CAPCOM vs SNK: MILLENNIUM FIGHT 2000 (DC)
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Hadoooooooooou-Kennnnnnnn!

By WILLIAM BARKER

For the majority of arcade heroes, there are only two options: Capcom and SNK. Both companies have a heritage matched by few in the industry and, as such, command respect with all offerings. The Streetfighter series is well known for its quarter circle fireballs and dragon punches, yet almost all that tried to clone such 2D fighting conventions failed.

Expect for SNK.

When Capcom vs. SNK was released in Japan, it had an amazing reception - the true fans lapped it up like a politician's son making free phone calls to Malaysia. But who was to think that such a game would be released in the West?

Well, the game is finally here and, boy, it feels good to have such Japanese gaming pedigree on hand without the inconvenience of filtering through columns of hirigana. The first question on this reviewers lips: which is the premier fighter - Streetfighter or King of Fighters?

Well, it all depends of whose playing of course. Being a Ken and Ryu addict for the best part of a decade, to look past Capcom would have been blasphemy. That said, some friends proficient with brothers Terry and Andy from KOF did put up a rather imposing challenge. In the end, it all depends on your choice. Anyone can block a hit and counter with a special move, but how many players can pull off level-3 super combos?

From the outset you know the collaboration between SNK and Capcom was beneficial for both parties. The presentation is spot-on and you'd be hard pressed to find a fighting game with such a pretty menu system. Reminiscent of the Matrix, there's lots of shooting down endless digital tunnels and flashy visuals. There is even a bonus game to play while the game loads - try dodging traffic in a 16-bit-inspired sentimental section of Outrun-like high-jinks. Giddy-up!

Before you pick characters or levels, you must first pick your Groove. There are two Grooves - Capcom and SNK. These Grooves determine how you will use your attack metre, located at the bottom of the screen. Capcom players simply have three levels of super-combo power whereas SNK can hold down buttons to gain more attack power as well as super-combos and, lastly, the ultimate weapons: MAX super special moves.

The ingame visuals are not be discounted. If you thought that 2D fighters were dead, Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 will change your mind. No longer is the resolution stuck at 320x240, as was the case with Marvel vs. Capcom. Instead, you get fluid 2D characters fighting upon semi-interactive environments with plenty of detail. Play this baby with the VGA adaptor or on plasma TV and you will be in old-school heaven.

The super-combos still light up the whole screen with their ocular ecstasy and the game is still as quick as ever, though the options let you tailor playing speed from insanely-fast-magic-tiger to semi-sentient-sloth speeds. The arcade mode is over a little too quickly for my liking, but that is perhaps due to playing the mission-mode on Namco's excellent Soul Calibur a little too often.

Playing against the computer is still exciting, but playing friends is where the real meat of the game is. It's perpetually satisfying to open a can of 'whoop-ass' on your best friend, only to be humbled when they turn the game around with some Chun-Li 'right-back-atcha'. And, on the subject of characters, the sheer number found within is amazing. All up, there are 28 players to choose from - more than enough for even hardened old-school fighting freaks.

Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 is the pinnacle of 2D fighting. It's addictive, it's fun and above all it'll make your head hurt with its amazing array of colours, lightning fast moves and outrageous combos. If you own a Dreamcast and you liked King of Fighters and Streetfighter - pick it up today - you won't be disappointed.

ORIGINALITY 90%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 80%
PLAYABILITY 80%
ADDICTION 90%
ENJOYMENT 75%