Capcom games have been a staple of the gaming industry since the early 1980s. Since releasing its first arcade game, Vulgus, in 1984, the company has become one of the world's most beloved and recognizable developers. Along the way, they have created some of the most popular gaming franchises, many of which have spanned multiple decades and consoles.
From Mega Man to Resident Evil, Capcom games have remained popular throughout generations, drawing in old and new fans alike. However, some Capcom games have aged better than others. These pre-2005 titles have all stood the test of time and are still able to bring hours of entertainment to modern gamers.
9 Super Street Fighter II Turbo
The Street Fighter franchise needs no introduction. Street Fighter 2 almost single-handedly reinvented the fighting game genre. However, it is the series' fifth installment, Super Street Fighter II Turbo, which was released in 1994, that has really stood the test of time.
Its classic gameplay combined with upgraded visuals and the new character moves made it stand out from other releases at the time. The game also introduced new mechanics, such as high-powered super combo attacks and variable speed settings. Even now, SSF2T is still played competitively at gaming tournaments around the world.
8 Resident Evil 2
As with some of the other great Capcom sequels, the 1998 classic Resident Evil 2 took everything great about its predecessor and made it even better. The developers significantly improved the graphics, gameplay, storytelling, and controls to create a game that many still regard as one of the best in the series.
Players take on the roles of rookie cop Leon Kennedy and student Claire Redfield, fighting their way through an undead-filled Raccoon City. The expertly crafted puzzles, intriguing story, and memorable characters have stood the test of time, making this survival horror masterpiece one of the best in the Resident Evil series.
7 Mega Man X
Like many Capcom franchises, Mega Man is a series with plenty of games that have aged well. When it comes to the game that has aged the best though, it's difficult to look much further than Mega Man X for the Super Nintendo. On its release, it reinvigorated the entire franchise, which had been slowly stagnating on the NES.
It improved the series formula with better graphics, sound, presentation, and scope. The developers also introduced new gameplay features, weapons, and power-ups, along with a much more detailed storyline than those found in the 8-bit games. Mega Man X holds up surprisingly well even today, especially when compared with more modern Mega Man games.
6 Marvel vs. Capcom 2
Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is the quintessential example of a classic Capcom title that has stood the test of time. It was released in 2000 to critical acclaim and is regularly cited as one of the best fighting games of all time. The game feature 56 playable characters from the Marvel and Capcom universes, allowing fans to duke it out as their favorite heroes and villains.
Combining a fast-paced arcade style with an over-the-top combo system, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 became an instant hit. It cemented itself as one of the greatest games in its genre and remains incredibly enjoyable today despite several decades having now passed since its release.
5 Super Ghouls' n Ghosts
The Ghouls' n Ghosts series began in 1985 with the game Ghosts n' Goblins, which quickly got a reputation for being one of the most challenging video games ever made. That initial title spawned numerous sequels and spinoffs, but the version that has really stood the test of time is 1991's Super Ghouls' n Ghosts.
Like its predecessors, Super Ghouls n' Ghosts was infamous for its difficulty and was undoubtedly responsible for countless SNES controllers being destroyed in anger throughout the '90s. Ironically, that difficulty has been partly responsible for the game's longevity. Beating SuperGhoul's n' Ghosts is a badge of honor for gamers, particularly those who played it in their youth and found it too difficult.
4 Final Fight
In the late 1980s, side-scrolling beat 'em ups were one of the most popular genres in arcades worldwide, and Capcom was one of the leading developers. From their numerous releases though, 1989's Final Fight is the one most fondly remembered by gamers. Set in a fictional American city where crime is out of control, the game begins with a criminal gang kidnapping the daughter of the city's mayor, former wrestler Haggar.
Teaming up with fighters Cody and Guy, they set out to rescue his daughter and wipe out the gangs. Haggar has become one of the most iconic characters in the Capcom roster. Beyond starring in the game's many sequels, he has made cameos in multiple Capcom games. Likewise, Cody and Guy have been playable characters in several Street Fighter games. Still, this is the game to play for those who want to see where it all began for these three Capcom characters.
3 Devil May Cry
The original Devil May Cry was released in 2001 and has become one of Capcom's most iconic franchises. Its mix of stylish action and intense boss fights set it apart from other games of the era, and its influence can still be felt in modern titles like Bayonetta and Nier Automata. The game's story involves a demon hunter called Dante, who is drawn into a battle against Mundus, a Demon Lord trying to cross over into the human world.
On its release, the game was unanimously praised by critics and gamers and went on to sell over three million copies. It's now widely considered responsible for launching the 3D hack-and-slash genre of video games, featuring a single character with overpowered fighting skills taking on droves of enemies. The Devil May Cry franchise has since spawned five games, numerous remakes and remasters, an animated series, novels, comics, and even a play in Japan. However, for those who want to see the origin of the DMC phenomenon, the original still holds up well today.
2 DuckTales
Licensed video games have a long and complicated history, with many being poorly made cash grabs trying to capitalize on the popularity of famous T.V. shows, movies, or cartoons. The 1980s was a terrible time for this trend, as, before the internet gave people instant access to reliable reviews, publishers knew they could sell a game based on the characters in it, regardless of how bad it was.
As a result, when DuckTales was released for the NES in 1989 it took everyone by surprise. Not only did it look great, but it was also fun to play. Capcom used the platform basics they had perfected with the Mega Man franchise to develop a brilliant game starring characters from the Disney Universe. DuckTales is fondly remembered by almost everyone who played it on the NES, and the gameplay still holds up well today.
1 U.N. Squadron
Side-scrolling shooters have fallen out of favor in recent years, but in the early 1990s, they were wildly popular. U.N. Squadron was released in 1991 for the SNES and is one of the best examples of the genre. While most games of this style at the time were given futuristic space settings, U.N. Squadron featured modern-day fighter planes. It involved a story about a conflict with terrorists on Earth.
The premise is simple, players control a single plane taking on hundreds of enemies attacking both on land and in the sky. At the end of each level, they can power up their ship with improved weapons and defenses. The enemies never let up, and the game requires 100% concentration to get through each stage. U.N. Squadron is a perfect example of the genre. In a time when games are getting more complicated, this is pure arcade action that every gamer should try.