Want to know the best Capcom games of all time? Then read on! Virtually every self-respecting gamer will know who and what Capcom is, if only by the virtue of them producing and releasing Resident Evil games, Devil May Cry, and the Monster Hunter series. As this list of best Capcom games of all time (on PC) aims to show, though, Capcom is more than just its flagship franchise.
Today, we've prepared something special for your consideration. The article you're reading right now contains not only our top 10 list of best Capcom games you could play on PC, but also a short historical overview of Capcom itself. Basically, we'd like to help you learn a bit more about the gaming companies that have been with us since... well, since forever, now. The gaming industry really isn't that old.
Now, if it really is just game recommendations you're interested in, feel free to scroll ahead to the relevant section. If not, though, you might find the first part of this article particularly interesting. Have fun, either way!
Check out the full repertoire of Capcom games - right here at 2Game.
For some of us, it's all too easy to forget that we're way past the early 2000s, and that the '90s did not, in fact, happen a mere 10 years ago. This is particularly egregious in the video game history, where tech progresses at a ridiculous pace, and companies rise and fall in the span of just a few short years. Not the case with Capcom, though, as the company's been in business for just over 40 years, now.
Capcom started its life back in 1979 in Japan, where two of its predecessor companies specialized in the production and distribution of arcade gaming machines. The two companies - IRM Corporation and its subsidiary, Japan Capsule Computers Co. - merged by 1981, as well as taking up the current title of the resulting super-company.
In effect, Capcom stands for Capsule Computers, which we bet not many of you had previously known. According to what sources we could find, the rationale behind the company's name was that "[it] alludes to how [Capcom] likened its game software to 'a capsule packed to the brim with gaming fun', as well as to to the company's desire to protect its intellectual property with a hard outer shell."
Capcom's first commercially available game was Little League, originally launched in 1983. It wasn't until next year, 1984, though, that the company had a real commercial success with Vulgus, a top-down vertically scrolling shooter that didn't really stand out in the market all that much. Vulgus was followed up with Commando and Ghosts 'n' Goblins by 1985, and Capcom was at that point already an arcade gaming mainstay.
Now, when it comes to console and PC video game releases, Capcom actually caught onto that pretty early on. Some of their arcade titles - such as Commando, specifically - were being licensed for home computer use under Elite Systems and US Gold licensing. Of course, this does mean that Capcom didn't start off as a games publisher. Instead, they used localized companies to convert and port their titles into platforms that weren't arcade machines.
Interestingly, when Capcom opened their direct USA subsidiary, they did publish some games for the Commodore 64 and IBM PC DOS platforms in the late 1980s. Other companies handled the actual production of the ports, but Capcom USA did hire them specifically for those jobs.
The transition over to becoming a fully-fledged video game publisher came about slowly from that point on. As the arcade machines grew less and less popular, and console and PC gaming took over in their stead, Capcom adapted with relative ease. What's particularly curious is that, even during the console port lull of early 2010s, Capcom kept releasing reasonably well-produced PC versions of their flagship releases. From Resident Evil to Devil May Cry, chances were reasonably good that you could play virtually anything made by Capcom on your home PC. Remember - this was not a given back then!
So, all in all, Capcom is a really well-rounded game publisher that has, historically, been regarded with great respect. They've produced a huge number of successful intellectual properties, and they've always had a healthy approach to game publishing. It's hard to argue against them with their history in mind. Doubly so, considering their last couple of releases on PC.
We know that this is the part many of you have been waiting for! This section is dedicated specifically to our list of top 10 best Capcom games on PC - though keep in mind that they're not ordered in any particular manner. Now that would've been a tall task. The games you'll find here are all incredible, and we've drawn them from most eras of Capcom's business. From classic arcade titles reimagined on modern platforms all the way to cutting-edge RTX-enabled adventures from a few months back.
Following a suspiciously long hiatus, Devil May Cry made a triumphant return to PCs and consoles back in 2019. It's a remarkably well-rounded game, following a massive demonic incursion in a big industrial city. Devil May Cry 5 also features four fully playable characters and a veritable wealth of extra unlockables and game modes. Plus the conclusion of the Vergil/Dante storyline that we had been waiting for.
A prime example of a remake done well, the revitalized version of Resident Evil 2 is basically the modern RE game. This action-packed horror game serves up an incredibly well-executed gameplay experience, with virtually all of its disparate features working together to deliver something awesome. If you're only going to play one RE game, make it this one.
