It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

The game consists of two-on-two endurance-style matches similar to that of Rival Schools: United By Fate.

When the player has a gem in stock, they can level-up their character and make them stronger or perform a Mystic Break (their super moves).

Unlike in Street Fighter III, the characters in this game cannot select a Super Art before battle, but they have access to more than one Super Art (much like their Street Fighter II counterparts) as well as EX Moves, powered-up versions of their regular Special Moves.

The first pressing of this album came with an exclusive mini disc that featured both the vocal and instrumental versions of Ingrid's Theme; 'Heat Haze' by Maiko Kubo.

[citation needed] Many series favorites such as Ken, Sagat and Morrigan were also relegated to background appearances or cameos in the endings, which did little to aid the game's popularity.

[citation needed] Michael "Major Mike" Weigand of GamePro said that the PlayStation 2 version was "too routine to stand out from the crowd--especially for Capcom fighting vets.

"[27][c] Producer Yoshinori Ono has admitted that the game was essentially a salvaged version of Capcom Fighting All-Stars, and has also stated how the crossover, mechanics, and inclusion of the various gameplay systems inherent to each series lead to balancing problems.

[citation needed] Ono also said that he replaced another producer who had been in charge of the game's creation before leaving during the middle of its production.