With franchises such as Capcom is one of the biggest video game companies in the world in of recognizable brands. Having titles this popular means that there is always going to be fierce debate about which games are the best that Capcom has ever published.
After hundreds of gamers came together on Ranker to vote on the best Capcom games of all time, these titles are the ones that have stood the test of time and landed at the very top.
Resident Evil — Code: Veronica (2000)
Despite its unusual title, Resident Evil — Code: Veronica is very much a mainline Resident Evil game following on from Resident Evil 2. The game sticks to the intense survival horror gameplay that the series had found success with, following Claire Redfield and her brother, Chris, as they try to survive a new viral outbreak.
The game's real-time 3D environments were new for the series and allowed for a more dynamic feel with more freedom in the camera movement, and the game's cutscenes were some of the best the series had seen. Along with a memorable storyline that took the characters from a remote prison island to a secret research facility in the Antarctic, these elements made it a firm fan favorite.
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (2005)
Situated as a prequel to the original Devil May Cry that would explain some of the origins of the series' iconic protagonist, Devil May Cry 3 proved to be a significant move in the right direction for the action-adventure series. The plot, featuring a younger Dante and his as-yet-unnamed shop, is compelling but the revamped combat is where Devil May Cry 3 set itself apart.
The retooled gameplay focuses on hitting the stylish combos the series is famous for with different combat styles and weapons and the ability to switch smoothly between them in combat. It remains one of the most satisfying combat systems Capcom has produced, and it also has enough depth to always keep things interesting.
Resident Evil (1996)
Resident Evil is perhaps Capcom's most famous property and it all began with this title. Interestingly, the game was originally conceived as a remake for their 1989 survival horror RPG Sweet Home, though it came to dwarf the earlier game and essentially create a whole new genre of atmospheric survival horror games.
Resident Evil's use of basic 3D models superimposed on pre-rendered backgrounds, fixed camera angles, and some unintuitive mechanics means it has aged more than other games, but there is no doubting the tense atmosphere the game achieves. Resident Evil also established iconic characters from the series, with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine both making their first appearance.
Mega Man II (1991)
Not to be confused for Mega Man 2 for the SNES, though that is considered by some to be the best Mega Man game, voters on Ranker placed the Gameboy title Mega Man II as the second-best outing for the iconic blue robot boy. There are plenty of good reasons why the title is so well-liked, as it combined the best of the NES Mega Man games for a handheld edition that showed off the best of the series so far.
Though it wasn't the first Mega Man game for a handheld console, Mega Man II showed just how well the fun action and platforming gameplay worked on the smaller screen and the boss fights against the enemy Robot Masters are all extremely satisfying to beat.
Mega Man X (1993)
The game that brought Mega Man to the Super Nintendo in style, Mega Man X remains a joyous side-scroller platforming experience and established the Mega Man X series. Named after the new protagonist, Mega Man X, and set a century after the earlier games, this title also signaled a move towards more mature storylines for the series.
The new version of Mega Man is tasked with taking on rogue androids and their leader, Sigma, who wishes to bring about the extinction of humanity, and the player is quickly thrown into the action. Though the gameplay pattern remains fundamentally the same as the previous Mega Man games, Mega Man X brings in plenty of new content and customizability which have helped it remain a popular title.
Street Fighter II (1992)
Quickly becoming one of the most popular and iconic arcade games in the world after its release, Street Fighter II is easily one of Capcom's best arcade games of all time. Though the first Street Fighter enjoyed moderate success, Street Fighter II took the main characters, Ryu and Ken, added in a ton of new and equally memorable ones, and changed the 1v1 fighting game experience forever.
Street Fighter II also looked amazing and the visuals hold up well. The range of special moves and combos the game included were unique and satisfying to pull off, setting the standard for any high-quality fighting game since then. The game that made arcades popular again in the early 90s deserves a place among the best Capcom games of all time.
Super Street Fighter II (1993)
There's only one game that could top Street Fighter II for the crown of Capcom's best fighting game, and that's the updated, enhanced version of the game released a year later. With four new characters added into the mix including eventual series mainstays like Cammy and T. Hawk as well as some further tweaks, Super Street Fighter II only made the original roster better.
At this point, being an entry in one of Capcom's best fighting franchises meant plenty of high expectations, but Super Street Fighter II still managed to sur them. Adding in more sophisticated graphics and audio, 1 on 1 combat had never looked and sounded as good, leaving an impression on players that leaves it as the most popular game in the series according to Ranker.
Devil May Cry (2001)
The first installment of the now illustrious series, Devil May Cry's action-packed gameplay, dark plot, and memorable gothic setting left a huge impact on fans. The story follows the demon hunter Dante and his journey to defeat the demon lord who was responsible for the death of his brother and mother.
The unique combat system that rewarded stylish chains of attacks that Devil May Cry first pioneered in 2001 became the heart of the series and is still a fun way to take on enemies today. Though the game has aged somewhat, its huge popularity reflects a great title that changed action-adventure games forever.
Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Considered by many to be the best Resident Evil game ever, Resident Evil 4 has stood the test of time after making a ton of bold decisions that have permanently impacted the direction of the franchise as well as the video game world as a whole. The game follows Leon S. Kennedy who is sent to a remote area of Europe and forced to fight against the sinister forces there.
Resident Evil 4 brought in revolutionary new features and the over-the-shoulder third-person perspective, inventory system, and other game mechanics that it introduced have become synonymous with the quintessential survival horror experience.
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Though the follow-up to the first Resident Evil wasn't revolutionary, largely keeping the gameplay style that made the original title successful, it nevertheless won over critics and players alike with its iconic setting, characters, and atmosphere. Resident Evil 2 follows Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as they attempt to escape a Racoon City overrun with monsters.
Resident Evil 2 introduced the "zapping system" in which the game could be played from the perspective of different characters with their own unique storylines, a feature that proved popular with players. The game also featured impressive graphics and sound design. It is no surprise that a Resident Evil title is the most popular Capcom game, and, for fans on Ranker, Resident Evil 2 remains the best in the series.