Capcom isn't afraid of taking their most well-established franchises into new directions. Though they're still producing classic third-person RE titles, it's RE7 and its sequel, Resident Evil: Village, that lead the pack forward. Take up arms as Ethan Winters once more, and lead the poor bugger to a revelation he definitely didn't ever want to face. RE: Village is a hoot, and it's going to be a serious GOTY contender, we're sure.
Easily one of the best action-adventure games ever made, Monster Hunter: World represents the very pinnacle of this franchise and the genre at large. We'd say that this is a huge, sprawling game, but that feels like a serious understatement at this point. Doubly so if you consider its massive Iceborne expansion pack. One of Capcom's greatest offerings, without the shadow of a doubt.
Younger gamers probably won't remember, but DuckTales used to be the game for many of us back in the day. Combine downright incredible official Disney artwork with pixel-perfect gameplay, and overall just a really fun platforming experience. That's precisely what DuckTales delivers, and even more so now that it's been Remastered to work on modern rigs.
A veritable modern classic, the legendary Ace Attorney games have finally made their way to PC not too long ago - courtesy of Capcom. The entire trilogy of mainline Ace Attorney games is now fully playable on PC, and truth be told, you're just not going to get a similar gameplay experience virtually anywhere else. These games are as revered as they are for a reason.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a classic action RPG that, at first, manages to successfully mask its deeper gameplay systems underneath a seemingly ordinary visual veneer. Before you know it, you'll be commanding specialized NPCs in active combat, jumping from one of the hydra's many heads onto another, and climbing monstrosities the size of a castle. Dark Arise really is a special game, though jank does come in the way from time to time.
An utterly unique and beautiful action game developed by none other than Platinum Games of Bayonetta fame, Ōkami is definitely hard to put into words. You'll get to take control over Amaterasu, the Japanese goddess of Sun, as she takes up arms (paws?) to defeat the legendary demon Orochi. We believe this is a timeless classic that everyone ought to play, sooner or later.
Speaking of timeless classics - why not one from the earliest days of Capcom's history? Ghosts 'n' Goblins - in its Resurrection re-release - is an amazing visual reinvention of the original arcade title. Make no mistake! The game is still tough as nails and almost ridiculously satisfying. It's just that you can finally play it on your PC, and with updated visuals, to boot.
Finally, here's one for the fighting game community. I mean, what would a list of best Capcom games be without at least one Street Fighter entry? Street Fighter V represents one of the few pinnacles of the genre: Amazing graphics, tight-knit gameplay, and a competitive edge you'll find virtually nowhere else all combine in SF: V. Not to mention that it's downright perfect for home hot-seat gaming sessions.
If you're looking forward instead of looking back, though, you may be wondering what is it that Capcom's got cooking for the 2021 release. Well, at the moment of writing this article, we've got two major Capcom PC releases to look forward to. In fact, one of them has literally just come out!
Indeed, Capcom is finally taking on the job of remaking the grandfather of all modern third-person shooters: Resident Evil 4. Naturally, the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 had way more work to do in regard to modernizing their respective experiences, but we fully expect that Capcom will take a similarly comprehensive approach this time, too.
There's still a long way to go until the game is out, but we've got high hopes regardless. Capcom has shown time and again that they've got the moxie it takes to pull these projects off. RE4R is bound to be the same!
And there you have it - our handy overview of everything Capcom. Though, in reasonably short order. It's hardly our goal to keep you reading for hours on end, is it now? Instead, we'd like you to play games! Isn't that specifically what we're all here for?
Over the past few years, Capcom has been one of our most trusted and respected partners, and we're thrilled to stock their latest and greatest flagship titles for your consideration. If you'd like to get cutting-edge Capcom games with cutting-edge deals, simply visit our complete list of releases and pick your poison.
In other - albeit related - news, Capcom games have been making headlines here at 2Game over the past few months. Not only did we offer a really comprehensive overview of Resident Evil: Village, but we're also extremely excited about the upcoming Ace Attorney title. Then there's the imminent launch of an all-new Monster Hunter game. All in all, how could we possibly not be excited? Check out some of the related content using the links below, and have a stellar weekend.
Want to know the best Capcom games of all time? Then read on! Virtually every self-respecting gamer will know who and what Capcom is, if only by the virtue of them producing and releasing Resident Evil games, Devil May Cry, and the Monster Hunter series. As this list of best Capcom games of all time […]