It seems like forever since we first heard of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. So long in fact that many die-hard fans may have been itching to import it. The latest edition to the Versus series from Capcom hit Wii consoles over a year ago in Japan. And to the dismay of North American fans, the initial response from Capcom about a US release basically wrote off any chance. And now after a long wait and packed with some fresh fine-tuned mechanics, it’s finally here.
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is all about the glitz and glamour that made the 2D fighting genre so popular back in the early Nineties. Even bouts that may seem boring and tame have the potential to turn your television into a hub of colorful and insane activity, with special moves that suck in bystanders’ attention. The real intense attacks and combos are so fast and bright that it wouldn’t be that great of a shocker for some people’s televisions to up and explode right in front of them. [Editor’s note: No one’s television set will literally explode from playing this game].
But despite Tatsunoko vs. Capcom‘s jaw-dropping visual effects, this game is quite streamlined when compared to Street Fighter IV. There’s only three attack buttons which may seem like a cardinal-sin to purists, but the simple combinations of these buttons deliver everything one requires to swap out teammates and pull off combos of visual grandeur. The intuitive controls allow anyone to pick up this fighter and go at it. And in true classic Capcom fashion, it hooks you fast with the “easy to learn, tough to master” gameplay. Those that are willing to spend hours calculating their combos and timing will be rewarded. Those who invest the effort to learn the game won’t lose to a button masher. But at the same time, two people who pick up the game at the same time and play one another will have a ball.
Ultimate All-Stars’ modes are pretty standard with the usual Arcade, Survival, Versus, and Training, but they're all still fun. As mentioned above, this game is deeper than it appears on the surface, so you'll want to learn the basics of both Tatsunoko and Capcom teams since both offers a wide variety of styles. Just because North Americans may not recognize the classic Tatsunoko characters doesn’t mean they should limit themselves to the Capcom side of things. There are also some bonus characters like Frank West from Dead Rising. And while there’s not the massive number of fighters like previous Marvel entries in the Versus series, there’s plenty to hold your attention.
To top off Tatsunoko vs. Capcom’s gameplay is the awesome online play with nary a hint of lag or latency. There’s even a ranking mode which tracks player’s progress and ensures you always face-off against an opponent of comparable skill. This keeps everyone from the n00b button mashers to the seasoned combo veterans happy. The only negative as far as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom’s gameplay goes is that the game is virtually unplayable on anything other than a Classic Controller. The small investment in a good classic controller, or even an arcade stick, for the Wii is well worth it.
Graphically, most may be shocked by how well this game looks on the Wii as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom can hold its own with 2D fighters on any current-gen console on the market. The 3-D backgrounds are great. There is a nice mix of Capcom, Anime, and original environments to do battle in. There’s even a zombie infested mall to clash in. The game’s animations are smooth despite the large amount of action taking place on the screen. Visually this game is a fine looking title. And unlike most Wii games, I’m not grading it on the “Wi Curve” scale. It’s genuinely a beautiful game.
All in all Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is a fighter that anyone will enjoy. Younger gamers shouldn’t let the “2D” tag push you away or else you might miss out on a great fighter. Those who cut their teeth on fighters in the Nineties must pick this one up if they own a Wii. If you don’t own a Wii, start begging Capcom to port this to your console of choice. Knowing Capcom, it’ll happen sooner or later. At least find a friend with a Wii and rent this one.
Graphics | Audio | Gameplay | Replay | Genre | Final |
