The 2D fighter is a classic videogame genre that has seen countless installments over the years. Experiencing a renaissance in the 1990s, brawlers such as Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, the Marvel series, Capcom's Vampire/Dark Stalker collection, and the frequently annualized SNK favorite King of Fighters, glistened throughout arcades everywhere. It was a gaming delight that played on the hyperactive senses. Guaranteed to ignite heated competition, widespread wonderment, and chalkboard popularity for its champions (even if only for an instant), the 2D fighter was a definitive hit.

However, since upper'cutting its way passed the realms of 'heavenly glory' all those years ago, the 2D fighter has become a gameplay dynamic of an earlier age. This fantastically frantic genre has gradually suffered due to a saturation of lacklustre clones and an absence of innovation. Unfortunately, SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom (SVC Chaos), does little to reinvigorate the 'tired'-and-true formula that has become the stereotypical 2D fighter. On a more positive note, however, what SVC Chaos lacks in novel twists and out-of-the-box imagination, it more than makes up with old school 'colour my world' intensity.

To begin with the gameplay of SVC Chaos is as rock solid as any other 2D fighter. Take an avalanche of fighters from your favorite SNK and Capcom series, add a dash of epileptic super acts and lightning shows, sprinkle in a collection of finger twisting, blister bursting combinations, and throw in an age old grudge for dramatization. Yes, it's what we have all come to expect from this formulaic style of fighter and SVC Chaos is no different. If you have played arcade favorites like the Street Fighter or King of Fighters series then you are guaranteed to feel right at home with SVC Chaos. Furthermore, while this latest fighting title certainly gives no cause for celebration, unlike before, SNK fans receive a game that is purely devoted to laying the smack-down on Capcom fan boys and girly girls alike.

The character roster consists of 36 well loved combatants selected from King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Samurai Showdown, Dark Stalkers, Street Fighter, and even Zero of Megaman fame. Each possess a marvelous assortment of unique fighting styles, combinations, and super acts that many will have the pleasure (or is that frustration?) of mastering. However, while veterans may be quick to learn conventional moves, they will have the chance to discover an added layer of fighting fury. The difference between SVC Chaos and other games of its type is that it takes super acts to a whole new level. The inclusion of a newly developed Exceed system is essentially the super act to end all super acts. During battle, once players have reached the maximum third level of their groove power gauge, they will be able to invoke the use of a special Exceed move, that light up the screen in a spell of jaw-dropping techniques. However, the catch with this special ability is that it can only be used if the player has depleted half of their life gauge. The Exceed move gratifyingly adds a sacrificial strategy to the mix and can turn the tide of a failing (or winning) battle within an instance.

Sadly, the Exceed system is the only critical point of difference that separates SVC Chaos from other fighting games. It makes a nice addition to the overall gameplay dynamic, yet SVC Chaos little more than boasts all the familiar characteristics of other titles. At the heart of SVC Chaos is its arcade mode. Gamers will systematically fight their way through multiple stages of two to three round smack-fests, before facing off against a well met ultimate Boss.

The single player component of SVC Chaos isn't terribly long; but with dozens of characters to try, and eight levels of difficulty, fighting to the top may often require the patience-reserves of a Zen monk. Similarly, two player versus mode further ties in with the games traditional arrangement. A practice mode offers great customized training and is highly recommended, while a survival mode pits you against the entire roster of fighters and also unlocks concept art in the games gallery.

There are a few other additions, such as a character colourisation mode and the ability to save online match data for future reference; however SVC Chaos doesn't really add anything new to the mix. In fact, not only does SVC Chaos not add anything new, as a console package it feels as if it is missing certain elements, too. One of which is a general theme or overall story to help convey why all these super tough fighters are getting together in the first place.

In addition to a super cast of fighters and list of moves to die for, one essential ingredient for any 2D fighting game is that it should always send its players into a orgiastic seizure with its visual delights. Fortunately SVC Chaos brandishes a satisfying collection of intensely saturated special effects and motioned sprites. Releasing a dragon punch, tornado attack, or animalistic augmentation, is as satisfying as ever in SVC Chaos. It may not have the same level of hype as Marvel Vs Capcom 2 (XBW 75%), but players will feel an elemental power surge from within their chosen champion. The character designs have also been tastefully recreated and Capcom fighters have been interpreted in fantastic SNK tradition. Presented with a greater sense of realism, the SNK flavor adds a new dimension to the character art. Each fighter looks fantastic and while they may not surpass the incredibly well hand drawn designs of Capcom's Street Fighter 3: Third Strike (included in Street Fighter II Anniversary Collection, XBW 85%), they are a delight to witness.

On a comparative scale the stage designs of SVC Chaos are not quite as well presented as other modern fighters. Or to be more accurate they are just like many other mediocre 2D fighting titles. While the stage designs are clean and crisp they are little more than an acrylic backdrop to some 1940's Hollywood Western. They have all the usual recycled animations and go-for-broke expressions, but again they have not moved on with modernised expectations and gaming trends. It would have been great to see some forceful stage interaction or invigorating elemental effects that did more than play out in the background.

The aural presentation of SVC Chaos is a distinct throwback to the heights of arcade gaming. Expect the usual assortment of thunderous war cries, blunt blocks and hitting sounds against the backdrop of some homogenous melodic loop. By no means is it awful, but gamers will sense a strong degree of deja vu. Players may feel as if they are not listening to the latest fighting extravaganza, but rather exploring a time capsule from the aural catalogue of some train-spotters gaming museum. Still, it fits well, but something a little more event based, with real orchestral interpretation, rather than Eighties electronica, would have been greatly appreciated.

A redeeming feature of SVC Chaos is that it does include Xbox Live support. It is good to see the addition of Xbox Live is fast becoming a regular feature of fighting games, as it adds to the replayability of what has become a 'consolecentric' and lonesome affair. The 2D fighter is an arcade game at heart and it demands to be played in a competitive environment. Live support gives gamers a chance to relive this experience and in the comfort of their lounge.