Often when I play arcade games from my childhood, I look back and wonder, “How many freaking quarters did I spend on this? How did I enjoy this experience?” That said, welcome to Capcom Arcade Stadium. A slew of childhood memories that are far harder than I remember, but nonetheless exactly what they were when I experienced them.
Let’s dig into this.
Your nostalgia on sale
The idea of an arcade experience on a modern-day console is a welcomed one. I think that all arcade games from the 80s, 90s, and beyond should eventually make it home. Well, except the gimmicky ones like the firefighter game from Sega (that was just weird, but cool at the same time). Knowing and experiencing that arcade goodness will certainly make some gamers learn some history about where their favorite franchise came from, while also making them appreciate what they are today if they still ‘are’ today. Long paragraph summed up; arcade games should always have a place in the video game industry.
Capcom’s Arcade Stadium is a rather good idea when it comes to putting together a solid collection of a legacy from one company. Capcom put in their favorites, while also allowing the opportunity to improve upon some of their more damning classics. This is one of the few times we will talk about price versus product in the middle of a review because it is important to know Capcom’s train of thought on how they structured this release.
The price breakdown is as such:
– The entire 32 game package for $39.99
– Individual packs of games (three packs total) for $14.99 each
Honestly, why would you even consider the individual packs? If you are a true arcade enthusiast, it is an absolute no-brainer to purchase the whole thing for $39.99. Let’s talk about that, though, and dig into the nitty-gritty of the packs.
Why you would consider individual packs
If you are only interested in particular years, and some arcade fans have memories from particular years, the packs are split into the following:
– Pack 1: Dawn of Arcade (’84 – ‘88)
– Pack 2: Arcade Revolution (’89 – ’92)
– Pack 3: Arcade Evolution (’92 – ’01)
I can see 80s children enjoying the hell out of Pack 1, which features very simplified shooting games for the most apart, though ending with Bionic Commando (not as good as the NES version – and absolutely not the same) and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (not to be confused with Ghosts ‘n Goblins – though equally as difficult). Shooters have a lifespan of about 20 minutes in my mind, which I can’t imagine paying $14.99 for shooters. I know pockets of people love shooters, but they shouldn’t love them that price. These shooters are beautifully done but terribly aged. I know that Legendary Wings is outstanding, as is 1942, but they’re a hard sale when you’re trying to get something different. Bionic Commando and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts are the best parts of that pack, if not only because they’re not shooters. They are wholly other beasts that will drive you bonkers in different ways. At least they are not shooters.
In my opinion, Packs 2 and 3 are probably your best of the bunch, if you are not interested in purchasing the entire package. Those are when fighting games showed up, Street Fighter II is one of them. The Capcom library branches with these packs giving you a nice buffet of different experiences, including Strider and Final Fight, two often replayable classics. Unless you are an 80s kid that was raised and dropped off at arcades while your parents went shopping, Pack 1 is the weakest of the bunch, so maybe purchasing a cheaper version of Stadium through picking/choosing your packs is the best bet.
Regardless, the option to purchase individual packs is nice. It’s always nice when you can pick and choose, though picking and choosing individual games is a better way to go in my opinion. Maybe in the future, Capcom or whoever will allow players to do that judicially, though I believe there is an accountant somewhere that is shaking their head no. The only individual game you can purchase with this pack is the $1.99 Ghosts ‘n Goblins, and while that’s awesome to own, it’s a pain in the ass to play. You do get unlimited continues, which is a huge plus. And, yes, it’s different than Ghouls ‘n Goblins.
Is this worth it?
I love arcade games. I think having history at your fingertips without traversing dingy arcades or hanging around drunk people at bars trying to re-kindle one’s childhood on an old Street Fighter II machine is worth the price paid. What Capcom is offering is a steal-of-a-deal. For example, I just paid $7.99 for Moon Patrol on the PlayStation store. One game from the 80s that everyone outside of us old farts doesn’t remember. I paid $7.99 each for Track and Field, as well as its sequel Hyper Games. I paid over $21 for three games when I could have just dropped $39.99 for 32 games. This collection, regardless of how you feel about each game, is a steal. Most of the games might be shooters in pack 1 (and a few scattered in other packs), but they’re good shooters. You get multiple versions of Street Fighter II, and you get classics you really can’t find anywhere at this price, including Strider and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts. For an additional $1.99 you get a completely different version of GnG with Ghosts ‘n Goblins. Yes, someone should be fired for not properly separating those GnG names, but nonetheless, it’s a bargain.
Yes, it’s worth it. It’s a good package. You may not love every game in it, but damn is it good. It’s a properly priced collection that features more good than bad.
In addition to the packs, you get different ways to play the games, you have timed challenges, score challenges, and different arcade frames you can play on. The latter is just overkill for no reason, but I’m sure people will enjoy it.
Conclusion
The Capcom Arcade Stadium is a wonderful trip down memory lane that may not contain everything that you want or love, but has enough variety to justify the price and keep you entertained when you need a break from today’s big titles.
