Capcom Fighting Collection Q&A With Producer Shuhei Matsumoto

Capcom Fighting Collection jams ten classic arcade games from Capcom’s rich history into one package with all kinds of features added on like online multiplayer, training modes, and art and music galleries, making this title all the better. Ahead of its release on June 24, I was given the opportunity to go hands-on with the collection, and you can read my early thoughts on it here. On top of that, we were allowed to send some questions to the game’s producer Shuhei Matsumoto. Matsumoto is in charge of Capcom Fighting Collection, but he’s also involved with the Street Fighter franchise and more, so it’s fun to get some insight on the title from one of the minds behind this collection as well as other Capcom titles. Below are all of Shuhei Matsumoto’s responses to this Capcom Fighting Collection-focused Q&A.

John Carson: John, how did you decide which games were included in the collection?

Shuhei Matsumoto: This project began when Capcom legendary programmers KOBUTA and MUUMUU said, “Matz, it’s time to port Red Earth to current-gen consoles!” From there, we selected arcade titles from the 90s.

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo and Super Gem Fighter II Turbo were my favorite games, so I included them. 

JC: Some games from the collection were released across multiple platforms. What versions of these games have you used?

Matsumoto: All arcade versions are available. Then, we researched the version with the highest player base and versions currently used in tournaments. For the latest versions, see the following.

Hyper Street Fighter II: Japan 040202 / USA 040202
Super Gem Fighter Minimix: Japan 970904 / USA 970904
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Japan 960531/USA 960620
Red Earth: Japan 961121 / USA 961121
Cyberbots: Japan 950420 / USA 950424
DarkStalkers – The Night Warriors Japan 940705 / USA USA 940818
Night Warriors: Darkstalker’s Revenge: Japan 950302 / USA 950406
Vampire Savior Japan 970519 / USA USA 970519
Vampire Hunter 2: Japan 970929
Vampire Savior 2: Japan 970913

JC. How did you create the archive side of your collection? Which assets or art were your favorites?

Matsumoto, Capcom legend SHOEI pulled out his meticulously stored materials. We prepared the items together. It was all amazing, except for the Darkstalkers artwork. We were absolutely blown away.

JC: Will the addition of shows like Cyberbots and Darkstalkers increase the chances of them being revived in the future, if so, how?

Matsumoto has a sincere desire for these games to be able to again be enjoyed on modern gen consoles. Matsumoto: I want those who have never seen these titles to be able to experience them again. However, this does not mean that these shows will be revived.

JC: Is there an underrated game in this collection you’d like people to play and talk about more?

Matsumoto is definitely Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo or Super Gem Fighter! Online matches are now possible. We want everyone to have fun and play with each other. This is the right time to unleash the potential of the titles.

JC: Could you please talk about Vampire Hunter 2 vs Vampire Savior 2? Which one do you prefer?

Matsumoto: They were included because they felt it was necessary to make these Japan-only games available to everyone. In terms of which one I like more… that’s difficult to answer (lol).

JC: This isn’t a question, but I’d like to thank you for including Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo and Super Gem Fighter. These were my favourite games to rent as a child.

Matsumoto, Thank You for your comment. Let’s get people hyped for these titles once it’s released!

JC: How important is it to you to preserve these classic games, and do you think there’s a chance for a new group of players to become fans of these older titles?

Matsumoto – I believe that classic materials should be kept. This holds true for not only games but for all industries, cultures and professions.

It is my goal to revive the community. I also want people who have never played Capcom’s past titles to get a chance to, and I want people who jumped in after Street Fighter V to be able to say, “I didn’t know that costume was from this character!” and fall in love with the characters, world and story from these original titles. This is why I consider it my job to provide these opportunities for our players.

JC. How does this collection help you with your future fighting games?

Matsumoto: It is possible for the same concept and scale to be used in the future. It is important to keep doing what has worked so that we can optimize for the future.

Capcom Fighting Collection will be available June 24, on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch for $39.99