Power Stone 1 & 2

Forget the static battlefield split into two halves — Power Stone throws you into a full-fledged 3D arena where the fight unfolds all around you. This zany series from Capcom took the fighting genre and spun it into a chaotic but incredibly fun party spectacle.

At its core is free movement around the environment. Instead of standing across from your opponent, you run around the arena, climb, throw objects and make use of everything within reach. Gems — Power Stones — roll around the battlefield, and whoever collects enough transforms into a devastating super form full of flashy attacks. The duel thus constantly flips and shifts dynamically.

The sequel pushed the concept even further. It added support for up to four players at once and arenas that were an enemy in themselves — shifting, collapsing, offering interactive traps and opportunities. What had been a relatively orderly brawler became a gloriously chaotic melee, ideal for playing with friends on one couch.

Working with items and the environment gave the fights a lightness and humor often missing from the genre. Power Stone never took itself deadly seriously, and that was precisely its charm — it was about the joy of play, not about memorizing complicated combos.

Because of their ties to the Dreamcast and its limited reach, both games remained something of a hidden treasure and today rank among the rare, collector-sought titles. For those who discover them, though, they're still one of the most refreshing takes on the fighter.

Why play it: For chaotic 3D arena fun for up to four players that still has few equals today.