SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighter's Clash review by substance J

Many months ago, the unthinkable happened -- a partnership between SNK and archrival Capcom was announced -- and the SNK vs. Capcom series was born. Later, when more details emerged, it was revealed that SNK vs. Capcom would be split into multiple installments...a traditional Fighting game, and a rather unexpected Card battle game, called Card Fighter's Clash. During the months of waiting, Card Clash was never very high on my list....I was so naive as to only be interested in the pure fighting goodness that is Match of the Millennium. As the release dates drew closer (and a bit of controversy ensued) I became much more interested in the concept of a Card battle game...though bad memories of Magic: The Gathering still lingered in my mind. Now all handheld versions of SNK vs. Capcom are here, and I'm very happy to say that I gave Card Clash a chance. It's repaid me with its hyper-addictive gameplay and rich graphics, and it has also fueled hours of conversation with fellow Card Clash junkies. Now to see how it stacks up using my typical ratings system...

Graphics: A
Whoa, are we sure this is a handheld? Never before have I seen such beautifully drawn and colored artwork on a portable game system...actually, I've seen very little console stuff that looks as good, either. The rich and extremely varied colors used in the card and character portrait sprites are impressive enough, but the high quality artwork really completes the package. Each character card is drawn with the utmost detail, and you'll probably find yourself looking through your card album just for fun...be sure those batteries don't die on you. One of the concerns with an inter-series game such as Card Clash is finding suitable middle ground, in terms of art style. Luckily, SNK's Moto Kikaku has captured every character using a style that blends Capcom flashiness with SNK, well, coolness...to create a sense of continuity that could have been sorely lacking. The typical fighting game-style intro is also very attractive, using the usual character art and some cool animations, like the spinning 3D card effect.

The graphics used when navigating the maps with your character are understandably less impressive, though they are certainly not unattractive. Most sprites are rather small, though nicely detailed. There are a lot of little touches that help to make the visuals more interesting, like the spinning slot machine wheels, Sylphy's card trading stand popping up, and so on.

Sound: B+
Overall, Card Clash has some of the best music of any Neo Geo Pocket game out there. It's not necessarily that the music rocks or anything, but it's all quite catchy and fits the style of the game well. From the Resident Evil score that plays in SC Park, to the higher intensity music in the Semi Finals, it all suits each situation properly. Due to the nature of the game, there aren't too many sound effects to mention. There's the beep of the Trading Machine, impact sounds when cards do damage, the roar of the Dust Dragon, etc. However, a surprise feature is the use of digitized voice in some areas of the game, like title screen and the Neo Choopy tournament (I don't know if I should be overcome with cuteness or scared for my life, those Choopy girls aren't quite right in the head...you'll see). So if you're one of those people that wet themselves when you turned on Neo Geo Cup Plus for the first time, be sure to check out Card Clash. And be sure to head over to Pao Pao Café, because the Capoellas do indeed have a pretty groovin' sound...

Gameplay: A+
As you might have gathered from my overly dramatic intro, I'm not a fan of Magic: The Gathering. In fact, I really dislike collectable card games as a whole, for a number of reasons. Like the insane cost of buying new cards (only to lose them later on), the hassle of tracking the various point values involved, playing against people named "Todd" in some local hobby shop, etc...maybe I just don't dig the whole fantasy aspect...but that's beside the point. Originally, I had virtually no interest in Card Clash, but as time went on I warmed up to the idea, since the art looked great, an RPG-like quest was involved, and hey...it's from SNK, right?

Well, now that I've had the chance to sit down and experience what Card Clash has to offer, I'm totally addicted. You start off by selecting what character you wish play as, and then it's off to your first match.you probably won't do very well, but that's OK...you'll have your revenge. Once you are on your way, you're basically free to roam the international Card Clash scene, meeting new people, finding new areas, collecting cards, and of course, challenging others to matches. The gameplay system used in the actual card battles is quite remarkable, as the strategy runs much deeper than I ever expected. The CHA cards, the backbone of the system, have very distinct strengths and weaknesses, forcing you to think your moves through very carefully if you intend to claim victory. Other than the standard CHA cards, AC cards provide special powers or unusual effects. AC cards are mainly just an annoyance to the other player, though when used in conjunction with the right combination of CHA cards, the results can be deadly. Earning and using powerful cards is one thing, but properly formulating your deck, thinking though each and every move, and getting a little luck with your draws is quite an art. As deep as the cardplay is, Card Clash wouldn't be complete without its many RPG aspects. These elements provide immense amounts of replay value, since you'll ALWAYS have something to do. Playing against simple opponents, finding new cards, customizing your deck, earning the SC coins, playing through the Card Clash tournament (which takes you all the way from Osaka to Las Vegas for the Finals), visiting the trading shops, playing the slot machines, taking part in auctions for rare cards.the list goes on. As you progress through the game, many people and objects will change, in some way. This adds the feel of time progression, just like any regular RPG. Then of course, you'll meet new people like Yosiki, a total card geek, or Mask, a mysterious player who shows up at random...beat him and you just might get some aweso me cards. You'll gain access to new areas, like the Lost World stockroom, and other hidden places. Many of the objects within the game are interactive, my favorite of which is the Crane game in Joy Joy. Free cards, baby!

Overall: A+
After more than a year of writing Neo Geo Pocket game reviews, I've only given one other title an A+ rating (that game is Metal Slug: 1st Mission). Card Clash is by no means a perfect game, as it most definitely has its share of flaws. But despite these imperfections, it is one of the most enjoyable and absorbing Neo Geo Pocket titles I have ever played. I started playing, not knowing what to expect, but soon I was sucked in by the great atmosphere, the RPG elements, the fantastic card battle system, and last but not least, the fact that just about every SNK and Capcom character you can think of is represented with beautiful artwork. I've played Card Clash for well over 30 hours (according to the in-game clock), and I'm still compelled to play more. Card Fighter's Clash is not only a landmark videogame, but also a Neo Geo Pocket classic that is most definitely worth your free time. And trust me, it will reach out and grab that time away from you whether you like it or not!