PixlBit

Though Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars has just made its way to American shores, I've had the opportunity to play the game (more accurately, the first version of the game) for nearly a year now. This latest iteration of the Vs. series features the same over-the-top fighting found in all of the other titles in the series, with a fresh new look and roster of fighters.

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is an interesting title, as it offers a fighting experience that just about anyone can enjoy. Similar to Nintendo's Smash Bros. series, TVC can be easily controlled, but has unbelievable depth in both its combo system and the character pairing system, which are found in all of the Vs. titles. This is achieved primarily with the varying control schemes found within the game.

Players can match up using either the Wii Remote, Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Classic Controller, GameCube Controller, or Arcade Stick. The Wii Remote-based control schemes give players a simplified set of inputs that directly trigger standard attacks as well as special attacks with a simple button press. Both the Classic Controller, GameCube Controller, and Arcade Stick offer players the classic controls of the Vs. series, requiring players to quarter-turn their way to victory. As a veteran of the series, my control scheme of choice was the more complex one. However, thanks to the simplified Wii Remote controls I was able to square-off against Chessa in a fairly balanced match.

This control consideration gives the game a much broader appeal, allowing those who might not consider playing a fighting game to easily hop in and successfully battle. Of course these controls are nothing without a great fighting experience, which TVC delivers by the truckload.

Unlike many traditional fighters, TVC is an extremely smooth experience wherein players must gracefully transition between attacks in order to combo their enemies until defeat. Pulling off absolutely ridiculous moves is a cinch, and it doesn't take long for players to feel a sense of empowerment and control; feelings which usually take ages of practice in a traditional fighting title. Each fighter offers up a unique moveset, and whether a player chooses an original Capcom or Tatsunoko property, a fair battle is guaranteed.

Another unique element of the Vs. series that is carried into TVC is the multiple character battling. Each player will bring two characters (or just one if Golden Lightan or PTX-40A are chosen) into battle, with one character from each player squaring off at a time. As the match is fought, players will need to defeat both enemy characters to win, but must strategically use their own in order to do so. Part of this strategy lies in character management during the match as different characters will be more or less effective against the given opposing fighter. Players will also have to keep an eye on their characters' life gauge, as a certain amount of life can be regained while one character is not in the match.

The various intricacies of the fighting system are what make it the most enjoyable. Fighting game veterans will likely obsess over the details as they play it more and more.

Unlike the original Japanese release of the game, Cross Generation of Heroes, Ultimate All-Stars offers an all-new Online Mode. So even those without a local friend can go online and enjoy a fair fight against an equally skilled enemy. The mode can be laggy on occasion, but the ability to face-off against a human at any time is invaluable.

Though not particularly fighting related, TVC offers a replacement to the original's various mini-games, Ultimate All-Shooters, which is a top-down shooting mini-game. The mini-game is decent for what it is, and at times fun with up-to-four players, but by no means substantial in any way. Personally, I found the zany mini-games from Cross Generation of Heroes to be more enjoyable.

Regardless, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars is an excellent fighting game, and one of the best of this generation across all platforms. The augmented roster from the original Japanese release and the inclusion of an online mode give this deep fighter even more substance. All fighting game fans, especially fans of the Vs. series, should grab this game immediately.