We have all played them, and by them I mean Capcom 2D fighters. Long ago Capcom set the bar for 2D fighting, and they continue that tradition with Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is the newest entry into what is commonly referred to as their vs. series. Like all of the games in the vs. series you pit a group of Capcom characters against a group of characters from another franchise. In this case you have, as the name implies, Capcom characters fighting characters from the Marvel Comics universe.

For fans of either Capcom or Marvel Comics this one of the best games to come along in years. You have dozens of characters to choose from, and you can use three characters at the same time. Capcom portrays the Marvel characters well. And the characters move and act as you would expect them to move.

Now, this game was first released in 2000 as an arcade game. Then it was ported to the Dreamcast. Making the PS2 version the third incarnation with an appearance on the XBox later. Its console port is pretty much a direct port from the original arcade game.

You have 2D characters with 3D background, which work well together. Unfortunately the character's sprites can seem a little pixilated against the smooth backgrounds. Needless to say, this game is a little dated. Nearly all of the character graphics have been borrowed from other Capcom fighting games. Some of their moves have been tweaked, but your pretty much playing the same characters you've been playing in vs. games for years.

The sound is good when it comes to character voices, and other noises like punches and supers. I just can't decide if I like the music or not. It doesn't always feel like it fits into the game. But the music is not much more than background sound to the insane action occurring on screen. At least the music doesn't bother me to the point of wanting to turn it off.

I just used the words "insane action", and I used that combination because I can't think of any other way to describe what you get with this game. You control three characters and your opponent controls three characters. You each have one character on screen at the same time, but can pull your other two in to do moves or super moves at any time. You can also switch to another character when your primary character's heath is. There is the potential to have six characters on the screen at the same time. Not to mention that you can super jump, which gives the game an entire sky to pull of moves and do supers.

You can knock a foe into the air, jump up, hit him a dozen times and then do a super move causing additional damage. Needless to say, if you've never played this type of game, and your opponent has, you may be at a slight disadvantage. But it doesn't make it any less fun.

All and all Marvel vs. Capcom is a good solid 2D fighting game that pushes the envelope. Unfortunately the envelope is a couple years old, and it's starting to feel a little dated.