Yep, I'm back with another video game review, this time about the much wanted Tatsunoko vs Capcom, which I just bought today

~*GRAPHICS*~

Ok I want to break this into 3 parts. Character models, backgrounds, and effects. First off, the characters. They're all in 3D, so they're constantly moving, yet they're not stiff. The characters all have noticeable facial expressions(save for the 2 robots and final boss since it has no face) and they're all in character. The characters themselves look incredibly detailed, looking perfectly like an updated version of their original appearances. Even the Tatsunoko characters are really well modeled. Next is the backgrounds. Again, it's 3D. This isn't a problem though, as it adds SO much depth into the stage you're fighting in. The background characters and environment are lively. A good example of that would be the mall which Dead Rising takes place in. That stage is filled with zombies and whatnot, and you can see them all wandering nowhere in the background, some even hanging off the banners. Some of them even try to get close to the action. Now for the effects. In true Vs. Capcom style, the effects of this game are over the top and amazing. From screen filling explosions to rapid machine gun fire, and everything in between, this game has the effects down right.

There's nothing wrong I can say about the graphics. It gets a 5/5

~*SOUND/MUSIC*~

There's a lot of music in this game. But, there is only one problem I have with it, and this is purely my opinion. So if you don't like what I say, know that it's MY opinion, and I'm nowhere near the status of a professional reviewer ok? The intro to the American release of this game. The animation itself, if you can call it that, isn't all that bad. But, they removed the kick ass music the Japanese version had, and replaced it with rap. In short, they 4kids'd the intro of the game. Other sounds, however, are spot on. The little things are noticeable as well. So all in all, good sound, good music, just bad intro music. 4.5/5

~*STORY*~
N/A

~*CONTROLS/GAMEPLAY*~

A standard Arcade fighter game incredibly similar to previous Vs Capcom games. With that in mind, it does have its flaws. But the positives outweigh the negatives. First off, this can be taken either way. It's no longer a 6 button combat system. No more High Kick/Punch, Mid Kick/Punch, and Low Kick/Punch. It's now High Attack, Mid Attack, Low Attack. It still has the partner button however. Now this can be viewed as both a positive and a negative, as I'm sure most players are used to the 6 button layout. It's a little confusing, but it's easily learned. The Hyper Combos are a little tricky to pull off as well. Now, the negatives I have are the sluggish speed of the fighters, and the Partner-Hyper Combo attacks. The speed makes it a little difficult to dodge or close in on your opponent. And the partner attack is annoying, since the timing needed to pull off a Hyper Combo Partner attack is pinpoint. Not many people will get it. That aside, switching to your partner mid-fight, and the ability to start the fight off AS your partner make up for it. 3.5/5

~*CLOSING REMARKS*~

A great fighting game, but the only drawback is that it's exclusively for the Wii. If you own a Wii, I definitely recommend picking this game up. It's fun, has tons of possible character combinations, and best of all it can be played online.

I've heard they changed more than just the intro. They also dropped a character from the Japan version, removed the character-specific minigames, and ditched the fully animated endings for still shot endings. On the plus side they did add some characters and backgrounds, but I'd be willing to bet the Japanese Wii will get those too in a future version, plus all the stuff they cut from our version. It sounds a lot like Rival Schools all over again, where the Japanese versions came with a lot more content than the American.

The original Japanese opening is unlockable. I also respectfully disagree with your comments about hyper combos. I feel that it's more lenient than in SFIV. As soon as I saw my friend doing it, I picked it up easily. I'm very interested in the sales for this game though, although I'm pretty cynical about its potential commercial success.

0045-4256-7480 is my friend code if anyone wants to trade punches with me.

I have been playing the game with friends recently, and we've been really loving it, but I have two minor complaints about it.

1. Assists are nearly useless depending on who you pick, which I don't mind much because I always forget to do them.

2.Some of the unlockable characters feel overpowered compared to the regular characters. One of my friends took the effort to master a beautiful ground to air combo with Joe the condor and I picked Tekkaman Blade and spammed a simple special attack to super combo that drained a 1/4 of his health and was almost unblockable.

Overall though, the game is really fun, enough so to make me seriously play a charge character for once, which is rare in and of itself.

isukun
I've heard they changed more than just the intro. They also dropped a character from the Japan version, removed the character-specific minigames, and ditched the fully animated endings for still shot endings. On the plus side they did add some characters and backgrounds, but I'd be willing to bet the Japanese Wii will get those too in a future version, plus all the stuff they cut from our version. It sounds a lot like Rival Schools all over again, where the Japanese versions came with a lot more content than the American.

From my understanding this whole game was a licensing nightmare for Capcom. They had enough trouble making sure they had all the rights for the Tatsunoko characters not just in America, but in all the territories, they decided to just forego doing the same thing for all the music. I'm not sure about the minigames or endings and why they changed them... it might be a licensing issue as well, but I don't know how much they actually changed.

I actually like Tatsunoko vs. Capcom's graphics better that Street Fighter 4 on the Xbox360/PS3. It's mainly in the artistic approaches they took... SF4's characters are too bulky and riddled with crosshatching and normal maps, which makes them kind of ugly.

isukun
I've heard they changed more than just the intro. They also dropped a character from the Japan version, removed the character-specific minigames, and ditched the fully animated endings for still shot endings. On the plus side they did add some characters and backgrounds, but I'd be willing to bet the Japanese Wii will get those too in a future version, plus all the stuff they cut from our version. It sounds a lot like Rival Schools all over again, where the Japanese versions came with a lot more content than the American.

Japan is getting a new version with the new characters (just like we got), but they're not getting that dropped character back again.

The animated cutscenes were dropped because their partnership with the animation company had ended, and they didn't want there to be animated endings for only some of the original characters and not the new ones (also, you'll see that the animated movie tied in with Super Street Fighter 4 is done by another company). I don't mind them switching animation companies... the ones responsible for SF4's cutscenes felt cheap and effortless. It's just too bad that Udon only provided about three illustrations for each character's ending in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. Still, they're good illustrations.

I count myself lucky that North America is getting ANY version of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, let alone one that is missing certain amounts of content. It's a fun game.

Hawk
I count myself lucky that North America is getting ANY version of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, let alone one that is missing certain amounts of content. It's a fun game.

I totally agree. I didnt think it was going to happen lol. I just wish the limited edition arcade stick would be out for a little longer, or that the Wii had some sort of fighting game joypad.