Player Review-Capcom Generation: Dai 3 Shuu Koko ni Rekishi Hajimaru (1998) Other Names: Capcom Generations 3: The First Generation, Capcom Generation Collection 3: History Begins Here, Capcom Generation 3, カプコン ジェネレーション －第3集 ここに歴史はじまる－ System(s): Sega Saturn Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Original system(s): all four games ran on their own unique arcade boards Game total: 4 Games included: Exed Exes, Pirate Ship Higemaru, Son Son, Vulgus Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (65 tracks) Peripherals supported: 6 Player Genre: Compilation Number of players: 1-2 Capcom Generation 3 really isn't much better than the first 2 games in the series. While it probably has the most variety among them, the games on it are all from 1984-1985 and if you know anything about Capcom as a company, you know they were in their infancy stages at this point. Their greatest hits didn't really start coming out until about 1987 when Mega Man was released. Mega Man is not only Capcom's flagship chracter but he is also the face of their 4th highest grossing franchise.
This collection consists of Exed Exes, SonSon, Vulgas, and Pirate Ship Higemaru. Exed Exes & Vulgas are vertical-scrolling shooters, SonSon is a side-scrolling shooter and Pirate Ship Higemaru is a maze game. I'm sure these were all considered revolutionary or first-rate when they were new but it's hard to go back to games like these because not only are they primative by the standards of what would have been considered "current" when the collection came out but also by the standards of the genres they fit into. SHUMPS & scrolling shooters aren't like platformers where there wasn't really much improvement by the fifth generation of gaming. In fact, i'd go as far as to say 2D platformers were still BETTER than most 3D platformers at the time. I'd much rather play Donkey Kong Country, Adventure Island or Earthworm Jim as opposed to Crash Bandicoot, Klonoa or Banjo-Kazooie.
The common theme among the Capcom Generation games is that they are collectible. You can tell in the cover art that these were intended to be collector's items. Maybe Capcom thought you should have a piece of their history and have it all in one place via your PlayStation or Sega Saturn collection. Vulgus is the only one that isn't on any other consoles, it only exists in arcades and as a floppy disk. It was an early PC game. Collections usually aren't for people who just want to try older games they never played though, it's usually for the best games or a legitimate franchise developed by the company and none of these games really fit that description.
THE GOOD -This is the only game in the series that actually offers some variety. The others either feature games in the same series, games that are similar in theme or games that all feature the same gameplay type. -Pirate Ship Higemaru & SonSon so far are maybe the most enjoyable games i've played in these collections. They aren't great by any stretch of the imagination but they are JUST challenging and interesting ENOUGH for them to be playable for a few hours.
THE BAD -Just like the other games in the series, the games in the collection just flat out aren't very fun. This is something you get if you are a Capcom fan not if you are actually looking for some interesting games to play. I give Capcom Generation 3 a, 4.0 out of 10 CAPCOM FANDOM PURPOSES ONLY
