Capcom Arcade Stadium Review

Capcom Arcade Stadium takes you back to your childhood when going to the arcade was how you spent your hard-earned quarters. Capcom Arcade Stadium covers three decades worth of Capcom’s most popular arcade titles. With 32 classics you are sure to find some of the titles you loved playing on an arcade cabinet.

Arcade Stadium has a game delivery system similar to Capcom’s 2013 title Arcade Cabinet. The games are delivered in separate packages. Here Arcade Stadium starts you off with a free copy of the airplane shooter 1943 - The Battle of Midway. Then you can add the standalone Ghosts ‘n Goblins, or one of the three game packs that are available. Hell you can buy the all-in bundle to make your home console like a full arcade. And just like in a real arcade you can play with a friend, as long as they insert their own quarters. Each of these packs covers a decade of arcade goodness and includes some of Capcom’s most popular arcade titles like the Street Fighter titles. This system would allow for more arcade games to be released in the future to add to their current roster. There are two titles included in these packs that have never been released on a home console, Progear and 1944: The Loop Master.

When the game starts you are inside of an arcade with all the arcade game cabinets lined up and just waiting for you to choose which game you want to put your quarter into first. You can hear music from all the other cabinets playing in the background which really makes it feel like you are standing in an actual arcade. Arcade Stadium has several display options for you to choose from for each game. You can choose to have the game full screen with crisp looking pixels for a more updated look, or you can add CRT scan lines or you can play the game with a 3D-rendered frame that makes it look like you are playing right on the arcade cabinet itself. For me, this is the way to play the games. I own a lot of these titles on their own, but I can honestly say none of the versions make me feel like I’m playing the game on a stand-up cabinet. Arcade Stadium lets you rotate the screen which seemed odd to me at first, but then I realised that if you enjoy horizontal shooting games more than vertical you can just rotate the screen. The other unique addition is that you have the ability to save anytime you want, and you can rewind so if you screw up or miss a jump you can just go back and easily try again.
 

The sound in the game is great. Being able to hear the other videogame soundtracks and sound effects really adds to the environment of the arcade. If you could only hear the game music for the game that you are currently playing, it wouldn’t feel like you are in a room with multiple other machines going at the same time. The ambience really makes this title feel special compared to just another collection of retro games.

The full collection of arcade games available is broken up into three different decades. The first covers the years 1984-1988 and is called the Dawn of the Arcade. The titles in this category include Vulgus, Pirate Ship Higemaru which is a Japan exclusive, 1942, Commando, Section Z, Trojan, Legendary Wings, Bionic Commando, Forgotten Worlds, and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. The next collection is called Arcade Revolution, which covers 1989 to 1992. In this category we see Strider, Dynasty Wars, FInal Fight, 1941: Counter Attack, Mercs, Mega Twins, Carrier Air Wing, Street Fighter II, Captain Commando and Varth: Operation Thunderstorm. The last collection is Arcade Evolution covering 1992 all the way up to 2001. Warriors of Fate, Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Armored Warriors, Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness, 19XX: The War Against Destiny, Giga Wing, 1944: The Loop Master and Progear. Ghosts ‘n Goblins and 1943: The Battle of Midway are stand-alone titles and not grouped into these categories. 

A lot of these titles are flying-shooter type games, or fighting type titles. If you are a fan of either you are in for a treat. It is also worth noting that previously a lot of these titles were released on the original Nintendo Entertainment System and some of the later home consoles. But from previous experience they just don’t capture the feeling of being in the arcade in quite the same way that Capcom Arcade Stadium manages to.

If you are a big fan of visiting the arcade and want to relieve those special memories, Capcom Arcade Stadium may just be the title that will scratch that itch, and won’t require you to buy a ton of game cabinets that you don’t have room for. Here’s hoping one day Capcom decides to release Mega Man: The Power Battle for Arcade Stadium. I didn’t get to experience going to the arcade very often when I was younger, but this title stands out for me since I’m a huge Mega Man fan. Until then you will find me playing co-op 1942 or stuck in a never ending loop as my kids constantly keep rewinding during our Street Fighter battles. It was neat at first but quickly wore out its welcome!