazing! I found myself, really enjoying the lineup of beat 'em ups (especially the fantasy ones), and good god there are a lot of them here. It was the perfect distraction in between work breaks and before-bed game time. The fighting games on display here are Capcom’s bread and butter and are all showed off wonderfully. 

Aside from the playable titles, the coin system here isn’t intrusive in the slightest but is definitely a missed opportunity to make things more unique and immersive. But I can’t complain too much about the way it was handled. Giving players an infinite amount of coins to play with only requires a press of a button to get the game started or to pick up from a game over screen. At the very least we can be grateful there is no actual real-world currency involved here.

Audio and Visuals

Graphics are ripped straight from the original games themselves and adds a well-respected level of authenticity to the experience. Alongside being able to see the arcade cabinet on the screen and even down to the slightly curved screens, this level of detail really adds a layer of realism to an otherwise already pretty great collection. I didn’t know I wanted to feel like I was playing an arcade as well as a great emulation but here I am enjoying the hell out of it. Being able to move the camera around was a really nice touch as well. I don’t know why but the ability to look at the other cabinets next to me while playing one is a novelty I now always indulge in. 

The music and sound effects here are on point as usual with Capcom. Even the title screen hits hard with a dope techy track, really bringing the hype when loading up the game. Each game's tracks and sounds are faithfully preserved and of a really nice quality. The only possible gripe is that some of these games sound a bit dated in terms of the level of craftsmanship we have come to expect from pixel-based games in the modern world of games. It’s something that can’t be changed or improved upon much when preservation and delivering on a retro experience is key.

Replayability

There is heaps of replay value here and when you factor in trying to finish each game, there are also high scores and of course multiplayer. When friends and family get added into the mix, this collection is virtually endless. With fighting games, beat 'em ups, and a plethora of other unfinishable games, this series really holds repayability as one of its key features and definitely makes the purchase worth it. I have already jumped on with a number of friends and showed off some of the new beat ‘em up titles that caught my eye this time around.  

What It Could Have Done Better

There's quite a bit that I think this game could have done to truly set itself aside from the everyday collection title. While the aesthetics are nice and the games are great, the premise that it sets up for playing these titles is really bland. As it stands the arcade games are presented and available all at once and immediately as a glorified menu select screen. I would have much preferred if they gave some context to the arcade experience and made the whole system a game itself. We could have had a selection of three games to start with and by playing them earned tokens that we could unlock other games with. This would have engaged me much more with each title as an individual game and not just a quick, dive-in and out experience. 

Making the coin system infinite was unintrusive and the easiest way to approach the concept. With some more time and thought put into it, we could have had to earn coins through playing the games on offer and in turn make game over screens much more meaningful. If there's one thing these collection titles all lack, it's any importance to a game over. Why would I care when I can just press R3 and a new coin pops in without any cost or consequence? It’s an oversight that I think needs to be considered when the preservation of an arcade experience is the goal. Collection titles have been popping up a lot in the last few years and we need to see some innovation in the genre because it is starting to feel copy and paste very quickly.

Verdict

This is a pretty standard collection of arcade games. It's fun and offers a lot in terms of both quantity and quality of the emulated games. You get exactly what you would expect from a collection like this and that's not a bad thing. I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a nice nostalgia trip or anyone that has an avid interest in retro games.

Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium is available now on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X|S.