There are certain video game publishers in the industry that are instantly recognizable and Capcom happens to be one of them. Responsible for massive franchises like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and more, Capcom has an enduring legacy filled with games that remain among the best to be ever made.
A great way to gauge which games in Capcom’s credits are the pick of the bunch is through Metacritic scores. Since these are based on hundreds of high-profile reviewers, there’s no doubt that these titles have reached critical superiority. Whether it’s the survival horror elements of Resident Evil or the creativity of Ōkami, it’s worth looking into which games made it to the very top.
Marvel Vs Capcom 2: New Age Of Heroes (2000) - 90
There are some great characters to be found in Marvel vs. Capcom games, with this one presenting a massive roster for fans at the time. Although it wasn’t the first of its kind, the title landed the biggest impact on the blend between 2D and 3D graphics, along with the focus on tag-team combat.
With options between Marvel’s best like Spider-Man, Venom, and more, to go with Capcom’s Chun-Li, Ryu, among others, it’s a fighting free-for-all. There have been further entries in the series since, but none have reached the heights that Marvel vs. Capcom 2 did because of the hard-hitting entertainment to be found here.
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) - 91
Being stalked by an enemy throughout the campaign wasn’t something gamers were accustomed to before Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. The title presented a new spin on the survival horror genre, where players had to be quick on their feet as the Nemesis creature constantly attempted to eliminate protagonist Jill Valentine.
It features a quicker story than earlier Resident Evil entries, with Jill having to survive Raccoon City while looking for a way to bring down Nemesis. The game was lauded for blending action and horror in equal measures and remains among Capcom’s greatest successes.
Resident Evil (2002) - 91
Introducing a set of Resident Evil characters with distinct personalities, the first title in the series was a gamechanger for the industry. However, its remake landed greater scores with reviewers for the enhanced graphics and additional features that made the story feel larger-than-life.
It retains the same controls as the original where players have to guide the protagonists through a mansion filled with zombies. What’s distinct about Resident Evil Remake is that the atmosphere feels a lot more terrifying due to the change sin soundtrack and visuals to make fans really feel the ordeal the characters are going through.
Resident Evil 2 (2019) - 93
It’s rare for a remake to come out decades after the original and successfully overtake it in quality, but that’s just what Resident Evil 2 Remake achieved. It has the same level design, yet feels completely new because of the change in camera, with Leon and Jill being controlled through an over-the-shoulder perspective.
The weapons are richer with content and execution this time around, along with the monsters truly showing off their horrifying potential due to the updated visuals. Resident Evil 2 Remake injected much-needed life into the survival horror genre and critics appreciated the quality it presents.
Viewtiful Joe (2003) - 93
It’s difficult to find a superhero game not based on Marvel or DC due to how popular the two publishers are. Still, games like Viewtiful Joe prove there are alternatives that can be better in their own way. Here, fans can taste the superhero life through the protagonist and his heightened abilities.
Viewtiful Joe has a simplistic style where the gameplay basically consists of side-scrolling activities wit beat-em-up mechanics. Although it might be a linear control design, the action-packed environment and droves of enemies to defeat is no doubt entertaining. The whimsical backdrop and soundtrack add to the unique feel that Viewtiful Joe brings.
Ōkami (2006) - 93
Not too long ago, it was difficult to find great female protagonists in role-playing games and Ōkami was one of the better options. It’s considered among the greatest games overall, with players controlling the sun goddess Amaterasu in her wolf form as she saves the world from demons.
Arguably more than gameplay, it’s the aesthetic of Ōkami that deserves credit, bringing a traditional-looking rendering that makes the world look like an illustration come to life. With a heartwarming story at its center, there few games as multifaceted as Ōkami even to this day.
Resident Evil – Code: Veronica (2000) - 94
At the time of its release, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica was seen as a great bit of fanservice for bringing protagonists Claire and Chris Redfield together. Fans got to play as both siblings in a campaign split between the two with different gameplay for each protagonist.
The biggest point that critics loved in Resident Evil – Code: Veronica was the use of real-time 3D environments as opposed to pre-rendered in earlier games. The change in the backdrop enables the game to feel dynamic and realistic, with the survival horror elements coming across much better than before.
Street Fighter IV (2008) - 94
After a gap of 11 years, the hype was real for a new Street Fighter entry. The anticipation enhanced the eventual experience, as critics largely felt that the game was worth the wait. Although it doesn’t have revolutionary mechanics, Street Fighter IV has a modern feel to the established style of the series.
The inclusion of the Focus Attack - which allows players to aborb offense to spring a counterattack - was the best-received aspect of the game. With particular emphasis on power and grapple moves, Street Fighter IV’s strong points were that players were rewarded for always being aggressive in gameplay.
Devil May Cry (2001) - 94
The Devil May Cry series started off with a bang when protagonist Dante brought in millions of fans for the hack-and-slash genre. It’s arguably the flashiest game to be made, with players encouraged to try out different combos and moves to really feel the style and pizazz with which Dante conducts himself.
The presentation is Devil May Cry’s strongest suit, with everything from the weapons, level design, and dialogue carrying a flashy aura that no other game can replicate. It was also praised for truly giving players a challenge that made them feel satisfied for beating the game on its most difficult settings.
Resident Evil 4 (2005) - 96
Completely reinventing the third-person shooter landscape, Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the industry with the over-the-shoulder perspective. It’s a departure from the traditional survival horror, as players are empowered with protagonist Leon’s superior fighting skills and multitude of weapons.
Resident Evil 4 was praised for giving fans their money’s worth by adding in many side missions and campaigns, including Ada Wong’s playthrough that feels like a separate game entirely. Mainly, it’s the high-octane action mixed with horror themes that made Resident Evil 4 an instant classic upon release.