Capcom’s Fighting Game Renaissance? Record Profits Fuel Speculation on Dormant Franchises

Capcom is riding high! Fresh off reporting record profits for the fiscal year, fueled by the massive success of Monster Hunter Wilds and the continued strong performance of titles like Resident Evil, Street Fighter 6, and Dragon's Dogma 2, the gaming world is buzzing with anticipation. Could this financial boon herald a resurgence of some of Capcom's beloved, yet dormant, fighting game franchises?

Back in the '90s, Capcom dominated the fighting game scene, boasting a roster of diverse titles that rivaled the character selection of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Now, with Street Fighter 6 achieving phenomenal success, particularly in Japan, it's logical to wonder if Capcom is considering revisiting its vault of fighting game treasures.

The company even conducted a poll asking fans which franchises they missed and would like to see return, with several fighting games topping the list. Let's take a look at a few potential contenders:

Darkstalkers: A Gothic Horror Brawler

The demand for a new Darkstalkers game has been deafening for years. This ambitious series, known as Vampire in Japan, captivated fans with its stunning animations and its imaginative takes on classic horror tropes. Despite solid arcade performance, the series lacked strong home console releases. A 2010s re-release, Darkstalkers: Resurrection, unfortunately underperformed, putting planned sequels on ice, even after teases by then-producer Yoshinori Ono.

However, Capcom's continued interest in the franchise is evident in crossover titles and the inclusion of five Darkstalkers games in the 2022 Capcom Fighting Collection. With improved financial health, now might be the perfect time for another attempt at reviving this fan-favorite.

Rival Schools: High School Hype

Rival Schools, or Justice Gakuen as it's known in Japan, stands out with its colorful cast of high school characters, each with unique extracurricular-inspired fighting styles. The game even features Street Fighter's Sakura Kasugano, solidifying its place within the same universe.

The connection between Rival Schools and Street Fighter has been further reinforced in Street Fighter 5, with stage backgrounds featuring Rival Schools characters and the eventual inclusion of Akira Kazama on the roster. While Capcom might prefer simply introducing more Rival Schools characters to the Street Fighter series, the distinct gameplay of Rival Schools deserves its own revival.

Former Capcom star Hideaki Itsuno expressed his desire to make Rival Schools 3 back in 2018. While his departure from Capcom last year might make the project less likely, contracting him for the project is still a possibility.

Star Gladiator: A 3D Sci-Fi Throwdown

Star Gladiator marked Capcom's foray into the 3D fighting game genre, reminiscent of Soul Calibur with its weapon-based combat and ring outs. Inspired by Star Wars, this sci-fi fighter is set to be rediscovered by many with the upcoming release of Capcom Fighting Game Collection 2, which includes Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein.

With mainstays like Dead or Alive and Soul Calibur currently absent and Virtua Fighter preparing for a comeback, Capcom could potentially capitalize on a void in the 3D fighting game landscape. While developing a new Star Gladiator from scratch might be unlikely, positive reception to the game in the upcoming collection could pave the way for a future revival.Tekken 8, remains the only active and popular recent 3D fighting game and has come under some critisism.

Licensed Fighting Games and Capcom vs. SNK 3

In the '90s, Capcom was the king of licensed fighting games, with titles like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and the Marvel vs. Capcom series. Given the potential lucrativeness of licensed games today, Capcom might be tempted to return to this arena.

The potential return of Capcom vs. SNK 3 has been a long-standing pipe dream. But the bond between Capcom and SNK appears to be strengthening. Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui of Fatal Fury are joining Street Fighter 6, while Street Fighter's Ken Masters and Chun-Li will be added to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.

Producers from both companies have expressed interest in exploring the possibility of a new crossover title. With Capcom vs. SNK 2 receiving renewed attention through re-releases and character crossovers already occurring, the prospect of a new installment seems more realistic than ever.

Capcom's current success creates an opportunity to revisit dormant IPs. Are you ready for a fighting game renaissance? Which franchise would you like to see make a comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

• Capcom
• Fighting Games
• Street Fighter