A snappy Capcom beat 'em up, short but ferociously fun. Charismatic heroes, action that explodes on screen and levels that fly by. A pure arcade treat to relish.
Your verdict
Category
Action4 players12+
Co-op
Description
Capcom and SNK characters battle alien mechas in this Capcom action shoot'em up retail demo version. Published by Capcom, store demo version. Run-and-gun with Capcom and SNK characters, omnidirectional fire, retail display demo content.
Gunspike review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Pad in hand, the bullets fly from every angle the moment the title screen clears: Capcom heroes, oversized bosses and pixel-tight dodges in arenas drowning in fire. The pace never lets up, and two-player co-op multiplies the fun. Short, intense and built for scoring, it echoes the golden age of the arcades.
In-store demo of Gunspike, the Japanese title of the Capcom-and-SNK crossover action game known elsewhere as Cannon Spike. This unsold promotional disc showed off, on shop floors, the multidirectional shooting and the all-star cast of Psikyo's game. Its scarcity owes to the fragility of trial pressings and the aura of a crossover that became sought after: a side piece prized by fans of the full game.
An underrated gem
An unlikely crossover where Capcom and SNK heroes settle scores in an all-out spray of fire, courtesy of Psikyo. Short and a touch repetitive, it was overshadowed by more ambitious releases and met a lukewarm welcome. Yet in two-player, its ultra-frantic arcade action remains a guilty pleasure that's devastatingly effective.
Is Gunspike still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2000, this top down shooter gathers Capcom figures like Cammy, Mega Man and Arthur in arenas saturated with fire. The skating handling, half dash half dodge, and the oversized bosses deliver an instant snap signed by Psikyo. The short rounds and high difficulty invite scoring runs. The limited length and demanding pace may put some off, yet lovers of pure arcade and fans of the Capcom roster find a stylish action concentrate that stays thrilling in co op.
