Information:
- Introduction
- Capcom and SNK
- Gameplay
- The Fighters
- Links

Introduction

Chun Li vs. Mai

Perhaps the most anticipated 2D fighting game since SFIII, Capcom vs. SNK: Millenium Fight 2000 will unite fans who have been divided between the two most successful fighting game producers. With features and fighters from either side of the rift, CvsSNK should have something for everybody.

Capcom and SNK Histories

Just in case you aren't a fight fan, SNK and Capcom are two very successful companies who have been making fighting games for years. Capcom's main library includes the Street Fighter, Marvel and Darkstalkers series while SNK produces Fatal Fury, King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown. For rivals, they have many similarities, which allows them to finally bring together the two universes, in a similar way to the way Capcom brought their Marvel and Street Fighter worlds in 1996's X-Men vs. Street Fighter. The crossover takes place in three games; the arcade Capcom vs. SNK: Millenium Fight 2000 (also coming to Dreamcast), and two games on Neo Geo Pocket Color: SNK vs. Capcom - Match of the Millenium and Card Fighters Clash. Capcom is producing the arcade version, while SNK is handling the handheld titles.

When the release date of King of Fighters 98 and Street Fighter Zero 3 coincided, a particular Japanese gaming magazine printed "KOFvsSF" on it's cover. Some fans took this to mean a single, crossover game was in the making. Ironically, it was this misunderstanding that got Capcom and SNK together. At the March 1998 Tokyo Game Show, SNK vs. Capcom was announced, which has since been renamed to Capcom vs. SNK. (from The Ultimate Guide in Fighting Games).

Unfortunately, after the soon to be released King of Fighters 2000, SNK will be majorly dissolved. Rumour has it however, that Capcom will aquire the rights to the SNK fighting games, as well as 80 ex-SNK staff.

Terry getting smacked up by Guile

Gameplay

New engine
CvsSNK is programmed for Sega's Naomi arcade board and the Sega Dreamcast, the same setup as Marvel vs. Capcom 2. While CvsSNK was previously understood to be using real time 3D backgrounds, the latest beta report from Madman's Cafe indicates the stages for this game will be 2D. The gameplay engine is new, but seems to incorporate elements of both the Alpha and SFIII series.

Four attack buttons
One of the greatest differences between the games produced by the two companies is that SNK fighters use four buttons in a row, while most Capcom games employ six buttons in two rows. SNKvsC will use four buttons, since it will translate better to the Dreamcast control pad, which only has four digital buttons. The Capcom characters will relinquish their Medium Punch and Medium Kick buttons.

Ratio system
The way matches are held is similar to King of Fighters. Players choose a number of fighters, choose the order in which they are played, then fight. If your character is defeated, you must use your next character, until you have run out.

However unlike KOF, some fighters are 'worth' more than others, as given by their Ratio weighting. Your team must comprise of four units. The standard characters like Ryu, Chun Li, Mai and Kyo take up two units - Ratio 2 fighters. Those deemed 'side' characters like Cammy and Benimaru only take up one unit - Ratio 1 fighters. The bosses, like M. Bison and Geese take up three units. Ratio 1 fighters are less powerful and take more damage, while Ratio 3 fighters are more powerful and can take a beating.

In this way, you can select:
• Two Ratio 2 fighters
• Four Ratio 1 fighters
• A Ratio 3 fighter and a Ratio 1 fighter
• A Ratio 2 fighter and two Ratio 1 fighters

This means some teams are impossible, like Sagat with Ryu, or Geese with Terry.

Capcom Groove and SNK Groove
In a similar fashion to Street Fighter Alpha 3 and SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millenium, players will be able to choose how their character fights, by selection of Grooves. The Groove selected determines the way your Super Guage charges and when you can do them, but not normal or special moves like in Alpha 3.

Capcom Groove will resemble the Street Fighter Alpha series. Fighters will have several Super Combos at once, and they can use them at Level 1, 2 or 3.

SNK Groove will resemble the Extra mode in the King of Fighters series. Fighters will have a single Super Special Move which can be used once their Extra Guage is filled. If the character's health is low, an enhanced version of the Super Special Move becomes available.

Interestingly, the artwork your character uses for the win screen and such depends on your Groove. Each character has two sets of art, one by SNK's Shinkirou and one by Capcom's Kinu.

During battle players also accumulate 'Groove points', the use of which is so far sketchy.

Zangief charging Raiden while the sun's in his eyes

Fighters

The game has 28 fighters, 14 from each universe.

TEAM CAPCOM

TEAM SNK

Ratio 1 Fighters

Blanka

Cammy

Vice

Benimaru

Sakura

Dhalsim

Yuri

King

Ratio 2 Fighters

Ken

Ryu

Iori

Terry

Zangief

Guile

Kyo

Raiden

E. Honda

Chun Li

Mai

Ryo

Balrog

Kim

Ratio 2 Fighters

Sagat

M. Bison

Geese

Yamazaki

Vega

Rugal

Capcom
Capcom's selection is suprisingly conservative. Every fighter from SFII is in, plus Sakura and Cammy. Although the ages of Cammy and Sakura sort of screw things up, it's safe to say that CvsSNK takes place around the same time or just after SFII. Chun Li is wearing her 'classic' blue dress, Ken has cut his ponytail, Ryu has his Shin Shouryuken. M. Bison has his Psycho Crusher special move and is slim like in SFII. Sagat has his Tiger Uppercut, rather than Tiger Blow.

SNK
The SNK side includes many old faces like Kyo, Iori, Mai, Kim and Geese, but there are some interesting recent additions like Rugal and Vice.

Overall there will be twenty eight characters. Old information indicates there will be two bosses, one from each universe, although it's unknown whether this is still true. According to that same old information, there will be no new or original characters 'this time around' - so we'll probably have to wait for SNK vs. Capcom 2. Sigh.

Ryu's shows Ryo his Shin Shoryuuken

Capcom vs. SNK is due to appear in the arcades in August 2000, and on Dreamcast on September 6.

Links / Bibliography

- VMU save file - all secrets unlocked
- Higher Voltage Review (60%)
- Capcom vs. SNK at Gamespot incl. review (8.2)
- Shoryuken.com review
- Madman Cafe's News 29.Jul.00 (Images)
- Madman Cafe's News 16.Jul.00 (Beta Report)
- Madman Cafe's News 16.Jul.00 (Game System)
- The Magic Box Preview
- The Gamers Republic E3 Preview
- GamePlayers HK News 12 May 2000
- Videogames.com preview
- Madman Cafe's News 9.Dec.99 #2
- Madman Cafe's News 9.Dec.99 #1

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