Power Stone
  

 
REVIEW:  Originally released on the Sega NAOMI arcade board and later ported to the Dreamcast in 1999, Power Stone is an unorthodox 3D fighting game from Capcom. The game features 10 original characters and "free roaming" gameplay, a new experimental area when it comes to fighting games - especially from Capcom. 
 

  
In match of Power Stone, players can run around freely in wide-open, fully interactive environments as they battle. Capcom's Power Stone describes itself on being the first "go-anywhere grab-anything" fighting game. Considering other fighting games available in arcades and on Dreamcast in 1999, Power Stone was an innovative and memorable title on the market. Power Stone's art style and theme is also something very "new" from Capcom. The colorful visuals and "cartoony" characters were instantly memorable... but the gameplay is the star attraction. At the time of its release, it was certainly an innovative and "refreshing" fighting game.


In addition to simplified commands for special & super moves, Power Stone enables characters to easily pick up a variety of weapons on the ground as they're fighting. Equipable weapons include: chairs, tables, bombs, bazookas, flame throwers, swords, Molotov cocktails and countless more, all can be used against your enemy.


Finally, game-changing "Power Stones" will eventually appear in random places within the arena. When a character collects three of these Power Stones, he or she will transform into their raging "super being" mode (or whatever its officially called) which allows them to execute insanely powerful "Fusion Moves." Each character has two of these "super moves"... one is usually a long-range attack and the other a grab or close-range move.
 
 

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Page Updated: May 26th, 2022 Developer(s): Capcom Publisher(s): Capcom / ,  Eidos Interactive Designer(s): Tatsuya Nakae, Hideaki Itsuno   (Directors) Akiman, Hideki   (Character Designers) Takeshi Shimono, Tomoaki Tsuji, Koji Shimizu   (Planners) Artwork by: Wsu Platform(s): Arcade, Dreamcast, PSP  (in Power Stone Collection) Release Date(s): Feb. 13th, 1999            Arcade Feb. 25th, 1999            Dreamcast Sept. 9th, 1999             Dreamcast Oct. 14th, 1999            Dreamcast Characters:  Edward Falcon, Ayame, WangTang, Gunrock, Rouge, Galuda, Jack, Ryoma, Kraken, Valgas Featured Video: Related Games: Power Stone 2, Urban Reign, Bushido Blade, Bushido Blade 2, Castlevania Judgment, Mortal Kombat Gold, Soul Calibur, Power Instinct    Gameplay Engine  8.5 / 10 Story / Theme  7.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  8.0 / 10 Animation  8.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  6.5 / 10 Innovation  9.0 / 10 Art Direction  8.0 / 10 Customization  5.0 / 10 Options / Extras  7.5 / 10 Intro / Presentation  6.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  8.0 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  7.5 / 10 Characters  6.5 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  8.0 / 10  Review based on Dreamcast version          Final Words: 1999-2000 was a special time for fighting games. Some of the "best fighting games of all time" were right around the corner. (You should know the ones I'm talking about. And if you do, you probably understand why I didn't spent very much time with Power Stone.) While Power Stone is certainly interesting, innovative, and 100% worth a try... the unusual gameplay formula is more of a novelty than anything else. As a Capcom fan since 1980-something, it was still intriguing to see Capcom try their hand at something other than a traditional 2D fighter. If you were looking for something "different" from a fighting game in 1999, Power Stone was probably at the top of your list. Although mildly charming, I find the characters to be a bit too goofy / childish for their own good. However, Power Stone's gameplay is pretty fun if you give it a chance... as addicting as a casual fighting game can be, that is. If you're the type of person who enjoys mastering certain fighting games for years or even decades, you'll probably gravitate more towards other popular titles of the era, like: MvC2, CvS2, or SoulCalibur. Released about one year later, Power Stone 2 was actually a big improvement over the prequel. I remember I enjoyed playing Power Stone 2 for a longer period of time. ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen      Click here for all posters / box art!