🕹️ Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium XSX Review 8/10 "More gold from the big guns" 🕹️

The original Capcom Arcade Stadium was an absolute pleasure, nigh-on perfect versions of some glittering jewels from throughout Capcom’s illustrious career. 

This, the second incarnation understandably pulls out some curios and oddities from their catalogue but also focuses on some key franchises (Darkstalkers, Street Fighter) as well as bringing some real hidden gems into the limelight.

The setup is much the same as the original ‘stadium from 2021, in that you can customise your cabinet and add filters and effects etc. as well as there being challenges to meet, and unlockables galore. 

And, whilst there’s no online multiplayer, there are a wealth of local multiplayer games to tuck into with friends and family, which kind of harks back to the heart of the genres on display here anyway, and so not the online limitation isn’t a particular issue for me, personally.

The full list of games:

1. 1943 Kai
2. Block Block
3. The King of Dragons
4. Knights of the Round
5. Magic Sword
6. Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire
7. Avenger
8. Black Tiger
9. Capcom Sports Club
10. Chariot: Adventure through the Sky
11. Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors
12. Eco Fighters
13. Exed Exes
14. Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition
15. Last Duel
16. Mega Man: The Power Battle
17. Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters
18. Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge
19. Pnickies
20. Rally 2011: LED STORM
21. Saturday Night Slam Masters
22. Side Arms: Hyper Dyne
23. Street Fighter
24. Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams
25. Street Fighter Alpha 2
26. Street Fighter Alpha 3
27. Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix
28. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
29. The Speed Rumbler
30. Tiger Road
    
    
    

As you can see, there’s a tasty balance of fighters, shooters, and puzzlers as well as some sneaky entries from a handful of other genres.

With two full selections now available – each with a booming soundtrack, if you haven’t yet made a purchase – the only question left is which pack most appeals to you. Personally, having both really works for the party nights at mine, as it allows groups of people to scroll through and dive into the games that stand out for them, not just in terms of nostalgia, but also those new discoveries that are always a pleasure. And of course, the genius here is that you can purchase the games as you please.